Self-Drive Zambia: Luangwa Explorer - 14 Days

Collect your vehicle from Lusaka International Airport and take a short (20km, 30-40 minute) drive to your lodge, complete with pool, bar and restaurant, on the edge of town. Stock up in Lusaka and enjoy the sights and sounds of urban Africa.

Stay at:
Pioneer Camp or similar

Travel distance: Approximately 300 kms, main roads, can be busy with trucks (approx. 6 hour drive).

From Lusaka head north-east into Zambia. You will be driving along part of the Trans-African Highway to Mkushi, your overnight stop.

Stay at:
Fika Lodge or similar

Travel Distance: Approximately 325 kms, main roads, can be busy with trucks (approx. 5-6 hour drive).

From Mkushi head north east to Mutinondo Wilderness for 2 nights self-catering camping.

Mutinondo Wilderness is a pristine miombo woodland with streams, waterfalls, and inselberg. With 60km of well-maintained and signed tracks, and views from horizon to horizon, Mutinondo is ideal for adventure seekers, pursuers of beauty, peace, and quiet, and nature lovers.

Activities include hiking, swimming and cycling. You can walk unguided up inselbergs, along rivers, and to waterfalls. The river is safe to swim in and drink out of, and canoes are available to explore some of the river.

Stay at:
Mutinondo Wilderness Camp or similar

Travel Distance: Approximately 250 kms, partly main roads and then 4WD dirt roads including traversing the Luangwa Valley escarpment (approx. 6-7 hour drive).

From Mutinondo you have a big day's driving to get to the remote North Luangwa National Park. This national park lies along the western bank of the Luangwa River and covers 4,500 square kms. Most of the Big Five can be found here, with the exception of rhino which sadly has been poached to extinction in the area. There are very few camps in this park, and very few roads, making it in some ways one of Africa’s most wild and authentic safari experiences.

Nestled along the tranquil banks of the Luangwa River, your lodge for the next 2 nights is strategically situated in the 'wilderness' sector of North Luangwa National Park. Stay in one of four ensuite bungalows, each of which have open air balconies offering stunning views of the Luangwa River.

From here you can immerse yourself in the unspoiled beauty of Africa while enjoying unpretentious comfort supported by personalised service. Included in your stay is one safari drive per person per day where elephant, hippo, buffalo and lion are frequently seen, with leopard and wild dog a special sighting. Guests are also offered access to the rhino sanctuary by game drive, although the likelihood of sighting these special creatures are low and no tracking is allowed.

Stay at:
North Luangwa River Lodge or similar (including all meals and one safari activity per person per day)

Travel Distance: Approximately 150kms, 4WD dirt roads (approx. 4 hour drive).

From North Luangwa National Park you drive to Luambe National Park. Nestled in the heart of the Luangwa Valley, on the eastern banks of the Luangwa River this is one of Zambia’s smallest parks at only 250 square kms. The park is located between the North and South Luangwa National Parks, and features many of the same bird and game species, just on a smaller scale. Although it is relatively less crowded than its more popular neighbours, the Luangwa Valley is slowly gaining in popularity, making this an optimal time to experience the peace and tranquillity of the untouched African wilderness without the usual tourist crowds and routes.

Stay at:
Luambe Camp or similar (including all meals and one safari activity per person per day)

Travel distance: Approximately 125km 4WD dirt roads (approx. 3 hour drive).

From Luambe you head to South Luangwa National Park. South Luangwa is known as one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world, and not without reason. The concentration of animals around the Luangwa River, and its oxbow lagoons or wafwas, is among the most intense in Africa.

The Luangwa River is the most intact major river system in Africa and is the life-blood of South Luangwa. The changing seasons add to the Park’s richness, ranging from dry, bare bushveld in the winter, to a lush, green wonderland in the summer months. There are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species in South Luangwa National Park. Famous for its concentrations of leopards, consider at least one night drive during your stay.

Don't  forget to visit the stunning Tribal Textile Factory - a superb example of community-based economic enterprises. These handmade textiles are exported throughout the world - be tempted by the factory's wonderful shop (see our blog about this great place).

Stay at:
Wildlife Camp or similar

Travel distance: Approximately 480kms on main roads via Chipata (approx. 7 hour drive).

Drive from South Luangwa to the Luangwa Bridge for a night stop over on the way back to Lusaka.

Stay at:
Bridge Camp or similar

Travel distance: Approximately 225kms, good roads, can be busy with trucks (approx. 4 hour drive).

Return to Lusaka along the Great East Road and drop off your vehicle at Lusaka International Airport.