Getting to the South Luangwa

For many years, getting to the South Luangwa National Park was an adventure in itself! The road from Chipata was infamous in its terribleness and flights were expensive and irregular.

Today, we’re very happy to report that the access road from Chipata to the South Luangwa is excellent, the majority of the roads across the country are better than ever (and if they’re not, they’re on the way to being improved) and you can pick up great value airfares. In fact, there are more cost-effective options than ever before – and no excuse not to come and visit us!

By Air

Zambia’s largest airport is Kenneth Kaunda International in Lusaka. If you’re coming from the USA or Europe, we would suggest flying to Dubai on Emirates, Nairobi on Kenya Airways or Johannesburg on SAA or British Airways, and then connecting straight to Lusaka from there. Regionally, you may also connect directly to Lusaka from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, Windhoek in Namibia, Lilongwe in Malawi or Durban in South Africa.

Once in Lusaka, you’ll fly to Mfuwe International Airport (the airport right next to the South Luangwa National Park) on Proflight Zambia, the country’s national airline. From May to November there are three flights a day to Mfuwe (the flight time is 1 hour & 10 minutes), ranging in cost from $125 to $450 one way and the earlier you book, the higher the chance of securing a good deal. We are very happy to help with your flights to Mfuwe or you can visit Proflight Zambia’s website for details.

Direct flights to Mfuwe are also available from Lilongwe; we recommend contacting Ulendo for schedules and more details.

By Road

Coaches and minibuses travel between Lusaka and all major towns, including Mfuwe! If you are travelling overland, be prepared for your journey to sometimes take longer than expected thanks to varying road conditions.

In this case, just kick back, enjoy the adventure, and revel in the knowledge that everything will happen in Zambia time!

By private minibus from Lusaka to Mfuwe

An increasing number of private companies are offering transfers from Lusaka to Mfuwe in small minibuses. The journey time is around 10 hours and the cost of a private transfer is around $150 per person, one way.

Please contact us if you are interested in this option, so that we can confirm prices and availability.

Lilongwe to Mfuwe

If you’re enjoying some time in Malawi before your safari, the easiest way to get to the South Luangwa is to take a private taxi from Lilongwe to the Zambian border at Mchinji, and then on to Mfuwe once across.

Using your own vehicle

You can easily drive from Lusaka or Lilongwe to Mfuwe. From Lusaka, the drive is around 7 hours to Chipata, and then 2.5 hours to Mfuwe Village where we can meet you. You can leave your vehicle in covered parking at our office for the duration of your stay. From Lilongwe, allow around 6 hours for the journey to Mfuwe.

By bus from Lusaka to Mfuwe

A fast, air-conditioned coach, the Jonda Bus, departs daily from Lusaka to Mfuwe from the Intercity Bus Terminus on Dedan Kimathi Road, Central Lusaka, at 05:30 each morning. You can buy tickets for the Jonda Bus up to 5 days ahead of your travel date at the Jonda office at the Intercity Bus Terminus.

The journey costs ZMW 220 one way, with a ZMW 50 charge for large luggage – essentially anything that won’t fit underneath your seat or on your lap! The service has several rest stops en-route where you can buy food, stretch your legs, and use basic toilet facilities. It arrives in Mfuwe at 16:30. If you are joining us on safari, our guide will meet you from the bus and take you straight into the South Luangwa National Park and on safari.

If you can’t find a travel option to suit, or need some advice on the different routes, please give us a shout – we’re always happy to help with travel plans.