9 Nights – The secret of Zambia Safari

Upon arrival at Lusaka International Airport, our representative will meet at help you with all your immigration formalities and luggage then lead you a domestic check in counter, where you will board a local flight from Lusaka to Mfuwe in the South Luangwa national park. This flight will take about 1hr:10.

At Mfuwe airport you will find your safari guide from Chikunto Safari lodge waiting for you who will help you with your luggage and then privately transfer you from Mfuwe airport to the Lodge.

During your 3 nights stay here you will be able to explore the secrets of the beautiful South Luangwa National Park. This national park has a lot to offer, feel free to plan your day with your safari guide who will be at your disposal for all the activities you would like to conduct.

Chikunto Safari Lodge is a small-scale lodge enjoys sweeping views of the Luangwa River and accommodates just 12 people. The Lodge welcome couples, families and parties of friends seeking a distinctive safari experience. The lodge can also be booked as an exclusive-use bush retreat.

It has four luxury tents and one family tent each built on raised decking. Tents are appointed with king or twin beds, mosquito net, comfortable seating area, wardrobe and en-suite bathroom. Adjoining each tent is a covered outdoor seating area.

The main lodge area is under thatch housing a cosy bar and dining area. The salt water swimming pool offers cool respite; a perfect vantage from which to take in the beautiful setting.

The inviting fire pit is a popular meeting place before safari activities and around dinner time.

Chikunto Safari Lodge offers a range of unforgettable safari experiences and activities tailored to suit your time and interests. From game drives to walking safaris, our well trained safari guides will will take you on a memorable journey of discovery.

Game drives

Chikunto offer day and night drives as part of your stay at Chikunto Safari Lodge. From the special location in the South Luangwa National Park we traverse the hidden world of the Luangwa valley.

The safari drives provide wonderful opportunities for you to experience this feted safari destination.

Thrilling night drives offer a rare insight into the unique behaviour of the resident nocturnal species. This time of day belongs to the predators; we may see lions hunting, leopards stalking or hyenas scavenging.

Walking safaris

South Luangwa National Park is the birthplace of the walking safari.

The walks can start in camp or, alternatively, let us take you on a safari drive into the bushveld to seek out a more remote area to explore on foot.

Walking safaris offer you a peaceful encounter with the bush allowing you to appreciate the full scale of the ecosystem and your place within it.

Engage your senses by taking in the range of sights, sounds and smells along the mighty Luangwa river.

Emerald Season and River Safari Activities

November through March is known as 'emerald season' in the South Luangwa National Park. This is when most of the annual rainfall is received and is a particularly beautiful time of year.

February through April we like to explore the Luangwa River by boat. The lush, green landscape supports specific fauna and flora; birders flock to the Luangwa Valley during these months.

Discover the delicate relationship between the ecosystem of the Luangwa valley and its surrounding communities.

On this day being your last day at Chikunto Safari Lodge, immediately after breakfast, you will pack your things and you will be privately transferred from Chikunto Safari Lodge to Tafika Camp. This road transfer will take you about 45 minutes.

Tafika Camp’s location on the east bank of the Luangwa River, north of the Nsefu Sector of the South Park, makes it ideal for those who enjoy the serenity of the bush. Here, exceptional game viewing is combined with exciting activities including daily day and night drives, mountain bike safaris, walking safaris, visits to the local Mkasanga Village and microlighting in May (only offered in May). Tafika also has two hides which offer the opportunity of game viewing in-between activities. Hides overlook the camp waterhole which is frequented by herds of elephant, bushbuck, puku, impala, mongoose and several bird species.

The Nsefu sector boasts some of the finest leopard viewing in Africa. This, combined with the abundance of diverse game populations; some of the most experienced guides in the valley, and the unusual and exhilarating safari activities available, make for an unforgettable African adventure. The Luangwa Valley is known as The Valley of the Leopard for good reason, and you have an extremely high chance of seeing several of these spotted beauties during your stay.

Depending with your charter flight transfer, on this day you will have a private charter transfer from Tafika Camp. Your driver will pick you from the camp and take you to Mwanya airstrip. 

Takwela is just a 30 minute scenic flight from Mwanya (Lukuzi) airstrip in South Luangwa, flying over the dramatic riverine landscape to Mwaleshi airstrip and then a 45 minute game drive and short canoe crossing into camp. From Mwaleshi Camp, it's a beautiful 10km morning walk down the Mwaleshi river which is a great option for a camp-to-camp activity for strong walkers.

This will be your home for the 4 nights stay in the North Luangwa National Park.

Takwela Camp, the latest camp operated by Remote Africa Safaris, opened in July 2019 in the North Luangwa. The North Luangwa is a remote and well-managed park which enjoys significant support from Frankfurt Zoological Society and a highly motivated complement of staff from Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife and North Luangwa Conservation Project.

Situated on Remote Africa’s private land at the confluence of the Luangwa and Mwaleshi Rivers, Takwela has stunning views across a resident hippo pod to pristine bush on all sides. The area is known as ‘Chitukuko’ which means ‘place of development’ in the local Tumbuka dialect. ‘Takwela means, ‘we have taken off’, an apt name for our expansion in the North Luangwa.

Takwela offers an intimate wilderness experience and the rare opportunity to visit a beautiful and unexplored area of the North Luangwa. Whilst the floodplain is not as extensive as in the mid-Luangwa, it is still prime wildlife country and will produce excellent viewing as wildlife become more accustomed to our presence. By virtue of its remoteness, guests will virtually have exclusive access to over 50kms of Luangwa river frontage!

Takwela accommodates a maximum of four guests in two en-suite chalets, with two double beds in each. Two more chalets will be added. In keeping with the Remote Africa ethos, the camp will be solar powered and built, primarily, from local natural materials and constructed with local skills.

Activities include guided game drives (day and night) and walking safaris in the mornings and afternoons, with regular stops to take in the surroundings, view wildlife and examine spoor. Enjoy a leisurely pace with a midmorning tea and coffee break and, on the night drive, a sundowner stop for drinks and snacks. With just two other bush camps in operation in the entire park, guests are guaranteed the ultimate remote experience. Immerse yourself in 4636 square kilometres of unspoiled wilderness.

On this day being your last in the North Luangwa National Park, you will be transferred from Takwela Camp to Mwaleshi airstrip for your charter flight back to Tafika Camp in Nsefu Sector of the South Luangwa National park.

Tafika Camp’s location on the east bank of the Luangwa River, north of the Nsefu Sector of the South Park, makes it ideal for those who enjoy the serenity of the bush. Here, exceptional game viewing is combined with exciting activities including daily day and night drives, mountain bike safaris, walking safaris, visits to the local Mkasanga Village and micro lighting in May (only offered in May). Tafika also has two hides which offer the opportunity of game viewing in-between activities. Hides overlook the camp waterhole which is frequented by herds of elephant, bushbuck, puku, impala, mongoose and several bird species.

Depending with your flight from Mfuwe to Lusaka, your safari guide will privately transfer you from Tafika Camp to Mfuwe airport for your local flight from Mfuwe in the South Luangwa to Lusaka for your onwards International flight out of Zambia. This marks the end of your safari trip in Zambia.