• Activities
    Activities

    “If I have ever seen magic, it has been in Africa” Hemmingway

  • Starting a game drive with wild dogs and giraffes
  • Starting the game drive in a boat in the sunrise
  • The start of a game drive at msandile river lodge in Nsefu, south luangwa national park, zambia. The water is low so instead of using the boat they cross by car through the luangwa river. at the start there are 10 giraffes waiting for the guests.

Activities at Msandile River Lodge

Explore the park with one of our specialized guides, learning to spot the signs of the wildlife as you search for the animals and birds. Take a short boat ride across the Luangwa to our vehicles within the park, where our guides will teach you all about the history of the park, the plants and trees and of course the game. South Luangwa is known for its incredible sightings of what we call the Luangwa 5; the elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo's and the wild dogs! Enjoy morning drives with a coffee or tea break as you stretch your legs after watching the sunrise over the bush. Explore the park as the sun goes down and the nocturnal animals start to arise from their slumber ready to hunt, we take a small drink stop just as the sun goes down with a (preordered) sundowner and snack ready to track with the spotlight in the dark!

These are pictures on safari game drives with msandile river lodge in Nsefu and south Luangwa National park in zambia

Game Drives

Msandile River lodge offers activities for all ages, experienced and newcomer safari guests who want to enjoy a real wildlife experience. Please do let your guide know in advance if you have any special interests and we will do our best to accommodate any requests.

South Luangwa National Park is one of Africa’s best kept secrets. The wildlife sightings here are incredible, particularly the elusive leopard. The untouched wilderness has a feeling of authentic Africa, an intrepid search of true bush exploration at just 9,050-sq km the park is wealth of diversity. Here the great legends such as Norman Carr and Robin Pope once pioneered the walking safari in the 1950s and subsequently the level of guiding here is of an excellent quality. The highly trained guides all know the park like the back of their hand, often recounting the lineage of a leopard back to their great grandparents who they met when training. Known for its stunning scenery and density of animals, the location of the park utilizes the Luangwa River as the blood line of the park, which the animals flock to during the drier season.

Crossing the river by boat and the natural park boundary, you will embark in one of the specialized open top vehicles through the park. At an added cost you may upgrade to a private vehicle should you not wish to share with other guests. This is an exciting time where you and the guide will explore all that the valley has to offer and hopefully create some everlasting memories of the incredible wildlife here.

Some pictures taken at a walking safari also called bush walk at msandile river lodge in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Walking Safari's

As the home of the walking safari this is the perfect park to explore by foot. A walking safari is a thrilling way to immerse yourself into learning about all the flora and fauna surrounding you. Under the guidance of your guide and an armed ranger learn to spot the signs of an animal on the move, the tracks, scents and sights that give you clues as to what has walked in front and around you. Track some of the bigger game, at a safe distance an exhilarating experience to see a lion or leopard on foot but also learn about the smaller lesser known animals and birds, such as the mongoose and hornbills. You never know what you will encounter!

USD 75 per person (12+) with a minimum of two persons.

For more information please contact us on whatsapp: +265 99 6746460 or via email: [email protected]

wonderful whole day game drives to different parts in south luangwa national park like Nsefu area

Whole Day Safari's

If you want to spend longer in the park and maximise the time you have on safari you may wish to upgrade to a whole day drive. Leaving at 6am you will not return until 5.30pm at the lodge! We will send you off with a packed picnic breakfast and lunch, a few cooler boxes of coffee and cold drinks. Your guide will be able to take you further into the park, perhaps exploring the quieter Nsefu sector in our backyard (from Kingdom, the documentary of Sir David Attenborough) and some of the more remote and harder to reach roads and unexplored corners.

Traversing too far away spaces in the park, may increase your chances of seeing the animals, some of the rarer species such as the Cookson’s wildebeest that usually reside up north. It also allows you to have uninterrupted non time restricted sightings. You can sit, for example, with a pack of dogs all day, watching as they play, hunt, settle down to rest in the heat of the day and critically not missing a second when the action starts.

For photographers and videographers this maybe a lovely way of creating more footage to take home. Be warned the days are long however they can be very rewarding. When you return you will be welcomed with sundowner snacks, a hot shower and 3 course dinner before drifting off to a well earnt sleep!

