A Walking Safari

Duration: 10 Nights

Highlights: Walking safari in the South Luangwa National Park

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive at South Luangwa National Park

Upon arrival at Mfuwe International Airport, you will be met and transferred to Nsolo Camp in South Luangwa National Park. The transfer time is approximately two hours.

Home to the original walking safari, Time + Tide South Luangwa is the perfect destination for adventurous and active travellers. With an award-winning guide team, you can explore as you please, discovering the diverse tapestry of habitats of the South Luangwa.

Named after the honeyguide bird, Time + Tide Nsolo is home to some of the most striking and unusual bird species in South Luangwa National Park. Its five charming safari rooms stretch out on raised wooden platforms along a bend in the seasonal Luwi River. Each has a feather-top bed, open-air en-suite bathroom, and a shady private deck offering views of a permanent river lagoon that teems with wildlife. Sited alongside an elephant path, there’s no end to the action around camp. Chuckle at warthogs and vervet monkeys while enjoying a cold local beer from the bar. Enjoy life’s simple pleasures with afternoon tea and cake in the spacious main lounge.

The rest of your day is at leisure to enjoy the camp activities on offer.

Overnight: Time + Tide Nsolo Camp
Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 2 - South Luangwa National Park

With a regular wild dog den nearby and lion prides using the dry riverbed as a thoroughfare, walking and driving safaris around the camp offer big game viewing at its best. 
The walking season runs from May to November when rainfall is at its lowest. Conducted at a comfortable pace determined by you, walking safaris usually last three to four hours and are led by a qualified guide and game scout.

Overnight: Time + Tide Nsolo Camp
Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 3 - South Luangwa National Park

The day is at leisure to enjoy the activities offered by the camp.

You will head out to enjoy a sleepout on this day. After a much-needed siesta and afternoon tea, walk out to the dry Luwi riverbed where you will be met by the team and have the opportunity to experience Zambia’s safari in its most authentic form. This signature sleepout is an unforgettable experience where you can fully immerse yourself in nature and spend a night in the wild. 
Enjoy sundowner drinks as the sun retreats and makes way for a vast night sky full of millions of stars. Have dinner and drinks around the fire – laughter and chatter intermingling with the whooping of hyenas, a gentle chorus of creatures, and maybe a distant lioness’ roar.

Overnight: Time + Tide Nsolo Camp Sleep-out
Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 4 - South Luangwa National Park

This morning you will depart to Luwi as part of your walking experience. The walking time between the two camps is approximately three to three and a half hours.

Tranquillity envelops this camp, creating a haven that allows you to reconnect with nature in a meaningful way. Its four safari tents are nestled under a grove of ancient mahogany trees overlooking a floodplain that attracts hippos and elephants. Nestled in a grove of ancient mahogany trees, the tents are designed to fully immerse guests into the bush experience.

Luwi’s setting is ideal to enjoy moments around the campfire in the early morning making jaffles over the hot coals to evenings listening to the sounds of the Luangwa. Relive your favourite moments of the day over a delicious Zambian-inspired meal in the wild. 

Overnight: Time + Tide Luwi
Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 5 - South Luangwa National Park

Situated deep in the park on the ephemeral Luwi River, Time + Tide Luwi is wonderfully remote, with no other camps for miles around. Nearby, a wildlife hide overlooks a lively oxbow lagoon - perfect for photography. Combine safari walks with day and night game drives to explore everything the bush has to offer.

Overnight: Time + Tide Luwi
Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 6 - South Luangwa National Park

Transfer from Luwi to Kakuli on foot. You will leave camp early in the morning and arrive at Kakuli in time for brunch. 

Kakuli, meaning old buffalo bull, was the nickname given by locals to Norman Carr, the pioneer of walking safaris. Its five bright and airy safari rooms (including a two-bedroom, two-bathroom family safari room) are designed to make the most of the panoramic setting, each offering a feather-top bed, indoor and outdoor showers, and a covered open-air seating area.

The elevated main lounge overlooks the river and a permanent lagoon. Beneath it, a wildlife hide offers up-close views of visitors stopping by for a drink. Take a deep breath and admire the sweeping vista with a refreshing drink of your own before sampling traditional Zambian dishes at dinner.

Overnight: Time + Tide Kakuli
Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 7- South Luangwa National Park

The camp makes a great base for exploring by vehicle and on foot, with a resident lion pride, a seasonal colony of jewel-like carmine bee-eaters, and the most sightings of leopards in a single drive every year. Venture on foot or vehicle to enjoy some of the best opportunities for wildlife and landscape photography.

Overnight: Time + Tide Kakuli
Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 8 - South Luangwa National Park

Depart from Kakuli to Mchenja as a walking experience. Leave camp early in the morning and arrive at Mchenja in time for brunch. 

Mchenja is the local name for ebony, and the camp is tucked into a shady ebony grove beside the Luangwa River in the heart of South Luangwa National Park.

Its five safari rooms (including a two-bedroom, two-bathroom family safari room) are pure, natural elegance with grass walls, soft cushions, and light-as-air curtains. Each has a feather-top bed, large picture windows, and an open-air en-suite bathroom with a bath looking out onto the river. At breakfast, listen to a chorus of birds singing and laughing hippos. 

Overnight: Time + Tide Mchenja
Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 9 - South Luangwa National Park

Pull yourself away from camp to track big cats through the bush with hushed voices and beating hearts. Night drives are always rewarding, with the bush revealing a different nocturnal surprise every time. At the right time of year, this is one of the best camps in the park for seeing carmine bee-eaters. Between safari activities, relax in the refreshing pool overlooking the Luangwa river.

Overnight: Time + Tide Mchenja
Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 10 - South Luangwa National Park

Transfer from Mchenja to Chinzombo. 

Named after a type of tree that grows near the camp, Time + Tide Chinzombo’s natural building materials and vintage accents blend modern style with the best of a traditional bush safari camp. Its six spacious luxury safari tents (including a two-bedroom, two-bathroom family tent) rest beneath ancient msizi trees. Each has a private pool and soaking tub with panoramic views over the river and its abundant wildlife.

Each luxury safari tent stretches out onto a shaded verandah where you can while away the afternoon or unwind with an in-room spa treatment. Down a winding path, the main lodge beckons. Lounge on the riverfront sun deck with a book from the open-air library. Enjoy dinner under the stars, made with produce we grow ourselves. Sip a drink at the bar while browsing through old books and photos or around the fire pit suspended high atop the river bank.

Take a boat across the river with experienced guides for a game drive, safari walk, or boat cruise (seasonal) to see lions, leopards, and other predator action.

As this is your last day on safari, wind down and take advantage of the lodge's range of amenities: from Wi-Fi access to yoga and spa facilities, from your private plunge pool to plenty of shady decks for armchair game viewing.

Overnight: Time + Tide Chinzombo
Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 11 - Depart

After breakfast, transfer back to Mfuwe Airport and on to Lusaka in time for your onward journey.

Meal Plan: B