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Luangwa Safari House

Our rating

8/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Exclusive private house
- Beautiful lagoon setting
- Private guide and safari vehicle
- Flexible activities and mealtimes

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Overview

Luangwa Safari House is a stylish, private retreat in a waterside location, with direct access into eastern Zambia’s game rich South Luangwa National Park. This upmarket, spacious property boasts highly personalised hosting and guiding at the higher end of the budget spectrum. Available exclusively to parties of eight guests, the house is a great option for friends and families seeking an intimate and flexible safari experience. In a tranquil setting framed by the distant Chindeni Hills, the property borders a lagoon popular with elephant, giraffe, impala, puku, and warthog, whilst the surrounding riverine woodlands and plains are home to buffalo, leopard, lion, hippo, and baboon, along with prolific birdlife.

A 40 minute drive from Mfuwe airport, and five minutes’ drive from its smaller sister property, Robin's House, Luangwa Safari House comes fully self-contained with a dedicated chef and house staff, plus a private safari vehicle and guide. The distinctive house was constructed using vast leadwood beams, stone and thatch, and features a double-height, open-fronted dining and lounge area, with wonderful views of the surrounding landscape. Outside is a decked veranda with a welcoming plunge pool, and a wooden walkway meanders through ebony trees towards the lagoon. The house runs on mains electricity, with mobile phone and Wi-Fi reception available, if occasionally intermittent.

With Luangwa House being an exclusive let, guests enjoy greater flexibility regarding activities. Day and night game drives and guided walks are offered, with knowledgeable, enthusiastic guides. There are cultural visits to nearby schools and villages, plus excursions to Mfuwe’s vibrant shops and markets. Boating trips are available during the January to April ‘Emerald’ season during which guests enjoy direct boat access into the national park. For river crossings during drier months, a pontoon is employed. Note that visitors in October and November should prepare for very high temperatures at a time when game viewing is at its most intense.

Accommodation comprises four individually designed rooms, all with fronts open to the elements. Each room sleeps two guests in a double or twin beds, with mosquito nets. All have ensuite bathrooms with twin basins, WC and shower, and one room also has a bathtub. All rooms have a private veranda with lovely views.

Children aged seven years and over are extremely welcome. Each young guest receives an activity pack, and the designated children's itinerary includes game drives, nature walks and animal tracking, plus star gazing, baking, and arts and crafts. Special menus and earlier meals can be provided, and babysitting is available, although staff do not hold professional childcare qualifications. Note that there is a minimum age restriction of 12 years for walking in the national park. As the house is unfenced and open to the lagoon, and wild animals do wander by, parents are reminded that children must be supervised at all times.

What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 534 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • I was also just about to email you to thank you and the team for arranging yet again, another wonderful experience.

    Mount Kenya was spectacular and wild - I think I prefer it to Kili in many ways. The entire support team was professional, friendly and all round fantastic in making sure that we were safe, well fed and well looked after. In particular, we would commend Peter the guide as well as Paul one of the porters who doubled-up as his deputy on summit day. Our route was often shrouded in mist and rain that rapidly gathered in the valleys and moorlands, and we were very impressed at how Peter managed to navigate us safely through all of that notwithstanding. In addition, we loved learning about the history of Mount Kenya from him in the evenings. And ofcourse, I was blown away by the lovely birthday surprise at the end complete with balloons and a delicious cake that had journeyed with us from day 1. One thing we might recommend because of the sudden change in weather (it would sometimes get extremely cold and wet) is for the equipment list to be a little bit more detailed in terms of its recommendations e.g. layers to be moisture-wicking, walking boots be waterproof, doubling up on socks to avoid blisters etc.

    El Karama is a beautiful conservancy and the lodge a true labour of love. Great hospitality in a relaxed environment. Delicious, fresh food. We enjoyed the drives, even if we didn't see much wildlife as the heavens opened on us for the last two outings. However, since it was very much geared towards families, I am not sure if I would stay again without kids. That said, I think it was perfect for a 3d/2n stay post mountain, and a much better choice than flying to the masai mara given the limited time we had.

    Our transits were smooth. Samuel the driver was always on time, drove safely and kept the vehicle clean.

    So it was a brilliant experience and one which I certainly will cherish for some time to come. It was great to work with you for a third time, and I certainly hope it won't be the last

    MissingJuhae C reviewing Mount Kenya Sirimon Naro Moru Trek on 01 March 2024

  • Thank you, we had an absolute wonderful time, and everything was well-planned and as described. Carla was crying on the day of our departure from Ants Nest, she didn’t want to go home and for it all to end, and when I asked how much longer she would want to stay, she responded “four weeks”

    MissingLars B reviewing Best of South Africa for Families on 01 March 2024

  • We had the most amazing time. It exceeded all my hopes of what the trip would be. The guides, the hotels - everything was of such a wonderful quality. Thank you for organizing everything. I will absolutely recommend Tourdust and use you again.

    MissingClaudia L reviewing Luxury Desert Holiday on 11 January 2024

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