Mapazi Camp: Our full report
Mapazi Camp is a new walking only camp located in the far north of Zambia's South Luangwa National Park - ...
... one of the most renowned areas in Africa for walking safaris. All activities at Mapazi are privately guided by Deb Tittle, a renowned safari guide with over 20 years guiding experience in the South Luangwa. *** Sadly Mapazi Camp is now closed, please speak to a member of our team for advice on alternative options. ***Mapazi Camp opened in mid 2018, and we were lucky to visit in October 2018. Mapazi is one of the northern-most camps in the South Luangwa, in an undisturbed section of the park, with few roads, that's ideal for walking safaris.
Mapazi itself is a small, simple camp with only three walk-in tents - though the camp takes a maximum of four guests at any one time, unless a group books the camp for their exclusive use. Although the overall feeling of the camp is very rustic, with few of the luxurious trappings and lacking the silver cutlery of Africa's most luxurious properties, it has a decent level of comfort with solid twin or double beds, en-suite bathrooms with hot showers and flush toilets, and a refrigerated bar alongside the lounge in the communal area. Comfortable hammocks and chairs are spaced out around the camp, and there's plenty to see from the camp itself, we had a few curious bushbuck wandering through, and plenty of birdlife in the area.
Though the setting, overlooking the river, and the remote location are an obvious draw, Deb Tittle's guiding is the real highlight of the camp. Deb has been guiding in the South Luangwa since the '90s, and is incredibly experienced at interpreting the nuances of the bush. This knowledge, combined with an incredibly friendly and approachable personality, means Deb can deliver some incredibly memorable safari experiences. On our last visit, following footprints and spoor, we tracked a leopard through the bush, finally to hear a crunching sound and see the leopard with a fresh kill in a tree, just a few hundred metres away.
Our view
We loved the location of Mapazi, and Deb delivers a top class safari experience. We're always delighted to see new owner run camps opening in Africa, and with top guiding and an incredible walking area we fully expect Deb's 'back-to-basics' Mapazi Camp to be a popular addition to the offerings in the South Luangwa.
Country manager: Zambia
Geographics
- Location
- South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
- Ideal length of stay
- We’d recommend a stay of at least three nights at Mapazi, in order to be able to fully experience the walking available in this northern. Section of the park. Mapazi combines well in a multi-day walking trip with other walking-only camps in the area – chat to us for more details.
- Directions
- A stay at Mapazi Camp will require you to fly to Mfuwe Airport to from Lusaka, before continuing through the park on a game drive until you reach Mapazi. From Lusaka the entire transfer time should take 4-5 hours.
Do note that it is not possible to transfer directly to Mapazi from the late afternoon flight transfers into Mfuwe Airport. - Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- On our last visit we had some delicious meals at Mapazi. The camp is able to cater for a range of dietary requests, with advance notice.
A simple breakfast is served early with toast and cereal on offer, along with tea and fresh coffee, before you set off for the morning walk.
Lunch is usually a light and simple option, perfect for the midday heat. We enjoyed a cheese board with grapes and olives, crackers and freshly baked rolls, along with a leek and potato frittata, a selection of chutneys and sauces and a green salad, with a refreshing fruit salad to finish up the meal.
Dinner is served out under the stars, though the table can be brought in under the main stretch tent. We were served jacket potatoes, with home-made chili con carne, guacamole and sour cream. Vanilla ice cream with fresh passionfruit ended the meal. - Dining style
- Group Meals
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children older than 15 are welcome at Mapazi.
- Property’s age restrictions
- Mapazi has a minimum age limit of 15 years. Children ages 12–15 can be considered if the camp is booked for exclusive use, but do note that the minimum age for walking safaris is 12.
- Special activities & services
- None.
- Equipment
- None.
- Generally recommended for children
- This is a remote area, with the potential of wild animals in camp. We feel that Mapazi is best suited to for children over 16.
- Notes
- Any children in camp need to be supervised at all times by a parent or guardian.
Communications
- Power supply notes
- Mapazi runs on solar power, though there is a back-up generator on site.
- Communications
- There is a satellite phone at Mapazi for emergency communications, and the camp is in radio contact with nearby camps.
- TV & radio
- None.
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- Bathrooms have flush toilets, and plumbed hot showers and handbasin. The water is heated for each tent using eco-friendly Rocket Boilers.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- All senior staff members are first aid qualified, and there is a first aid kit in camp and in the camp vehicle. The closest doctor is in Mfuwe, a 3–4 hour drive.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- An armed scout is based in camp, and guests will be escorted to and from tents after dark by a member of staff.
- Fire safety
- Fire extinguishers are located around the camp, and an extinguisher and fire blanket are located in the kitchen. Staff are trained in their use.
Activities
Birdwatching
Guided walking safari
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- A laundry service is included, for all clothes, including women's underwear. Clothes are hand washed and line dried.
- Money
- A lockable chest is provided in each tent. The main office is locked and has a safe if guests wish to keep valuable there also.
- Accepted payment on location
- All meals and drinks are included, so no payments are necessary.
Other lodges in South Luangwa National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Tafika
One of the best camps in Zambia, Tafika is naturally built, combining excellent service and food with top guiding skills for a superb wildlife experience.
Nkwali
On the banks of the Luangwa River, with its own access to the national park, the intimate Nkwali is open year round.
Kaingo Camp
Small and owner-run, the riverside Kaingo occupies a a quiet but excellent game area, with a series of wildlife hides and a focus on photography.
Nsefu
One of the Luangwa's oldest camps, Nsefu is a great safari camp in a remote, beautiful and game-rich location with top-rate guiding.
