Within our range of great value South Luangwa safari accommodation options, Flatdogs Camp welcomes every type of safari-goer to rest their head. There are the family-friendly Chalet Rooms, the wild and luxurious Jackalberry Treehouse, the traditional Safari Tents with 270° views, and the ultra-private Crocodile Nest.
Flatdogs Camp is located in the Game Management Area near to the entrance of the South Luangwa National Park, close to the small village of Mfuwe. Built on the banks of the Luangwa it boasts views of the river, dambos and lagoons. There are hippo and birds to see, while plenty of other wildlife passes through camp.
Croc Nest at Flatdogs Camp
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 at Flatdogs Camp
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.
Chalet rooms at Flatdogs Camp
(8 ROOMS)
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.
At the far end of camp, there is a 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.
Luxury ensuite safari tents at Flatdogs Camp
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.
Flatdogs Camp Classic ensuite safari tents
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 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.
Property Facilities
24-hour Security
Bar
Barbeque Facilities
Battery Charging Facilities
Eco Friendly
Internet Access (Complimentary)
Laundry Service (Available)
Meal on Request
Mobile Connectivity
Pool
Private Vehicle Available
Restaurant
Secure Parking
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck
Cooking Equipment
Cooking Facilities
Electrical Outlets
En-Suite
Fan
Fridge
Laundry Service (Available)
Lounge Area
Mosquito Nets
Pure Cotton Linen
Safe
Shower
Tea / Coffee
Verandah
Activities on Site
Bird Watching
Game Drives
Game Viewing
Game Viewing Hide
Game Walks
Night Drives
Safaris
Walks (Guided)
Wildlife Tours
Activities Nearby
Child Friendly Activities
Cultural Tours
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
RATING
4 Star
TYPE
Lodge
NO. ROOMS
20
CHECK-IN TIME
14h00 PM
CHECK-OUT TIME
11h00 AM
SPOKEN LANGUAGES
English, French, Italian, Spanish
AVAILABLE SERVICES
Airport Shuttle (Available)
Babysitting Service
Credit Card
SPECIAL INTERESTS
Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Flora, Gourmet, History & Culture, Indigenous Culture / Art, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife
DIRECTION DETAILS
Emirates flies every day of the week from Dubai to Lusaka.
Kenya Airways flies to Lusaka regularly via Nairobi.
Ethiopian Airways flies to Lusaka regularly via Addis Ababa
South African Airways flies daily from Johannesburg to Lusaka (and everyone flies to Johannesburg!!)
Rwandair – flies regularly from London via Kigali
If you are flying through South Africa with kids be sure to check requirements to carry birth certificates of the kids.
INTERNAL FLIGHTS
There are daily flights from Lusaka and Livingstone to Mfuwe with Proflight Zambia. Please contact Jess for up-to-date information on schedules, availability, last-minute specials and to make your flight bookings as she is a booking agent for the airline. Once you get to Mfuwe, we can arrange airport transfers from the airport to Flatdogs (about 35 minutes by road).
Full fares are as follows but cheaper fares are also sometimes to be found!:
Lusaka to Mfuwe (in either direction) – US$292.60 pp (1hr 10min flight)
Connecting from the Victoria Falls – Zambia
Livingstone to Mfuwe (in either direction) – US$474.20 pp (two x 1hr 10min flights)
Livingstone to Lusaka (in either direction) – US$272.60 pp (1hr 10min flight)
During the “green season” (before May and from mid November) there are fewer flights but these aim to connect with incoming Emirates, South African Airways and Kenya Airways flights from London, Jo’burg and Nairobi respectively.
Ulendo Airlink runs seat in charter schedules from Lilongwe to Mfuwe and vice versa with onward internal connections within Malawi. Ulendo Airlink seats now cost:
Lilongwe to Mfuwe costs US$195 pp plus airport taxes of US$40 pp
Mfuwe to Lilongwe costs US$315 pp plus airport taxes of US$40 pp
There are discounted fares for children under 12 years of age.
TRAVELLING FROM LUSAKA BY ROAD
Take the Great East Road to Chipata. You can get fuel in Petauke and Chipata on the way and also at the Oasis filling station here in Mfuwe. As you arrive in Chipata:
Turn left to Lundazi/Mfuwe just after the Protea Hotel on your right and before Fast Wheels motor parts (on your right). The sign pointing to the left actually only says LUNDAZI, but this is the road to Mfuwe too.
