Leopards Hill Rd From Mvuu (Lower Zambezi) to Lusaka. Action packed adventure.

[franklouw7]

A couple of weeks ago, still deep in the Zambian rainy season, we attempted the Leopards Hill rd over the escarpment down to Kasaka in the Lower Zambezi. This is what we got.

<a data-cke-saved-href="https://youtu.be/Usu9GSUv83k" href="https://youtu.be/Usu9GSUv83k">

[CalDriver]

Thanks for the video, I watched a few days ago. We hope to drive this next time we're in the Lower Zambezi area (not in the rainy season!). I have heard some pretty fearsome reports of this road, but if you are managing in the rainy season it must be manageable to some degree?

Where was the lodge at the end, I didn't see it on T4A?

[ortelius]

Kasaka River Lodge is some 10 km downstream from Mvuu Lodge, just south of the Royal Zambezi Airstrip. Not on mine T4A either.

[franklouw7]

Thanks for the video, I watched a few days ago. We hope to drive this next time we're in the Lower Zambezi area (not in the rainy season!). I have heard some pretty fearsome reports of this road, but if you are managing in the rainy season it must be manageable to some degree?

Where was the lodge at the end, I didn't see it on T4A?

The days of the infamous Leopards Hill rd are sadly in the past. They are busy building a rd that will be tarred soon. Lots of pros and cons, but one thing is for sure, that part of the adventure will never be the same again.

The Lodge at the end of the video is Kasaka. Its part of Chongwe Safaris and is a very very nice lodge that currently operates only as a self catering lodge (Covid induced) @$45 per person per night.

[Estee]

Thanks Frank. Brings back great memories. I used to live on Leopards Hill and this was the prefered route to the LZ.

The conditions can vary dramaticaly, one time it seemed the trail hadnt been used in ages and other times it was "meh"

The last time I used it, the civils for the road from Leopards Hill were in place for a distance of @ 10kms. Has this progressed?

[crossing]

Hi Everyone!
I am planning to do the trip from Leopards hill to LZ in the next few weeks, has anyone got an update on the road condition? I have a 4x4 but I am not up for the seriously advanced 4x4 stuff!
+- How long does it take to do this route? I have the T4A recent maps which I assume will be accurate to get e to the river at least.
Thanks

[ozranger]

Hi Everyone!
I am planning to do the trip from Leopards hill to LZ in the next few weeks, has anyone got an update on the road condition? I have a 4x4 but I am not up for the seriously advanced 4x4 stuff!
+- How long does it take to do this route? I have the T4A recent maps which I assume will be accurate to get e to the river at least.
Thanks

It has been recently graded so it is a very easy gravel road now. I haven't driven it myself but people are towing boats on it now and I think it takes somewhere around 3 - 4 hours.

[schwott]

Interesting article! http://www.nkwazimagazine.com/the-lo...lower-zambezi/

[xanax]

other article : https://thepointsoflu.com/2021/05/02...arpment-views/

[schwott]

The days of the infamous Leopards Hill rd are sadly in the past. They are busy building a rd that will be tarred soon. Lots of pros and cons, but one thing is for sure, that part of the adventure will never be the same again.
.

Frank, I watched all your videos on a big screen yesterday. Fantastic.

I think the road from northern Mukamba gate through LZNP to Chongwe gate is still adventurous enough for you and other brave 4x4 riders. I read it is about 5 h of serious driving to the bottom and about 2 h more to get out from NP for camping. Sadly, not for me with rental vehicles.

[Richard_Neth]

just arrived at Mvuu Lodge. It’s true that they work on the road. But I guess they stopped in 2017. It was a rough road to drive. We were alone (one landcruiser) and would advise to drive in convoy.

The days of the infamous Leopards Hill rd are sadly in the past. They are busy building a rd that will be tarred soon. Lots of pros and cons, but one thing is for sure, that part of the adventure will never be the same again.

The Lodge at the end of the video is Kasaka. Its part of Chongwe Safaris and is a very very nice lodge that currently operates only as a self catering lodge (Covid induced) @$45 per person per night.

[La Leona]

Hi Richard
Very intriguing the difference in the condition of that road over the past years. My guess is that a combination of dried up funds and two rainy seasons are the reasons. How long did it take you to drive from Lusaka to Mvuu?