USD 100 per person with a minimum of two persons.

For more information please contact us on whatsapp: +265 99 6746460 or via email: [email protected]

enjoy a bush breakfast at msandile river lodge after your morning safari in south luangwa national park

Enjoy a unique Bush Breakfast at Msandile River Lodge

Enjoy a delicious breakfast in the stunning nature of the South Luangwa wildlife.

A Bush Breakfast is the perfect unique experience after an exiting game drive. For more information, please ask:

the Msandile Team  +2656706460 (whatsapp) or [email protected]

At Msandile River Lodge we offer more activities for the guests. You can go to the bush spa, do a safari workshop at tribal textiles or visit the local community with Muzanga foundation

Responsible Shopping, Bush Spa & Cultural Activities

Fancy bringing home some souvenirs or just doing a bit of shopping in Zambia? Well look no further than the high-street of Mfuwe! Whilst we favour quality over quantity there are a few hidden gems that are the perfect place to pick up something to take home and remind you of your special trip!

Tribal Textiles: A home textiles company that produces hand-painted products in a variety of Zambian and safari themes. Beautiful napkins adorned with the colorful birds or table cloths with the big 5, it’s a great spot to stock up on homeware whilst empowering the local community through creative and sustainable enterprise. Their commitments include fair employment, medical and social responsibility, gender equality, recycling initiatives, sustainable waste management, fresh food donations to a local orphanage, financial support to Malimba school and raising funds to protect wildlife conservation projects. It is the perfect place to end your shopping with a convenient in store café to have a coffee break before heading back to camp!

Project Luangwa: supported by many of the lodges in the area the project constructed 14 local schools of which they offer sponsorships, encourages and supports menstrual hygiene with reusable sanitary pads, runs gender support clubs breaking down barriers between inequalities and improving health, conservation and habitat protection with eco stove projects. Here at the project you can hop in to see a variety of souvenirs from local vendors and make donations to the various projects. A wonderful way to learn about how tourism can benefit local communities.

Mulberry Mongoose: The jewel of the valley, bringing beauty from brutality marvel at the stunning jewellery made from snare wire and locally sourced materials. The shop is staffed by local women who hand make the pieces, it takes some physical strength to manipulate the snare wire and gives the ladies the ability to be self-reliant and support their families allowing them financial independence. Stock up on gifts for your loved ones or yourself, each piece sold donates a percentage of the profit back to antipoaching patrols helping remove dangerous snare wire from the park, which kills or injures the wildlife.

Bush-Spa & Retreats South Luangwa Zambia

CLASSIC SPA TREATMENTS WITH A LOCAL TWIST UTILISING INDIGENOUS AFRICAN INGREDIENTS

Set in the beauty of the indigenous bush in Zambia, the Bush-Spa in South Luangwa National Park, creates a sanctuary of pure simplicity for those seeking tranquility and rejuvenation of mind, body and soul.

Tribal Textiles Art Safari: Take Home a Unique Souvenir

Want to try a Safari with a difference? Come and enjoy Tribal Textiles’ fun and exclusive Art Safari.

Work side by side with our friendly team of artists amidst the buzz of our industrious outdoor workshop. Learn the unique art of hand painting and create your own masterpiece with a selection of rich, vibrant colours.

Musanga Foundation: Village Tour

Muzanga Foundation invites visitors of South Luangwa to join one of our village tours and experience authentic community development with us. Muzanga Foundation is all about supporting rural communities in our area. Our tours are not like the typical tourist spots. We provide real experiences where locals are excited to show you around, share their way of life, and talk about our projects.

Experience daily life: Witness the culture, traditions, and interactions that shape daily life in the community. This includes a warm welcome by the Muzanga cultural music group.

For more information and prices please contact us on whatsapp: +265997646460 or via email: [email protected]

Important Notes

Park fees are payable per day per person before entering into the park.

For international guests: USD $25 per person per day and for residents USD$ 20 per person per day. In accordance with the South Luangwa National Park rules, Park fees have to be paid in Cash or Visa at our lodge or in advance. Our staff will arrange the payment of the park fees for all guests at the main gate  to entering the park.