South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

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Kulandila Camp

Tented Camp
Adventure
Birding
Communal Pool
Honeymoon
Romantic
Stargazing
Tented Camp
Waterfront Views
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Zambia

Overview

COMFORT
Bathtub
Fans
Pool
QUICK FACTS
4
Rooms
Private Vehicle at extra cost
Cancellation POLICY
Strict, typically 100% from 60 days
Kids POLICY
From 12
The smaller, more relaxed and communal of Sungani's two family-owned camps, Kulandila (meaning "to welcome") sits directly on the magnificent banks of the hippo-heavy Luangwa River, backing onto a lagoon, in the remote far south of South Luangwa National Park, six kilometres upstream from Sungani Lodge, just four spacious safari-style tents raised on wooden platforms among towering Lala palms, each with an en-suite bathroom, a private veranda and an outdoor slipper bath with a river view, colonial-style leather chairs and brass finishes evoke a real, old-school safari, days run on game drives, walking safaris and full-day adventures in a private family concession where the only vehicles are the two camps' own, intimate, authentic and gloriously uncrowded

Plan

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Access Type
Fly-in or Road Access
Transfer Time from Airstrip
15
mins
Baggage limit
15
kg
Soft-bag only
Wildlife Highlights
Leopard
Birding
Great for birders

Location

Map pin marker icon with dark green abstract pattern and a central circular cutout.

Getting there

Fly to Mfuwe International Airport (MFU) on scheduled flights from Lusaka, where the team meets you and flies you in their own aircraft to the Sungani airstrip, a flight of around 20 minutes, followed by a roughly 15-minute drive to Kulandila; alternatively a road transfer of about 3 hours (roughly 70 km) can be arranged.

Stay

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COMFORT
Bathtub
Fans
Pool
Vehicle
Private Vehicle at extra cost
WI-FI
Common areas only
Medical
Malaria Zone
Insect protection
Antimalarials and repellent, with mosquito nets over the beds and ceiling fans
Activities
Game drives, walking safaris (this is the home of the walking safari), full-day park adventures on request, bush meals and sundowners; photographic hides and hireable pro camera gear are available at sister camp Sungani.

Our Favorite Rooms

Four spacious traditional safari tents (~460 sq ft) raised on wooden platforms among the Lala palms, linked by pathways to the communal areas, each with white linen, textured cushions and oiled teak furniture, an en-suite bathroom, a private veranda and a lovely outdoor slipper bath positioned to soak in the sights and sounds of the river.

Dining

Relaxed, communal, al-fresco safari dining, with comfy living spaces and a cosy bar area in an exquisite main area over the lagoon and river, locally sourced where possible given the remoteness, from cooked breakfasts to lantern-lit dinners under the stars.

Tips

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Packing Tips

Neutral safari clothing with warm layers, a jacket and beanie for crisp pre-dawn winter game drives, lighter clothing for the warmer months (no AC, so breathable fabrics help), closed walking shoes for the walking safaris this park is famous for, a sun hat, sunscreen and binoculars, insect repellent and antimalarials, swimwear for the pool, and camera gear (pro equipment can be hired at sister camp Sungani).

Insider Tips

Kulandila is more rustic, communal and relaxed than Sungani, and its trump card is the setting, it's right on the Luangwa River, so the famous river scenes (hippos, elephants crossing) are on your doorstep rather than a drive away. Being in the family's own private concession, you share the area with only the two camps' vehicles, so sightings feel genuinely exclusive. Combine it with sister camp Sungani (the family suggests 2–3 nights at Kulandila and 3–4 at Sungani, five nights is ideal) for the full far-south experience, and note Kulandila closes over the green season (roughly Nov–April), so plan around its shorter operating window.

Impact

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Reserve type
Concession
Conservation
Family-run camp restoring and protecting a remote southern corner of South Luangwa, with strong local employment
Conservation fee
115
No Conservation Fee
per person per day

Conservation Efforts

Kulandila and sister lodge Sungani were hand-built from 2019 by the family and local community, transforming a neglected far-southern stretch of the park, cutting roads and firebreaks, fighting poaching and putting many local people into work for the first time. The family runs the concession with a strong conservation focus, and partners with the Zambian Carnivore Programme and Conservation South Luangwa to protect the valley's leopards, wild dogs and lions.

Per Person, Per Night from
998
Per Person
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