South Luangwa National Park

Luangwa Luxury Adventures

Chinzombo (opening 2013) - Norman Carr Safaris innovative, elegant and exclusive camp will offer a level of luxury and service new to the Luangwa Valley.

Six spacious and sophisticated suites situated in a magnificent Luangwa riverside location with direct river access to the National Park - all suites will have private plunge pool, cooled sleeping areas and internet connection. Combined with our remote bush camps this safari provides the perfect balance of extreme luxury and wild adventure

Four nights at Chinzombo exploring the 60 acres around camp which teems with wildlife, crossing the river by boat in to the heart of the national park and luxuriating in the elegance and comfort of the huge suites can be followed by four nights at Mchenja Camp or, for the more adventurous and wild at heart, spend two of the nights at one of our bush camps – Luwi, Nsolo or Kakuli for a taste of traditional safari.

Guests can opt for spa treatments and visits to local community projects at Chinzombo and privately guided safari from the bush camps for an extra supplement.

Norman Carr Safaris

A brand new camp for Norman Carr Safaris!

Norman Carr Safaris 2012 – 2013 – new partners, a new logo, a new camp and all the latest news!

Norman Carr Safaris has been operating wildlife safari in Zambia’s Luangwa valley for over 60 years. The inspiration of visionary conservationist and responsible tourism pioneer Norman Carr – his family and staff continue in his footsteps to this day.

With new partners - namely the Dalais family and Chongwe Safaris in the Lower Zambezi – this ever innovative company is able to announce their plans for the future and share the next chapter of the Norman Carr adventure.

NCS and Chongwe Safaris are now linked in a close “family” partnership. Not only will they be able to share knowledge and skills but they will be able to offer a wide range of exciting new safari experiences.

The creation of a new camp - Chinzombo just upstream of Kapani Lodge on the banks of the Luangwa river starts shortly. Something completely new for the Luangwa Valley, it will be super luxurious with spacious living areas that melt into the exquisite surroundings of the beautiful, tranquil site.

Chinzombo used to be Norman's green season base when he was running Chibembe Camp way back in the 1970’s and the Carr family and staff, together with their new partners are thrilled to be giving this unique place a new life. The gigantic, ancient shade trees, the peace and tranquillity, the views from its riverside location and teeming wildlife that wanders through camp plus the private access direct in to the most game rich area of the National Park make it something really special.

The 6 "villas", one of which is a suite with extra space for families and small groups, will all have private plunge pools, cooled sleeping areas, massive bathrooms with luxurious spa amenities, and most importantly - one of the best guiding teams in Zambia creating unique and exclusive adventures for the most discerning safari guests.

Chinzombo will be the perfect place from which to explore the majestic wilds of the Luangwa Valley in style, luxury and exclusivity. The NCS bush camps Luwi, Nsolo and Kakuli will retain their essence of wild adventure, a few added touches like fans in the rooms, new game viewing vehicles and new bathroom fittings, linens, crystal, crockery and cutlery will just enhance the experience in these, the wildest feeling camps in the area and the only camps along the course of the captivating Luwi River. The focus will still be on pure, wild adventure.

Mchenja Camp will have upgrades throughout. It will also focus on wildlife and adventure but with even more little luxurious touches and indulgences. Kapani Lodge – the NCS base for so many years will remain HQ. The lodge will also be getting a facelift and will be launched as a new type of offering for families, small groups and those who want to experience the Luangwa but are on a lower budget.

From early 2013 Kapani will re-open at unbelievably affordable rates. Dining will be communal and buffet style, game drives won't be private but shared with a few other like minded guests. What guests miss in flexibility and exclusivity - they will gain back in the low rates and affordability of the experience.

Norman Carr Safaris

Astronomy Finds New Popularity in Africa Where the Stars Are Brighter

Today, 50% of the world’s population can no longer see the stars because of pollution. An outstanding exception is the remote and pristine South Luangwa Valley in Zambia where the air is light and the moon and stars are bright. Here, you can re-discover the beauty and wonder of the night sky with Norman Carr Safaris’ “Return to the Wild” sleep-out safari .

With famed guide Abraham Banda at the lead, you’ll wend your way to the spectacularly beautiful Luwi dry river bed where you’ll spend the night on a bedroll with a mosquito net. You’ll marvel at the Southern Cross and the vast black hole beneath it, known as the coal sack, as Abraham points out all the constellations of the glittering Southern sky and explains how the stars influence the daily activities of the Zambian people.

You’ll also experience the tranquility and beauty of the orange moon as it reflects on night waters. And when the stars come out — and you’re there in the right season — so do the fire flies until you are surrounded with thousands of points of light above and below.

Christina Carr, daughter-in-law of the late Norman Carr, believes that it is the night sky that is the spiritual side of Africa – that opens up your soul. She says: “When I first came to Zambia, I could not get over what an important role the night plays in African life. Everything is alive and vibrant and the stars really do appear brighter. Coming from an urban area where electric lights are paramount, this was a real awakening for me.

