1

We went May 8th of last year. No rain and plenty of wildlife. We saw everything easily except leopards. But the rains may be different this year.....

2

Go for it! We love both parks. We have been there the very same time of year you are discussing. We stayed for a month in both 2009 and 2011 saw lots of game on game drives and had wonderful experiences, the main difference being that we self drive in Kruger but not in SLNP.

Once you have checked out the reviews for the camps on Tripadvisor and other places you should email the ones you are most interested in and get their take on local conditions closer to the time of your trip.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g479226-South_Luangwa_National_Park-Hotels.html

Friends who work there have said it has been drier than normal but of course there is still time for rain before you arrive.

Some travelers we have talked to there even prefer the green season when water is everywhere, but in May it should be plenty dry for getting around, at least it was in 2009 and 2011.

Because of scheduling conflicts we are going SNLP in August this year and to Kruger afterward. :)

Comparing Kruger and South Luangwa

We love self driving in Kruger, possibly see more game there than South Luangwa but on the last two trips we were in Kruger in July/August.

Renting / hiring 2wd vehicles is much more expensive in Zambia than SA, and though in May you might do okay in the park in 2wd a high clearance vehicle would be a more sure bet to get you more places.

Hiring 4x4 may be similar in cost but its much further drive from Harare to SLNP than it is from JNB to Kruger. It may be possible to hire 4x4 in Chipata or even at the airport in Mfuwe but we have not done so.

For budget considerations we ourselves have never done self drive in SLNP, but have talked to others who did and they enjoyed it.

South Luangwa is certainly less crowded with people at that time. The roads inside the SLNP are mostly well maintained gravel roads, whereas in Kruger you have both 'tarred' and gravel roads.

It seems to me that a major difference between Kruger and SLNP is that places to stay seem to be mostly privately operated vs the mix of private reserves and the wonderful budget government rest camps you find in Kruger.

FWIW the more budget lodge and camping options for SLNP are between Mfuwe and the park on the opposite side of the river before you enter the park. There are upscale ones in this area as well, but many of the more upscale are inside the park itself.

No worries though, the budget lodge options are located in the Game Management Area across the river from the national park but the animals of course cross over the river at will depending on whim and river level.

Another major difference between the Kruger Rest Camps and SLNP lodges is that none have fences so the occasional elephant, monkey, baboon troop and even lion and leopard wander through! Don't want to mislead though, you will see much more game in the park proper.

Think that though unfenced most all the camps have night security that will help you keep tabs on what's wandering through, but during the day you should just pay attention do your surroundings and if you happen to encounter any give the animals their space should you be lucky enough to meet them in camp.

SLNP, near Mfuwe,, has lots of big trees in some areas so it may be more like the northern part of Kruger ? There are other types of topgraphy the further you get into the park.

Renting / hiring 2wd vehicles is much more expensive in Zambia than SA, and though in May you could probably do fine in the park in 2wd a high clearance vehicle would get you more places.

Hiring 4x4 may be similar in cost but its much further drive from Harare to SLNP than it is from JNB to Kruger. It may be possible to hire 4x4 in Chipata or even at the airport in Mfuwe but we have not done so.

If you have not already suggest for your reading pleasure
http://wikitravel.org/en/South_Luangwa_National_Park

I just recently posted some more info on places to stay in the this thread http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2303645&messageID=20747069#20747069

Some trip reports to whet your appetite are here: http://malonetravels2.blogspot.com/2009/05/lion-on-hunt-night-game-drive.html

and here: http://www.traveljournals.net/stories/34186.html

Edited by: rmalone

Edited by: rmalone

3

i visited south luangwa national park in september and absolutely loved it. i hadnt heard a lot about it before, and a friend from work "turned me on". she and her husband visited in may, had a fantastic time, and after she told me about it, i just to go. they did a lot of walking safaris and saw a lot of animals. may be not the "best" time, but they still enjoyed it a lot. and if its a matter of going in may, or not going at all, do go for may !

