The seasons range from dry, bare bushveld in winter to a lush green wonderland in the summer months.
Guests at Chimfule Lodge are offered every opportunity to experience all that the park has to offer from its wildlife, to its birds and varying vegetation and habitats. Part of the activities on offer include a trip to the crocodile farm that is located at the park entrance. Guests can then follow the graded loop roads in the park, past dambos bursting with hippos, crowned cranes, grazing antelope and scurrying baboons.
Chimfule Lodge also offers special bird watching tours where guests can have an opportunity to view some of the numerous bird species in the park.
Walking Safaris
The famous walking safaris originated in the South Luangwa National Park and remain one of the best ways to experience the pristine wilderness first hand. Chimfule has a team of experienced game trackers who will carefully lead guests deep into the heart of the bush. They point out the many signs of wildlife-from the spoor of a hunting lion that passed in the night to elephant tracks of an entire herd.
Walking safaris offer an excellent opportunity to view animals in their natural habitat and plenty of Zambia's wildlife is sure to be spotted in the park. The hippo is one animal that won't be missed as there are an estimated number of up to 50 hippos for every kilometre of the Luangwa River. Further out on the plains guests are bound to see the large elephant herds, reaching up to 70 in number. Buffalo are abundant and spread throughout the valley. Zebra can also be seen running in small herds of about a dozen as well as the majestic giraffe.
The walking safari can be taken either in the early morning or late afternoon. Refreshments are carried by an able porter and served along the way. All guests are required to take are their binoculars and a sense of wonder. This unique experience is for the astute nature lover, the person who wants to feel the closeness with nature you can only feel in Africa.
Game Drives
Game drives involve going out in a vehicle and looking for wildlife. It is an exciting way to taste the real thrill of this remote, untamed and unspoilt part of Africa. Guests are always led by a qualified guide and an armed scout. The park is a true wilderness so you may not see every animal you would like to see but there is always a surprise to make up for it. There is an option of morning drives and night drives. Night game drives give a rare opportunity to see and hear nocturnal animals. Morning game drives run from 05:30 to 09:30 hours and late afternoon game drives from 16:00 to 20:30.
Photography Session
Chimfule offers wildlife and photography enthusiasts a unique safari experience with its photography sessions. Throughout the safari, guests will be accompanied by a professional wildlife photographer who will be on hand to guide them on capturing that special shot.
When not out in the field on safari, guests will have plenty of time to review their photographs back at Chimfule Safari Lodge, under the guidance of a professional. There is the additional option for guests to upload their images onto the special workshop gallery on the Chimfule Lodge website.
Getting to Chimfule
Chimfule Lodge has recently introduced a luxury shuttle in order to make the journey to the lodge much more convenient and stress free. The shuttle was originally a 26 seater luxury bus which has been reduced to a 13 seater allowing for more space and comfort for travelling guests. The shuttle has climate control facilities and in car entertainment. Refreshments are offered on the journey while guests can enjoy the view of interesting landscape such as the Manenekela Cliffs. Guests stop for a lunch break en-route to Chimfule lodge and will often have an opportunity to watch the Nyau dancers of the Eastern Province in Katete.