Mwamba Bushcamp
Small, remote and owner-run, Mwamba offers first-class walking, 4WD safari drives and superb hides, with excellent guides and a real bush feel.
Tena Tena
One of the Luangwa's best camps, in a beautiful, remote bush location, Tena Tena is very small, exceedingly well-run and has top-rate guiding.
Chikoko Tree Camp
Chikoko Tree Camp is an excellent small, rustic bushcamp that concentrates on walking safaris, and is run by a top-quality operation.
Big Lagoon Camp
Big Lagoon Camp is a great little rustic bushcamp built to high standards that focuses on excellent walking safaris, with the emphasis on top wildlife guides.
Luangwa River Camp
Luangwa River Lodge is a small and consciously stylish lodge in the Mfuwe area, overlooking the Luangwa River and the South Luangwa National Park beyond – an area renowned for great game.
Kapani Lodge
Kapani Lodge is now the main office base for Norman Carr Safaris, one of the Luangwa's oldest safari operations.
Flatdogs Camp
A relatively big safari camp, Flatdogs offers value for money with great guiding and good food in a comfortable, relaxed setting.
Mchenja Bushcamp
Set in a shady ebony grove on the banks of the Luangwa, Mchenja is a smart tented bushcamp. It combines well with Kakuli and Nsolo – its sister camps with a focus on walking safaris.
Kakuli Bushcamp
Beside the Luangwa River, Kakuli is a comfortable tented bushcamp offering 4WD safaris and walking safaris – the best of which are camp-to-camp walks linking Kakuli with its nearby sister camps.
Nsolo Bushcamp
Nsolo is a small, comfortable bushcamp overlooking one or two pools in the usually dry Luwi riverbed. It concentrates on walking safaris in an interesting and diverse area, led by a knowledgeable guide.
Kafunta River Lodge
Kafunta is a laid-back, friendly and good-value lodge on the outskirts of South Luangwa National Park.
Luwi Bushcamp
In a remote part of the South Luangwa National Park, Luwi is a rustic bushcamp whose emphasis is on walking safaris with great guiding and a chance of seeing some rarely seen and elusive antelope.
Lion Camp
Lion Camp is an established and comfortable camp with a swimming pool, located near to the game-rich Lion Plain in the northern part of South Luangwa National Park.
Robin Pope mobile
RPS mobile safari camps are at the heart of their set-itinerary walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park, which start and finish at a permanent camp.
Puku Ridge
Puku Ridge is a luxurious designer camp set in a stunning location, high on a hill overlooking a floodplain within South Luangwa. Explore from here on 4WD safaris and walks.
Kapamba Bushcamp
In the remote far south of South Luangwa National Park, Kapamba is a small and very comfortable bushcamp offering good walks and game drives.
Mfuwe Lodge
In a game-rich area close to the South Luangwa’s main Mfuwe Gate, Mfuwe Lodge is relatively large by park standards, but it’s stylish, modern and family friendly.
Kuyenda Bushcamp
Kuyenda Bushcamp is a classic bushcamp with particularly delightful hosts and offers top-class walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park.
Luangwa Safari House
Luangwa Safari House is a vast and very smart four-bedroom house specifically designed for families and small groups, and offering an exclusive and flexible safari experience.
Three Rivers Camp
In the remote far south of South Luangwa National Park, Three Rivers Lodge sits at the confluence of three of the valleys rivers.
Island Bush Camp
Island Bushcamp is a good-value, rustic, walking-only camp, in arguably one of the most remote parts of the South Luangwa, well away from all other camps.
Chinzombo
Opened in early June 2013, Chinzombo offers luxurious and stylish accommodation with very high levels of service and excellent guiding.
Bilimungwe Bushcamp
A smart bushcamp with four very spacious chalets, Bilimungwe offers interesting walking safaris in pretty riverine woodland, as well as day and night safari drives.
Chindeni
Chindeni Bushcamp is a very modern and minimalist camp, which is a far cry from your traditional bushcamp and unlike most of the other camps in South Luangwa.
Robin's House
With your own expert guide, private vehicle, chef and valet, the two-bedroom Robin's House offers an exclusive, flexible safari experience – and is open year round.
Kawaza Village
Kawaza Village – beside the South Luangwa National Park, offers guests the rare opportunity to appreciate local village life. Visit for a few hours or stay overnight.
Chamilandu Bushcamp
A comfortable little bushcamp, Chamilandu has a picturesque setting by the Luangwa River, in an area with a range of habitats to explore on foot and by 4WD.
Mwamba Camp-out
The Mwamba-Camp Out allows you to have an incredibly adventurous night in the bush, sleeping under mosquito nets with activities led by some of the best guides in Zambia.
Zungulila
Zungulila is a small, comfortable tented bushcamp with an emphasis on walking safaris, in the remote southern section of the South Luangwa.
Shawa Luangwa
Opened in June 2021, Shawa Luangwa Camp is a small, intimate and rustic camp, with a good location in a remote section of the South Luangwa National Park.
Luwi Riverbed Sleepout
For an adventurous night in South Luangwa National Park, come and sleep out in the bush, around a campfire, with an experienced guide and game scout.
Chichele Lodge
Currently in the final stages of an extensive rebuild, Chichele Presidential Lodge stands high within the park, with superb views, and is due to reopen in early 2025.
Chikunto
Chikunto Safari Lodge is a more traditional property in the South Luangwa National Park, sitting on a peninsula of land created by the meandering Luangwa River.