4

Great list of camps here:
http://www.zambiatourism.com/travel/nationalparks/sluangwa-where-to-stay.htm

5

Hello,

I was there in 2011 (spring, May to June)

I have the same advice that TexasTea. Before South Luangwa, I was in Kafue NP but, as pedestrian, I stayed in Mukambi Lodge.

In term of wildlife, it’s amazing how many species you see in the SLNP.

I used Jackalberry structure and travel (in Zambia) by my own.

The season is good but not the best for walking safari

Michel

6

Hi all,

Thanks so much for the help!!! I'll try and read through the answers and look at the links. Really helpful, keep the tips coming!

But think we're going for it. Depending on flights we'll either have 5 or 7 full days there so should get to see quite a bit.

Thanks
G

7

It's a great park, definatly go.

8

OK we're going for it :)

I have our accommodation options down to 2. Both are just outside the park:

1) Flatdogs - gets get reviews, looks lovely but is a bit pricier (c. $450 USD per day for 2 of us for luxury tent + 2 safaris per day + meals + park fees). Benefit I guess is sounds excellent the tents look really nice and are directly facing the river. I think this one may have gotten more expensive in recent years. People talk about it being an excellent budget option but maybe it's not so much anymore..

2) Marula Lodge - gets good reviews, looks a bit more basic than Flatdogs, but is a good bit cheaper it's $320 per day for the same package as above. The accommodation is in chalets which don't look as nice as in Flatdogs but look pretty good too...

Just wondering has anyone stayed in Marula and how would they compare it to Flatdogs? any info is great!!!!

Thanks
G

Edited by: gcomeragh12345

9

I haven't stayed at Marula lodge, so can't compare, but have stayed at Flatdogs several times (once a year since 2008), and I can't recommend it highly enough! As a solo traveller or travelling with a friend/family, I always feel at home and all the staff are very welcoming (remembering their return guests from trip to trip).

Last year when I was there in Late April/Early May (and this is a wonderful time to visit Luangwa, though you probably won't be able to walk at that time of year), our guide (Malama) remembered exactly where we'd had a wonderful leopard sighting 18 months before... as we were driving towards the particular tree he started smiling and was wondering if we'd recognise the area (as it's a completely different season to when we were there in November), and when we said "is this where we saw Alice that time?", he started giggling and was so proud that we'd remembered.

Just remember that it's not all about the facilities and amenities at the camp - it's also about the quality of guides and I have to say, Flatdogs is top-notch... that's why I'm planning to go and stay there again in late April!

10

We stayed at Marula Lodge and loved it. The chalets were clean and comfortable; well above "basic" by our criteria but I have not been to Flatdogs, so can't compare the two. Of course, everyone has their own tolerance level and from the pictures, Flatdogs' chalets may be more spacious and a bit fancier. We had the family chalet, ensuite, but were only really in there to sleep. The dining area is open and the food was delicious. Two things really stood out for us: First was the hospitality. The owners were delightful as were all the staff. They arranged for us to meet up with people from ProjectLuangwa, saving us running around on our own to deliver items that we had brought for them. The second was their guide, David. He was equally amazing.

If you are going, I'd like to put in a plug for ProjectLuangwa. You can contact them through their website if you are interested in bringing anything. Their request for us was simple, not expensive, and easy to carry (solar calculators).

11

you are so right rastus, the quality of the guide is very important, for me way more important than the facilities and amenities of a lodge / camp. i have been to many beautiful lodges, some of them very luxurious and of course i enjoyed that, but at the end, my favourite places are the ones with the best guides.

i havent been to marula or flatdogs, so cant answer the op's question, sorry.
if you need an alternative to those 2 places, kaingo lodge and mwamba camp are great places within the park.

12

Hi

Its perfectly safe period to visit as rains in zambia finish by march end to april beginning and fortunately we have had wonderful rains this year - its winter beginning now so u are safe-there wont be any rains - but its winter time and nights at bush are cold so be prepared with some warm night wear and early morning wind cheaters...if going for night safari and walking safaris....4 days to 7 days are ample time to enjoy but more time its up to you what and how much you want to do
hope its helpful in case u have more questions ...will be delighted to help
all the best