Luangwa Valley & National Park
Overview
“Positive Impact Experiences” can be done as a stand-alone experience or added as an extension to other Safaris and Tours. These Experiences are created to positively impact the communities and the populations that will largely benefit from your presence!
Highlights
- Visit remote villages and collaborate with NGOs active on the territory
- Visit local schools & assist local students
- Visit remote clinics
Itinerary
Your Safari begins in Mfuwe (NOTE: this safari can also start from Lusaka, Lilongwe or Chipata. Please enquire for rates).
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.
Upon arrival at Mfuwe airport, our resident guides will collect you from the airport and transfer you to Thornicroft Lodge, where you will spend 4 nights in a Bush Style Chalet on full board basis. Your stay includes community/NGOs tours, environmental tours, visit to local schools and wildlife activities. Depending on the time of your arrival, it may be possible to have a first Night Drive in the National Park. Dinner at the Lodge
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 of 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 and leopards 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 considered one of the highlights for any true Africa lover.
This abundance of wildlife, however, is also known to put a strain on the local communities and villages surrounding the National Park and the Game Management Areas. Human/Wildlife conflict has been a subject of discussion for many years and numerous non-governmental bodies have tried to address the situation, resulting in a vast number of NGOs establishing themselves in this year to work together with the Chiefdoms and communities to improve the lives of the farmers, women, children and other inhabitants.
Breakfast at the lodge followed by introductions / orientations before you begin a guided tour of the villages in chief Kakumbi’s chiefdom. This will be followed by a visit to Project Luangwa, an NGO that supports empowering south Luangwa communities and conservation through tourism, education and gender programs. Here, the team will take you through how they’re contributing positively to the local communities and protecting flora/fauna of this area through various initiatives. Return to the lodge for Lunch and visit Chipembele Trust School in the afternoon. Here, you will learn about rural Zambian School system and enjoy activities with the children; during the afternoon you will have a chance to participate and contribute to the community in different ways. Return to the Lodge in the evening and dinner at the Lodge. Night lodging
Breakfast at the lodge followed by a visit to Nsefu Conservation Foundation, an NGO that is empowering Nsefu community including women with various community projects such as Nsefu Women Sewing Centre, bee keeping and community clinic. A tour will be centred around these projects to get a deeper insight on how these projects are benefitting the local people (you will be welcome to contribute and participate in different ways). You shall also meet the scouts employed by the Organisation and get to understand how they’re are working around the clock to ensure they address human animal conflict in the GMA and protect endangered species of this part of the park. From here, you will head to Kawaza village where you will be welcomed with songs and traditional dances from the community women. The local guide will take you through the meanings of the songs, dances and their general tradition. After, a traditional lunch prepared by their chefs will follow. At this stage, the local guide will take you through all the dishes served and how they’re prepared. Return to the lodge in the afternoon. Dinner at the lodge and night lodging
Early wake and breakfast at the lodge followed by a morning game drive. You will be accompanied by a scout from Department of National Parks and Wildlife who will take you through some lessons on how they patrol the park and also di-snare trapped wild animals in the park that are as a result of illegal poaching.
Return to the lodge for Lunch and afternoon night game drive thereafter to follow. Dinner at the lodge and night lodging.
Breakfast at the lodge. Depending on your arrangements for the next art of your journey, you will be transferred to your relevant destination. 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
- All Park Entry fees
- All activities & visits 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.
