Location:- Situated in the Luamfwa Concession in the southern sector of the South Luangwa National Park, Kalamu Tented Camp takes its name from the adjacent Chankalamu River, a seasonal tributary of the Luangwa. It faces west, overlooking a well-used crossing point on the Luangwa River and the distant Muchinga escarpment provides a wonderful vista from camp. The deeper pools of the river and a nearby seasonal lagoon hold large vocal pods of hippo and silent crocodiles. These waters attract elephant, buffalo, puku, impala, yellow baboon and other species in increasing numbers as the season progresses and other water sources dry up.

At a glance:

• Number of tents
  • 4 x Twin guest tents
  • 1 x Twin guide tent (not the same standard as a guest tent)

  Tent details:

  • 4 Large Meru-style tents - Tents are en-suite including a toilet and shower.

Accommodation:- This typical tented 'bush camp' consists of 4 Meru-style en-suite tents, each one with a different outlook on the Luangwa River. The central areas of the camp - the plunge pool and deck and shaded bar and dining area - maximise the sweeping river views. A deck built into a fallen fig tree provides an unusual lookout point, with the river flowing past on either side - almost the middle of the river! The camp's understated luxury interiors fit well with the heating and light provided by the sun; our design philosophy has as its aim to be as environmentally friendly as possible, something Kalamu succeeds in admirably.

Activities:- Activities at Kalamu focus on the Luangwa River with both game drives and walks exploring its banks, fringing woodland and open scrub. The famed 'walking safari' in fact first took place in this Park.

Wildlife:- The South Luangwa National Park covers about 9 050 sq km of the Luangwa Valley floor, which varies from about 500m to 800m above sea level. Near the banks of the Luangwa the land is fairly flat, and mostly covered with mature woodlands. There are areas of dense vegetation where bushbuck and leopard thrive and a number of large clearings that were once part of the mighty Luangwa River but were cut off, forming alluvium-filled oxbow lakes. Sausage trees with their pendulous fruit are often filled with the shrieks of Lilian's Lovebirds or Grey-headed Parrots, adding surreal character to these clearings, while towering Ilala Palms highlight the backdrop of riparian forest.

With the progression of the dry season, game concentrates close to the Luangwa River in increasing numbers as water sources further afield dry up. The Luamfwa area is not a place of huge herds but boasts an unusual diversity of mammal life and some spectacular birding. With relatively little human activity in past years, it is a true frontier that continues to surprise as its secrets unfold.

Buffalo and the often tuskless South Luangwa elephant are drawn to the river both for food and water. The yellow baboon and endemic Thornicroft's giraffe are often encountered but puku and impala are undoubtedly the most abundant residents. Common waterbuck, greater kudu, Sharpe's grysbok, spotted hyaena and wild dog amongst others can be seen here and towards the end of the dry season there is a chance of spotting Crawshay's zebra - a subspecies of the plains zebra that entirely lacks the shadow stripes of its more southerly cousins. Leopard occur here in considerable numbers. An interesting mammal that can be found in camp is the Mutable sun squirrel, with a distinct banded tail - considered by some to be a separate species.

One of the most entertaining residents of this area is the hippopotamus - found here in numbers unequalled anywhere else in the world, it regularly serenades guests to sleep with its repertoire of grunts, laughs and unintelligible croaks. Crocodiles too are commonly seen sunning themselves on the broad sandy banks of the Luangwa.

The birdlife is spectacular with numerous conspicuous species such as Saddle-billed, Open-billed and Yellow-billed Storks, African Fish-eagles and Bee-eaters being almost guaranteed. Lilian's Lovebird is found here in flocks of well over a hundred and Böhm's Spinetails, Western Banded Snake-Eagles and Collared Palm-Thrushes are some of the species that a visitor may be fortunate enough to see. Southern Carmine Bee-eaters arrive in August to dig their nest holes in the Luangwa's steep banks and Giant Kingfishers and African Skimmers can be seen plying the river for a meal of fresh fish.

Access:- We utilise Luamfwa airstrip which is located about 5km from Kalamu Tented Camp.
Airstrip coordinates:
13 28 19.32 South 031 23 05.16 East at 497m above mean sea level

Child Policy:- Children of 8 years and older are welcome.
Only those individuals over 16 are permitted to walk.
One price season valid May to November.

Power supply:-

• Electricity for lights and fans is powered by a solar panel and stored in a battery outside each tent.
• Fans and plug points providing 220v power, in every tent for charging batteries. Guests need to be conservative with the use of all electrical equipment

• Potable water to the camp comes from a borehole
• Shower water is heated by solar panels.