FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Below are a selection of frequently asked questions.  If there is any other questions you have then please do contact usand we will do out best to answer everything you need to know.

By Air: From / to Airport Mfuwe International Airport

Transfers from/ to Zikomo Safari is typically in a 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser and takes about 45 – 60 min from Mfuwe International Airport.

By Car: 9 hours on average from Lusaka the Capital City of Zambia and a mere 2 hours from the Eastern Capital of Chipata in Zambia

We are located:  PLOT # 24623, M NSEFU SECTOR, SOUTH LUANGWA, ZAMBIA. 
Our GPS Coordinates: S13.02179 E031.89151

Contact us by phone on +260 955 798 752 or via email at reservations@zikomosafari.com

You can also contact us via WhatsApp on +260 975 939895

Abundance in the diversity, offering a year round interest for everyone and a spectacular placeespecially for Birders. Zikomo Safari is situated in the Nsfeu Sector of the South Luangwa Valley,in the north-eastern part of Zambia. It’s the jewel of all the amazing National Parks in the country. With more than 400 species of Birds right here it is heaven for Birders, not to mention that it’s home to approx. 60 other Wildlife species.

Stunning sceneries and massive changes of the water levels. The Luangwa River, one of the longest, free-flowing, un-damed waterways of Africa, a mind-blowing eco-system providing endless habitats for an insane variety of Flora, fauna & Wildlife, especially Birds.

The Luangwa Valley is divided into two distinct seasons and temperatures may vary from lows of 10°C, in June and July, to highs of 40°C, in October. The Dry season, from May to November and the Emerald season, from December to April. Please consider itfor your clothing preferences whilst staying in the Valley.Dress in layers, with a warm sweater or jacket for cooler mornings and be prepared for the rising temperatures while on your daily activities.

Days will usually start at first light, to catch activity in the morning before the day warms up and activity slows down. On most days, there will be a early breakfast around the Boma before you’ll head off for your morning game drive. Roundabout noon time you’ll return to the camp and have a light lunch, perhaps having a siesta before high tea is served and it’s time to head out again for your afternoon drive. A stop at a pristine sunset spot, enjoying a sundowner andfinishing the day at dusk. Dinner will be ready once you are returning to camp. You can enjoydinner in aprivate or communalsetting to review what you have seen and experienced. It’s all your choice. Make the best of your vacation to enjoy it to the fullest.

Needless to say, there will be more splendid opportunities for excellent photos and videos. So bring lots of memory cards!

Even though we can never guarantee a sighting of the all the wild animals living in the Valley, still we feel quite confident that an encounter with lions, leopards, elephants,crocodiles, hippos, giraffes, antelope, many different bird species and more is quite likely. Especially the Elephants are one of our almost daily visitors at Zikomo Safari.

Morning walks or drives start with a 5:15 wakeup call,  breakfast at 5:30 around a campfire at the boma. We offer; fruit, cereal, oatmeal, eggs (scrambled, or any way you like them) French toast, pancakes, yogurt, juice, coffee and tea.

At 6:00 we head out on our drive with an experienced guide in a comfortable modified land  cruiser or on our walk with a grade 1 guide, an armed scout and a tea bearer.

Lunch is served at 11:30.

After lunch guests can relax in their chalet, lounge around the swimming pool, play a game of pool or badminton or just watch the wildlife on the floodplain in front of the river.

At 15:30 (3:30pm) bush tea is served with; coffee/tea, homemade lemonade and cakes, cookies, scones, brownies or whatever the chef has made for the day.

At 16:00 (4:00pm) the evening/night Drive goes out to see the nocturnal animals and birds. A spotter accompanies the guide to help with our sundowner stop and to operate the spotlight at night.

At our sunset stop guests can enjoy gin tonics, beer, wine, cold water or sodas and snacks.

We return to the camp before dinner which is served at 20:00 (8:00pm). At dinner guests can choose private or communal dining.

After dinner guests can enjoy drinks or relax in the lounge.

When guests are ready to return to their chalets, they are accompanied by our security to their rooms.

Visitors around the chalets at night when animals graze on the grass and trees (elephants, hippos and predators) provide interesting noises and viewing.

No day is typical as each day brings new destinations and sightings and each guest has their own unique experience.

South Luangwa has two seasons, the Dry and the Rainy season, also known as the Emerald season with an abundance of water.. The average temperature remains reasonably uniform all year. Nights are much cooler though in the Dry season, and daytime temperatures peak in October, just before the rains are about zo commence.

Zikomo Safari is a seasonal operating Lodge due to its location on the floodplains of the Luangwa River and Kauluzi. We are operating from 15 May – 15 December

The dry season is May–August

May – June : Cool and dry weather can be expected.

June is usually the coolest month with nippy mornings & evenings and warm Temperatures throughoutthe day.

July: a typical day ranges from a high of 26°C to a low of 10°C. Some would describe it as pleasantly warm and breezy.

August: a popular month to visit the Valley. The temperatures are not too hot yet, perfect for any activities.

September is dry and warm . Best time to come and see the Carmine Bee Eaters Migration.

October :usually a very dry & hot month. Temperatures easily reach 40 °C and above.

November – December : Warm weather, the first occasional rains can be expected 

Zikomo Safari Zambia will close by 30 November due to impassable roads during the rainy season and open again in May.

Luangwa Valley is divided into two Seasons. and Temperatures during these seasons vary from lows of 10°C, in June and July, to highs of 40°C, in October. The Dry season, from May to November & the Emerald season, from December to April. Please consider itfor your clothing preferenceswhilst staying in the Valley.

For your Safaris &your time in the African Bush it is recommended to pack the following items :

Clothing

  • Neutral colour shorts / skirts
  • Neutral colour shirts/ blouses
  • Light cotton tops
  • Light cotton trousers
  • Long-sleeved shirts (to protect you from the sun & mosquitoes)
  • Trousers for evenings and cooler days ( to protect you from mosquitoes)
  • Walking shoes, flip-flops and casual footwear
  • Windproof jacket, jumper or fleece( morning and evening drives can be cooler)
  • Swimming costume


Toiletries

  • Toiletries
  • Insect repellent
  • Hat / Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen/ Sunblock

 

Electronic Devices:

  • Camera with extra batteries, memory cards and charging devices
  • Adaptor (three-pin square British-style plug is used in Zambia)
  • Torch

 

Great to have with you: 

  • Binoculars

 

Books :
We have a reasonable collection of guide books in the camp but if you’d like your own consider the following:

  • Beat About the Bush – Trevor Barnaby
  • Signs of the Wild – Clive Walker
  • Field Guide to Animal Tracks of Southern Africa – Louis Liebenberg
  • Birds of Africa South of the Sahara OR the Roberts Birds app.

 

 

 

 

 

For more information on South Luangwa National Park please refer to: Zambia Tourism (www.zambiatourism.com)