Dress at all of our camps is informal and practical. Choose lightweight safari clothing—moisture‑wicking T‑shirts or button‑down shirts with comfortable shorts or lightweight hiking pants. For most itineraries, 2–3 shirts and 2–3 pairs of pants are sufficient given our daily laundry.
Wear dull, neutral bush tones (khaki, brown, green, grey). Please avoid blue/black (can attract tsetse flies) and avoid bright colours—especially white—which stand out in the bush. Comfortable, closed walking or hiking shoes are essential. A lightweight jacket is useful year‑round, and in June–August a warm jumper/fleece is a must for crisp morning and night drives.
Travel light: Mfuwe Lodge and all Bushcamps offer complimentary daily laundry, and towels are provided, so there’s no need to overpack.

Other items to consider

• Hat or cap and sunglasses
• High‑SPF sunscreen and lip balm
• Torch/headlamp (highly recommended)
• Swimming costume
• Spare camera batteries and extra memory cards
• Good binoculars (essential!)

Walking safaris are unhurried and interpretive—typically 2–3 hours with frequent stops—and proceed at your pace. You should be steady on uneven ground and comfortable in warm weather. Walking safaris can accommodate most ages and fitness levels within reason; simply tell your guide how you’re feeling on the day. Prefer to skip a walk? Guided game drives operate daily.

Q: How long does it take to walk between camps?
Walking from camp to camp is a great way to experience a safari. A typical inter‑camp walk takes 2–4 hours, depending on which camps you’re linking and what you encounter along the way.

South Luangwa has two broad seasons:

• Dry (May–Oct): Little/no rain; cool mornings and warm days in June–July (~26–28 °C), building to hot in Sept–Oct (average highs ~32–34 °C). Vegetation thins and water sources shrink—prime game viewing.
• Green (Nov–Apr): Rains bring lush landscapes, dramatic skies, newborns, and excellent birding; some tracks can be muddy/impassable at times.

Many travelers target July–October for concentrated sightings; photographers and birders love the emerald months for colour and atmosphere.

Q: What medicines or vaccines do I need?

• Timing: Arrange a travel‑health consult 6–8 weeks before departure (earlier if you have ongoing medical needs). Your clinician will tailor advice to your route, season, and health history.
• Routine boosters: Ensure you’re current on MMR and tetanus/diphtheria/polio boosters.
• Food/water‑borne risks: Hepatitis A and Typhoid are commonly recommended; your clinician may also consider Hepatitis B and Rabies depending on activities and duration.
• Yellow fever: Not generally recommended or required for travelers arriving directly from non‑risk countries; proof may be required if you transit or arrive from a yellow‑fever‑risk country—confirm based on routing.
• Malaria: South Luangwa is a malaria‑risk area. Use chemoprophylaxis plus bite‑avoidance. Clinicians typically prescribe atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine (start/stop windows differ; complete the full post‑trip course).
• Note on vaccines: WHO‑recommended malaria vaccines (RTS,S and R21) are being rolled out for children in endemic countries and do not replace traveler chemoprophylaxis; adult visitors should still take tablets and practice bite‑avoidance.
• Bite‑avoidance: Apply repellent, wear long sleeves/pants in the evening, and use insecticide‑treated nets where provided.

Q: What medical support is available?
Our camps are remote but prepared for minor issues (trained first‑aiders, medical kits, and radios). A Western‑trained doctor is available in Mfuwe for consultations (fees apply). For serious incidents, evacuation to higher‑care facilities—often Johannesburg—may be required; daylight and weather can affect timelines. Please travel with comprehensive medical + evacuation insurance and bring essential medications. (In South Luangwa, protection and response are coordinated by DNPW, with conservation partners such as Conservation South Luangwa.)

All camps offer charging for small devices. As power at the bushcamps is generated primarily through solar, availability can be limited; mindful use is appreciated. Mfuwe Lodge and the Villas at KuKaya are on the national grid (220 V). Zambia uses three‑pin square British‑style sockets.

Q: Is Wi‑Fi available—and what’s your policy?
Yes—Wi‑Fi is available at all camps. To preserve the quiet rhythm of the bush and the solitude of fellow guests, we ask for discreet, considerate use:

• Keep phones on silent; disable loud notifications.
• No streaming, video calls, or speakerphone in vehicles, dining areas, hides, or other shared spaces.
• Keep downloads/uploads light; bandwidth is shared for guest communications and camp operations.
• If you need to take a call, step to a private area away from other guests.

