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With only 3 months left for access to some of our very special
seasonal areas, we've focused on last minute availability in one of
the smallest camps left in Africa!
The North Luangwa Park -
Zambia Known as the North park, this is the wild
child of Zambia's game reserves. Remote and raw this area is
practically a trackless wilderness - an ideal terrain for the
connoisseur of wild places.
With only 3 small camps established in an area half the size of
the South Luangwa (or the whole of the Masai Mara) the most
delightful of all bush camps in Africa is a minute, seasonally
built camp on the banks of the Mwaleshi River.
There are very few camps left in Africa claiming to be truly
owner-run, truly eco-friendly and available to just 6 guests per
night - a greater luxury than available at most top
of the range camps anywhere in East or southern Africa!
The camp leaves only the lightest of footprints on its
surroundings. At the end of the season, Rod, Guz and their staff
dismantle the camp, haul it down to the river and light a match.
Then, the following April they return and rebuild everything. Rod
was just 17 when he started guiding in South Luangwa in 1989 and is
a great asset in camp with his hands-on approach and
personal attention to every detail.
The LandCruiser that collects guests from the airstrip comes to a
stop on the far side of the river, from where one must wade through
calf-deep, crystal clear, happily cool water to reach the camp.
On the far side is a masterwork of African bush chic: three guest
huts strung out along the bank that transcend their raw ingredients
of packed mud floors, reed walls and thatch roofs to become airy and
stylish enclaves with curving veranda and a sand-floored, open-top
bathroom with a flushing loo and hot shower.
At the centre of the camp, a marvellous giant mahogany tree
divides the open-air library from the dining area and bar and
provides welcome deep shade in the heat of the day. Guz the wizard
owner/chef produces cordon bleu meals from open, hot coal fires and
gas fired fridges.
In temperatures of 30 degrees centigrade plus, we've been served
from a homemade ice bowl delicately encasing lime leaves and filled
with outrageously delicious mango sorbet; we've eaten delicate
passionfruit souffles; home-made ice creams, tortellini with basil
and shavings of parmesan and Thai-style entrees all worth a long
walk!
While it lacks South Luangwa's lagoon systems, the northern
park's open plains, mopane woodland and jesse thickets make it ideal
for grazing animals. North Luangwa has some of Zambia's largest
herds of buffalo and wildebeest, and that means lots of lion.
This is prime country for walking, and the activities from camp
are dedicated to two-footed safaris although we regularly
have guests who'd prefer a sedentary choice by vehicle.
The camp's five-star walk is the trek to Chipopoma Falls, where
the Mwaleshi hurls itself through a series of granite pools as it
steps down from the escarpment that make perfect swimming pools,
followed by a barbecue on the banks and a languid siesta in the
shade.
There is some availability in October 2007 - speak to us for
dates, minimum stay 3 nights
Camp closes 31st October
Rates: (2007) US$440.00 (£220.00) per
person per night all inclusive US$400.00 (£200.00) per person
per night 5 night stay or longer Flight transfers US$400.00
(£200.00) return from Mfuwe airport
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