- Emirates flies every day of the week from Dubai to Lusaka.
- Kenya Airways flies to Lusaka regularly via Nairobi.
- Ethiopian Airways flies to Lusaka regularly via Addis Ababa
- South African Airways flies daily from Johannesburg to Lusaka (and everyone flies to Johannesburg!!)
- Rwandair – flies regularly from London via Kigali
If you are flying through South Africa with kids be sure to check requirements to carry birth certificates of the kids.
There are daily flights from Lusaka and Livingstone to Mfuwe with Proflight Zambia. Please contact Jess for up-to-date information on schedules, availability, last-minute specials and to make your flight bookings as she is a booking agent for the airline. Once you get to Mfuwe, we can arrange airport transfers from the airport to Flatdogs (about 35 minutes by road).
Full fares are as follows but cheaper fares are also sometimes to be found!:
- Lusaka to Mfuwe (in either direction) – US$292.60 pp (1hr 10min flight)
Connecting from the Victoria Falls - Zambia
- Livingstone to Mfuwe (in either direction) – US$474.20 pp (two x 1hr 10min flights)
- Livingstone to Lusaka (in either direction) – US$272.60 pp (1hr 10min flight)
During the “green season” (before May and from mid November) there are fewer flights but these aim to connect with incoming Emirates, South African Airways and Kenya Airways flights from London, Jo’burg and Nairobi respectively.
Ulendo Airlink runs seat in charter schedules from Lilongwe to Mfuwe and vice versa with onward internal connections within Malawi. Ulendo Airlink seats now cost:
- Lilongwe to Mfuwe costs US$195 pp plus airport taxes of US$40 pp
- Mfuwe to Lilongwe costs US$315 pp plus airport taxes of US$40 pp
There are discounted fares for children under 12 years of age.
Take the Great East Road to Chipata. You can get fuel in Petauke and Chipata on the way and also at the Oasis filling station here in Mfuwe. As you arrive in Chipata:
- Turn left to Lundazi/Mfuwe just after the Protea Hotel on your right and before Fast Wheels motor parts (on your right). The sign pointing to the left actually only says LUNDAZI, but this is the road to Mfuwe too.
- If you go into the town of Chipata, then you’ll need to turn back along the Great East Road heading west (back towards Lusaka), then turn right 200m after Fast Wheels. If you reach the Protea Hotel, you have gone too far. The sign again directs you to LUNDAZI at this turn, rather than Mfuwe or the South Luangwa.
- Continue on the tarmac road for around 112 km. After around 112kms, you will reach a T- junction. Turn right onto the tar road opposite the Zesco (electricity) sub-station. If you turn left here you will reach Mfuwe airport where there are banks and a post office.
- Please drive slowly past schools and bicycles. If you see some green branches lying in the road, this either means that there is a vehicle with a breakdown or that there is a funeral in progress. If it is the latter, please go dead slow in first gear (you will notice that even cyclists dismount) until you come to more branches. Proceed on tarmac for approx 25 km and you will pass the Oasis fuel station on your left and a sign for the South Luangwa Conservation Society on your right. Continue straight on, then after a further kilometre or so, you will see our entrance ramp and sign on your LEFT. Please engage a low gear and drive down the ramp very slowly, then follow the road for another 750 m and you will arrive at reception. Be aware that you might meet wildlife on any of the roads, so please drive slowly. Elephant have right of way!
We recommend that you bring a hat with good brim, UV Sunglasses, high SPF Sun-cream, mosquito repellent, binoculars, camera, camera battery charger (we use UK 3-pin plugs), any medicines you may need including anti-malarial prophylaxis, all favourite toiletries as there’s not much available here, comfortable walking shoes or trainers, swimming costume, shorts, T shirts in bush colours – greens and browns are best (royal blues, black and white are the worst for attracting attention both from tsetse flies and from animals!) No need for dressing up out here, comfortable is the way to be! If you have a kikoi or sarong-type wrap, these are ideal for relaxing in at the pool or during the heat of the day. Bring a good book to read or a diary to write during the middle of the days, or else you can sit by the pool and look out for animals and birds to while away the time between drives.
From around the middle of November until the end of March, there is the chance that it will rain here. Rainfall has been recorded in every single month of the year, however these “summer months” (as they are known here) are when the most rain falls. Temperatures range from 31-35 max, down to around 20-23 min at night.
This can be a buggy time of year so repellent is definitely recommended and for the evenings, you might want a pair of long trousers as added protection against insects. Perhaps bring a lightweight waterproof jacket like a kagoule. Even though we provide waterproof ponchos on our game drives, you might like a fitted jacket to keep you dry, and then you can lay the poncho over your legs/binos/cameras etc. Ziplock plastic bags are useful as they are both dust- and waterproof so you can store items like bird books or cameras if it rains while you’re on a drive.
The winter months start sometime in May and it typically stays pretty (relatively!) cool in the evenings and at night until around the middle of September. Temperatures during the heat of the day reach an average of 28-32 degrees, falling to an absolute minimum of around 11 or 12 degrees at night.
