ZAMBIA
SOUTH LUANGWA
No. 1
TIME+ TIDE
Camp Luwi
For this trip, we asked Whalley & Ross to plan it for us, given the amount of times we wanted to move around we felt getting it professionally planned would only enhance our experience, and wow, did it.
It all began with an 18-hour flight, LHR to MFU. Our guide, Andrew, collected us and took us to the first camp: Luwi, where we stayed for the first two nights of our African adventure.
The plan of the trip was to start with the most authentic ‘camp’ accommodation and work our way up. Luwi was set up as a permanent camp, where the rooms were tent-like. Of course, there was running water but walls were fabric and doors were zip-open-zip-close. What we weren’t expecting, is there is no service, nor wifi. Being who we are, this made the first few hours of the trip a little unnerving but actually became pure bliss. It is rare to be so out of touch with the world and there was a real beauty to that.
You are fed incredibly well; big breakfasts at sunrise, followed by an AM game drive. Lunch back at the lodge with siesta, as it is hot at the peak of the day and most of the animals are hidden away in the shaded areas. Tea and cake was served at 3pm, followed by a PM game drive which leads into the sunset, where you are taken to a new location each day for sundowners and nibbles, a night drive home, followed by supper.
There is no ‘menu’ as such for Luwi, you are served what is accessible to the chef so it feels very local.
When to go?
Anytime between June and November
Where to Stay?
Time + Tide properties
There are 4 across North and South Luangwa - we stayed in the 2 out of 4, before moving onto Zimbabwe. I would recommend staying in each camp for 2 nights + 1 night camp.
THE SLEEP OUT
One of the most daunting experiences I have ever done, but I am so glad we did it. On the third night, once we had settled into the jungle, we were given the the opportunity to sleep out in the middle of the bush, of which we obliged and it really was something that I will never forget.
Most animals move around at night, as it is cooler, so hearing the lions, hyena’s etc. was special. You are protected with multiple fires surrounding you (which animals will avoid) and a scout who stays awake throughout the night on watch.
As you can also imagine, the stars were pretty impeccable.
NO. 2
TIME + TIDE
CAMP KAKULI
For our fourth and fifth night, we stayed in Camp Kakuli, which was a little more refined than Camp Luwi, and thankfully, still had no wifi - this turned out to be a true highlight of the trip, being so focused on the present.
Whilst both are Time + Tide properties, it felt like such a different experience. We were situated just above the river bank, hippo’s as far as the eye could see below.
From here, we drove through South Luangwa and left out incredible Time + Tide guide, Andrew, to travel across the border into Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.