This custom tour to Zambia’s South Luangwa Valley is going back to the roots of walking safaris – back to where it all started in the South Luangwa, at Norman Carr’s bushcamps. As soon as you are on foot in the bush you become a part of it. You can hear, smell and feel the bush as well as see it.

The South Luangwa is Zambia's premier National Park and has been dubbed one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world.  The concentration of game along the Luangwa River and its associated Ox-bow lagoons is amongst the most intense anywhere in Africa.  It is truly an unspoilt wilderness, the likes of which are hard to find.

The Luangwa River itself, meandering across the valley floor, is teaming with hippos and crocodiles and provides a lifeline for a great diversity of both habitat and wildlife.  With over 60 species of mammals and almost 500 species of birds, the South Luangwa National Park has earned its reputation.  It is home to two endemic species, the Thornicroft Giraffe and Cookson's Wildebeest and is one of the best Parks in Africa to view leopards in their natural environs.

All walking safaris in Zambia are conducted with an armed escort scout leading the way, he is followed by your professional safari guide.  The idea of having two fully trained experts at the head of each walk was originally conceived by Norman Carr and we believe, to this day, that it is the safest way to conduct a walking safari.  Zambia has an excellent safety - this is essential since the aim of the walks is to track big game and to get you up close and personal with the animals you have come to Africa to see

Seven Nights spent between at least three Norman Carr Safaris Camps (exact itinerary is dictated by Norman Carr Safaris, two weeks before travel). Available in July, August, September and October only.

The camps are:
Luwi - Luwi was one of the South Luangwa National Park's first remote safari camps. 

Norman Carr sited the camp back in the 1980s and today this camp, more than any other in Zambia, offers guests a true walking safari and a taste of the traditional African bush experience.

Luwi is a seasonal bush camp nestled under huge mahogany trees on the banks of a permanent lagoon. 

It is situated deep in the heart of the National Park and is one of the only Luangwa safari camps to be positioned well away from the permanent waters and rich vegetation of the main river.

Due to its remote location there are not many roads in the area so activities are centred on walking safaris.  This fact makes Luwi Bush Camp one of the most enthralling camps in Zambia.  The wildlife in the area is prolific and to track it each day on foot is a memory that will last a lifetime. Accommodation is in four huts that are made of grass and thatch with polished mud floors. Each room is designed differently utilising trees and natural vegetation wherever possible.  The design of these rooms lends the camp a rustic appeal and provides a truly African bush experience.

Nsolo Bush Camp - Situated on a bend in the Luwi sand river that runs through the heart of Zambia's South Luangwa National Park, just three hours' walk from Luwi Bushcamp.

Accommodation in this luxury safari camp consists of four individually designed chalets each on raised wooden decks with high thatched roofs and private verandahs.  

The rooms are very spacious with the stylish furnishings that one would expect from one of Zambia's luxury walking safari camps. 

As with most of our bush camps the bathrooms have no roofs and are set under the shade of the trees above.

At Nsolo you don't usually have to search hard for your African safari experience. 

The wildlife frequents a waterhole in the dry river-bed in front of the camp and often your most exciting gameviewing is from the comfort of your own deck or from the central chitenje that houses the bar and small camp library.

Kakuli - A seasonal bush camp on the confluence of the Luwi and Luangwa rivers.  For many it marks the end of a walking safari from camp to camp following the course of the Luwi River. 

Whether Kakuli is used as a stopover in the middle of a walking trail or as a base for a more static wildlife safari, the gameviewing and night drive safaris in this area are some of the best in Zambia.

There are five spacious, traditional safari tents under shady thatched roofs, each with an open-air bathroom.

All of the tents overlook the river with stunning views up and down this hippo-packed stretch of the Luangwa.

A lovely thatched chitenje acts as the centre of camp. It is on a wooden deck overlooking the grazing lawn that leads down to the two rivers and is a perfect spot in which to relax and watch the river and the wildlife meander by.

This area of the Park is renowned for offering guests some of the best gameviewing opportunities in Zambia.  Safari activities from Kakuli will usually be a mixture of game drives and walking safari.

Mchenja - Meaning "ebony", occupies a stunning setting beneath a magnificent grove of these trees on the banks of the Luangwa river.

It is just a short morning's walk upstream from Kakuli Bush Camp and is in an area teaming with wildlife. Although this camp takes luxury in the bush to a level not previously seen in Zambia, it is a bush camp designed to combine excellently with our other more rustic locations.

The camp comprises five stylishly designed tents each under its own thatched roof and with a deck in front overlooking the Luangwa river. 

The tents have inside baths with an outside shower room. There is a small pool alongside the bar within the thatched main chitenje, allowing guests to seek cool refuge after their morning's safari activities.

Guests staying at Mchenja can choose whether they want to view their wildlife on foot or from an open gameviewing vehicle. 

As is the case with Kakuli, the gameviewing in this area is superb and night drives are usually very worthwhile. 

In addition to the ebony grove at camp there are two other stunning groves close by meaning that this most magnificent of trees plays a big part in your safari experience whilst at Mchenja.

This unique opportunity allows safari-goers to plan their trip a little later in the day and still be sure of getting availability even in the busiest months. We guarantee to include at least three camps and will offer the best itinerary we can in any given week.

Mchenja - Meaning "ebony", a magnificent grove of these trees on the banks of the Luangwa river.

Get closer to wildlife in South Luangwa National Park.