SLOW SAFARI: SOUTH LUANGWA VALLEY, ZAMBIA, 20-30 SEPT, 2025

What is a Slow Safari™?

Gone is the hectic wildlife photography safari where you are constantly moving from camp to camp every 2-3 days. Gone is the constant repacking, driving, flying to get to the next destination, only to have to move again to make way for the next group of travellers.

Our "Slow Safaris™", to hand-picked destinations in Africa, will allow you to stay in one camp for anywhere up to 10 nights (or more), allowing you to immerse yourself in one place — to get to know the movement of the animals and the rhythm of the bush — to have the luxury of, let's say, being able to follow the progress of a young lion cub as it gets to know ITS environment.

The "Slow Safari™" is comfortable — you will have your own space where you can unpack and spread out. You can afford to take the day off…if you want to. Our vehicles are spacious with plenty of room for cameras. The use of time is ours to plan the way WE want it.

Luangwa Valley National Park
Nestled in Zambia's eastern region, Luangwa Valley National Park is a sanctuary of untamed beauty and biodiversity, a jewel of conservation efforts in Zambia. Covering over 9,000 square kilometers, it's a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists alike. The park is renowned for its staggering populations of elephants, hippos, and crocodiles, thriving in the meandering Luangwa River. It's also a prime spot for encountering Africa's iconic big cats, including lions, leopards, and cheetahs. 

Daily Itinerary

Pre-tour: Sept 19, 2025—Arrive Lusaka
Arriving in Lusaka, you will transfer to the Wild Dogs Lodge

O/N Wild Dogs Lodge
The Wild Dogs Lodge has 4 traditionally thatched chalets which are comfortable, cozy and can host up to 20 people. All are equipped and decorated with local furniture, each room has an ensuite bathroom with toilet and shower. The chalets are surrounded by a lush garden, guests can refresh and relax at the 18 meter pool.

The Lodge is located just 15 minutes from the Lusaka International Airport and only 20 minutes from Lusaka city centre and is the ideal place to start and finish your Zambia safari experience.

Airport-Transfer (one-way): 1-4 People: 20 USD (per vehicle). Late transfer for 1-4 People: 30 USD (per vehicle)

Day 1: Sept 20, 2025—Lusaka | Mfuwe
We will meet after breakfast and transfer to the airport for our flight to Mfuwe.

Upon arrival at Mfuwe International Airport, you will be met by our safari guide and we will be whisked away to Zikomo camp which is about 45 minutes away.

Located adjacent to South Luangwa National Park in the Nsefu Sector, our camp is in a much more isolated part of the park. We have our own private crossing point just 5 minutes away. The house sits overlooking a floodplain with views of the park and the Kauluzi River and several animal crossing points.

Once we have settled in and had some lunch, we will have some time to relax and get to know our surroundings before heading out on our first evening game drive.

O/N Kauluzi House B,L,D

Day 2 - 10: Sept 21-29, 2025—South Luangwa NP, Nsefu Sector
As on all previous Slow Safaris, we will follow a similarly relaxed routine in our quest to find great photographic subjects. A typical day might be as follows:

Our morning routine will start with a 5:15 wakeup call, breakfast at 5:30 around a campfire at the boma. You will have the choice of fruit, cereal, oatmeal, eggs (scrambled, or any way you like them) French toast, pancakes, yogurt, juice, coffee and tea. At 6:00 we head out on our drive with an experienced guide in 2 comfortable, modified land cruisers (each of you will have your own row for your comfort and for your gear).

Lunch is served at around 11:30. After lunch you can relax in your room, download images and process them in the lounge, lie around the swimming pool, play a game of pool or badminton or just watch the wildlife on the floodplain in front of the river. At 15:30 (3:30pm) tea and coffee and homemade lemonade will be served with cakes, cookies, scones, brownies or whatever the chef has made for the day.

At 16:00 (4:00pm) the evening/night drive departs. A spotter accompanies the guide to help with our sundowner stop and to operate the spotlight on our drive back to camp after nightfall. At our sunset stop guests can enjoy gin & tonics, beer, wine, cold water or sodas and snacks (alcoholic drinks will go on your tab).

We return to the camp before dinner which is served at 20:00 (8:00pm). 

Locations that we may visit might include Chichele Hot Springs, the Stork Colony, Carmine Bee Eater Nesting areas (this is the peak time to see the flamboyant carmine bee-eater during the nesting period), and hippo pools.

O/N Kauluzi House B,L,D

Day 11: 30 Sept, 2025—Transfer to Mfuwe for flights home
This morning we will transfer to the Mfuwe International Airport where we will connect with our flight back to Lusaka and the onward with your connection back home.

END OF YOUR SAFARI

Arrival, Departure & Visa

• You can come straight to Lusaka on Emirates, Qatar or Ethiopean Airlines. 
• We then take a charter flight on 10 Sept to Mfuwe where we will be met at the airport and driven 45-60 minutes to the camp

Weather 

In September, Zambia's Luangwa Valley experiences the transition from dry season to the beginning of the rainy season. Temperatures are warming up, with daytime highs typically ranging from 30°C to 35°C (86°F to 95°F). Nights are becoming milder, with temperatures dropping to around 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F). The landscape begins to transform as the first rains arrive, bringing a burst of greenery and rejuvenating the wildlife. September is an excellent time for safari enthusiasts as the bush is still relatively dry, making it easier to spot animals gathering around water sources.

Language

The official language of Zambia is English. However, Zambia is a multilingual country with over 70 indigenous languages spoken. Some of the major indigenous languages spoken in Zambia include Bemba, Nyanja (also known as Chewa), Tonga, Lozi, Lunda, Kaonde, and Luvale, among others. English serves as the language of government, education, business, and media, and it is widely understood and spoken across the country. Indigenous languages are primarily used in local communities and for cultural purposes.

Currency

The currency of Zambia is the Zambian kwacha, abbreviated as ZMW. The kwacha is further subdivided into 100 smaller units called ngwee. Banknotes and coins are issued in various denominations, with the banknotes typically ranging from 2 kwacha to 100 kwacha, and coins available in smaller denominations.