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FROM US$8,370-US$10,990

Vervet Monkey Safari

Explore the world-class wildlife of Zambia’s South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi national parks in considerable luxury, guided by experts from two sister camps renowned for their excellent level of care.

Vervet Monkey Safari: Summary

Vervet Monkey Safari in a nutshell

This thrilling fly-in safari delivers luxury and usually excellent game, featuring two sister camps that major on responsibility for their ecosystems as well as top-quality guiding and high standards of care.

Beginning in South Luangwa National Park, Puku Ridge offers guests the perfect blend of wilderness and comfort. This small tented camp has an unmatched vantage point, looking west over a huge floodplain toward the Luangwa River. North brings you directly into the game-rich Mfuwe area, where the park’s reputation for prolific game was forged; south yields quieter, more private viewing.

A light aircraft hop over the Great Escarpment drops down into the Lower Zambezi, where Chiawa Camp nestles on the banks of Zambezi River in a prime location: within Zambia’s national park and facing Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park across the river.

This top-class wildlife area allows walking safaris, 4WD safari and night drives on dry land, or you can explore from the water by motor boat or padding a Canadian-style canoe – the change of perspective bringing very different wildlife encounters.

This is a great safari exploring contrasting parks from luxurious camps in stunning locations. The guiding is top-notch, the game densities excellent and there’s a refreshingly wide range of activities available.

At a glance

Starts: Lusaka International Airport
3 nights Puku Ridge - South Luangwa National Park, Zambia Full Board
4 nights Chiawa Camp - Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia Full Board
Ends: Lusaka International Airport

Puku Ridge

Days 1-4

Set high on a rocky ridge, Puku re-opened in late 2019, and has a stunning vantage point that’s unique in the Luangwa Valley. From here it has easy access to good and largely undisturbed game-viewing to the south - as well as the busier areas further north, around Mfuwe, where the game is habituated and relaxed, but the visitors are numerous.

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Chiawa Camp

Days 4-8

On the banks of the Zambezi River, Chiawa Camp sits beneath a grove of mahogany trees. As the first camp in Zambia's wildlife-rich Lower Zambezi National Park, it was 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.

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Puku Ridge

Puku Ridge

South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Chiawa Camp

Chiawa Camp

Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia

About image

Highlights

Our thoughts on five of the top experiences of this Vervet Monkey Safari.

  • Tracking leopard on foot near camp
  • Waking up to camp-fire coffee in the cool of dawn
  • Relaxing on our veranda with a drink and a great view
  • Following lions as they hunted all around our 4WD
  • Boating beside elephants swimming across the Zambezi

Activities

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

  • 4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

  • Boat trip

  • Canoeing

  • Cultural excursion

  • Fishing

  • Guided walking safari

  • Night drive

About image

Key species to see on the Vervet Monkey Safari

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


Lion

100% chance

Buffalo

100% chance

Elephant

100% chance

Giraffe

100% chance

Hippo

100% chance

Spotted Hyena

100% chance

Zebra

100% chance

Leopard

98% chance

Wild dog

75% chance

Wildebeest

54% chance

Eland

26% chance

Aardvark

6% chance

Sable antelope

6% chance

Cheetah

0% chance

Pangolin

0% chance

Roan antelope

0% chance

Side-trips whilst on this safari

We may be able to build in some of these optional excursions from the Vervet Monkey 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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