Crawshay's Zebra Safari: Day-by-day
More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the Crawshay's Zebra Safari. Everything we do is completely tailor-made so while this is an idea which works well, we’ll always design an itinerary just for you.
Starts: Lusaka International Airport
Lusaka Airport to Nkwali by flight & 4WD
Depart Lusaka on a short 70-minute flight to Mfuwe Airport, in the Luangwa's rift valley. Here you meet your Nkwali guide for an hour's drive in an open 4WD. The settlement of Mfuwe soon gives way to wildlife in the bush as you approach the small, riverside camp.

Nkwali
Built on the banks of the Luangwa River, Nkwali Camp sits under the shade of tall mahogany, ebony and sausage trees. Owned and run by Robin Pope Safaris the camp is well situated a relatively short drive from Mfuwe Airport and overlooking South Luangwa National Park.

Built on the banks of the Luangwa River, Nkwali Camp sits under the shade of tall mahogany, ebony and sausage trees. Owned and run by Robin Pope Safaris the camp is well situated a relatively short drive from Mfuwe Airport and overlooking South Luangwa National Park.
"Best room/house during our entire stay in Zambia...Guiding excellent "
Mr & Mrs LfromSwedenArrived 17 Mar 2020, 3 nights
Nkwali is an excellently run camp with impressive open fronted chalets that truly allow you to feel like you're staying in the bush. Its position close to the airport and lower price makes it a great option for accessing the park, while taking advantage of its own pontoon across the river to avoid the worst of the crowds in the game rich Mfuwe area. With its location on the river and year round opening, it also allows rare access to the park when it transforms during the rainy season. See our full report on Nkwali
Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Boat trip

Cultural excursion

Guided walking safari

Night drive
4WD from Nkwali to Tena Tena
It's about an hour's drive (38km) between the camps, which your guide will normally cover after the morning activity. The likely route shadows the eastern side of the Luangwa River, on informal tracks through a rural area of smallholdings and occasional villages.

Tena Tena
Run by Robin Pope Safaris, Tena Tena is in the remote but game-rich Nsefu Sector, on the north side of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. Due to the changing course of the river, the camp was moved about a kilometre upstream in 2012, and while it is still on the riverbank, the river itself can be some distance away during the dry season. Tena Tena focuses on excellent guiding and flexible activities, with personal service and attention, all in very comfortable surroundings.

Run by Robin Pope Safaris, Tena Tena is in the remote but game-rich Nsefu Sector, on the north side of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. Due to the changing course of the river, the camp was moved about a kilometre upstream in 2012, and while it is still on the riverbank, the river itself can be some distance away during the dry season. Tena Tena focuses on excellent guiding and flexible activities, with personal service and attention, all in very comfortable surroundings.
"Again, we can’t praise the staff at Tena Tena enough"
Mr & Mrs LfromCumbriaArrived 2 Sep 2019, 4 nights
Tena Tena manages to strike a balance between being simple yet stylish, without compromising at all on comfort or standards. For those looking for a touch of wilderness and superb guiding at a good-quality tented camp, Tena Tena is an excellent choice. See our full report on Tena Tena
Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Guided walking safari

Night drive
Luangwa to Lower Zambezi by 4WD & light aircraft
In a scenic journey taking around half a day, you’ll be driven from Tena to Mfuwe Airport for a light-aircraft flight over the Luangwa and Zambezi escarpments. Landing at Jeki Airstrip, you'll be met by a Chiawa guide for the trip by 4WD and boat through the national park to camp.

Chiawa Camp
On the banks of the Zambezi River, beneath a grove of mahogany trees, Chiawa Camp sits in the heart of Zambia's wildlife-rich Lower Zambezi National Park. Chiawa was the first camp in the park, opened by the Cumings family in 1989, and is still run by Grant Cumings. Over the years, it has evolved in size and comfort to a high degree of understated luxury.

On the banks of the Zambezi River, beneath a grove of mahogany trees, Chiawa Camp sits in the heart of Zambia's wildlife-rich Lower Zambezi National Park. Chiawa was the first camp in the park, opened by the Cumings family in 1989, and is still run by Grant Cumings. Over the years, it has evolved in size and comfort to a high degree of understated luxury.
"We truly felt that we were in the middle of nowhere. "
E & S H.fromCaliforniaArrived 5 Aug 2019, 3 nights
In many ways, we think Chiawa is one of the best, and best-run, camps in Africa. The service and food are top-notch, with a team who tend to go out of their way to make everyone feel comfortable – and have consistently left us feeling that nothing was too much trouble. The camp manages to be luxurious, while still feeling homely and welcoming, a balance that can be difficult to get right. A good complement of excellent guides and a flexible attitude towards activities means that guests will usually get to do what they want, more or less when they want. We love it. See our full report on Chiawa Camp
Chiawa to Old Mondoro by boat or 4WD
Travelling east, deeper into the national park, it takes a couple of hours to get from Chiawa to Old Mondoro. This is usually a meandering game drive in an open-topped 4WD, but if you prefer it might be possible by motorboat or even by canoe, downstream on the Zambezi River.

Old Mondoro Bushcamp
Hidden deep in the Lower Zambezi National Park, Old Mondoro is small and traditional – with plenty of subtle creature comforts. Owned and operated by the Cumings family, the camp has long been renowned for exceptional guiding in a truly peaceful area of the park. In such experienced hands, this is a place where the wildlife comes first – so don’t be surprised to have an impromptu night drive if leopard are spotted during dinner.

Hidden deep in the Lower Zambezi National Park, Old Mondoro is small and traditional – with plenty of subtle creature comforts. Owned and operated by the Cumings family, the camp has long been renowned for exceptional guiding in a truly peaceful area of the park. In such experienced hands, this is a place where the wildlife comes first – so don’t be surprised to have an impromptu night drive if leopard are spotted during dinner.
With just four reed-enclosed chalets, intimacy here is guaranteed. Looking out over the water – the Zambezi or a natural lagoon – from waist-high walls, the chalets are as close to nature as possible.
Canvas flaps can be rolled down at night should you wish, and discreet electric lighting is on hand, but foregoing these “luxuries” simply enhances the connection with the bush. Few would begrudge the permanent hot water, though – especially if you choose to take a bath under the trees.
"..my second time returning to this camp..Already looking forward to returning.."
Ms DfromIrelandArrived 28 Aug 2019, 3 nights
The open layout of the camp allows wildlife to roam through unhindered. And as elephants are partial to the overhanging winterthorn trees, you may well have to let them finish browsing before returning from a hearty lunch to your chalet. That’s the deal at Old Mondoro – and it’s very much a bonus. See our full report on Old Mondoro Bushcamp
Old Mondoro to Lusaka by 4WD & light aircraft
Your last hour's game drive is through the park from Old Mondoro to Jeki Airstrip in an open 4WD. There you'll be met by a light aircraft which will lift you up and out of the low-lying Zambezi Valley and bring you to Lusaka Airport within about 40 minutes.
Ends: Lusaka International Airport

Experiences you can add to this trip.
Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst staying at lodges on this trip. These are usually best arranged in advance so talk to us.