Thorntree has a fantastic location, one minute off the main road, directly between Livingstone town and the Victoria Falls. They have amazing birdlife, a very peaceful bush setting with a massive natal mahogany, and as they are directly opposite the crocodile farm they have the weaver birds to add to their all day chorus! At night hippos come up to graze on the lawns and in the dry months, buffalo and elephants come to graze. On the property, there are also four non-ensuite spacious chalets, with two single beds, mosquito proof, and power supplies. These chalets share four hot showers and flush toilets. For the budget traveller, there are four tented chalets, which have two single beds, bedding and are also non-ensuite sharing the ablutions with the chalets. These units have their own swimming pool to use as well as a sand pit and play area for children.
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Rooms
If you truly want to escape it all, we also have three "bush tents" with beds and showers much deeper in the bush. We will leave you in peace and you relax and enjoy the tranquility.
We have a shared open plan kitchen, dining and lounge area under our massive Natal mahogany tree, swimming pool with most awesome kids play area, resident chef, wifi available. Please note that these tents include shared ablution.
We have a shared open plan kitchen , dining and lounge area under our massive Natal mahogany tree, swimming pool with most awesome kids play area, resident chef, wifi available.
We have the spacious lounge, open plan kitchen and dining, two swimming pools, outdoor open plan bar and chill our area, camp fires and huge property perfect for birding, yoga, gym and cycling
We have the spacious lounge, open plan kitchen and dining, two swimming pools, outdoor open plan bar and chill our area, camp fires and huge property perfect for birding, yoga, gym and cycling
Our shared area is an open plan kitchen where our chef caters all your meals, dining and lounge, this area is shared with guests from chalets and tented chalets under our massive Natal mahogany tree, swimming pool with most awesome kids play area.
Your Stay
3 Nights
Half Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Activities
Wildtracks Lodge | Lower Zambezi
Set in a riverine forest 15 km downstream from the confluence of the Zambezi and Kafue rivers, Wildtracks Lodge is situated on the doorstep of one of Africa’s great wilderness areas, the Lower Zambezi. The lodge offers self-catering accommodation and camping, as well as fishing, bushwalking, and the famous baobab tree climb activity. Accommodation options include en-suite rooms all with their own entrances and perfectly set up for families with children. There is also a more secluded furnished, en-suite safari tent with an alfresco kitchen. The large boma and swimming pool overlook the river, and the kitchen is fully equipped with everything you need to prepare meals.
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
Flatdogs Camp | South Luangwa National Park
Flatdogs camp offers a mix of accommodations right next to the South Luangwa NP. The luxurious Crocodile Nest is a two bed-roomed tented house with private pool, which comes with a private vehicle and guide. The wilder Jackalberry Treehouse is a two bed-roomed, open-fronted reed house built on platforms around four live Ebony trees, over-looking a game rich waterhole. The chalets suit families perfectly as they feel more solid and the kids can walk through to their parents’ room without having to go outside. The luxury tents are spread out along the riverbank and are the “Africa under canvas” experience, often with elephant browsing around them and hippo grazing just outside. The standard tents are just a little smaller but still with full en-suite facilities.
The food at Flatdogs is renowned in the safari world as the a la carte restaurant serves a wide range of delicious & creative meals catering to all allergies, diets and preferences!
Safaris are led by expert guides who have studied all facets of the natural world. They can explain in detail the inter-locking ecology of the Park and use nature’s alarm calls to find interesting sightings for guests rather than following the herd!
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Rooms
Units
Facilities
Activities and Services
Restaurants
Crocodile Nest at Flatdogs CampCredit: Stevie MannThe Crocodile Nest has two ensuite bedrooms with separate indoor & outdoor living areas and private pool. The Croc Nest comes with private vehicle & safari guide.
Croc Nest deck laid up for lunchCredit: Stevie Mann
Croc Nest deck entrance to bedroom
Croc Nest bedroom
Croc Nest bathroom
Croc's Nest Living and dining roomCredit: Stevie Mann
Croc's Nest from aboveCredit: Anthony Grote
Jackalberry Treehouse at Flatdogs CampCredit: Stevie MannTotally open at the front, looking onto a waterhole and acacia plain. Two ensuite bedrooms with living & dining area between, built around three African Ebony trees.
