CHAMILANDU BUSHCAMP – SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

Chamilandu is a small, rustic camp on one of the South Luangwa’s prime river locations. The camp is set high on the riverbank for a perfect for a bird’s-eye view of the wildlife that the river and its lagoons attract.

The camp has just three stilted chalets set on the riverbank beneath a soaring ebony grove. The chalets have a raised veranda overlooking the river and an open-fronted ensuite bathroom with the same magnificent views. The camp is perfect for small groups of family or friends or for those who enjoy the intimacy of a small camp.

Activities include walking safaris and game drives around Chamilandu to explore the diverse range of habitats and wildlife in the area. The camp also has a photographic hide overlooking a lagoon to extend your game viewing inbetween activities.

LOCATION

Chamilandu Bushcamp is located in the southern part of the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. Access is via a flight from Lusaka which takes around an hour and 10 minutes. You are then driven 45 minutes to Mfuwe Lodge and then it is around 2 – 2.5 hours’ drive south to camp.

CAMP

Chamilandu’s 3 open-fronted reed and thatch chalets sit on stilts overlooking the Luangwa River. The rooms are spacious and well equipped with a comfortable bed draped in mosquito netting, an outdoor ensuite bathroom with an outdoor shower with a view and expansive decking overlooking the river.

The main area is quite simple and is set directly on a sand floor under a thatched roof. There are lovely views of the river, comfortable lounge chairs, a bar and a dining area inside and outside there are more seats areas with a front row view of the river and a camp fire in the evening.

The camp has a photographic hide which overlooks a watering hole frequented by a wide variety of wildlife.

WILDLIFE AND ACTIVITIES

The South Luangwa is renowned for its wide diversity of habitats and high game density. With more than 60 different mammal species in the park, there is an abundance and diversity of wildlife and the survival of these animals depends on the meandering Luangwa River – crowded with hippos, crocodiles and wading waterfowl.

Elephants, baboons and vervet monkeys seem to be everywhere from the moment you enter the park. Antelopes, zebra and other plains game congregate on the open floodplains and grasslands along the River and its numerous tributaries. Large herds of buffalo roam the park, impala and puku are plentiful and there are plenty of waterbucks and bushbucks. The endemic Thornicroft’s giraffe is indigenous to the park, as are Crawshay’s zebra and Cookson’s Wildebeest. The South Luangwa is a superb area to see wild dogs with numerous resident packs.

Night drives are renowned for sighting lion and leopard (the density of leopards is among the highest in the world). And nocturnal animals like the honey badger, porcupine and civet are often seen by spotlight.

Birdwatching – is superb and with over 400 species of birds recorded you could easily see over 100 different species in a three day visit. Some particularly attractive ones include: Carmine Bee-eaters, Malachite Kingfishers, Lilac-breasted Rollers, Bateleur Eagles, Saddle-billed Storks, Crowned Cranes, Pel’s Fishing Owls and Fish Eagles.

Walking Safaris – the South Luangwa is the home of the walking safari and this is where it was first pioneered by Norman Carr back in the 1960s. To stride out on your own two feet is the only way to understand the wilderness and the guides will explain the secrets of the bush from teaching you how to track a leopard by identifying spoor and listening for tell-tale alarm calls, to explaining how to soothe insect bites with the juice of a sausage tree. If you have a particular interest in a specific area such as birding or local bushcraft then just let your safari guide know and he will tailor the walk accordingly. With every step there is something new to learn, a new bird or animal to spot and a new unforgettable experience.

Game Drives – are an ideal way to explore the different range of habitats in the area. Around the camp there are seven oxbow lagoons, and the camp is just in front of the Luangwa River.

Photographic Hide – a hide looks out over one of the lagoons and is the perfect place to take lunch or afternoon tea or to enjoy an afternoon siesta in a hammock.

CHAMILANDU IS CLOSED DECEMBER TO MAY EVERY YEAR

THE CAMP WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGED 12 YEARS AND OLDER. IF BOOKING THE WHOLE CAMP THEN UNDER 12’S ARE WELCOME. PLEASE NOTE THAT CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 12 YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON WALKING SAFARIS.