The 2025 Safari Awards Winners Announced:  Best Safari Operator in Africa - Jack's Camp ........ Best Safari Experience in Africa -  Sirikoi ..........Best Safari Property Location in Africa - Greystoke Mahale..........Best Family Safari Experience in Africa - Sirikoi ..........Best Marine Safari Experience in Africa - Azura Benguerra ..........Best Safari Guiding Team in Africa - Cottars 1920's Camp .......... Best Safari Cuisine in Africa - Chem Chem .......... Most Romantic safari Property in Africa - Jack's Camp .......... Best Safari Spa in Africa - Royal Malewane .......... Best Riding Safari Operator in Africa - Ride Botswana .......... Best Mobile Safari Operator in Africa - Nomad Tanzania Mobile Safaris .......... Best Walking Safari Operator in Africa - Robin Pope Safaris .......... Best Value Safari Property in Africa - Flatdogs .......... Best New Safari Property in Africa - Onguma Camp Kala .......... Best Safari House/Villa in Africa - Mkombe's House Lamai .......... Best Ecologically Responsible Safari Property in Africa - Grootbos Garden Lodge & Qorokwe Camp .......... Best Community Focused Safari Property in Africa - Singita Pamushana .......... Best Wildlife Conservation Organisation in Africa - Mara Elephant Project .......... Best African Tourism Board - Rwanda Tourism Development Board .......... 

Luangwa Safari House

31 Awards

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Luangwa Safari House

Awards

RUNNER UP BEST SAFARI HOUSE IN AFRICA

What's Special About Luangwa Safari House

The living room is very dramatic with a huge marble dining table and large comfortable sofas. The two hand-carved staircases lead to two bedrooms either side of the house each with a suspended wooden balcony where you can sit out at night and enjoy a moonlit view of the bush against a dramatic backdrop of the Chindeni Hills.

Safari Awards

Luangwa Safari House was nominated in the following category:
Best Safari House in Africa (2nd Place)

Parks

South Luangwa National Park

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With its own dedicated team of chefs, waiters and safari guides, the house offers five-star pampering and a guarantee of total privacy. The wooden terrace is suspended between giant ebony trees. Beneath it is a seasonal lagoon where families of elephants come to bathe.

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All you need to know

Intro

The South Luangwa National Park marks the end of the Great Rift Valley, one of the last remaining unspoilt wilderness areas and possibly the finest wildlife sanctuary in Africa. It is through this that the great meandering Luangwa river runs, with its ox bow lagoons, riverine supported woodlands and large plains, all of which play host to huge concentrations of game including elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion, giraffe, hippo and over 450 species of birds.

Designed by Neil Rocher this impressive private house sits gracefully on the edge of a lagoon system frequented by large herds of elephants, impalas, giraffes and countless other species which use the lagoon as a source of water and food throughout the year. All of which is magnificently set off by the back drop of the Chindeni Hills. During the dry season lunch can be had on the raised deck surrounded by up to 80 elephants splashing around and enjoying the cool water.

Luangwa House has been designed to assault the senses from the minute you arrive, a strong castle like structure looms up in front of you, then and as you enter through the enormous pivoting door, light and grace as the entire front of the house is open to wilderness. The four double rooms each subtly but differently decorated to mimic the elements – water, earth, wind and fire encompass the feeling of bringing nature into the house.

This magnificent private house is the ultimate in luxury and the perfect getaway for families (children over seven) or groups of friends seeking an indulgent and private break.

Highlights

The breathtaking Luangwa Safari House sits proudly on a spectacular lagoon which attracts game all year round. The space and privacy of the house is unrivalled and provides an understated luxury combined with a very welcome and friendly feel.

The highly experienced and passionate guiding team cannot fail to guarantee you an excellent safari experience and even when not out on an activity the wildlife that comes to the lagoon in front of the house is exceptional.

A stay at Luangwa House is ideal for those looking for a personalised and private safari experience.

