Thornicroft Lodge

Thornicroft Lodge sits on the bank of the Luangwa River in Kakumbi, inside South Luangwa National Park. Hippos wallow and elephants drink directly in front of the lodge, so the wildlife is visible before any drive begins. The lodge is small and independently run, with a bar, a pool, and a restaurant serving full board.

Guests sleep in chalets that look out over the river, or in tents positioned to face a lagoon. Each chalet has a bedroom with a double bed or two singles, a walk-in mosquito net, tea and coffee facilities, and a private bathroom with hot and cold shower. A verandah faces the water. The chalets run on 230-volt power and can take a third guest on request.

Two open four-wheel-drive game drives go out each full day — one in the morning, one at night — with guides who know the park well. Night drives are a particular advantage here: South Luangwa is one of the few parks in the region where night driving is permitted inside the national park boundary, which means leopard, civet, and other nocturnal animals are regularly seen. The lodge also runs guided walking safaris and cultural tours to nearby communities.

Kakumbi is the main entry point for South Luangwa, and the lodge is a short distance from the park gate.