Accommodations - Zambia
Luambe Camp
Location: South Luangwa National Park
Booking Request
Nestled among the natural vegetation of the Luambe National Park alongside the banks of the Luangwa River, lies Luambe Camp a camp offering a truly unique African experience.
The camp's idyllic riverside setting is home to four spacious en-suite safari tents, each offering spectacular views of the area's abundant wildlife. A typical morning while staying at the camp includes a sunrise game drive, followed by a delicious breakfast served in the dining area overlooking the river while afternoon activities include a guided bird walk, a game drive through the Chipuka Plains and hippo viewing with sundowners before enjoying a three-course dinner next to the fire.
Transfers from South Luangwa
Transfers from or to Mfuwe International Airport or any other lodge in the Luangwa valley can be arranged by Luambe Camp (transfer fees are not included in our nightly-rates). Transfer time will be approx 4 hrs depending on road conditions and wildlife encounters. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Detailed directions from Mfuwe: From Mfuwe, you will be taken to Luambe by travelling along the east side of the Luangwa River, heading north through the Nsefu Sector, through Chikwinda Gate.
On the road from Chikwinda Gate to Luambe, you will come across a number of small tributaries of the Luangwa which will need to be crossed, but this should be fairly easy to do in the drier months of June - end of Oct. Continue north, on the dirt road until Chakolwa Gate, which is the southern entrance gate to Luambe National Park.
The distance from Mfuwe to Chakolwa Gate is about 80km, and should take approx 3hrs.
Directions from Chipata: Drive 139 km (approx. 2 h) on tar road toward Mfuwe. From there, continue north using the directions above.
Transfers from North Luangwa
Transfers from any other lodge in the Luangwa valley (Mfuwe Area) can be arranged by Luambe Camp (transfer fees are not included in our nightly-rates). Transfer time will be approx 4 - 5hrs depending on road conditions and wildlife encounters.
Detailed directions from North Luangwa: Approaching Luambe from North Luangwa, you'll be travelling on the east side of the Luangwa River (very much a continuation of the road from South Luangwa to Luambe).
From Kanushya Gate, you will head south on dirt road to Chipuka Gate (the northern entrance gate to Luambe National Park) for approx 70 km (3-4 hours). From Chipuka gate to Luambe Camp is another 10 km (approx. 20 min).
If coming from Lundazi: Drive 120 km (approx. 3 hours) on dirt road to Chipuka Gate, and then continue to Luambe Camp using the directions above
Transfers from any other lodge in the Luangwa valley can be arranged by Luambe Camp (transfer fees are not included in our nightly-rates). Transfer time will be approx 4 - 5hrs depending on road conditions and wildlife encounters. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Detailed directions from North Luangwa: Approaching Luambe from North Luangwa, you'll be travelling on the east side of the Luangwa River (very much a continuation of the road from South Luangwa to Luambe).
From Kanushya Gate, you will head south on dirt road to Chipuka Gate (the northern entrance gate to Luambe National Park) for approx 70 km (3-4 hours). From Chipuka gate to Luambe Camp is another 10 km (approx. 20 min).
If coming from Lundazi: Drive 120 km (approx. 3 hours) on dirt road to Chipuka Gate, and then continue to Luambe Camp using the directions above.
Access by plane
Flights: Flights to Mfuwe International Airport (MFU) are available from Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (3 times daily during the high-season, July - October) and twice daily from Livingstone to Lusaka. Private charter options are also available.
*Please remember when using internal flights within Zambia Proflight Zambia depending on booking class might have a 15kgs checked baggage limit with 5kgs for hand luggage.
Transfers: Transfers from or to Mfuwe International Airport or any other lodge in the Luangwa valley can be arranged by Luambe Camp (please note that transfer fees are not included in our nightly-rates). Transfer time will be approximately 4 - 5 hours depending on road conditions and wildlife encounters. We will provide some snacks and drinks during transfer. Make sure you have your binoculars and cameras ready.
Safari Tents
Guests will be accommodated in 4 spacious en-suite safari tents, each offering a spectacular view of the Luangwa River and its abundant wildlife.
Room Facilities
En-Suite, Mosquito Nets, Pure Cotton Linen, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Safari activities in Luambe
Enjoy game drives and guided walks through the woodlands and out onto the plains with your guide and discover all that the Luambe wilderness has to offer. The grasslands of the Chipuka Plains are favoured by buffalo, elephant and other species such as impala, puku, kudu, Crawshay’s zebra and the Thornicroft’s giraffe. Visitors could also be lucky enough to spot reedbuck, Cookson's wildebeest, eland, wild dog, leopard, hyena and lion.
Explore Luambe's birdlife
Luambe National Park supports more than 200 species of birds. For the avid birdwatcher, abundant species of bird are regularly seen in Luambe: these include raptors such as the martial eagle, tawny eagle and African fish eagles. Our guided birding tours of the area around Luambe Camp can be spectacular with specials such as African skimmer, racket-tailed roller, Pel´s fishing owl, white-backed night-heron and Lilian´s lovebirds. Seasonal movements of the before mentioned species may mean these birds are not around when you visit. Large colonies of southern carmine bee-eaters can be found along the banks of Luangwa River in September and October.
Enjoy one of the biggest pods of hippos in the Luangwa
Luambe Camp is situated on the banks of the Luangwa river. In front of camp, the Luangwa forms a large pool which is home to hundreds of hippo whose numbers increase throughout the dry season. Enjoy a G&T or beer in the shade of the indigenous trees while watching the antics of the resident hippos as well as potentially sighting elephant, buffalo, crocodiles and a wide variety of waterbirds in front of camp. At night you should expect to fall asleep to the sound of hippos as they leave the river to graze.
Track Luambe's nocturnal creatures
Luambe's resident leopard frequently visits camp to drink at our little water hole, so the lucky guests stand a chance of meeting her. Other shy and nocturnal creatures can also be found when returning from our evening drives including porcupine, honey badgers, serval and many more. As our dining area is located within torch light distance of a waterhole, periodic glances with the torch during dinner will sometimes reveal a secret night time visitor! You can also see more on our Luambe nightlife from the camera trap album here.
Dining & Activities
Breakfast, lunch and dinner times will be flexible and governed by activities and will be served in the dining area.
The camp offers a fully-inclusive package which includes all meals, local drinks, laundry and activities such as game drives, bush walks, guided birding tours and village tours to Chitungulu.
The locations markers on this map were manually captured, Exclusive-Africa cannot accept any responsibility for errors or positional accuracy. This map should be used as a guide only.
