Inspiration Itinerary

Remote Zambia

Mwaleshi & Luangwa River Wilderness

Wild Africa

Allow yourself to be fully immersed of the wildest of Africa in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley, where time is dictated by the warmth of the sun, behaviour of the abundant wildlife and the slow flow of the snake-like Luangwa River. Home to the Coppinger family, one of the founding and longest-running safari owner-operators in the region, you will spend this 7 night safari at two of their secluded & intimate camps built entirely by local villagers from natural materials and spend your days reconnecting with nature. For those who love Africa, the bush and the simplicity of it, this safari will tick all of your boxes.

Your first destination is Tafika Camp which sits on a bend of the Luangwa River on the edge of a remote wildlife-dense corner of the South Luangwa National... Park. The river attracts a vast amount of wildlife and stupendous birdlife so your game viewing here will be top quality. There are many oxbow lagoons and dry riverbeds that filter off the main river, so the entire region is just fantastic for exploration with varied habitats. Famous for leopard along with some of the most hippo and crocodile in Africa there are also elephant galore along with plenty of buffalo, lion and general plains game including its own species of giraffe. Walking is a big focus during your 4 night stay but you will also enjoy day and night game drives with top guides, mountain bike safaris through the bush, nature walks along the river banks and visits to the local Mkasanga Village.

A scenic 30 minute light aircraft flight north along the river will take you your next destination, the truly remote North Luangwa National Park. In this truly special and remote place there are few roads, it is a walking safari lover’s paradise! You will spend your mornings and afternoons exploring the area on foot, a relaxed yet truly exciting safari adventure where new levels of life are constantly discovered, from the fascinating animals that live within insect droppings to tiny elephant shrews, delicate wide-eyed antelope, enormous giraffe and more. On foot you are given the rare opportunity to become part of nature, to immerse yourselves in the remoteness. Whether it’s a short morning or afternoon walk, or a longer walking safari, along the ancient and well-worn elephant and hippo trails, those on walking safaris are always accompanied by an experienced guide, an armed National Park scout and a tea bearer.

Guests at Mwaleshi Camp may catch glimpses of hyena hunting puku in the shallow waters of the Mwaleshi River, enjoy impressive herds of buffalo coming in for their daily drinks whilst the resident lion keep a keen eye on their prey. There is a chance that you might spot the rare Black Rhino that have been successfully reintroduced into this area following their extinction in Zambia. Back in camp, a highlight is undoubtedly sipping a glass of wine whilst wallowing in the shallow waters of the Mwaleshi. The camp and the experience is raw, rustic, WiFi free and blissfully simple, unique to Africa.

A scenic 30 minute light aircraft flight north along the river will take you your next destination, the truly remote North Luangwa National Park. In this truly special and remote place there are few roads, it is a walking safari lover’s paradise! You will spend your mornings and afternoons exploring the area on foot, a relaxed yet truly exciting safari adventure where new levels of life are constantly discovered, from the fascinating animals that live within insect droppings to tiny elephant shrews, delicate wide-eyed antelope, enormous giraffe and more. On foot you are given the rare opportunity to become part of nature, to immerse yourselves in the remoteness. Whether it’s a short morning or afternoon walk, or a longer walking safari, along the ancient and well-worn elephant and hippo trails, those on walking safaris are always accompanied by an experienced guide, an armed National Park scout and a tea bearer.A scenic 30 minute light aircraft flight north along the river will take you your next destination, the truly remote North Luangwa National Park. In this truly special and remote place there are few roads, it is a walking safari lover’s paradise! You will spend your mornings and afternoons exploring the area on foot, a relaxed yet truly exciting safari adventure where new levels of life are constantly discovered, from the fascinating animals that live within insect droppings to tiny elephant shrews, delicate wide-eyed antelope, enormous giraffe and more. On foot you are given the rare opportunity to become part of nature, to immerse yourselves in the remoteness. Whether it’s a short morning or afternoon walk, or a longer walking safari, along the ancient and well-worn elephant and hippo trails, those on walking safaris are always accompanied by an experienced guide, an armed National Park scout and a tea bearer. Park. The river attracts a vast amount of wildlife and stupendous birdlife so your game viewing here will be top quality. There are many oxbow lagoons and dry riverbeds that filter off the main river, so the entire region is just fantastic for exploration with varied habitats. Famous for leopard along with some of the most hippo and crocodile in Africa there are also elephant galore along with plenty of buffalo, lion and general plains game including its own species of giraffe. Walking is a big focus during your 4 night stay but you will also enjoy day and night game drives with top guides, mountain bike safaris through the bush, nature walks along the river banks and visits to the local Mkasanga Village.

