Best hotels in South Luangwa

Back in the 1970s, this shady spot on the banks of the Luangwa was Norman Carr’s green season base. Today, the ultra sleek and very stylish Chinzombo Camp has replaced the tents of old and given the area a new lease of life. Peaceful and tranquil and offering a good dose of luxury, the camp is a good option for some pre or post safari relaxation. But with 60 acres of private land on offer, a river teeming with wildlife and direct access to the National Park via boat, the game drives are exclusive, breath-taking and not to be missed.

One of only a handful of camps open in the Green Season, Kakuli is a relaxed and intimate oasis in area renowned for frequent sightings of the notoriously elusive leopard. Perched on a high bank, the 4 chalets all have expansive views across the Luangwa river and down to a grazing lawn where antelope congregate to nibble on the green grass. Game viewing is spectacular year round and this, combined with the encyclopaedic knowledge of the resident guides, puts Kakuli high on the list of ultimate safari hot spots.

The quintessential bush camp, Luwi occupies an enviable location in the heart of the South Luangwa National Park. Aside from sister camp Nsolo, Luwi is the only camp in the area and activities focus on walking through the untouched and pristine bush. With the nearby lagoon drawing animals from the surrounding plains there is never a shortage of wildlife to discover and the birdlife is an ornithologist’s dream. Quite simply, Luwi is secluded luxury at its best and a stay here is intimate and very, very exclusive.

Boasting one of the most picturesque locations of any bush camp in the Luangwa, Mchenja is set high on the banks of the river in a shady grove of mchenja (ebony) trees from which the camp takes its name. This northern section of the park is awash with animals and daily game drives offer wonderful sightings, from the baboons swinging in the trees to the predators stalking across the plains. A stylish tented haven, Mchenja perfectly balances a little bit of luxury with a true wilderness experience.

A traditional bushcamp with a compelling history in the South Luangwa, Nsolo is beautifully rustic with a firm focus on walking safaris. Raised on stilts, the grass chalets are set on a sweeping bend of the dry Luwi River and offer magnificent 180-degree views of the surrounding landscape. A myriad of thirsty wildlife visits the waterhole in front of camp and game viewing is nothing short of exceptional, whether you are exploring the plains on foot or watching with a G&T from the veranda.