Jackalberry Treehouse living and dining room
Luxury safari tent at Flatdogs CampCredit: Stevie MannOne of seven ensuite tents, six facing the river, one honeymoon tent on the lagoon behind camp.
Chalet room interiorCredit: Ed SelfeThe downstairs bedrooms have ensuite facilities, gauzed verandah and extra single bed.
Chalet room upstairs interiorCredit: Edward SelfeEach chalet building has a downstairs and upstairs bedroom, each with their own private bathroom.
Chalet room bathroomThe chalet bathrooms are full enclosed with gauze windows, hot shower, flush toilet and basin.
Classic safari tent on waterhole positionCredit: Anthony GroteThis classic tent has plenty of privacy and views onto the waterhole rather than the river. From July, this tent often has elephant surrounding it!
Classic safari tent on the river bankCredit: Anthony GroteOne of 2 classic tents on the river bank with views of the Luangwa.
Classic tent interior and bathroomCredit: Anthony GroteThe classic tents also have ensuite facilites, hot shower, flush toilet and basin. The bathrooms are semi open.
Flatdogs A la carte RestaurantGuests booked on the safari package are able to choose from our varied menu for all their meals including the daily specials board taking advantage of what's available seasonally and from the kitchen garden.
Flatdogs bar
Swimming pool at FlatdogsCredit: Ed Selfe
Pool sitting area at FlatdogsCredit: Ed Selfe
Pool area at duskCredit: Edward Selfe
Flatdogs campfire on the river bank
Game drive
Morning game drive
Game drive sunset
Game drives with lion
Game drive with puku on the river
Walking safari South Luangwa
Walking safari South Luangwa
CROCODILE (CROC'S) NEST – 1 tented house with 2 bedrooms
The Croc Nest has been set on a deck looking onto the banks of the Luangwa River, so has lovely river views. This huge tented structure has been split into two en-suite tented bedrooms at either end of the house, both with either one king or two twin beds, with space for a third bed inside each bedroom if required. The two bedrooms both have semi-open air bathrooms with hot showers, flush toilets and basin. The bedrooms both lead into the living room/dining area in the middle of the house, which has sofas, soft chairs and a dining table as guests in the tented house will be welcome to eat privately at the house if they prefer. If a group or family of six wish to take the house then the extra beds can also be set up in this large living area rather than in each bedroom, depending on their preference. The living room and both bedrooms open onto an outside deck and sitting area, with views onto the Luangwa River. There is a private swimming pool built into the deck too, just for the house guests, which also looks onto the river. The house is on mains electricity so easy for charging camera batteries and other items as well as having electric fans and a fridge for cold drinks. Guests staying in the tented house will also have a private guide and their own safari vehicle so they can plan their activities depending on their particular interests.
JACKALBERRY TREEHOUSE - Open fronted treehouse with 2 bedrooms
Set in a private spot away from the rest of camp, the Jackalberry Tree House is a special treat indeed. The “house” is made up by three joined platforms built around three mature Mchenja trees (African Ebony or Jackalberry tree). There are two en-suite bedrooms with an open sitting/dining deck in-between them.
The bedroom platforms have romantic and rustic four poster beds (one queen and one king which can be split into two twin beds), open front walls and uninterrupted views of Africa. Each bedroom has an open air bathroom platform with hot shower, flush toilets and basin. A large sofa, armchairs and throw cushions are spread out on the middle deck for relaxing during the heat of the day and watching the game which wanders past the house, oblivious to your presence. There is also a dining table and chairs should guests prefer to dine at the house. A fridge and bar are provided in the Treehouse as well as tea and coffee-making facilities. A hand-held radio is provided, so that guests can call for a vehicle to bring them to the restaurant or bar, or in case there is a problem of any kind. Their safari guide will otherwise plan with them when they would like collecting from the house and their preferred activities.
The Tree-house is on mains electricity and has UK style 3-pin rectangular plug sockets for re-charging cameras or laptops. Giraffe, bushbuck, puku and elephant are commonly found all around the Treehouse and it is wonderful to wake to the sounds of elephant feeding below you or having a mud bath from the waterhole in front of the house.
