ZM-LUA5 · 5 days / 4 nights
After Dark.
The valley where the walking safari was born — five days of dawn walks, golden-hour drives and the spotlit world after dark.
- Duration
- 5 days / 4 nights
- Best time
- June–October; peak Sept–Oct
- Starts / ends
- Mfuwe, South Luangwa
- Group
- Small group, shared or private
- Fitness
- Moderate — early starts
Leopard, South Luangwa National Park
The journey
Leopard country, in both lights.
South Luangwa is where the walking safari began, and it remains the park where Zambia’s guiding tradition is at its finest — patient, knowledgeable, unhurried. This five-day format shows the valley in both lights: golden-hour drives and dawn walks by day, spotlit drives after sunset when leopard, genet, civet and a cast of nocturnal specialists take over.
With a change of camp partway through and guides who often know individual animals by name, this is our deepest single-park safari.
- Nightly spotlit drives
- Dawn walking safari
- Two camps, two sectors
- Full board with bush breakfast
After dark, South Luangwa
Day by day
Dawn to dark.
- Day 1
Into the valley
Fly Lusaka–Mfuwe (about 1 hour) or arrive via the Great East Road (roughly 8–9 hours); transfer through the park to camp. Orientation drive as the light softens, then your first night drive.
- Day 2
Dawn to dark
A guided walking safari at first light — tracks, signs and the small details a vehicle misses. Rest through the heat, then a game drive continuing into a second night drive.
- Day 3
The river’s rhythm
A game drive along the Luangwa’s lagoons and floodplain — hippo pods and elephant herds. Photographic hide or riverside downtime, then a night drive.
- Day 4
Change of scene
Relocate to a quieter sector (such as the Nsefu area) for a different landscape and game profile; afternoon game drive and the final night drive.
- Day 5
Last light
A final dawn drive or walk and breakfast in the bush, then transfer to Mfuwe Airport.
Inclusions
The full valley.
What's included
- All game drives and night drives
- One guided walking safari
- Camp relocation within the park
- Full-board meals
- Park, GMA and community levy fees where applicable
- Professional guide and vehicle throughout
Not included
- Lusaka–Mfuwe flights (quoted separately)
- Zambia visa fees
- Premium drinks
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Extra walking safaris beyond the one included
Add-ons: extend to 7 nights for a third camp, add North Luangwa for experienced walkers, or combine with the Lower Zambezi for a two-river circuit. Pack neutral colours, a warm layer for night drives and binoculars.
South Luangwa
The valley guides call the best in Africa.
ZM-LUA5 · 5 days / 4 nights
Five days. Two camps. One valley.
Let’s build your dates around the best of the season.
One message · One accountable team · All of Zambia
Part of a wider collection
Pair it with another journey.
This journey is one of nine curated itineraries across Zambia. Combine them — we connect every transfer in between.
ZM-LZA43–4 daysRiver & WildCanoe past drinking elephants, cast for tiger fish and let the Lower Zambezi set the pace.Quote on request
ZM-KAF55 days / 4 nightsVast ZambiaKafue — bigger than Wales, a fraction of the visitors. Woodland to floodplain at an unhurried pace.Quote on request
ZM-GRA1210–12 daysZambia Grand ArcCity, river, wildlife, culture and Victoria Falls — five faces of Zambia as one connected story.Quote on request