Luwi Bush Camp is a seasonal bush camp nestled under huge mahogany trees on the banks of a permanent lagoon in the South Luangwa National Park of Zambia. It is one of the more remote bush camps and focuses on walking safaris. It is run by Norman Carr Safaris, along with Kapani Safari Lodge in the central South Luangwa and three other bush camps, Nsolo, Kakuli and Mchenja.
Luwi Camp consists of four thatched bamboo chalets with polished mud floors. They are set in a beautifully shady grove of trees on the banks of the Luwi sand river. The rooms are rustic and simple yet comfortable with en-suite bathrooms and hot showers. Luwi Camp offers a truly African bush experience.
A small thatched roof provides shade over the bar area but other than this there is no central covered area. Brunch is served in the shade of the trees above whilst dinner is taken under the stars accompanied by the many sounds of the Zambian night.
There is a hippo-filled lagoon close to Luwi Camp and walking safaris usually finish with sundowners at this spot. This is a small and intimate walking camp with no game drives on offer given the very limited road network in this remote area. However the wildlife in the area is prolific and to track it on foot is a memory that will last a lifetime. The Luwi area is famous for its lions and the thrill of tracking them on foot is an experience not to be missed. With voices hushed and hearts beating your mind starts to believe there's a lion behind every bush. This is a true African safari experience.
Usually you begin your safari with a night or two at Kapani Safari Lodge before continuing to Luwi Bush Camp. The transfer time from Kapani is one hour but it's usually offered as a more leisurely game drive. Each of the bush camps is designed to be different in style with different habitats (and therefore varied game) so that the ideal safari is to combine several of the camps perhaps walking from camp to camp.
The nearest camp to Luwi is Nsolo which is a comfortable three hour bush walk away. If you are transferring to Nsolo Bush Camp from Luwi then you pack your bags in the morning and set off on foot finishing your safari at Nsolo where you will find a cool drink waiting, brunch on the table and your bags in your room.
Luwi Camp is run by Norman Carr Safaris, along with Kapani Lodge & Chinzombo in the central South Luangwa and three other bush camps, Nsolo, Kakuli and Mchenja. Usually you begin your safari with a night or two at either Kapani or Chinzombo before continuing to Luwi Bush Camp. Each of the bush camps is designed to be different in style with different habitats (and therefore varied game) so that the ideal safari is to combine two or three of the camps perhaps walking from camp to camp. The nearest camp to Luwi is Nsolo Camp which is a comfortable three hour bush walk away. If you are walking to Nsolo, your bags are transferred by vehicle leaving you to set off on foot for Nsolo where you will find a cool drink waiting, brunch on the table and your bags in your room!
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: Oliver Fly
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: Oliver Fly
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: By Time + Tide
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: By Time + Tide
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: By Time + Tide
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: By Time + Tide
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: By Time + Tide
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: By Time + Tide
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: By Time + Tide
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: By Time + Tide
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: By Time + Tide
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: By Time + Tide
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: By Time + Tide
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: By Time + Tide
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: By Time + Tide
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: By Time + Tide
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: Oliver Fly
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: Oliver Fly
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: Oliver Fly
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: Oliver Fly
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: Oliver Fly
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: Oliver Fly
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: Oliver Fly
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: Oliver Fly
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: Oliver Fly
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: Oliver Fly
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: Oliver Fly
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: Oliver Fly
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: Oliver Fly
Time + Tide LuwiCredit: Oliver Fly
Time + Tide Luwi Rooms
Situated deep in the national park on the ephemeral Luwi River, Time + Tide Luwi Camp is wonderfully remote, with no other camps for miles around.
Tranquility envelops this camp, creating a wilderness haven that allows you to reconnect with nature in a meaningful way. Nestled in a grove of ancient mahogany trees, the tented suites are designed to fully immerse guests into the bush experience. From the comfort of your open air lounge, watch the diverse wildlife wandering by on the grassy floodplains. Listen to the hippos bellowing in the nearby lagoon and breathe in the heady aroma of African jasmine drifting past on a cool breeze. Sit back and let the peace of this place wash over you.