Need To Know

International airlines
Coming to see us couldn't be easier. International flights to Lusaka are provided by South African Airways, Kenyan Airways, Emirates, Qatar and Ethiopian Airways. Regional access includes Johannesburg, Cape Town & Hoedspruit (for Kruger) South Africa; Nairobi, Kenya;  Harare, Zimbabwe and more.

Seasons and Climate

  • In our part of the world, we're blessed with distinct seasons, from the dry heat of winter through to humid, wet summers. The new year is an astonishing time in the bush; the birds are breeding, it's the peak birth time for many animals and all around you'll see the natural world come alive. The lagoons re-fill after the long dry season, and as the game goes to higher ground, you get a great chance of watching them. It mostly rains overnight ensuring little or no disruption of activities by day. Boating through the lagoons and along the Luangwa makes a wonderful activity.

    From April to May, the main wet season has gone, the grass is high and the migrant birds begin to leave. At the end of May our most remote safari camps re-open. Winter time comes in June and July, which is also our dry season, and although it's warm by day, you'll need a jacket at night as it gets chilly.

    September brings hot, hazy weather and a riot of flowers on the trees. It's an excellent time to see game, and if you're a birder then you'll see the Carmine bee eaters nesting from now until November. In October it gets very hot, up to 40 degrees in the shade. This is the end of our dry season when our camps that are located far in the bush, close.

    With November and December comes the onset of the rains, the migrant birds return, the bush sprouts new life and begins to bursts into vivid green, heralding the start of another Emerald Season.
    The beginning of the rains can also bring a deluge of flying ants and other insects (sometimes in pretty big proportions, but normally lasting a few hours). With the insects come the cooler temperatures but also the humidity.

  • Open Open mid-March to mid-January.
     

Safaris

Game drives
· An option of day or night drives.
· Toyota Landcruisers with two tier seats (three tier for groups / families) are used - a "window" seat (i.e. two people per row) for everyone.
· Open top vehicles, affording you total 360 degree vision.

Walking
· The walks are led by our knowledgeable guide, and escorted by an armed National Park scout.
· Our guiding team is very passionate and will certainly impart some amazing bush insights at a level that will surprise you.

Seasonal Boating - A special treat indeed for guests in the Emerald Season.
· From end December/January to around April.
· Explore the lagoons for enhanced game viewing and birdin

Wildlife

The unspoiled South Luangwa National Park is one of natural jewels in Zambia's crown, and home to one of the most varied collections of wildlife on the planet.

The park is centered around the Luangwa River. Untapped by man, its natural ebb and flow of flooding makes much of the park inaccessible by road which keeps it a sanctuary for the large concentration of game that live there. A paradise for birders, over 450 species are to be found in the park, and the wildlife includes elephant, buffalo, hippos, giraffe, leopards and lions.

Quick Facts

Region
Africa
Property Type
Safari House / Villa
Average Stay

4 nights

Average Price

International average rate:
$4285 per night (price for whole unit - up to 8 adults)
Includes: full board, all gameviewing activities, laundry, bar, transfers to/from Mfuwe Airport, meet & greet at Lusaka & Mfuwe Airports.
Excludes: visas and flights

Child Policy

Children 7 and over are welcome (children’s rates)

Accommodation

The magnificent structure of Luangwa House hangs between twenty-five enormous leadwood poles – this silvery weathered wood embodies the powerful yet elegant nature of the house.

Upon entering through the huge pivoting door you are welcomed by a large airy main area, the front of which is completely open affording incredible views of the landscape and countless animals as they stroll past the house. This room, the ceiling of which reaches up to twelve meters in height, is dominated by enticing sofas, two floating staircases on either side leading to the upstairs bedrooms and a large wrought iron and marble dining table. The open front of the main area leads on to a tiled terrace with a refreshing plunge pool on one side and a decked walkway through the ebony trees on the other.

Each of the spacious rooms are individual in style and have their own en-suite bathroom and private verandah area for you to enjoy the tranquility of Zambia.

