Below is some useful information about Zambia, South Luangwa and the Wildlife Camp, which will be helpful to know before you arrive. If you have any questions at all about your visit feel free to enquire with us directly, we’d be happy to help.
Self-catering and camping clients are advised to bring enough food and other supplies with them to the Luangwa Valley. Driving in, Chipata offers good places to stock up. There is a Spar as well as a Shoprite and various other stores and banks.
In Mfuwe village itself, basic groceries only are available and even though there is a fuel station, it does run dry once in a while. There are two banks at Mfuwe International Airport, which are open Mondays to Friday and every first and last Saturday of each month.
Should you require assistance from customs or immigration officials during your stay in this part of Zambia, offices are available locally at Mfuwe International Airport or in Chipata.
To get to Wildlife Camp, you can fly from Lusaka to Mfuwe International Airport which services South Luangwa National Park. Proflight (proflight-zambia.com) fly to and from Lusaka three times daily in the busy season.
Even though the road between Chipata and Mfuwe is completely tarred these days the journey down into the Luangwa Valley remains an adventure. As you pass through rural Zambian villages you will see some of them out of the way scenery often missed by tours that don’t go off the beaten track.
Directions from Chipata: The turn-off to South Luangwa National Park in Chipata is NOT currently signposted. From Lilongwe, you will pass 2 traffic lights (robots) and then pass Spar (on your right). Continue straight through another set of traffic lights (for about 2km) and turn right at the Hungry Lion store onto a big tar road. If you reach the Protea hotel, you’ve gone too far. From Lusaka, pass the Protea hotel then take the first left towards South Luangwa National Park. From Chipata to South Luangwa there is only one tar-road of about 128km. They journey takes anything between two and three hours. Towards the end of the road coming to South Luangwa you’ll reach a T-Junction – the ZESCO offices is across the road. To the left is Mfuwe International Airport and to the right is South Luangwa National Park and Wildlife Camp. Continue through villages and follow the yellow Wildlife Camp signs all the way into camp. Please drive slowly as first children, and later wild animals cross the road freely.
Other roads: Guests planning to come to Wildlife Camp from North Luangwa National Park or from the Great North Road, please e-mail us for an update on road conditions and updated directions before you start off! These roads CAN NOT be taken during the wet season. The “short-cut” between Petauke (on the great east road from Lusaka) and Mfuwe is also only advisable in the dry season and if you are more than one 4×4 vehicle in convoy. This “short cut” takes about 6 hours longer than going via Chipata during perfect conditions.
Public transport (Jonda bus)
For guests travelling by public transport, Jonda buses are your best option. Be prepared for a real adventure though, they are not for the faint hearted.
If travelling from Lusaka, you can catch a direct bus to Mfuwe (there is also a return service leaving Mfuwe early in the morning). From Mfuwe town, Wildlife Camp is a short drive we can assist with arranging a pick-up if needed.
We recommend confirming current timetables locally before travel, as departure times and routes can change. Please also let us know in advance if you are arriving by bus so we can help coordinate your final transfer into camp.
There are a couple of obvious safari necessities to pack. Cameras, enough batteries and battery chargers and plenty of memory cards are always useful!
Binoculars, even though they are not an absolute necessity, will enhance the experience you have in the bush. You do not have to buy the most expensive pair in the shops!
The African sun is always a factor and please make sure to bring a good hat as well as sun protection for your skin.
We advise guests to take anti-malaria medication, so please do not forget to bring it along, and do not forget to drink it while here. Ask your local travel doctor for more information. Mosquito nets are provided in all rooms, but you should ensure a plentiful supply of insect repellent.
Always bring ‘bush-coloured’ clothes with you. When taking part in walking safaris, you need to blend in with the bush to have a greater chance of getting close to animals. Remember that we have a pool here.
If you are visiting in the rainy season, a raincoat is a must! Short sleeved shirts are required for all year round and a fleece or sweater for those cooler evenings, or a long-sleeved shirt to cover up from mosquitoes.
A good book is a perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon in between safaris.
Wildlife Camp has a good supply of borehole water and the water from our taps is safe for consumption. We also sell bottled water in the bars.
We have ZESCO electricity (220volt, 50 cycle AC and UK style plugs) and a generator as back-up when the main system fails. Electrical points are available in all the chalets and en-suite tents and power-points are available in the campsite.
Wildlife Camp has an outdoor internet cafe, pool, 2 bars & a restaurant as part of our facilities.
Zambia is a malaria-area, with different times of the year proving to be better for malaria than others. However, with modern medication, malaria should not be such a big worry as it used to be in the past. Ask your local travel doctor to prescribe a good malaria prophylaxis.
Even though some countries require travellers coming from Zambia to have been vaccinated against yellow fever, this fever is not an issue in the Luangwa Valley. But please be sure to have the necessary documentation ready, especially if travelling back home via South Africa.
The Luangwa Safaris Association, of which Wildlife Camp is a member, ensures that there is always a doctor available on short notice. For more information, please contact us.
Here at Wildlife Camp we accept Visa and Mastercard credit cards (3% service charge) as well Zambian Kwacha, US Dollars, South Africa Rand, British Pounds and Euros.
Cancellations are subject to the following fees:
30 days – 60 days: 50% cancellation fee
30 – 0 days: 100% cancellation fee
(Please note that on all payments for cancellation fees- we will deduct a transaction fee of US$ 50)
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