7 Day Five Star South Luangwa Safari

Guests are met on arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and assisted with their onward flight via Lusaka to Mfuwe. From here, a scenic transfer takes you deeper into South Luangwa National Park, following the Luangwa River’s floodplains and oxbow lagoons to Mchenja Bush Camp. Set within a shady ebony grove on the riverbank, this intimate camp blends natural elegance with an authentic bush atmosphere and sweeping views across the water.

After settling into your tented safari room, enjoy afternoon tea before heading out on your first game drive in this wildlife-rich region, widely regarded as the birthplace of the walking safari. As the sun sets, pause for sundowners along the river’s edge while hippos stir in the channels and birdlife gathers along the shoreline, before returning to camp for dinner under the African sky.

The next two days are devoted to exploring the wilderness around Mchenja on guided game drives and walking safaris. South Luangwa is renowned for its high densities of leopard, as well as lion and spotted hyena, while large herds of elephant and buffalo move between the lagoons and riverine woodlands. Plains game such as puku, impala, and zebra graze the rich alluvial soils along the Luangwa River.

Morning activities begin at first light, when predators are still active, and the bush comes alive with birdsong. After brunch and time to relax at camp or on your private deck overlooking the river, head out again in the late afternoon. As the day cools, wildlife gathers along the floodplains, and night drives reveal nocturnal species such as civet, genet, and owls moving through the darkness.

After breakfast, depart Mchenja Bush Camp and travel south toward Chinzombo, with wildlife sightings possible along the way. Set on a sweeping curve of the Luangwa River, Chinzombo offers a refined and contemporary safari experience, with spacious villas shaded by ancient trees and designed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding wilderness.

On arrival, settle into your villa and take in views of hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife along the river below. Each villa features a private plunge pool, expansive deck, and generous living space, creating a comfortable and secluded retreat. Depending on your arrival time, you may head out on an afternoon game drive or simply relax at camp before dinner, often served under the stars with the sounds of the riverbank drifting in.

Spend the next two days exploring the wilderness from Chinzombo’s riverfront location. Twice-daily game drives reveal the rich diversity of South Luangwa, where the Luangwa River and its network of lagoons attract an impressive variety of wildlife. Thornicroft’s giraffe, Cookson’s wildebeest, and Crawshay’s zebra are among the region’s unique species, seen alongside elephant, buffalo, hippo, and abundant plains game.

Guided walks offer a slower, more detailed perspective of the bush, focusing on tracks, smaller creatures, and the intricate relationships within the ecosystem. Between activities, relax on your private deck or in the main area, watching animals come down to drink at the river below. Evenings are spent around the campfire or at the dining area, with the African night sky overhead and the distant calls of lions and hyenas carrying through the valley.

After a final breakfast overlooking the Luangwa River, it is time to say farewell to South Luangwa. A transfer returns you to Mfuwe for your flight to Lusaka, where you connect with an onward flight to Johannesburg. The journey traces your route out of the Luangwa Valley, giving you last aerial views of the river, floodplains and woodlands that have defined your safari.

On arrival in Johannesburg, your Zambia safari with African Sky comes to an end at the airport or another agreed point in the city or Pretoria. Guests usually leave with memory cards full of images and a deep appreciation for this pioneering walking-safari destination, its outstanding big-cat sightings, and the exceptional guiding and hospitality experienced at Mchenja and Chinzombo.