After we spotted 80% of the big five during our trips to the Etosha and Chobe National Park we were only missing leopards. Amongst the best places to see these big cats is the South Luangwa National Park. The prices for safaris and lodges in the area are exorbitant but we found a way that was acceptable for our budget. Where to stay? We found the Marula Lodge on the internet and from the communication via email we had right away a great … [Read more...] about The South Luangwa National Park on a budget
Destinations
Lake Malawi
It was a bit of an odyssey to get to our next destination. We started off with our travel buddy Geoff at 5 am in South Luangwa, Zambia and took a local bus to Chipata. From here we went to the border by taxi, and then another taxi from the border to Mchinji. From here, we took a minibus to Lilongwe, the capital. After three more buses, we arrived at Lake Malawi, exhausted at around 7 pm, which adds up to around 14 hours on the road. Monkey … [Read more...] about Lake Malawi
How to travel from Livingstone to the South Luangwa National Park
After the Victoria Falls, we planned to go straight to Malawi because after the initial research the South Luangwa National Park was too expensive for budget backpackers. But we found the packages of the Marula Lodge and decided to go. Here is how we got from Livingstone to the national park. Bus from Livingstone to Lusaka Since you almost cross the whole country there is no possibility to complete the journey in one day. The first leg is a … [Read more...] about How to travel from Livingstone to the South Luangwa National Park
South Luangwa National Park
Our next stop in Zambia after the Victoria Falls was the South Luangwa National Park, famous for its high concentration of leopards. To get there we had to take an eight hour bus from Livingstone to Lusaka and stayed there one night. Then at 5am the next day, we departed on a 12 hour bus to Mfuwe. We made it up until 20 kms before our final destination when our bus broke down and it didn't look like an easy fix. Luckily, our lodge could … [Read more...] about South Luangwa National Park
How to get from Kasane to Livingstone
If you travel North from Botswana towards the Victoria Falls you probably have to get from Kasane to Livingstone. This is of course if you decide to base yourself in Zambia and not on the Zimbabwean side of the Falls. A lot of lodges charge about 700 BWP ($74 USD) for the transport, but there is a much cheaper option. Taxi from Kasane to the immigration in Botswana This is the easiest step on the way to your next country. You just walk to … [Read more...] about How to get from Kasane to Livingstone
Victoria Falls
Together with our new travel buddy, Geoff, we made our way from Kasane to the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls, probably one of the most popular sights in Southern Africa. Getting wet at the Victoria Falls After setting up our tents at the amazing Jolly Boys Backpackers, we could chill the afternoon after some exhausting days. The next morning, we took the free shuttle to the park’s entrance. The falls can be visited from Zambia … [Read more...] about Victoria Falls