Lusaka to South Luangwa (croc valley) Do's and Dont's

[Xtreme 4x4]

Hi Guys,
End of September, Swambo and i are planning to fly to Lusaka,
Rent a car
then Drive to croc Valley, just near the SLNP gates
stay 5 nights in a chalet at croc valley and do self drives in the park daily.

Here come the questions:
Any recommended car hire in Lusaka?
whats the road conditions between Lusaka and croc valley?
road conditions in the park? will we need a 4x4?
any advice? do's and dont's?

any feedback will be highly appreciated!!

[Xtreme 4x4]

forgot to mention, we also have the option of doing guided drives from croc valley, what would you choose? want to work on something budget friendly.. but still have a good bush experience..

[Stan Weakley]

Hi Guys,
End of September, Swambo and i are planning to fly to Lusaka,
Rent a car
then Drive to croc Valley, just near the SLNP gates
stay 5 nights in a chalet at croc valley and do self drives in the park daily.

Here come the questions:
Any recommended car hire in Lusaka? Sorry no idea.
whats the road conditions between Lusaka and croc valley? The whole road is now complete after a massive rebuild and is a pleasure. If you leave early in the morning you can make it in a long day's drive and this is what I would suggest. If you want to leave on the day you arrive after picking up the vehicle there is a shortage of decent chalet-type accommodation along the way. Bridge Camp had some very rustic back packer rooms when I was last there. In Chipata further east people stay at Mama Rula's which apparently is not too bad.
road conditions in the park? will we need a 4x4? The roads are not too bad especially the main loops.But with 4/5 days there you will want to do the the lesser and rougher loops and then you will want something with a higher clearance than a sedan car, perhaps a soft 4x4 or a bakkie.
any advice? do's and dont's?

any feedback will be highly appreciated!!

Game viewing will be prime in September. Be sure to arrange a night drive on the game viewing vehicles from Croc Valley. They are worth the expense and usually give you an outstanding chance of close-up views of the leopards for which SLNP is rightly so famous. If possible see if you can do a guided walk as a break from game viewing from the vehicle. I think I am correct in saying that Croc Valley can organize walks within the park (or at least on its un-fenced outskirts). On your own drives get into the park as early as possible to increase your chances of predator sightings.
Croc Valley adjoins the Mfuwe sector of the park. If you become bored with the game drives there consider driving the 20-30km or so to the Milyoti Gate where there are lovely game drives in the far quieter Nsefu Sector of the park, on the other side of the Luangwa River and not directly reachable from the Mfuwe sector.
Entrance fees were US$30 per person per calendar day and not per 24 hours. Vehicle fees are US$15 per day but might be less for a Zambian registered vehicle. Take US$ or Kwacha.

[Peter1949]

Game viewing will be prime in September. Be sure to arrange a night drive on the game viewing vehicles from Croc Valley. They are worth the expense and usually give you an outstanding chance of close-up views of the leopards for which SLNP is rightly so famous. If possible see if you can do a guided walk as a break from game viewing from the vehicle. I think I am correct in saying that Croc Valley can organize walks within the park (or at least on its un-fenced outskirts). On your own drives get into the park as early as possible to increase your chances of predator sightings.
Croc Valley adjoins the Mfuwe sector of the park. If you become bored with the game drives there consider driving the 20-30km or so to the Milyoti Gate where there are lovely game drives in the far quieter Nsefu Sector of the park, on the other side of the Luangwa River and not directly reachable from the Mfuwe sector.
Entrance fees were US$30 per person per calendar day and not per 24 hours. Vehicle fees are US$15 per day but might be less for a Zambian registered vehicle. Take US$ or Kwacha.

Agreed.

We were there in October 2012

Another option is Wildlife Camp close to the entrance gate to the park near Mfuwe - also close enough to the Nsefu section referred to by Stan. In fact we did that - got totally lost and ended up crossing through into the Mfuwe section by some "road" less traveled - it was a FULL day outing but most worthwhile although not exactly planned that way!

Wildlife Camp also had game drive's into the park - well worth it - not sure about walking / hiking though.
We ended up spending a full week at Wildlife Camp in spite of having planned for only three nights - just couldn't get away.

Camped on the banks of the Luangwa River looking over into the reserve and could set our watches (has we had any!) by the elephants, hippo's, antelope etc. crossing or browsing in the river bed.

Nice pub, lounge area with swimming pool and shaded lapa area - friendly and helpful staff and cheap by comparison with the alternatives.

[Slowones]

Xtreme, what are the costs of such a trip ?

