The science of safari: Big cat conservation: Zambia

Scenic view of wild dogs standing on top of a sandbank surveying the area after a recent Kill, with a bright blue clear sky background. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Herd of Elephants walking on the dry plains in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. There is a nice blue sky and natural bush background

Male lions in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, as part of Zambia conservation project

Majestic leopard resting in a tree after a fight at South Luangwa NP, Zambia, Africa

Three Thornicroft Giraffes in a line, small medium and large in order. The Journey of Giraffes are walking across the open African Plains in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

November 2025 - 8 days

Join this incredible tour offering a behind-the-scenes look at carnivore conservation in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. This unique African conservation experience allows you to learn and gain firsthand insight from Zambia’s longest running conservation project, the Zambian Carnivore Programme.

The Zambian Carnivore Programme has been operating in Zambia since 1998, carrying out conservation and research activities to help conserve Zambia's populations of highly endangered species including African wild dogs, lions and other carnivores. As part of this tour, join the programme's team members as they teach you about their work, accompany you viewing some spectacular carnivores and explain all the workings of large carnivore conservation efforts by the programme and its partners.

You will be based throughout at Nkwali Camp, a traditional African-style safari accommodation located on private land adjacent to and overlooking the South Luangwa National Park.

This tour is for those with an interest in the natural world, conservation and natural sciences, and it will be a truly unique experience.

In partnership with The Ultimate Travel Company.

DAY 1: MFUWE ARRIVAL AND INTRODUCTION TO ZAMBIAN CARNIVORE PROGRAMME

On arrival at Mfuwe airport, you will be met by your tour leader and driven to Nkwali Camp, your home for the next seven nights. The drive to the camp is around one hour through local villages and farmland, as well as African bush landscapes.

In the evening, you will be joined by one of the full-time project staff from the Zambian Carnivore Programme, who will give an introductory talk. This will include a general overview of the programme, its aims and current projects. You will also get a demonstration of the tracking equipment, which will be used to find carnivores when the team members join you out in the field.

You will hear about how effective conservation relies on accurate and current data to guide and inform decision-making. Research and monitoring play a fundamental role in identifying, describing and evaluating the dynamics of ecosystems, as well as documenting limiting factors and threats to species. The Zambian Carnivore Programme studies sites with a wide range of biological, environmental and human features, differing in terms of carnivore abundance, diversity and distribution, as well as prey abundance and diversity, habitat types, climate and human impacts.

Afterwards, enjoy a welcome dinner at the lodge, before getting an early night ready for an exciting day ahead.

DAY 2: NKWALI PARK EXPLORATION

Today, you will enjoy breakfast at dawn, served around the campfire. The morning drive will leave soon after, entering the park by boat from the camp or by the nearby pontoon. The game in the area is diverse - and includes many family herds of elephants and the endemic species of giraffe, Thornicroft's giraffe. You will be joined by members of the Zambian Carnivore Programme for the game drive.

Gain exclusive insights into their research as you track for carnivores through the national park and see their tracking equipment and techniques in action. They will also explain about lion identification and prey counts, which are used in their annual predator and prey surveys. You will get to use these new skills in species identification and scientific technique as you drive around one of the most beautiful areas in Africa.

A mid-morning break of tea, coffee and cake will be taken by a scenic point on a lagoon or by the Luangwa river.

Next, you will return to camp for lunch. Afterwards, there will be time at lesiure to enjoy the facilities at the camp, such as the swimming pool. Or you can simply relax and take an afternoon siesta.

Afternoon tea will be served before you head off on another game drive that continues into the early night, giving you the chance to see the nocturnal world. You should return to camp by about 8pm, and dinner will be served when you arrive, over which you can discuss today's amazing animal sightings.

DAY 3: NKWALI GAME DRIVES

On the third day, you will have more time to enjoy game viewing at Nkwali on walking safari's or game drives.

Lunch will be served in the bush, either under a tree or next to a lagoon. Once again, there will be an opportunity to take a siesta or simply spend a lazy couple of hours watching the fascinating animals and landscape around you.

