Stylish accommodation in the southern part of the South Luangwa National Park
Lounge and dining areas, breakfast area, viewing hide, and fireplace
Just four guest tents, each with a private veranda
Expertly guided walks, game drives, and night drives
Chindeni Bushcamp offers classic safari activities. When the camp is full – i.e., with eight travellers – two guides and two scouts are available. And the presence of extra guides in camp makes for a flexible approach to walks and drives overall.
If you can tear yourself away from your private deck and head out on safari, you’ll enjoy sightings of a real wealth of wildlife! The South Luangwa covers 9,050 square kilometres, and its geography includes a broad valley, wide river, open plains, low hills, and, in the southern region, a dramatic rift valley escarpment. Walks from camp focus on the park’s remote south, with a knowledgeable and experienced guide helping guests get to know the local plants, insects, and bird species. And you can even walk from Chindeni to sister camps Chamilandu and Bilimungwe.
Also enjoyed in the presence of expert guides, drives provide opportunities to see a lot of the park and to enjoy countless wildlife sightings. Among the highlights here are four of the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo! You can also look out for cheetah, hyena, jackal, wild dog, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, various antelopes, and hippo.
Head out on the safari vehicle come nightfall, and you’ll have chances to see the South Luangwa’s night life. This features civet, genet, porcupine, and honey badger!
*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.
The camp is accessed via road transfer from Mfuwe Lodge, which is sister property to Chindeni and only 45 minutes from Mfuwe Airport. At the lodge, guests can stop for a short while and freshen up a little before carrying on to Chindeni, via a game drive transfer lasting approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. Chindeni is situated in the remote south of the South Luangwa National Park, on the edge of a stunning and often game-filled oxbow lagoon.
The communal area at Chindeni Bushcamp overlooks the lagoon.
It’s made up of a spacious split-level deck. Here, you’ll find the pleasant lounge and dining spaces, shaded by ebony trees. The lounge is set up on a lower level. It features comfy wicker armchairs and other seating around coffee and occasional tables, a selection of reading material, and a few interesting artefacts for an authentic vibe. On the uppermost level, there’s the dining area, under a suspended canvas roof. Here, guests usually dine together, and there are some al fresco dining spaces too. The lodge also offers a viewing hide and, adjacent to the lounge, a fireplace, which is the perfect place to get to know your fellow travellers and share safari stories!
Guest accommodation consists of just four tents, all raised on wooden decking to maximise views over the lagoon.
Two tents have a king-size bed apiece, and the remaining two have twin beds. All are very spacious and comfortable. Additional features include mosquito nets, floor fans, bedside stands and lighting, a writing desk and chair, a wardrobe, and an inviting seating area. The en-suite facilities are positioned to one side of the bedroom, and they comprise flush toilet, twin washbasins, and walk-in shower with lagoon views. Soap, shampoo, conditioner, and moisturiser are supplied. From the bedroom, doors lead out onto a private veranda, which offers a couple of sunloungers and breathtaking vistas over the water as far as the Chindeni Hills! You could spend hours just enjoying sightings of wildlife from the comfort of your tent.
All in all, this is a great little camp for travellers who like the authentic safari experience, with an emphasis on wildlife photography. Like Kaingo, Mwamba Bush Camp is both owned and operated by the Shentons, with Derek’s passion for authenticity on…
Tafika Camp is situated in an enviable position on the banks of the Luangwa River, offering guests front-row seats to elephant crossings and other exciting wildlife sightings. A safari enthusiast’s dream, the camp is a simple, rustic affair, but with all the…
Tena Tena means ‘temporary home’. Owned and run by Robin Pope Safaris, this is certainly a homely little camp with a very friendly atmosphere. Robin Pope Safaris operates a number of authentic camps across Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi, and the company is…
Owned and run by Derek and Jules Shenton, Kaingo is a delightful camp, which we recommend for adventurous safari-goers and photography enthusiasts seeking a homely bush experience in the heart of South Luangwa National Park. Derek is passionate about…
This is a superb camp that offers an incredible experience at a very high standard. The staff and quality of guiding makes this one of the best ways to explore the South Luangwa.
Nkwali is owned and run by Robin Pope Safaris. Founded by Robin, who has been guiding since 1975, the company is passionate about responsible tourism and operates a total of 11 properties across Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. We suggest combining a stay here…
Flatdogs Camp offers fantastic value and a convenient location close to South Luangwa’s Mfuwe main gate. A friendly, laidback camp with an enviable position on the Luangwa River, it has a wide range of accommodations that make it an excellent choice for…
Mchenja is one of our favourite bushcamps in the South Luangwa! It boasts a lovely location on the Luangwa river, good food, great guides, and access to a truly superb game-viewing area. Mchenja is the most luxurious camp, while maintaining an authentic…
