Shawa Luangwa Camp is a small, eco-friendly bush camp overlooking the Luangwa River in the Nsefu Sector in South Luangwa National Park. This is one of the park’s most untouched areas with excellent year round game viewing and an astonishing habitat diversity. Making it ideal for safaris by foot and vehicle.
Shawa Luangwa is as much about its people as the wilderness surrounding it. The camp is named after the legendary Zambian safari guide Jacob Shawa, who handpicked the site after years of experience in South Luangwa. We know this means it is one of the finest positions to be in the park. From this beautiful location, you can cross the river on a pontoon or boat and explore the prime game viewing areas of the South Luangwa National Park.
Cool off in the camp plunge pool during the hottest parts of the day. Keep a lookout for an elephant or kudu that just may be passing by.
Shawa Luangwa Camp Accommodation
The 5 x unique teepee-like luxury canvas tents at Shawa Luangwa Camp open onto a private deck with views of the surroundings. They are elevated on platforms tucked deep into the riverine forest and overlooking the Luangwa River. This provides natural privacy while keeping you cool and shaded. Creating a treehouse feel of natural privacy and peace. Listen to the birds in the trees around you and look out for lions & hippos on the riverbank.
Each tent has a king bed with a mosquito net in the evening, a private bathroom with a shower, and a separate toilet cubicle. To add to the romance, the tents have a sunken bathtub on the deck. Enjoy the silence that is broken only by the breeze in the trees, the chirping of insects and birds, and an impala’s bark.
Bed configurations in the tents are flexible, allowing for either double or twin. Which makes them ideal for a group of friends traveling together.
Looking into the tentsRomantic sunken bath in tent
Luxury Family Tent (x 1)
Two of the tents are interconnected and separated by a five meter wooden walkway for families. One of these tents has a king bed and the other twin beds; both have en-suite bathrooms.
Family tent
About South Luangwa
The Luangwa River is home to plentiful hippos and its banks are visited by plains game like bushbuck, kudu, and puku. South Luangwa also hosts three regionally endemic species. Crawshay’s zebra, Thornicroft’s giraffe, and Cookson’s wildebeest.
The South Luangwa has one of the highest densities of leopards in Africa and sightings of this elusive big cat are frequent. Equally charming are the lions and spotted hyenas, along with a growing number of African wild dogs.
Keep your eyes and ears open because you don’t want to miss seeing some of the 400 bird species that call the South Luangwa home.
Shawa Luangwa Camp Activities
Shawa Luangwa Camp is completely eco-friendly and solar-run; including electric game vehicles.
A stay at Shawa Luangwa directly supports critical conservation and community projects. Guests are invited to get involved. Visit a local school supported by Project Luangwa. Meet the people of the Zambian Carnivore Project which focuses on habitat preservation for large carnivores, and see how the Conservation South Luangwa Teams work along with the community to conserve the wildlife and ecosystem.
E-Cruiser Game Drive
Blend into the quiet of nature in the electric game drive vehicle. This allows you to experience all the sights and sounds of the bush in near silence and with a deep sense of environmental care.
Walking Safari
Slow down to nature’s pace as your knowledgeable guide and armed scout lead you on a bush walk that immerses you in incredible landscapes that are rich in diverse plant, animal, and bird life.
Boating Safari
Cruise quietly along the Luangwa River and watch as birds dive for fish, crocodiles bask in the sun and elephants splash in the shallows.
Birding
South Luangwa is a hive of feathered activity throughout the year. Pel’s fishing owl and Verreaux’s eagle owl are just two of the 39 birds of prey found here. Migrants like southern carmine bee-eaters and yellow-billed storks arrive in colorful breeding plumage to nest in the warmer months.
Carmine Bee Eaters
When is the best time to visit Shawa Luangwa Camp?
The best time to visit South Luangwa is in the dry season from May to October. This is when water sources dry up and therefore easier to find the wildlife.
How to get here
The most convenient way to reach Shawa Luangwa Camp is a one-hour flight from Lusaka to Mfuwe International Airport. Followed by a one-hour transfer drive to the camp. The last leg of the drive, which lasts 30 minutes, offers stunning views of the Lupanda Game Management Area.
Shawa Luangwa Camp Accommodation Rates
2025 & 2026 Shawa Luangwa Camp Rates
Riverside Tents and Family Tent
Green Season:
1st May – 30th June
1st – 30th November
$760
High Season:
1st July – 31st October
$1,130
Camp closure: Closes 1st December – 31st April inclusive
40% Single Supplement applies all year.
Rates Include:
Accommodation, meals, selected activities, laundry, and non-premium drinks.
Levies, service charges, and taxes.
Park fees and bed levies.
Transfers to and from Chunga Airfield.
Morning and evening game drives.
Walking safaris when available. A minimum age limit of 12 years old applies.
A selection of out of camp picnics and meals.
Rates Exclude:
Premium drinks, international travel, activities not listed, and other incidentals.
We require that all guests arrange fully comprehensive travel insurance.
Travel to camp unless booked on Wings and Wheels.
Massages and floating Spa.
Child Policy
Shawa Luangwa Camp allows children from 9 years. There is one camp bed that can be added to one of the nests for a child. 9-15 years pay 50% if sharing with 2 adults. 16 + pays the full adult rate.
Get 2 free nights at the cheapest property (from above) on stays of 9 nights.
Valid during the Green Season in 2025 (1st May – 30th June and 1st – 14th November).
Pay 3 Stay 4
Get a night free on safari at Sausage Tree Camp, Potato Bush Camp, Chisa Busanga Camp, and Shawa Camp.
Valid during the Green Season in 2026 (1st May – 30th June and 1st – 14th November). Can be combined with other specials. Includes Wings and Wheels.