8 UNFORGETTABLE DAYS

DAY 1 | SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK | 1 NIGHT

On arrival at Mfuwe Airport, the gateway to the South Luangwa National Park, you will be met by your guide from Tafika Camp and take a scenic 1.5 hour drive past colourful villages before heading through the Park’s Nsefu Sector to camp on the banks of the Luangwa River. Note, it is possible to take a 15 minute light aircraft flight to the camp’s airstrip instead. Depending upon when you arrive there might be time for an afternoon game drive and sundowners before a delicious dinner under the stars.

DAYS 2-4 | SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK | 3 NIGHTS

Spend your mornings and afternoons out in the bush with your guide going in search of the abundant wildlife of the region. Tafika is the perfect base from which to enjoy walking safaris, unique cycling trails and day & night game drives. The specially adapted game viewing vehicles accommodate a maximum of four guests, enhancing your viewing & safari experience. The dedicated night spotters on night drives will allow you to try and spot the nocturnal species that have woken up. You might also want to visit the Mkasanga Village and school which the Tafika Fund proudly supports.

DAY 5 | NORTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK | 1 NIGHT

After a morning game drive or walk, and a full breakfast, farewell your hosts and fly about 30 minutes north along the winding Luangwa River to Mwaleshi Camp in the vast wilderness of North Luangwa National Park. You will be met and driven to camp, and that’s where the driving ends for the next three nights. An impressive bush lunch awaits followed by a siesta and an afternoon introductory short walk as your guide and armed scout offers a taste of this remarkable pristine area around the Mwaleshi River.

DAYS 6-7 | NORTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK | 2 NIGHTS

There are very few roads in the area and game viewing is done almost all on foot. Whilst there are larger species to track and potentially see, such as lion, buffalo, Cookson’s wildebeest and even the black rhino, a walking safari offers the chance to focus on the smaller animals, insects, birds and the vegetation around you.

After a light breakfast you will typically head out as daybreak stirs the wildlife and you will walk slowly, stopping to look at what interests you and what your expert guide wants to show you. Refreshments are served along the way. Return in the late morning in time for lunch. You can either relax in the shallow waters of the Mwaleshi River for the afternoon or head out again for a shorter walk, returning in time for a quiet sundowner by the campfire whilst listening to the emerging night sounds. A safari doesn’t get much better than this!

DAY 8 | END OF SAFARI

Transfer by road to the airstrip for the 45 minute flight to Mfuwe Airport where you can continue with onward arrangements or begin your journey home.

WHERE YOU’LL STAY

A selection of the finest safari camps

Tafika Camp – South Luangwa National Park

Tafika Camp is situated on the Luangwa River just outside the Nsefu Sector of the South Luangwa National Park, dwarfed beneath giant leadwood trees. It offers genuine warmth and hospitality and some of the finest leopard-sighting opportunities in Africa. Read More

Mwaleshi – North Luangwa National Park

Mwaleshi Camp is situated 10km from the Mwaleshi and Luangwa river confluence - a magnet for wildlife in Zambia's remote North Luangwa National Park. The focus is on walking and exploring the area on foot with expert guides. Read More

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