Guests who prefer a fully unplugged experience can turn off their Wi‑Fi—in fact, we encourage everyone at our intimate bushcamps, where quiet, presence, and connection to the surroundings are central to the experience, to turn Wi‑Fi off when possible.

Cultural Principles: South Luangwa’s culture is rooted in a deep respect for others, the Valley, and its wildlife, and these principles guide our camp etiquette.

Our deep‑borehole tap water is naturally filtered and safe to drink. Filtered/bottled drinking water is also provided in rooms, vehicles, and common areas and refreshed throughout your stay.

Both US Dollars and Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) are widely accepted. Exchange USD/GBP/EUR or withdraw Kwacha at Lusaka and Mfuwe Airports. We accept Visa/Mastercard, but recommend carrying some cash for gratuities and incidental purchases in remote areas. Bring clean, undamaged USD notes (post‑2006 design); older/marked bills are often refused. (Kwacha is typically not obtainable outside Zambia.)

Our chefs are fantastic and able to cater for most dietary requirements. Please notify your travel professional or one of our reservation consultants when booking, and inform the camp manager upon arrival.

Q: What’s included in my stay—and what’s not? Included (generally):accommodation; laundry; house drinks; most meals; scheduled game drives & walking safaris; VAT and government service charge. Not included: gratuities, premium/imported beverages, select add‑on activities, boutique purchases. Your booking confirmation lists exact inclusions and any park fees/bed levies/conservation supplements.

No guest drones in South Luangwa. Zambia requires approvals from the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority (ZCAA) for RPAS, with strict limits; drones are restricted/prohibited in national parks to protect wildlife and guest privacy. We therefore do not allow drones on our safaris.

Q: Photo etiquette on drives?
Our guides position vehicles for good angles without crowding, prioritizing animal comfort and park etiquette—calm, respectful, unhurried.  There is generally deference given to the vehicle that first happens on the sighting.  Guests should respect other passengers’ viewing wishes during the encounter as well as speak in low voices or whispers.  There is no such thing as a dumb question when you are out in the bush – ask your guide anything you are curious about.

Q: Are cultural visits available?
Yes—our team can arrange meaningful, respectful visits (subject to timing/availability), including:

• Tribal Textiles (Mfuwe): Artisan workshop, retail store, café, and hands‑on batik classes.
• Kawaza Village: Long‑standing day visit offering insight into Kunda culture and village life.
• Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust: Conservation education centre on the Luangwa River.
• Conservation South Luangwa (CSL) briefings: Anti‑poaching operations, K9 unit, and human‑wildlife coexistence (when available).
• The Farm: Local agriculture and the true farm‑to‑table experience.
• Soccer Games: Join or watch friendly community football matches.
• School Visits: Thoughtful visits to nearby schools to understand local education initiatives.
• Coming soon — Nyamaluma Game Scout Training School: Guided visits from our bushcamps to learn about ranger training and conservation careers.

Please speak with Reservations to plan any of the above. Additional fees may apply depending on the activity and timing.

We have created the ultimate and arguably only classic safari circuit located inside a national park in Africa. The Bushcamp Company offers six intimate bushcamps set deep inside South Luangwa National Park, anchored by gateway camps at Mfuwe Lodge and the Villas at KuKaya—allowing guests to journey through the wilderness without ever leaving the park, or bush for that matter. Activities include day and night game drives, walking safaris, cultural visits, spa experiences, and a series of signature moments such as Kapamba River sundowners, bush meals, farm‑to‑table cuisine, and starlit dinners—delivering exceptional comparable value through variety, depth, and connectivity to place.

South Luangwa is renowned for its terrain, landscapes, and guiding heritage as the birthplace of the walking safari in Zambia. As the Valley’s largest and most established operator, The Bushcamp Company is deeply committed to conservation and community impact, with a track record that clearly sets it apart. Wildlife sightings are consistently outstanding—particularly leopard and wild dog—earning South Luangwa its reputation as the Valley of the Leopard. Mfuwe Lodge is also its own spectacle in November when the elephants walk thru the reception area—possibly the most unique experience in all of Africa. Our Bushcamp Circuit offers an immersive, authentic, and unforgettable classic safari journey through this breathtaking valley, one of Africa’s richest wildlife and great wilderness areas.  

Come on one of our curated itineraries in the “Plan Now” section—or build your own journey. We can’t wait to host you inside South Luangwa National Park.