If you go into the town of Chipata, then you’ll need to turn back along the Great East Road heading west (back towards Lusaka), then turn right 200m after Fast Wheels. If you reach the Protea Hotel, you have gone too far. The sign again directs you to LUNDAZI at this turn, rather than Mfuwe or the South Luangwa.
Continue on the tarmac road for around 112 km. After around 112kms, you will reach a T- junction. Turn right onto the tar road opposite the Zesco (electricity) sub-station. If you turn left here you will reach Mfuwe airport where there are banks and a post office.
Please drive slowly past schools and bicycles. If you see some green branches lying in the road, this either means that there is a vehicle with a breakdown or that there is a funeral in progress. If it is the latter, please go dead slow in first gear (you will notice that even cyclists dismount) until you come to more branches. Proceed on tarmac for approx 25 km and you will pass the Oasis fuel station on your left and a sign for the South Luangwa Conservation Society on your right. Continue straight on, then after a further kilometre or so, you will see our entrance ramp and sign on your LEFT. Please engage a low gear and drive down the ramp very slowly, then follow the road for another 750 m and you will arrive at reception. Be aware that you might meet wildlife on any of the roads, so please drive slowly. Elephant have right of way!
TRAVELLING FROM LILONGWE BY ROAD
Take the Mchinji Border road out of Lilongwe. After just over an hour you will reach the border where you can complete exit formalities. You can walk across to the Zambian side of the border, called Mwami, where you will need to complete Zambian entry formalities, including Carbon tax payments and vehicle insurance.
If you are driving yourselves, there is a new requirement that you get police clearance for your vehicle to prove it is not stolen. To do this, you will need to take your vehicle and vehicle papers to the police headquarters, opposite Ufulu Road, and go to Interpol to get the clearance. It will cost you MK5000.00. It can take at least half an hour for them to give you the clearance, so do leave yourselves plenty of time to do this.
At the border, you will also need to purchase 3rd party insurance for Zambia and also Carbon Tax on arrival in Zambia. The Carbon Tax along with all other payments in Zambia now have to be made in Zambian Kwacha, but there is a Bureau de Change at most border posts now so you do not have to deal with the moneychangers who are often fraudsters.
VISA TO ENTER ZAMBIA
Most nationalities can buy visas at the border of entry into Zambia. The cost for most foreign nationals (including UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most European countries) for a single entry tourist visa is US$50 per person. If you will be heading to other countries during your safari and then will need to re-enter Zambia to fly home, you will need to purchase a double or multiple entry visa. It is also possible (usually) to purchase a UNIVISA for entry to both Zambia and Zimbabwe on the same visa which also costs US$50 per person. Sometimes they do run out of these visas however, while they are being reprinted.
SOUTH LUANGWA ZAMBIA
The Luangwa Valley is home to an astonishing diversity of life, including around 100 species of mammals, more than 400 bird species and over 2000 types of plants! Added to this, there’s an amazing density of game, particularly along the riverine strip and our guests often comment that ‘there’s something around every corner!’
There are several “big 5” destinations in Africa. But few of them can offer the true wilderness feel, professional guiding and diverse habitats that the South Luangwa National Park offers. The home of walking safaris and night drives, to allow visitors to experience game sightings in completely different ways to many other safari destinations
AFRICA’S BEST KEPT SECRET
Although not a “big 5” destination due to the sad demise of the rhino in the 1980’s, the Luangwa combines fantastic wildlife with extremely high-quality guiding, Luangwa often comes out near the top of the list of Africa’s most sought after parks. Yet, as a relatively unknown safari destination, you are not sharing it with thousands of others!
South Luangwa has many herbivores, three of which stand out as being endemic to the area. Thornicroft’s giraffe has different markings to the giraffes in the rest of southern Africa. Those that are familiar with the others will see the difference and immediately see why our giraffes are often described as the most beautiful!
Elephant and buffalo are numerous with both having the freedom to wander throughout the GMAs (Game Management Areas aka conservation areas) surrounding the park, and the park itself. With no fences allowed in the GMAs the camp is regularly visited by these large herbivores. Antelope, especially impala, bushbuck and puku, arealso present in large numbers, thus providing plenty of on the hoof take away for the predators of the valley!
The main predators in the Luangwa Valley are lion, leopard, spotted hyena and wild dog. Lion, hyaena and leopard are commonly seen with wild dog numbers on the increase, and although traditionally they used to only be seen in the rainy season, we are now seeing wild dog more regularly and in larger numbers throughout the year.