From the end of August until the first rains come in around the middle of November, you’ll find it’s warming up in the Luangwa! By the end of September, temperatures reach an average of 36-38 degrees in the middle of the day and fall to an average of around 18-20 at night. After this time until the rains come, then temperatures can rise to a maximum of around 42 degrees, only falling to around 26 degrees at night. We do not have air-conditioning at Flatdogs camp but do offer electric fans in all our accommodations to help keep you cooler.
Our Chalet rooms are made of stone and thatch and are designed to keep you cool and make your family feel safe. The 6 regular Chalet rooms are found in 3 separate buildings: each of these buildings has a downstairs double room with en-suite bathroom and an upstairs twin/triple room with their own bathroom, just downstairs from the bedroom. All bathrooms are fully enclosed in the chalets. Each building has mains electricity, a kitchen area with complimentary tea and coffee tray as well as fridge and electric fans.
The Crocodile Nest is a large tented “house” with stunning views onto the Luangwa River. Step into your own private safari – enjoy lazing in the sun next to your own private swimming pool before taking in an exciting safari with your own private guide and vehicle. The house offers three en-suite bedrooms with semi-open bathrooms, sitting room, private dining room, WiFi, bar fridge, complimentary tea & coffee tray, safe and mains electricity. Minimum age 6 years.
Revel in your own safari adventure from the Jackalberry Treehouse! The house is entirely open at the front so guests here can soak up the wildlife all day every day whether on a game drive or from the comfort of the sofa. The main decks are eight feet off the ground with a wooden stairway to reach the spacious sitting area and open-plan bedrooms. The house offers two en-suite bedrooms with open bathrooms (showers with views!), sitting space, private dining option, WiFi, bar fridge, complimentary tea & coffee tray, safe and mains electricity. If there are 4 of you, we’ll provide a private safari vehicle and guide for your whole stay. Minimum age 6 years.
Our morning drives leave camp at 06h00 and last for at least four hours. Night drives depart at 16h00 and return at around 20h10 when the national park is closed to all vehicles. We use a fully-equipped 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with radio so they are in contact with Flatdogs in case of emergency. Private self-drive vehicles may enter the park from 06h00 to 18h00 daily.
Night drives depart at 16h00 and return at around 20h10 when the national park is closed to all vehicles. We use a fully-equipped 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with radio so they are in contact with Flatdogs in case of emergency.
For most of the year, depending on the weather, we are able to offer walking safaris. These are a fascinating, more detailed view of the park ecology and of the wildlife. It is also a chance to dive more deeply into dung, or ultimately, to track game on foot either using spoor or with a little help from birds and animals who 'alarm' in the presence of predators. Walks last three to four hours and are commonly taken in the morning when it’s cooler. We also offer a drive/walk combination of a two-hour walk with a two-hour drive.
We have made Flatdogs the most ‘family friendly’ camp in the Luangwa. This means we have a pool, plenty of space for children and a children’s menu in the restaurant at children’s chow times. Children are not merely tolerated at Flatdogs….. we actually like having them! A nanny/watchman service is also available for when it’s grown ups’ playtime.
Wifi is available in the main area.
Click here to download the document
We have appointed a Covid-19 Health & Safety Officer, Mr Israel Njobhvu, to take charge of all staff & guest welfare and to ensure that all protocols are strictly followed. Twice-daily temperature screening of every member of staff is being undertaken and new guests will have their temperatures scanned on arrival at camp and each morning before their safari. Should anyone arrive with a temperature higher than 37.4, or Covid-19 symptoms, they can be isolated in a special room which has been inspected by the Health Department and confirmed as fit for purpose where they can recover, or depart for home, whichever they prefer to do. We will expect all guests to arrive with their own face masks in line with Government recommendations but can provide locally made face masks in case of loss. Staff have sanitizing stations available on arrival and during the day separate to guest sanitizing stations. Staff coming into contact with guests have been issued with Personal Protective Equipment and all staff will wear face masks when in public areas. All transfer vehicles for both guests and staff will be thoroughly disinfected with medical grade disinfectant before and after every transfer.
CHECK-IN/OUT: Contact-less check in – guests will be emailed their guest registration forms which now include contact number, route planned for departure and insurance information before their arrival. This can be completed digitally and returned to us digitally before arrival. There is a guest sanitizing station available on arrival. Guest luggage handles will be disinfected by the transfer driver on arrival at the airport.
RESTAURANT: Enhanced hygiene protocols have been introduced in the restaurant kitchen including regular disinfectant of all surfaces after each preparation, regular hand washing with soap and all food and beverage deliveries are thoroughly cleansed with disinfectant on arrival. There is a sanitizing station for guests to use before ordering their meals. All meals and snacks are plated or boxed separately for guest safety including the early breakfast available before safaris which used to have a buffet option, tea items and snacks on safaris. All hot drinks are now individually served rather than guests being able to help themselves. Private dining – guests are able to dine privately a safe distance from others, as each table is more than 2m from the next. Waiters and bar men all wear personal protective clothing for every contact with guests. All tables and chairs in the restaurant are disinfected thoroughly after each set of guests depart after their meal. All menus have been written on chalkboards in the restaurant for guests to choose from. All meals are individually cooked and plated for guests.