The six regular chalet rooms are found in three separate buildings. Each chalet building has a downstairs double room with ensuite bathroom and an upstairs twin or triple room with their own private bathroom just downstairs. There are four main chalet buildings, each of which has two separate guest bedrooms; the downstairs room is a double room with ensuite and a verandah, the upstairs room is a twin or triple room with bathroom and verandah downstairs from the bedroom but entirely private. In between the 2 bedrooms is the small "kitchenette" where there is a fridge, kettle and tea/coffee making things. This works as an inter-connecting door for families so that kids can walk through to their parents room without having to go outside.
Furthest from the main area, is the larger family chalet which has three bedrooms in total but just two ensuite bathrooms - the two downstairs bedrooms are both ensuite - one room has a king bed and a single bed, the other has a king and a single or three single beds. There is also a kitchen area between the two bedrooms. There is a spiral staircase from the kitchen leading up to the "loft room", sitting area and upstairs viewing deck. The viewing deck looks out towards the Luangwa river, the perfect place to relax and watch the sun set... The loft room has two more single beds but has no ensuite bathroom, guests sleeping here need to share the bathrooms downstairs. Outside this chalet is also an open sala sitting area with sofa and chairs.
There are seven Luxury ensuite safari tents, six of which are pitched permanently on the banks of the Luangwa. These made-to-order tents have a thatched roof for extra shade, ensuite facilities (hot shower, flush toilet and basin) with a canvas half roof over the bathroom, full-sized beds with sprung mattresses, large mosquito nets and all bedding and towels provided. The tents have electric lights, a fan and charging points for camera batteries. There is also a room safe and tea & coffee making facilities. Six of the luxury tents including the family tent look straight out onto the river, one tent (tent 11, the honeymoon tent) has plenty of privacy and looks out onto a pretty lagoon, which attracts plenty of birdlife as well as elephant for their daily mud baths and giraffe and bushbuck when they are thirsty.
The Family Tent (a luxury tent) is a little different to the others, this is a specially designed tent which has space for a double bed and two single beds, both with large mosquito nets and with a large bathroom at the back of the tent, shared between the family. The family tent is now to be found on the river bank, closer to the main area than it was, with lovely views of the river.
There are also three “Classic” en-suite safari tents which are smaller and simpler than the Luxury tents, but are still walk-in tents with ensuite bathrooms with open air shower, toilet and basin. Two of these standard tents are situated on the river bank, the other looks directly onto the same lagoon as tent 11 (the honeymoon tent). The standard tents also have full beds (king or twin), bedding, mosquito nets, charging points and electric fans. The standard tents do not have tea and coffee making facilities or safes.
Set in a private spot away from the rest of camp, the Jackalberry Tree House is a special treat indeed. The “house” is made up by three joined platforms built around three mature Mchenja trees (African Ebony or Jackalberry tree). There are two en-suite bedrooms with an open sitting/dining deck in-between them. The Treehouse is entirely open at the front.
The bedroom platforms have romantic and rustic four poster beds (one queen and one king which can be split into two twin beds), open front walls and uninterrupted views of Africa. Each bedroom has an open air bathroom platform down a short flight of steps with hot shower, flush toilets and basin. A large sofa, armchairs and throw cushions are spread out on the middle deck for relaxing during the heat of the day and watching the game which wanders past the house, oblivious to your presence. There is also a dining table should guests prefer to dine at the house. A fridge and bar are provided in the treehouse as well as tea and coffee-making facilities. A hand-held radio is provided, so that guests can call for a vehicle to bring them to the pool, restaurant or bar, or in case there is a problem of any kind. Their safari guide will otherwise plan with them when they would like collecting from the house and their preferred activities.
The tree-house is on mains electricity, ideal for re-charging cameras or laptops. Giraffe, bushbuck, puku and elephant are commonly found all around the Treehouse and it is wonderful to wake to the sounds of elephant feeding below you or having a mud bath from the waterhole in front of the house.