[Xtreme 4x4]

Thanks Stan and Peter,
will definitely look at doing a walk or 2... got me a new pair of hi-tec boots to try out
need to check on a reliable car rental company in Lusaka..
will also take a peek at wildlife camp with swambo... need her stamp on everything besides the passport :0
will update you with costs slowones as soon as we've confirmed bookings, rentals, fuel etc..

Thanks guys for the response once again... appreciate the input.

[AMacAfrica]

As an addition to the this, the parks in general do not accept US dollar notes older than 2003. At S Luangwa however, they wouldn't accept anything older than 2009. They also wouldn't accept anything with a clear fold line in it - so don't fold your notes, rather roll them or carry them straight. Of course, any other form of tear is also rejected.

[tripodontour]

car hire in Zambia is expensive for various reasons: the relatively short access season to the parks, the costs of operation and import/ cost of vehicles, the cost of licenses etc. etc,

Some of the reliable firms are listed here:
http://www.zambiatourism.com/transport/car-rental
Voyagers can be added to that list:
http://www.voyagerszambia.com/car-rental.php

Be careful some companies charge per kilometre so check the small print or terms and conditions.

You might find it cheaper to take advantage of the camp's gamedrive options.

Have a great trip!!1

[Xtreme 4x4]

Thanks Andrew, will try keeping them notes new and crisp!!
Thanks tripod, will definitely check out those rental companies and start by reading the fine print..

[smcs]

As an addition to the this, the parks in general do not accept US dollar notes older than 2003. At S Luangwa however, they wouldn't accept anything older than 2009. They also wouldn't accept anything with a clear fold line in it - so don't fold your notes, rather roll them or carry them straight. Of course, any other form of tear is also rejected.

At Luiwa Plains a week ago, no USD accepted earlier than 2017.

[NickfrNam]

Hi Guys,
End of September, Swambo and i are planning to fly to Lusaka,
Rent a car
then Drive to croc Valley, just near the SLNP gates
stay 5 nights in a chalet at croc valley and do self drives in the park daily.

Here come the questions:
Any recommended car hire in Lusaka?
whats the road conditions between Lusaka and croc valley?
road conditions in the park? will we need a 4x4?
any advice? do's and dont's?

any feedback will be highly appreciated!!

Drove the great east road last week. From Lusaka to Luangwa bridge has many bad sections. From the bridge to Chipata has been rehabilitated, so in much better condition, with a few potholes. Chipata to Mfuwe first 30km is bad and gets better. There is fuel and ATMs along the way, so nothing to be concerned about. Also fuel in Mfuwe and one ATM.

Self drive will cost you US$20pppd plus a small fee for the vehicle, its good that it is a Zambian vehicle otherwise the price is considerably more.
Game drive US$50pp plus park fees, so you might as well do a self drive in the morning and a game drive in the afternoon. Game drives start at 16:00, you do a sundowner in the park on the river and then some night driving. Ends at 1930. They have them in the morning as well at 06:00.

Special park with amazing animal sightings.

Im sure Ozranger will give you more info as well

[Gungets Tuft]

Drove it in June, spent 5 nights at Flat Dogs in Mfuwe. Not our usual style (lodges etc), but a good trip. Road is very acceptable, has it's reall horrible sections in some of the towns and in other spots but they're short and doable. South Luangwa fro Mfuwe - all as noted above, costs about right. We had a private guy in town who drove us in the park, well worth the money, they know where to go and look. Cost us less than the lodge by a long way. I think it was about K2,000 for 3 hours, 4 people. It was nice in that we decided what we wanted to see. We saw some lifer birds - Lillian's Lovebird, Pels for a start. 5 leopards in 3 drives, wild dog every day. No lions, just missed them 3 times. It's a brilliant spot, great country to tour.

PM if you want the name of our game driver, he was very good.

[Topi]

Hi Gungets Tuft,
we are also interested in contact details for game drives in South Luangwa NP as we will be there end of September, staying for about a week at Wildlife Camp, but as we are driving with our own car (german registered), it might be more expensive to drive on our own than with a guided tour. Two years ago with a rented car lions were also very far away in the South and we found them only with the help of the drivers from the camp.
Cheers Topi

[smcs]

As an addition to the this, the parks in general do not accept US dollar notes older than 2003. At S Luangwa however, they wouldn't accept anything older than 2009. They also wouldn't accept anything with a clear fold line in it - so don't fold your notes, rather roll them or carry them straight. Of course, any other form of tear is also rejected.

July 2022. USD notes must nowbe 2017 or newer.

[ozranger]

Im sure Ozranger will give you more info as well

I think it's all been said but feel free to post any follow up questions.

[Spliffcat]

SLNP best place to see Leopards at night in the world.