ACCOMMODATION: All accommodations are comfortably spaced apart so social distancing regulations are easily observed. Family units allow for families to remain together in their own accommodations with no need for any interactions with other guests. The house-keeping teams have been given and trained in enhanced daily cleaning protocols and all surfaces, handles and linens are thoroughly disinfected before each guest arrival and the surfaces and handles of all accommodations are disinfected twice daily. There are no glass windows at camp so there are no ventilation systems other than fresh air. Hand sanitizers are given to guests in every accommodation. SAFARIS A maximum of six guests only are allowed per safari in order to maintain social distancing requirements and all safari guides wear a face mask at all times. Safari vehicles are disinfected before and after each activity. Hand sanitizer is available for use on all activities and the guide will spray this onto guests hands for those who did not bring their own bottle on safari. Private vehicles are available to book if guests prefer not to share activities. The Crocodile Nest & Jackalberry Treehouse already come with private vehicle and guide.
GUEST WELLNESS We have a Doctor on call 24/7 in case of emergency or suspected Covid-19 case. The Doctor will liase with our health partners in Mambwe District in order to comply with local health regulations in the case of a suspected Covid-19 case. We have had a room cleared by local health authorities as compliant with health regulations and this can be used in case a guest becomes symptomatic. Tests will be carried out by District Health Authorities. We are informed by the Ministry of Health that should a ventilator be required by guests, there would be one available in Petauke, however this is a 5-6 hour drive away from camp. Alternatively, we can organize a Medical Evacuation for the guest to Lusaka if they prefer (under their own insurance cover).
Flatdogs is very active with the local community, conservation and environmental projects. Our community work is mostly directed through Project Luangwa, a charity set up by a number of lodges in the Valley to administer their community activities, focusing mostly on education and small businesses. Our environmental and conservation projects are varied in scale and content; some are based here in camp, and some span the whole Valley. See above our carbon neutral certificate and below links to Conservation South Luangwa among others.
Click here to view the Project Luangwa website.
We are proud members of Pack for a Purpose, an initiative that allows travelers like you to make a lasting impact in the community at your travel destination. If you save just a few kilos of space in your suitcase and take supplies for the projects we support in need, you’ll make a priceless impact in the lives of our local children and families. Please click here to see what supplies are needed for our project/projects.
- The Luangwa Conservation & Community Fund (LCCF) is a small charge added to each guest’s bill which is divided equally between conservation and community projects in the Luangwa Valley. Flatdogs divides its LCCF between the Conservation South Luangwa and Project Luangwa which work towards conserving our unique environment and improving the livelihoods of local people. You can read more about the LCCF on our Community page.
- All above rates are in US$ per person per night and assumes occupancy of 2 people unless otherwise stated.
- ZAWA Park fees $25 per day for International visitors (0600hrs-2000hrs). Unfortunately park fees have been known to increase without warning and if this happens any increase will be passed onto guests.
- ZAWA Park fees $30 per day for self drive visitors (0600hrs-1800hrs).
- Please note that visitors to the Park are not allowed to self-drive in open safari vehicles. Guests can drive their own closed vehicles (only until 18h00), but may not take open vehicles into the National Park unless they have a valid South Luangwa guide’s licence. Also, guests staying at Flatdogs Camp may not hire outside operators to conduct game-viewing activities.
- ZAWA Park fees $20 per day for SADC residents.
- For guests staying on our room only rate Safari Activities cost $75 in high season (01 Jul – 31 Oct) and $64 in low season (15 Mar – 30 Jun and 01 Nov – 15 Jan). Airport transfers cost $29 per person for a minimum of two people.
- Children under four years will be charged $46.50 per night for the Safari package and stay free of charge in accommodation as long as at least one parent is with them!
- Drinks and items of a personal nature (shop etc) are not included in any rates.
- Private vehicle rates are available on request.
- Payment in full required 30 days before travel unless otherwise arranged.
- Provisional bookings will generally be held for 14 days following which a 25% deposit (50% deposit for accommodation only reservations) should be paid or the booking will be released.
Once you are ready to make a booking with us, we ask for a 25% deposit on safari package bookings or a 50% deposit on accommodation only bookings in order to confirm and hold the space for you. Our cancellation policy is:
- 91 days or more – no charge
- 91 – 30 days before your safari – 25% cancellation
- Within 30 days before your safari – 100% cancellation
So please make sure you have adequate travel insurance to cover your Zambia safari cost, just in case something unexpected happens. We also recommend that guests have full medical evacuation insurance cover as we are by choice in a remote part of a remote country and the nearest local hospital does not always have a Doctor present.
Number: +260 977960463
Number: +260 971109913
Number: +260 216 246038
Email: info@flatdogscamp.com
Whatsapp: +260 97 4057277
URL: https://www.flatdogscamp.com/contact
Number: +260 216 246038
Email: info@flatdogscamp.com
Whatsapp: +260 97 7485873
URL: https://www.flatdogscamp.com/contact