The South Luangwa is renowned as being the place to see leopard. Leopard hunt nocturnally, and South Luangwa is one of Africa’s few national parks to allow spotlit night drives. Through the continued insistence on ethical and respectful guiding policy, leopards here in the Luangwa have become used to vehicles and are now considerate enough to continue hunting and feeding in their presence, leading to the outstanding sightings we are lucky to enjoy here.
The birdlife in the South Luangwa National Park is also exceptional, especially during the rainy summer months (December to March), however there are beautiful and interesting birds to be seen and enjoyed all through the year, and learning about them is often an unexpected pleasure on a guided safari. Here are some of the more fetching species we commonly see!
Flatdogs Camp
Flatdogs is unique in many ways, one of which is definitely our restaurant! There are no set meals or meal times here – guests can order what they’d like to eat, when they’d like to eat it. Guests are welcome to sit inside under the thatch, at our tables in the courtyard or in the garden area looking out towards the river.
We have trained all our chefs over the years, working with them to develop a really special bistro-style a la carte menu for Flatdogs. We are aiming for simple dishes, done well. Isolated as we are here, we make just about everything from scratch; our delicious bread, which is baked daily, our crispy nachos, the feisty and fiery chili sauce and the tangy pawpaw chutney. We use locally grown and -raised produce.
Some of the animals found in this area.
South Luangwa National Park, Zambia.
Some of the birds found in this area.
South Luangwa National Park, Zambia.
One of four Zambian international airports, Mfuwe Airport is conveniently situated for tourists to the South Luangwa National Park and other outstanding wildlife destinations in Luangwa Valley. It lies near the village of Mfuwe in the Eastern Province of Zambia. The 2.2 kilometre surfaced runway services regional international flights in the tourist season.
International Air Transport Association airport code – IATA: MFU
International Civil Aviation Organization airport code – ICAO: FLMF
ELEVEN PACKAGES
4 nights at Flatdogs Camp exploring the central areas of the National Park, plus 4 nights at Nkonzi Camp – a rustic tented bushcamp experience in the heart of the South Luangwa.
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Flatdogs and Chikoko Walking Trails team up for a great 6 night experience. 3 nights at Flatdogs and 3 nights shared between the isolated Chikoko trails walking camps gives you an all round classic Luangwa safari experience.
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Kuyenda bushcamp in the southern part of the South Luangwa has a very special feel, it was home to Phil Berry, one of the leading conservationists in the South Luangwa until his recent retirement. The camp has a very personal and traditional bush camp style. In combination with Flatdogs Camp, this safari enjoys the best of the main Mfuwe area as well as the peace of a remote bushcamp.
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Want to explore the unknown? Luambe Camp offers a great chance to get out into an undisturbed part of the Luangwa Valley as well as contributing to the conservation of a wild new area. Flatdogs camp is of course the perfect place to start your adventure…
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The Lower Zambezi National Park is an ideal contrast to the South Luangwa for wildlife enthusiasts – the width & depth of the mighty Zambezi River allows for safaris by boat as well as canoe safaris – a tranquility un-equalled in this scenic Park. In combination with the higher concentrations of game found in the South Luangwa, this safari samples the best of these two beautiful National Parks.
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Safari from Flatdogs Camp in the wildlife haven that is the South Luangwa National Park and then spend a chilled four days on the beautiful island eco-retreat that is Blue Zebra lodge on Nankoma island in Lake Malawi.
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This itinerary takes in the best three wildlife destinations in Zambia, staying in authentic owner-run camps with the top wildlife safari guides in all three of these incredible National Parks. It doesn’t get better than this!
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Enjoy the wilderness first hand from the comfort of the Jackalberry Treehouse, then transfer to the luxurious Lion Camp in the northernmost area of the Park for a complimentary perspective!
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Combining the game-rich main area on the Western bank of the Luangwa with the Nsefu sector of the Park on the Eastern bank of the river offers great contrast, with opportunities to see the Chichele hot springs, stork and carmine bee-eater colonies (in season) as well as the exceptional game numbers found in the Mfuwe area.
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This specially designed safari combines game viewing in one of the best safari destinations in Southern Africa with the chance to delve into the community & conservation projects operating in the area, helping to make your safari to the South Luangwa an authentically sustainable experience for both the animals and the people who live here.
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An exciting family safari holiday adventure taking in the incredible Victoria Falls and activities on and around the Zambezi river, followed by a wildlife safari in the South Luangwa National Park plus the chance to meet rural Zambian people and learn a little more about their lives. Last but not least are four blissful nights at the beach on Likoma island in the heart of Lake Malawi. This safari is suitable for children of all ages, but probably best suited for children of 6 years and over.
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Enjoy all the way and feel the experiance
Google Map for South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
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