Fruit Bat Safari: Day-by-day
More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the Fruit Bat 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 to South Luangwa by air & 4WD
Depart Lusaka on a 70-minute flight to Mfuwe Airport, gateway to the South Luangwa. A guide from Flatdogs will meet you with an open-topped 4WD for the drive of around 45 minutes to the lodge, just outside the park entrance, passing the sprawling community of Mfuwe on the way.
Flatdogs Camp
A fun, friendly camp, Flatdogs is a justifiably popular stalwart of South Luangwa's safari scene. The local nickname for the crocodile, ‘flatdog’, was an apt name choice when the original backpacker haven was opened in 1992 at the old crocodile camp.
A fun, friendly camp, Flatdogs is a justifiably popular stalwart of South Luangwa's safari scene. The local nickname for the crocodile, ‘flatdog’, was an apt name choice when the original backpacker haven was opened in 1992 at the old crocodile camp.
Flatdogs is unrecognisable from those early days, but has retained the friendly, chilled atmosphere which made it so popular. Today, Flatdogs enjoys a super riverfront location, just outside the national park, with plenty of shade from winterthorn & mahogany trees. It’s an extensive & imaginatively designed camp just outside of the park and with some of Mfuwe’s friendliest staff waiting to welcome you. Owners Ade, Jess and Paulo exude warmth and hospitality, an attitude which extends to every member of staff.
Part of Flatdogs' charm is its proximity to wildlife – it may be outside the park, but it's right on the river where a great deal of wildlife wanders by to drink, from shy bushbuck to elephants and hippos. A good population of giraffe are attracted by the acacia trees and some very cheeky baboons hang out here too.
There’s a wide range of accommodation available, from classic safari tents to chalets, a villa & two super, exclusive-use safari pads. With 100Ha of space, everything is well spread around the grounds where there’s an open-plan bar, 2 lovely swimming pools & an all-day, à-la-carte restaurant serving delicious meals. Wildlife and cultural activities can be booked with ease.
"I honestly run out of adjectives to describe how simply fabulous Flatdogs is"
Ms B fromBristolArrived 4 Aug 2024, 6 nights
For a good-value safari with a bit more flexibility than camps and lodges sometimes offer, then Flatdogs delivers. See our full report on Flatdogs Camp
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Night drive
South Luangwa to Kasanka by 4WD & light aircraft
Today's journey will see you return to Mfuwe Airport for the light-aircraft flight of about an hour to Mulembo Airstrip in Kasanka National Park. Here, a guide will be waiting with a 4WD for the drive of around 2km to Wasa Lodge, on the shores of Lake Wasa.
Wasa Lodge
Wasa Lodge is located in the remote Kasanka National Park in northern Zambia.
Wasa Lodge is located in the remote Kasanka National Park in northern Zambia.
"... if you go here, it should be for the bats and the sitatunga ..."
Mr JfromCoventryArrived 4 Nov 2020, 3 nights
Wasa is usually best visited in combination with its sister-camp in the park, Luwombwa Lodge as well as some other remote areas in northern Zambia and is a great spot for an off-beat safari and keen birders alike. See our full report on Wasa Lodge
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Guided walking safari
Kasanka to South Luangwa by air & 4WD
After a morning activity at Wasa Lodge, you'll board a light aircraft for the return to the South Luangwa, landing at Mfuwe after about an hour. As before, a guide will be waiting for the 4WD drive to Flatdogs, allowing you to take in the village sights once more.
Flatdogs Camp
A fun, friendly camp, Flatdogs is a justifiably popular stalwart of South Luangwa's safari scene. The local nickname for the crocodile, ‘flatdog’, was an apt name choice when the original backpacker haven was opened in 1992 at the old crocodile camp.
A fun, friendly camp, Flatdogs is a justifiably popular stalwart of South Luangwa's safari scene. The local nickname for the crocodile, ‘flatdog’, was an apt name choice when the original backpacker haven was opened in 1992 at the old crocodile camp.
Flatdogs is unrecognisable from those early days, but has retained the friendly, chilled atmosphere which made it so popular. Today, Flatdogs enjoys a super riverfront location, just outside the national park, with plenty of shade from winterthorn & mahogany trees. It’s an extensive & imaginatively designed camp just outside of the park and with some of Mfuwe’s friendliest staff waiting to welcome you. Owners Ade, Jess and Paulo exude warmth and hospitality, an attitude which extends to every member of staff.
Part of Flatdogs' charm is its proximity to wildlife – it may be outside the park, but it's right on the river where a great deal of wildlife wanders by to drink, from shy bushbuck to elephants and hippos. A good population of giraffe are attracted by the acacia trees and some very cheeky baboons hang out here too.
There’s a wide range of accommodation available, from classic safari tents to chalets, a villa & two super, exclusive-use safari pads. With 100Ha of space, everything is well spread around the grounds where there’s an open-plan bar, 2 lovely swimming pools & an all-day, à-la-carte restaurant serving delicious meals. Wildlife and cultural activities can be booked with ease.
"Comfortable and spacious...nicely located at the riverside"
Dr J.fromUnited KingdomArrived 19 Jun 2024, 3 nights
For a good-value safari with a bit more flexibility than camps and lodges sometimes offer, then Flatdogs delivers. See our full report on Flatdogs Camp
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Night drive
South Luangwa to Lusaka by 4WD & air
You may have time for a morning activity before you say farewell to the guides at Flatdogs and your final drive to Mfuwe. Here you'll board a scheduled flight for Lusaka, landing after around 70 minutes in time to make your onward connections.
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.