Kakuli Bush Camp

Combine the best of bush and river experiences in the prime wilderness of South Luangwa National Park with an unforgettable safari at the mesmerising Kakuli Bush Camp, a legendary Norman Carr setup that concentrates on the authentic Zambian walking safari. Time + Tide Kakuli Bush Camp is a small and intimate seasonal camp that provides all safari lovers access to South Luangwa’s ultimate wildlife experiences. 

Place all your trust in your guide and armed game scout, and venture into the vast wilderness on the walking trail of a lifetime. Activities at the camp are tailored to suit guests’ preferences, affording you the privilege to choose what you want to see, and how you want to see it. Kakuli is named after the nickname given to Norman Carr by the local people of the Valley and it means “old buffalo bull”. 

Many nature walkers end their trails here at Kakuli on the confluence of the Luwi and Luangwa Rivers after walking from camp to camp on a route that follows the beautiful Luwi River. Other visitors like to stay at Kakuli on a classic safari where they go out morning and evening on trails or game drives, using the delightful camp setting as their base. Either way, this region is packed with rich wildlife sightings in a wonderful lush riverine environment. 

Choose from only four roomy, thatched traditional safari tents with open-air showers, king-sized beds and private decks with river views. There is one larger family tent too with two bedrooms and space to host 4 people in style. Listen to the hippos grumbling all night and awaken to the orange dawn before your game-viewing activity begins.  The main camp features a thatched chitenge in the middle of the camp on a wooden deck looking out towards a grassy area leading down to where the two rivers merge. 

The flexible approach to game viewing allows guests to choose a walk or a game drive in the mornings but the evenings are ideal for game drives to find nocturnal species and explore the wilderness off-road. Seek out the big cats at dusk, especially lions on a hunt and leopards prowling alone along the river banks. 

Its seasonal value means that Time + Tide Kakuli opens in February and March while many other Zambian bush camps close so come and see the high waters then and jump on a boat and enjoy a change of game viewing. Walking trails at this time are astonishing in their variety through the lush greenery to find biodiversity at work. 

Gallery

Overview

Choose the beautiful South Luangwa National Park in Zambia for an authentic walking safari in a pristine wilderness with one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. Find this historic conservation area in the eastern part of the country where the intimate Kakuli Bush Camp hides on the confluence of the Luwi and Luangwa rivers. 

Welcome to a delightful seasonal South Luangwa safari camp and one of a few that provides Zambian safari holidays in February and March. Yes, Kakuli remains open for boating and walking during the season when the rivers are high and the vegetation very green and lush. 

Combine the astounding experiences in the bush and on the river with a safari at the Kakuli Bush Camp where you get to see more than usual – huge herds of antelope and elephants, buffalos and zebra, and then the predators arriving for their dinner. Set off with your trusty game ranger and tracker on trails that follow the camp-to-camp route or use the camp as your base from which to walk out every morning and then return in the evenings. South Luangwa reveals wildlife action as you could never imagine and your camera should always be at the ready.  Flexible programmes mean that guests also decide whether to walk or drive every morning. 

Enjoy the minimal 4 tents for couples and one for families of 4 all facing the captivating river views with their indoor and outdoor showers and comfy seats on the decks. Sit awhile in the main camp lounge on an elevated deck and see what animals come down to the lagoon, then move to the wildlife hide to see birds up close. Tuck into traditional Zambian foods around the fire at night and awaken refreshed to tackle another walk out into the South Luangwa Park. 

Time + Tide Kakuli camp makes a great base for exploring by vehicle and on foot, with a resident lion pride, a seasonal colony of jewel-like carmine bee-eaters and the most sightings of leopards in a single drive every year. During the lush emerald ‘green season’ venture out by boat and on foot to enjoy some of the best opportunities for wildlife and landscape photography. Choose this Zambian accommodation for your next tour into Africa with Voyage2Africa!