Known as the Valley of the Leopard, it is in the South Luangwa that the legendary Norman Carr pioneered the walking safari and conservation-based tourism in Africa. Today, our award-winning Zambian guides, some who were trained by Norman himself, offer guests a wonderfully immersive experience in one of the most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries in the world.
Smell the pot of coffee on the campfire at sunrise as you anticipate the day’s activities. At sundowners, sip a gin and tonic while being dazzled by plains game under a glowing red sky. Discover the difference between lion and leopard paws as you trace your finger over their prints in the soil. Admire a family of elephants or a herd of cape buffalo on a safari drive. Marvel at the richness of 450 bird species one minute and a pack of endangered wild dogs the next.
Stretching out over 9,000 square kilometres and only an hour’s flight away from Lusaka or Lilongwe, this unfenced and unspoiled wilderness feels a world away from modern life.
Region information
- 9,050 km2
- 1 hour flight from Lusaka (Proflight)
- 1 hour flight from Lilongwe, Malawi (Ulendo Airlink)
- Known as the Valley of the Leopard
- Combine drives, evening drives, walking safaris and boating safaris (boating is seasonal when the river is high from Jan – Apr)
- Zambia’s Premier Wildlife Destination
Norman Carr was a man ahead of his time. He was a bold innovator of the walking safari which initiated a far-reaching concept that was to pave the way for modern conservation and ecotourism.
Back in 1950, he encouraged Senior Chief Nsefu – Paramount Chief of the Kunda people in the Luangwa Valley – to set aside a portion of tribal land as a game reserve and built the first game viewing camp open to the public in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia).
His dream was to secure the future of this unique wilderness by ensuring that the local population would benefit through conservation of the wildlife and habitat of the Luangwa Valley. This led to the birth of Zambia’s first safari company. We are very proud of the role that Norman played in our history and his legacy lives on in our people and the camps we operate across the South Luangwa.
Camps in
South Luangwa
Follow in the footsteps of early conservationists and immerse yourself in the abundance of wildlife in an unspoiled wilderness.
South Luangwa, Zambia
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Stretching out over 9,000 square kilometres and only an hour’s flight away from Lusaka or Lilongwe, this unfenced and unspoiled wilderness feels a world away from everyday life.
“Tsara Komba was everything we wished for our first Madagascar getaway. The lodge is beautiful, with breath taking sea views and incredible gardens. To Nava and the entire team, thank you for your gracious hospitality. Thank you for going the extra mile to ensure we had a comfortable and memorable stay. The food was delicious, with fresh, local ingredients prepared to perfection. We can't recommend Tsara Komba highly enough.”
Shetil, Guest at Time + Tide Tsara Komba
"The uniqueness of being in a camp with only four safari tents is the ultimate feeling of luxury. Luwi overlooks a wide open grassland that on my first morning we watched a high speed chase - a pack of Wilddogs on a hunt. It was exhilarating to watch and sent our heart rates through the sky adding a lot of chatter and laughter once the pack had passed by."
Jessica, Guest at Time + Tide Luwi
"The authenticity and remoteness of the seasonal camps will be a special experience that I will long to return to. There really is no place on earth that you can really escape like you can at the seasonal camps. Falling asleep at Kakuli to the distant lion roars and waking to the call of the fish eagle - really what a magical walking safari!"
Lara, Guest at Time + Tide Kakuli
"This is the most magical place you're ever likely to experience. Nestled under a grove of imposing Albida trees, it is clearly favoured by the many elephant who graze on the Albida pods. Their presence adds an incredibly special energy to the camp. "
Charles, Guest at Time + Tide Chongwe Camp
"To my sheer joy and amazement, I walked into the main camp area one morning after sleeping in, to witness a herd of elephants crossing the Luangwa River. I was alone in camp at the time and that sighting will be the highlight of my trip to Africa… somehow, the solitude, the sound of the beautiful animals swishing through the water and me being the only one to witness it made it quite a spiritual experience."
"Our family had the most joyful time at Chongwe, really everything was perfect and every detail taken care of. The team ensured we had the best time at every activity (even tiger fishing!). We felt privileged to spend a few days here and look forward to returning."
Richard, Guest at Time + Tide Chongwe
"Our stay at Nsolo was truly unforgettable! We were captivated by the authentic and secluded setting, and the sleepout under the stunning African stars was the absolute highlight of our trip. We highly recommend this unique experience to anyone looking for an adventure off the beaten path."
Lotte, Guest at Time + Tide Nsolo
"Chinzombo is a stunning lodge in a beautiful location of the South Luangwa. The rooms are luxurious and spacious, with a deck and plunge pool overlooking the Luangwa River. There is always an abundance of wildlife around the rooms, we had a banded mongoose, bushbuck, elephants and hippo's - just to name a few."
Michael, Guest at Time + Tide Chinzombo