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FROM US$8,390-US$9,740

Giraffe Safari

A safari to the remotest parts of Zambia’s Luangwa Valley. Perfect for experienced safari goers and first-time Africa adventurers. Explore with expert guides whilst staying at small bushcamps.

Giraffe Safari: Summary

Giraffe Safari in a nutshell

This classic Zambian safari spends nine nights deep in the bush, split between the North and South Luangwa national parks. Its focus is on remote wilderness locations and excellent small bushcamps with a mix of 4WD and walking safaris. It will appeal to experienced safari goers who appreciate how secluded and untamed these parts of the Luangwa Valley really are.

All three camps are owned and operated by the Coppinger family, who we’ve been working closely with for over 20 years. Whilst ensuring an intoxicating safari experience is paramount, the accommodation is also very well appointed and the food, delicious.

You’ll start by flying into the South Luangwa, where Tafika has just six chalets, all overlooking the Luangwa River. The main activities here are game drives and walking safaris, though mountain-biking safaris are also popular and a visit to the local community would be enlightening.

You’ll then hop by light aircraft to the incredibly remote North Luangwa National Park. With only four chalets, Takwela Camp offers an intimate experience in an untouched wilderness. Explore by vehicle and on foot in the company of an excellent guide.

Your last three nights are spent at Mwaleshi Camp in the North Luangwa. Mwaleshi exclusively offers walking safaris, which rank with the best in Africa. It’s another small camp in an area with abundant wildlife.

At a glance

Starts: Lusaka International Airport
3 nights Tafika - South Luangwa National Park, Zambia Full Board & Activities
3 nights Takwela Camp - North Luangwa National Park, Zambia Full Board & Activities
3 nights Mwaleshi Camp - North Luangwa National Park, Zambia Full Board & Activities
Ends: Lusaka International Airport

Tafika

Days 1-4

Home to the Coppinger family, Tafika is a small and outwardly rustic camp on the banks of the Luangwa River. Its location, on the northern side of the beautiful Nsefu Sector within in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park, makes Tafika – along with its two satellite bushcamps on the other side of the river – the most northerly of South Luangwa's safari camps. This allows most activities to be carried out in quiet areas of the park, where you’ll invariably have wildlife sightings to yourself

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Takwela Camp

Days 4-7

Offering game drives as well as walking safaris in Zambia's North Luangwa, Takwela Camp opened in July 2019. Before this, most of the camps in the park focused largely on walking. While this has always ensured a top-class walking-only experience, it meant that options for people interested in a more varied safari experience were limited.

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Mwaleshi Camp

Days 7-10

Set in a seriously remote part of Zambia’s North Luangwa National Park, the seasonal Mwaleshi Camp stands beside the crystal-clear Mwaleshi River, 10km from its confluence with the Luangwa. It’s a small, rustic and unpretentious walking camp in a remote and peaceful wilderness area.

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Tafika

Tafika

South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Takwela Camp

Takwela Camp

North Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Mwaleshi Camp

Mwaleshi Camp

North Luangwa National Park, Zambia

About image

Highlights

Our thoughts on five of the top experiences of this Giraffe Safari.

  • The adrenaline of tracking lion on foot
  • Seeing a leopard on its kill in the dead of night
  • Stalking through the bush with an expert guide
  • Biking through a village like a local
  • Convivial company from great companions

Activities

Some activities which can be included in the Giraffe Safari: talk to us about those which interest you.

  • 4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

  • Cultural excursion

  • Guided walking safari

  • Mountain biking

  • Night drive

About image

Key species to see on the Giraffe Safari

Based on our travellers' observations, we’ve estimated the likelihood of seeing these species during the Giraffe Safari. Click on the animals and our wildlife surveys page for more info.


Buffalo

100% chance

Elephant

100% chance

Hippo

100% chance

Wildebeest

100% chance

Zebra

100% chance

Spotted Hyena

99% chance

Lion

98% chance

Giraffe

98% chance

Leopard

96% chance

Wild dog

52% chance

Eland

19% chance

Black Rhino

8% chance

Roan antelope

3% chance

Sable antelope

2% chance

Aardvark

0% chance

Pangolin

0% chance

Side-trips whilst on this safari

We may be able to build in some of these optional excursions from the Giraffe Safari. Talk to us: they’re usually best arranged when you book.


Tribal Textiles Tour

Tribal Textiles Tour

One - two hours

Visit the Tribal Textiles workshop, where hand-painted textiles are produced by more than a hundred local people. The workshop is close to Mfuwe Airport, so is ideally placed for a stop en route to/from the South Luangwa. With products ranging from cushion covers to bags and T-shirts, it's a great place for souvenir shopping while at the same time supporting the local community.

More about Tribal Textiles Tour
Kawaza Village Visit

Kawaza Village Visit

Two to three hours

Just outside Zambia's South Luangwa National Park lies a normal, working rural African village which is open and welcoming to visitors to the Luangwa valley. There is nothing artificial or contrived about Kawaza Village, and it offers a rare opportunity to experience and appreciate Kunda culture, and meet local Zambians.

More about Kawaza Village Visit
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