THE SUITES + 4 suites - one bedroom, one bathroom + Open air bathroom and outdoor shower + Private open air seating area + Double or twin configuration + Solar power, British three pin plugs in main lounge + No wifi and phone signal + Main lodge - dining area, lounge, bar and campfire
NEED TO KNOW + Open 20 May to 31 October + Open for all children by prior arrangement + 2 hour game drive transfer from Mfuwe
Time + Tide Luwi Tents Credit: Oliver Fly Photography
Time + Tide Luwi Tents Credit: Oliver Fly Photography
Time + Tide Luwi Tents Credit: Oliver Fly Photography
Time + Tide Luwi Tents Credit: Oliver Fly Photography
Time + Tide Luwi Tents Credit: Oliver Fly Photography
Time + Tide Luwi Camp Credit: Oliver Fly Photography
Time + Tide Luwi Camp Credit: Oliver Fly Photography
Property Facilities
Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Communal Dining, Eco Friendly, Restaurant
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Bed Linen, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Electrical Outlets, En Suite Bathroom, Fan, Fireplace, Hand Towels, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Outside Shower, Private Lounge / Sitting Area, Pure Cotton Linen, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Vanity Cabinet, Verandah, Wardrobe
Available Services
24-hour Security, Airport Shuttle (Complimentary), Credit Card Facilities, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Meal on Request, Private Vehicle (Available)
Activities on Site
Bird Watching, Fine Dining, Game Drives, Game Viewing Hide, Game Viewing, Game Walks, High Tea, Night Drives, Safaris, Sleep Outs, Walks (Guided), Wildlife Tours
Activities Nearby
Bird Watching, Child Friendly Activities, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Night Drives, Safaris, Walks (Guided), Wildlife Tours
Driving safaris are all conducted in open 4X4 vehicles (Land Cruiser or Land Rover) with either two or three 'rows' of seats. At Chinzombo, Luwi, Nsolo, Kakuli and Mchenja we generally have 4, with no more than 6, people on a vehicle ensuring everyone has a 'window' seat.
Night drives are generally an extension of your afternoon game drive or walking safari. As the sun begins to set we stop to watch the day come to a close and as dusk falls set off to explore as the nocturnal animals start to emerge.
The best chance of seeing genets, civets, elephant shrew, porcupine and the fierce honey-badger is after sunset and the large predators, with the exception of wild dog, are most active at night. Night time birding can be very rewarding with nightjars, owls great and small, dikkop, bat hawk and coursers are all abundant.
The Africa night sky is simply magnificent and it’s worth coming all this way just to experience its vastness and splendour. The Milky Way seems 100 times brighter in the Luangwa Valley where there is no light pollution. We’re watched over by the Southern Cross, Orion and Scorpio amongst an infinite number of others and memories of sitting in awed silence listening to the distant call of lions, cicadas and a million tree frogs under the crescent of an African moon will live with you forever.
Back in the 1950’s Norman Carr pioneered walking safaris in Zambia. His aim was to track big game on foot in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley, one of Africa’s last havens of un-spoilt wilderness and home to some of the continent’s greatest concentrations of game. Norman like to say "to view the bush from a vehicle is simply to be an observer, but to get out on foot was to become a part of your surroundings." Over 60 years on, at Norman Carr Safaris we are still walking....we are still passionate about sharing the thrill of tracking lions on foot through early morning mists, the delight in learning something new on every activity and the adventure of walking from camp to camp the original safari way. Walking safaris are immersive, sensual and peaceful. In Zambia, an armed wildlife ranger or "scout" leads each walking group, followed by the trained walking guide. In other countries, the walking guide is armed and leads the group alone. Having a walk led by two wildlife experts was conceived by Norman and our 60 year track record of safety speaks to the effectiveness of this approach.
While certainly vehicle safaris allow one to cover more ground and see a greater volume of game in a 3-4 hour safari, it is only on a walking safari where all your senses are heightened and you can see, hear, smell and feel the bush. You begin to understand the interconnectedness of the flora and the fauna, how each small part plays an important role in the greater ecosystem. Small mysteries of the bush are unlocked and explored; tracks are investigated; and the wide variety of animal poo becomes an unexpected and fascinated learning experience! And while generally speaking, walks are more focused on the little things in the bush, tracking big game on foot is not uncommon and always thrilling.
Tonight you will enjoy the ultimate wilderness experience with Norman Carr Safaris. Sleep out under the stars in the spectacular and extremely remote Luwi dry river bed. No tent - just a bed roll and a mosquito net, experience the thrill of the first safari pioneers, including Norman Carr himself, as they discovered the wonders of the South Luangwa.
After tea, you will venture out on foot from Luwi, find a spot to camp, make the camp fire for a game rangers dinner which you can even help to cook yourself. Then, having shared adventure stories around the fire – sleep out under the magnificent African sky whilst the guide and scout keep a watch till morning.
Wake up with sun and enjoy a cooked breakfast before a walking safari to your next camp.