“Our most successful dinners in the Bush are given under the full moon. The light is so bright it keeps away the predators. And I am always amazed at the sight of the moon lining up with Venus and Mars. “

On your night under the stars, once the camping site is selected and a camp fire lit, the game ranger will prepare dinner with your help. After dinner, adventure stories are told around the fire until it’s time to bed down under the magnificent African sky while your guide and scout keep watch until morning.

The rate per night per person for the Return to the Wild sleep-out safari, for a maximum of four guests, is $200. This may be combined with a stay in one of Norman Carr Safaris Bushcamp sites or at the Kapani Lagoon House.

Norman Carr

For more information, contact kapani@normancarrsafaris.com or visit

Return to the wild

Walking Safaris in Zambia

I have personally experienced the Luangwa Valley, so I am happy to refer to this post:

Many people have different expectations from a safari to the African continent, some enjoy relaxing in five star accommodation with spas and the latest treatments, with world class dining and fine wines, whilst others want to totally immerse themselves deep in the bush.

Either experience will afford high quality game viewing but the latter most definitely provides a real sense of Africa “unplugged”.

Walking safaris were pioneered in Zambia’s South Luangwa by the renowned Norman Carr over fifty years ago and today his legacy is a small selection of high quality bush camps which are platforms for exciting foot safaris.

Bush camps tend to be much smaller than traditional safari lodges, taking between 6 to 10 guests at a time and more traditional in design with a handful of thatched cottages, usually opening onto a tranquil bend of the Luangwa River.

The key to any safari in Africa is the quality of the guiding and Zambian guides are amongst the very best - taking guests out on foot requires a high level of concentration and sensory perception.

Imagine coming across all of the wildlife you would see from the comfort of your seat in a large 4x4 vehicle, now imagine the same experience on foot. Safety is paramount and the experience is unforgettable.

My very first walking safari in the South Luangwa brought our small group to within 100 feet of a pair of mating leopards!

Zambia’s National Parks are well established - and during the dry season - which runs between May and the end of October, the South Luangwa provides exceptional game viewing.

Large breeding herds of elephant trawl through the mopane forests , along with even larger herds of buffalo. Large prides of lion defend their territories from the local competition and the chances of seeing leopard in the wild are perhaps higher than in any other location in Africa.

Many different species of antelope thrive in Zambia as well as the more unusual Thorneycroft’s Giraffe and Cookson’s Wildebeest.

The Luangwa River supports high concentrations of hippopotamus and as the dry season progresses and the river shrinks, it is not uncommon to see pods of several hundred hippos gathering in the deeper channels.

Strategically placed photographic hides provide exceptional opportunities to get close to these large river horses and observe their behaviour.

Zambia is easily accessible with direct flights from the UK into the capital, Lusaka. A short flight then takes you to the small town of Mfuwe which is the gateway to a safari in the South Luangwa.

And as you make your way to camp, the spectacular beauty of one of Africa’s last true wilderness areas unfolds, drawing you in and holding your imagination captive for the next few days.

If a walking safari in Zambia sounds like the style of safari you would enjoy, make sure you talk with someone who has visited the area and can provide an impartial insight into the best location and camp for you depending on your expectations, as some camps are more rustic than others.

Read the original here:

The perfect classroom: learn photo tricks on Zambian safari

Award-winning photographer David Rogers has spent the last 15 years of his life capturing stunning scenes of the South and East African landscape at hundreds of different locations. Now, he has teamed up with the renowned and extremely exclusive Robin Pope Safaris to offer his expertise on wildlife photography in the world's biggest classroom: the South Luangwa Valley of Zambia.


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African Safari Tour

Everything You Need To Know About An African Safari Tour

An African safari is an exciting vacation far from the cares of everyday life or a person's typical environment.

On a safari, individuals can observe wildlife, take breathtaking photographs, and experience some of the most beautiful places on earth.

Many people believe that safaris are dangerous because the wildlife is really wild and is roaming free in the environment, but the truth is that numerous safety precautions are taken by the guide of the African safari to ensure the safety of every person on the tour.

An African safari vacation is a great idea for people of all ages. The tours combine all of the excitement and adventure of a safari into a smaller amount of time.

The guests do not have to stay out in the wild overnight unless they choose an overnight safari.

African safaris are great for viewing wildlife in their natural habitat and seeing how they truly act in nature. The intention of the safari guide is to ensure that individuals have a great time and get to see as many animals as possible.

African Safari Specifics

The length of an African safari will vary from company to company. Some safaris last for a few hours while others can last for a few days.

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Norman Carr Safaris

We refer to another blog post that we found very informative:

Norman Carr Safaris consists of Kapani Lodge , an eight-room luxury lodge adjacent to the South Luangwa National Park, and four seasonal luxurious bush camps, dotted in isolated areas of the park, each with its own personality (some tented, some built with reeds). Even though they are called bush camps, they are completely rebuilt every season, all en-suite with open-air showers and no attention to detail spared.

Read more and see videos at:

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