Vervet Monkey Safari: Day-by-day
More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the Vervet Monkey 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
Flight & 4WD from Lusaka to South Luangwa
Depart Lusaka on a 70-minute flight to Mfuwe Airport, beside South Luangwa National Park, where you meet your guide from Puku Ridge for an hour's drive in an open-topped 4WD. The sprawling town of Mfuwe soon gives way to wildlife in the bush as you approach the small, hilltop camp.

Puku Ridge
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.

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.
"Superb room with luxurious facilities."
Dr TfromSuffolkArrived 1 May 2023, 3 nights
The accent at the old Puku Ridge was always firmly on the ‘luxury’ part of safari. When its refurbishment is complete, we’re expecting Puku Ridge to take after its sister camps, Chiawa Camp and Old Mondoro. This means equally high levels of luxury, but leavened with more respect for nature and a better game-viewing experience. Meanwhile every time we visit, we're reminded that looking over the Kakumbi Floodplain from camp gives Puku probably the best view in Zambia. See our full report on Puku Ridge
Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Guided walking safari

Night drive
4WD & flight from the Luangwa to Lower Zambezi
In a scenic journey taking around half a day, you’ll be driven from Puku Ridge 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 through the national park to camp.

Chiawa Camp
Viewed from a star bed, or over a leisurely riverboat lunch, the Zambezi takes centre stage at Chiawa. It's a truly special setting for this family-run safari lodge, where attention to detail underpins every aspect of a stay.

Viewed from a star bed, or over a leisurely riverboat lunch, the Zambezi takes centre stage at Chiawa. It's a truly special setting for this family-run safari lodge, where attention to detail underpins every aspect of a stay.
Start with the sturdy tents, each with a private river outlook that greets you on waking – and accompanies an afternoon wallow in your sunken bath. Comfort is the watchword here, but there’s no sense of bling – this is understated luxury.
Take in the view from the hub of the camp, too, whose traditional style is a backdrop for a cool drink, relaxing with a book from the library, or star-gazing courtesy of the telescope on the upper storey.
And never far away is the wildlife, for which the Lower Zambezi is famed. From hippos at home in the river to elephants spotted from the viewing platform or any number of animals passing in front of the hides, you scarcely have to leave camp.
But when you do, whether on land or on the river, you’ll be accompanied by guides whose expertise ranges from canoeing to walking safaris, fishing to game drives.
"Camp personnel, wildlife, accommodation, food and activities all excellent"
Mr A F, TorquayfromUKArrived 14 Jul 2023, 4 nights
The pool is cool and welcoming, the food is good, the service exceptional. This is a magical corner of Zambia enhanced by an excellent camp. See our full report on Chiawa Camp
Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Boat trip

Canoeing

Fishing

Guided walking safari
4WD & flight from Lower Zambezi to Lusaka
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.