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South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Kalamu Bush Camp

We love South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. This is the home of the original walking safari. There is no better way to get a fresh perspective on safari. Kalamu Bush Camp is a located in the southern part of the park and offers guests comfy accommodations and a chance to get out on the bush on foot.  — Mango's view

Situated in the Luamfwa Concession in the southern sector of the South Luangwa National Park, Kalamu Bush Camp takes its name from the adjacent Chankalamu River, a seasonal tributary of the Luangwa. It faces west, overlooking a well-used crossing point on the Luangwa River and the distant Muchinga escarpment provides a wonderful vista from camp. The deeper pools of the river and a nearby seasonal lagoon hold large vocal pods of hippo and silent crocodiles. These waters attract elephant, buffalo, puku, impala, yellow baboon and other species in increasing numbers as the season progresses and other water sources dry up.

This typical tented 'bush camp' consists of five Meru-style en-suite tents, each one with a different outlook on the Luangwa River. The central areas of the camp - the plunge pool and deck and shaded bar and dining area - maximize the sweeping river views. A deck built into a fallen fig tree provides an unusual lookout point, with the river flowing past on either side - almost the middle of the river! The camp's understated luxury interiors fit well with the heating and light provided by the sun. The design philosophy has as its aim to be as environmentally friendly as possible, something Kalamu succeeds in admirably.

With the progression of the dry season, game concentrates close to the Luangwa River in increasing numbers as water sources further afield dry up. The Luamfwa area is not a place of huge herds but boasts an unusual diversity of mammal life and some spectacular birding. With relatively little human activity in past years, it is a true frontier that continues to surprise as its secrets unfold.

Buffalo and the often tusk-less South Luangwa elephant are drawn to the river both for food and water. The yellow baboon and endemic Thornicroft's giraffe are often encountered but puku and impala are undoubtedly the most abundant residents. Common waterbuck, greater kudu, Sharpe's grysbok, spotted hyena and wild dog amongst others can be seen here and towards the end of the dry season there is a chance of spotting Crawshay's zebra - a subspecies of the plains zebra that entirely lacks the shadow stripes of its more southerly cousins. Lion and Leopards occur here in considerable numbers.

One of the most entertaining residents of this area is the hippopotamus - found here in numbers unequalled anywhere else in the world, it regularly serenades guests to sleep with its repertoire of grunts, laughs and unintelligible croaks. Crocodiles too are commonly seen sunning themselves on the broad sandy banks of the Luangwa.

Activities at Kalamu Bush Camp focus on the Luangwa River with both game drives and walks exploring its banks, fringing woodland and open scrub. The famed 'walking safari' in fact first took place in South Luangwa.

Includes: All meals, drinks (except premiums) safari activities & laundry