FLATDOGS CROCOCDILE (CROC) NEST – 1 tented house with 2 bedrooms
The Croc Nest has been set on a deck looking onto the banks of the Luangwa River, so has lovely river views. This huge tented structure has been split into two en-suite tented bedrooms at either end of the house, both with either one king or two twin beds, with space for a third bed inside each bedroom if required. The two bedrooms both have semi-open air bathrooms with hot showers, flush toilets and basin. The bedrooms both lead into the living room/dining area in the middle of the house, which has sofas, soft chairs and a dining table as guests in the tented house will be welcome to eat privately at the house if they prefer. If a group or family of six wish to take the house then the extra beds can also be set up in this large living area rather than in each bedroom, depending on their preference. The living room and both bedrooms open onto an outside deck and sitting area, with views onto the Luangwa River. There is a private swimming pool built into the deck too, just for the house guests, which also looks onto the river. The house is on mains electricity so easy for charging camera batteries and other items as well as having electric fans and a fridge for cold drinks. Guests staying in the tented house will also have a private guide and their own safari vehicle so they can plan their activities depending on their particular interests.
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Meal on Request, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Private Vehicle Available, Restaurant, Secure Parking
We leave camp at 0600 after a light early breakfast of toast, cereal, yoghurt, tea and coffee from 0530. We do our safaris in open game viewers so that guests have an all round view of the birds, trees, wildlife and beauty of the Park.
Midway through the drive there is a tea/cold drink stop so guests can stretch their legs before carrying on, looking for new sightings, or following alarm calls to a predator or a kill.
Morning game drives usually return to camp at around 1000 depending on the season.
We leave camp at 4pm for our afternoon safaris, after tea in the courtyard. The safaris head out again after the heat of the day, when animals and birds start to get active again after the midday stupor! Your safari guide will aim to stop at a scenic spot just before sundown, so you can enjoy an infamous African Sundowner! Once the sun has set, you will continue on with a spotlight, operated by your spotter, who looks for interesting nocturnal creatures that you are unlikely to see during daylight hours. There is a chance to see nocturnal birds like night-jars, owls and bathawks as well as nocturnal mammals such as honeybadgers, civet, genet, porcupine, leopard and hyaena.
Afternoon drives return to camp at around 8pm which the National Park's gate closes.
The South Luangwa is renowned as the "home of walking safaris", this is where Norman Carr first offered the idea of visitors exploring the Park on foot rather than by vehicle, escaping the noise of the engine and experiencing the thrill and excitement of being at one with the wildlife and habitat at a slower pace. Our safari guides will explain the smaller details of the bush which you can see, hear and smell when on foot, from bird calls to alarm calls to trees and plants which have medicinal uses and tracks of the wild, so you can interpret what you are seeing and hearing with more clarity. Walking is usually enjoyed in the mornings when the temperatures are cooler, but can be enjoyed through the year for longer periods during cooler months. Each walk is usually 3-4 hours long at a gentle pace.
Unlike most of these "Traditional Village" projects, Kawaza Village is really a living working African village where the local residents have agreed amongst themselves to invite visitors into their lives with no tourism hype at all. They then use the money raised by visitors & donations to pay for orphans’ education, teachers’ salaries at the school and other village projects. The project has won the Silver Otter Award as the best rural tourism project worldwide, deservedly so. During the visit, for example, guests can see and help villagers preparing maize for meals, drying sorghum, making “hooch”, hoeing the fields, building houses and also visit their local herbalist/medicine lady as well as the Kawaza school, meeting the teachers and pupils. The day trip including a local style lunch costs $40 per person. Transfers to the village cost US$130 per vehicle for day trips. Overnight stays at Kawaza are also possible, for a more in-depth experience, meeting the villagers and spending the night in a traditional local hut. Overnight stays cost $80 per person per night including all meals (entirely authentic local dishes – you eat what the villagers eat). Transfers for an overnight stay cost $115 per vehicle each way. It is also possible to organize a taxi to the village in the dry season. If the village visit is chosen to be done instead of either a morning or an afternoon game drive, then there is no charge for the transfers for groups or four or more.
Flatdogs a la carte restaurant
Guests at Flatdogs camp are treated to an a la carte menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Jess & Ade love their food and source the best local ingredients to make delicious fresh & seasonal dishes with the 10 Flatdogs chefs. From free range eggs & organic chickens to dry aged beef and locally grown vegetables, they use the best of what's available in the Province for the daily specials board. There are full vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free menus available as well.
Your Stay
3 Nights
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