In the evening, you will be joined by a member of the Zambian Carnivore Programme team for another talk. This evening’s lecture will focus on competition between lions, hyenas and African wild dogs, and highlights why the Zambian Carnivore Programme researches these inter-predator interactions and what it means for the survival of the African wild dog. They will also tell you all about exciting hot-off-the-press findings for African wild dogs in Zambia and other associated wildlife in the area from their research.

DAY 4: CHIPEMBLE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTRE

On day four, you will travel to the Chipembele Education Centre, where you will be given an overview of its wildlife conservation efforts, as well as learning about the education projects that the Zambian Carnivore Programme has in place with the local communities. Education, and in turn the reduction of human-animal conflict, is key to the survival of endangered species.

You will also learn about other education programmes in the area run by Chipembele for different species.

After your return to the camp in the afternoon, you can choose to go out on an evening game drive or just relax in camp watching the sunset over the river.

DAY 5-7: DAYS WITH ZAMBIAN CONSERVATION PROJECT

These next few days will be flexible. Members from the Zambian Carnivore Programme will join you on either a morning or evening game drive to track the carnivores. The rest of your day will be free to do activities with your local guide.

A walking safari, game drive or boat cruise on the river, whichever activities you choose, are sure to be spectacular. Depending on the weather, you will also have the chance to visit Kawaza village to experience some local culture.

DAY 8: MFUWE DEPARTURE

After breakfast on the final day, you will be transferred to the Mfuwe airport and onto Lusaka for your onward connection.

Highlights

An up-close and behind-the-scenes look at large carnivore conservation in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Talks from members of the Zambian Carnivore Programme team, offering insights into their conservation efforts
Based at the beautiful Nkwali Camp, an intimate and authentic property situated in the heart of the Luangwa Valley
See and learn about wildlife tracking equipment and use techniques in action
Enjoy game drives, boat and walking safaris, with opportunities to see wildlife including elephants, lions, hyenas and African wild dogs, as well as many other species

Meet the expert

The Zambia Conservation Project (ZCP) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to conserving large carnivores and the ecosystems they reside in through a combination of conservation science, conservation actions and a comprehensive education and capacity-building effort. Their main aims are to:

Safeguard large carnivores, their prey and habitat through research, conservation and education.
Utilise large carnivores and their prey as flagship species for large landscape conservation.
Provide information and recommendations to the Zambian Department of National Parks and Wildlife and support efforts to conserve wildlife and ecosystems.
Increase knowledge and understanding of large carnivore and large herbivore dynamics and relationships, and contribute to conservation of these species as a whole.
Build capacity with Zambian organisations and governmental agencies for conservation of large carnivores and herbivores, their ecological functions and habitats.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Expert talks from team members of the Zambian Carnivore Programme.
Talks and walking seminars from local guides.
7 nights' accommodation at Nkwali Camp, based on two people sharing a twin or double room.
Full board accommodation, including all local drinks.
English-speaking tour leader throughout.
Transfers to and from Mfuwe airport.
All safari activities.
24-hour support.

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Travel insurance.
International flights.
Zambia visa.
Single room supplement.

PACE AND PHYSICALITY

A lot of the itinerary requires getting in and out of vehicles as well as participating in walking safaris. As such, a moderate level of fitness is required, along with the ability to walk a total of approximately 1-2 hours each day.

SOLO TRAVELLERS

All of our tours, cruises, expeditions and weekenders are perfect for solo travellers. If you want your own room, you will need to pay a solo supplement. However, if you are happy to share a room with a fellow guest of the same sex, we will do all we can to match you with another guest so you do not have to pay the solo room supplement.

Accommodation

Nkwali Camp

Nkwali Camp is located on private land overlooking the South Luangwa National Park. All the rooms at the camp look out over the Luangwa river and have open-air bathrooms, offering a true African wilderness experience. There is a lovely pool to relax in and enjoy a drink beside while watching the elephants, who come to quench their thirst and forage for Nile cabbage that grows in the waterway. The large bar, built around an ebony tree, has lots of books, comfortable chairs and stunning river views. Dining is either in the open-sided thatch dining room or outside under the stars.

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