During your stay with us at Luangwa House you will be looked after by our team dedicated solely to you. Your private guide who will tailor each and every activity around your personal preferences and requirements, whilst the chef and house manager will ensure that everything is as you want it for when you are back in the house.

The Luangwa Safari House is extraordinary - large and powerful, this castle like house gives you space, luxury and comfort with nature on your doorstep.

Accolades

'The Safari Awards' - Winner of Best Safari House 2011 & 2012

'The Good Safari Guide' - Winner of Best Safari House 2009 & 2010

Season

In our part of the world, we're blessed with distinct seasons, from the dry heat of winter through to humid, wet summers. The new year is an astonishing time in the bush; the birds are breeding, it's the peak birth time for many animals and all around you'll see the natural world come alive. The lagoons re-fill after the long dry season, and as the game goes to higher ground, you get a great chance of watching them. It mostly rains overnight ensuring little or no disruption of activities by day. Boating through the lagoons and along the Luangwa makes a wonderful activity.

From April to May, the main wet season has gone, the grass is high and the migrant birds begin to leave. At the end of May our most remote safari camps re-open. Winter time comes in June and July, which is also our dry season, and although it's warm by day, you'll need a jacket at night as it gets chilly.

September brings hot, hazy weather and a riot of flowers on the trees. It's an excellent time to see game, and if you're a birder then you'll see the Carmine bee eaters nesting from now until November. In October it gets very hot, up to 40 degrees in the shade. This is the end of our dry season when our camps that are located far in the bush, close.

With November and December comes the onset of the rains, the migrant birds return, the bush sprouts new life and begins to bursts into vivid green, heralding the start of another Emerald Season.
The beginning of the rains can also bring a deluge of flying ants and other insects (sometimes in pretty big proportions, but normally lasting a few hours). With the insects come the cooler temperatures but also the humidity.

Region
Africa
Property Type
Safari House / Villa
Luangwa Safari House layout
Validity 11-03-2024 to 16-01-2025
Download
Luangwa Safari House factsheet
Validity 11-03-2024 to 16-01-2025
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Best Safari House

Best place staff amazing just wow

09-04-2024 @ 8:32pm
Best Family Safari Experience

Amazing for all family

09-04-2024 @ 8:32pm
Best Value Safari Property

Amazing

09-04-2024 @ 8:32pm
Best Value Safari Property

By far best in africa

MS from Norway
19-03-2024 @ 10:29am
Best Safari House

Stayed here just one night, such a fabulous experience - hope to stay there again

12-03-2024 @ 12:48pm
Best Value Safari Property

Really good value for a family or group of friends

12-03-2024 @ 12:48pm
Best Value Safari Property

Brilliant property as a base for your safari.

04-03-2024 @ 11:59am
Best Safari Property Location

Wonderful private getaway with our own lagoon!

28-02-2024 @ 8:14pm
Best Safari Experience

First time to the Safari House, hopefully not our last.

28-02-2024 @ 8:14pm
Most Romantic Safari Property

Although we were with a group, the suites are very well suited for romance.

28-02-2024 @ 8:14pm
Best Safari Cuisine

Can’t say enough about the quality of the food. The table settings were a delight.

28-02-2024 @ 8:14pm
Best Community Focused Safari Property

We were given just the right amount of attention and privacy.

28-02-2024 @ 8:14pm
Best Value Safari Property

We found the value for $$ to be exceptional.

28-02-2024 @ 8:14pm
Best Safari House

Amazing house and fantastic wildlife experience

28-02-2024 @ 4:10pm
Best Safari Guiding Team

The best

28-02-2024 @ 2:53pm
Best Value Safari Property

brilliant for family our grandchildren are still talking about it

RM
28-02-2024 @ 2:28pm
Best Family Safari Experience

The house has enough space for the family and the service is top.

28-02-2024 @ 8:43am
Best Value Safari Property

Wonderful stay a few years ago with all of our family.

28-02-2024 @ 8:25am

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