South Luangwa National Park, Kulamba traditional ceremony
Overview
Join a unique cultural expedition in Zambia’s Eastern Province, combining wildlife and tradition. Visit the world-famous South Luangwa National Park for unforgettable game viewing, then attend the vibrant Kulamba Ceremony of the Chewa people—held annually in August. Accompanied by a local guide and chef, you’ll experience authentic lodging both in the park and during the celebrations. Witness traditional dances like the UNESCO-recognized Gule Wamukulu, and observe rituals honoring Paramount Chief Kalonga Gawa Undi. This powerful gathering of Chewa from Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique offers a rare glimpse into ancestral customs that transcend borders—one of Africa’s most mystical celebrations.
Highlights
- Safari adventure meets vibrant, authentic Chewa cultural celebration.
- Chiefs from three nations unite to honor ancestral traditions.
- Mesmerizing spiritual dances performed in vibrant, symbolic traditional masks.
- Guided by locals with authentic meals and insightful cultural experiences.
- Witness young girls' transition through meaningful, time-honored traditional ceremonies.
Itinerary
Upon landing at Lusaka international airport, you will be welcomed and transferred to Wild Dogs Lodge, in the Northern part of the city, where you will spend 1 night on a B&B basis. Dinner in Lusaka not included.
Breakfast at the lodge and short transfer to Lusaka international airport, where you will board a domestic flight to Mfuwe – South Luangwa National Park.
Mfuwe is the closest village from where to access South Luangwa National Park. Even though it is very close to such an internationally acclaimed attraction, it still maintains the spirit and looks of a traditional Zambian village.
You will be picked up and transferred to the Nsefu Sector of South Luangwa National Park, where you will spend 3 nights wild camping in an unfenced wilderness area – the remote wilderness site has no electricity, has bush toilets and bucket showers and offers the most authentic wilderness experience in the valley!
ALTERNATIVELY: Short transfer to Thornicroft Lodge and check in en-suite chalets with full-board provided by our resident chef and Game viewing activities on board of our vehicles.
Afternoon game drive and dinner prepared by your accompanying chef.
Wild Camping in an unfenced wilderness area – the remote wilderness site has no electricity, has bush toilets and bucket showers
South Luangwa National Park is the most famous of National Parks is Zambia due to the abundance of wildlife and the great opportunities to spot large predators. In addition to a large population of felines (mostly leopards and lions), it is home to a large number of elephants, hippos, buffaloes and numerous endemic species such as Thorncrofft giraffe, Cookson’s wildebeests, Crashway’s zebras. The Luangwa River has the highest concentration of hippos per km2 in the whole Africa and offers great reproduction and hunting ground for many animals, such as fish eagles, jackals, hyenas, crocodiles, and countless birds. Sunsets on the Luangwa River are unforgettable experiences and the visit to this National Park is consider one of the highlights for any true Africa lover.
Early wake and sunrise breakfast with hot beverages and toasts/biscuits before starting off on your first Game drive of the day. Return to camp around 10,00 and time to relax. Brunch, followed by an afternoon Night Drive that will continue after sunset to maximise your chances to spot nocturnal predators.
Dinner at camp, prepared by the accompanying cook and night camping or lodging, based on chosen alternative.
Wild Camping in an unfenced wilderness area – the remote wilderness site has no electricity, has bush toilets and bucket showers
South Luangwa National Park is the most famous of National Parks is Zambia due to the abundance of wildlife and the great opportunities to spot large predators. In addition to a large population of felines (mostly leopards and lions), it is home to a large number of elephants, hippos, buffaloes and numerous endemic species such as Thorncrofft giraffe, Cookson’s wildebeests, Crashway’s zebras. The Luangwa River has the highest concentration of hippos per km2 in the whole Africa and offers great reproduction and hunting ground for many animals, such as fish eagles, jackals, hyenas, crocodiles, and countless birds. Sunsets on the Luangwa River are unforgettable experiences and the visit to this National Park is consider one of the highlights for any true Africa lover.
Early wake and sunrise breakfast with hot beverages and toasts/biscuits before starting off on your first Game drive of the day. Return to camp around 10,00 and time to relax. Brunch, followed by an afternoon Night Drive that will continue after sunset to maximise your chances to spot nocturnal predators.
Dinner at camp, prepared by the accompanying cook and night camping or lodging, based on chosen alternative.
Wild Camping in an unfenced wilderness area – the remote wilderness site has no electricity, has bush toilets and bucket showers
Early morning breakfast and departure to Katete, where you will check in at Chengetani Lodge or similar, one of the nicest accommodations in the small and rural town of Katete. Arrival is expected approximately 3 hours after departure. Check in at your accommodation in en-suite rooms and proceed to the celebration site where you will enjoy the first celebrations of the Kulamba ceremony. Own arrangements for lunch at the ceremonial site (local street food) and dinner at the lodge (not incuded).
Breakfast at the lodge. With the assistance of our guides and our local representative in Katete among the Chewa people, you will be facilitated in getting the best possible experience during the Kulamba celebrations.
Today’s celebrations and dances will happen just outside the Royal Arena, and different masks and dance groups will perform incredible and culturally rich dances.
Own arrangements for meals at the celebrations. Night lodging
Breakfast at the lodge. With the assistance of our guides and our local representative in Katete among the Chewa people, you will be facilitated in getting the best possible experience during the Kulamba celebrations.
Today’s celebrations and dances will happen just outside the Royal Arena, and different masks and dance groups will perform incredible and culturally rich dances.
Own arrangements for meals at the celebrations. Night lodging
Breakfast at the lodge. With the assistance of our guides and our local representative in Katete among the Chewa people, you will be facilitated in getting the best possible experience during the Kulamba celebrations.
On the last day, you will have VIP seats in the main arena, where all the dances, masks, snake enchanters and flying spirits will perform in front of Chief Gawa Unidi, and you will be able to move freely around the arena escorted by your guides, to take fantastic pictures and videos of this unforgettable event.
Breakfast at the lodge and early departure for Lusaka (450 km of Tarmac road – approx.. 7 hours) where we expect to arrive around lunchtime. Accommodation at Wild Dogs Lodge. In the afternoon, time available to relax and prepare your luggage. Dinner in Lusaka not included.
Breakfast at the lodge. Depending on the time of your flight you will be taken to the airport. End of arrangements
Rates
The Rates Include:
- All accommodations indicated in the itinerary, with the specified arrangements
- All meals specified in the itinerary
- Vehicle, fuel, certified professional local guide (English speaking), chef
- Domestic Flight Lusaka-Mfuwe (one way)
- All Park Entry fees and fees associated to the Ceremony
- All game-viewing activities specified in the itinerary
The Rates Exclude:
- International flights
- Alcoholic beverages
- Visas
- Activities not offered by African View Tours and Safaris and not specified in the itinerary / specified as “optional”
- Personal comprehensive insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips (Tips are not compulsory, but always welcomed. We suggest: 5 US$ per day per person /couple for the chef, 10 US$ per day per person /couple for the local guide, on discretion for the international guide, when present)
- Anything not stated under “standard inclusions”
FAQs
Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.
On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.
The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
For the Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.
