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KULEFU TENTED CAMP
- Bush camp in Lower Zambezi National Park
- Just eight tented rooms
- Excellent game viewing
- Game-drives, boat safaris & canoeing
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The secluded and intimate Kulefu Tented Camp is situated deep in the game-rich Lower Zambezi National Park in the deep shade of tall riverine trees.
The Camp has a beautiful riverbank setting and comprises just eight spacious tented rooms on raised teak decks, each with twin beds, mosquito nets, en suite facilities (basin, w.c and shower), solar heated water and a private veranda. Profoundly peaceful and eco-friendly, the Camp overlooks one of the permanent channels of the legendary Zambezi River. Broad white sandbanks are inhabited by crocodile, hippo and sacred ibis. Ancient oxbow lakes provide a bountiful ecosystem for other resident wildlife.
The Lower Zambezi National Park is an extremely remote area with abundant and varied wildlife, including elephant, lion, buffalo, waterbuck, leopard, hyena, zebra, various gazelle and many bird species. The Park lies along the northern banks of the Zambezi River opposite Mana Pools National Park on the southern bank in Zimbabwe and offers excellent game viewing opportunities.
After sunset, when the paraffin lamps glow softly among the trees, the chink of glass and china as dinner is served is often accompanied by the nocturnal voices of leopard or a rare fishing owl. In the morning, the quest for an unforgettable wildlife viewing adventure begins. Discover Kulefu’s magnificent wildlife by boat, canoe, safari vehicle or on foot, and from the veranda of your own comfortable tent. Please note that Kulefu is open from 1 May to 31 October annually.
"We are delighted to advise you that Kulefu Tented Camp has now been moved to a stunning new site 1km downstream from the old location. The camp is now located on the banks of one of the permanent channels of the Zambezi River in a lovely sheltered and shady area.
The camp has been totally refurbished giving it a sophisticated and luxurious feel more in keeping with the rest of the Star of Africa Circuit. Changes include new furniture in the lounge area, the addition of a lovely riverside lounge nestled under the enormous acacia trees, a swimming pool, an evening fire pit area and new room tents, double the size of the old tents and all with bath tubs looking out over the river!"
The Lower Zambezi National Park was for many years a forgotten wilderness, lying along the northern banks of the Zambezi River opposite Mana Pools National Park. Enjoy the beautiful riverbank setting at Kulefu - ‘the faraway place’, which offers excellent game opportunities, as the wildlife is concentrated in the land corridor between the steep escarpment and the river.
The Lower Zambezi National Park was for many years a forgotten wilderness, lying along the northern banks of the Zambezi River opposite Mana Pools National Park.
SEASONAL DESTINATION:
Open from 1 May to 31 October
Deep in the game-rich Lower Zambezi National Park, there is a secluded, intimate safari camp settled comfortably in the deep shade of tall riverine trees. Profoundly peaceful, eco-friendly and well-appointed, the camp overlooks one of the permanent channels of the legendary Zambezi River.
Here, after a thousand-mile journey, the sunlit river spreads out to form lush islands inhabited by crocodile, hippopotamus, and sacred ibis. Ancient oxbow lakes today provide a bountiful ecosystem for other resident wildlife.
The Lower Zambezi National Park is an extremely remote area with abundant and varied wildlife including the ‘Big Four’. There are good populations of elephant, lion, buffalo, waterbuck, leopard, hyena, zebra, various gazelle and many bird species.
After sunset, when the paraffin lamps glow softly among the trees, the chink of glass and china as dinner is served is often accompanied by the nocturnal voices of leopard or a rare fishing owl. In the morning, your quest for an unforgettable wildlife viewing adventure will begin.
Discover Kulefu’s magnificent wildlife by boat, canoe, safari vehicle or on foot - and from the verandah of your own comfortable and very spacious tent.
ACTIVITIES:
• Professionally guided game viewing from open 4x4 vehicles;
• Exciting boat and canoe excursions;
• Birdwatching; stargazing;
• Walking safaris
• Excellent fishing opportunities.
AMENITIES AND SERVICES:
• The informal bar, lounge and dining area are housed in a magnificent central marquee, giving an open-air feel and harmonising with the surrounding environment. Beautiful teak furniture and natural fabrics add comfort and authenticity.
• Swimming Pool
• Riverside lounge nestled under the enormous acacia trees
• Evening fire pit area on the banks of the river
• 12-volt solar panels run the camp lights and hot water systems
• Video/camera batteries can be charged on request.
• Traditional paraffin lanterns illuminate pathways and tent entrances.
• Laundry service is available
ACCOMMODATION:
Eight spacious tented rooms on raised teak decking with twin beds or double beds, mosquito nets, en-suite facilities (basin, toilet, bath and shower), solar heated water and a private veranda overlooking the Zambezi River.
MEALS:
Meal times are at the usually accepted times but can be dependent on safari activities. A wide range of cuisine is served blending local ingredients with international flavours. Meals will be served outdoors whenever possible with surprise bush breakfasts, picnic lunches and sumptuous dinners under the stars on the banks of the Zambezi River.
CHILDREN’S POLICY:
Due to the remoteness of this camp and the proximity to wild and dangerous animals, only children aged 12 years and above are accepted
ACCESS/TRANSFERS:
Access to Kulefu Tented Camp is by light aircraft to Jeki Airstrip (15'38"S; 29'36"E). Charter flights available on request. From Jeki, a one hour transfer by vehicle to the camp. The transfer may take a few hours depending on game viewing opportunities en route.
NB: Should the rains start early in October, flights may have to land at the Royal Zambezi Airstrip as the roads become inaccessible during the rains. The transfer to Kulefu from Royal will be a 10 minute road transfer followed by a boat transfer that takes approximately 2 hours.
RATES INCLUDE:
- Camp transfers to/ from Jeki Airstrip or Royal Airstrip either by boat or vehicle depending on the season and weather conditions
- 3 meals a day
- 2 game viewing activities per day
- National Park entrance fees
- Laundry
- Local beers, house wines and soft drinks
- Service charge
RATES EXCLUDE:
• Charter flights to/from Jeki airstrip
• Premier wines and spirits
LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK:
This is Zambia’s newest Park and as such is still relatively undeveloped, but it’s beauty lies in it’s absolute wilderness state. The diversity of animals is not as wide as the other big parks, but the opportunities to get close to game wandering in and out of the Zambezi channels are spectacular. The Park lies opposite the famous Mana Pools Reserve in Zimbabwe, so the whole area on both sides of the river is a massive wildlife sanctuary.
The rivers edge is overhung with a thick riverine fringe, mostly diasporus, ficus and other riverine species. Further inland is a floddplain fringed with mopane forest and interspersed with winterthorn trees Acacia albida. The hills which form the backdrop to the park are covered in broadleaf woodland.
The Lower Zambezi National Park covers an area of 4092 square kilometers, but most of the game is concentrated along the valley floor.There is an escarpment along the northern end which acts as a physical barrier to most of the parks animal species. Enormous herds of elephant, some up to 100 strong, are often seen at the rivers edge. ‘Island hopping’ buffalo and waterbuck are common. The park also hosts good populations of lion and leopard and listen too for the ubiquitous cry of the fish eagle.
The Lower Zambezi National Park lies in the scenic river valley between rolling hills of a hazy escarpment and the mighty Zambezi River. On this remote section, the river has calmed down after its hectic journey over the Victoria Falls and through the Kariba Dam, and now flows calmly but insistently towards Mozambique and the sea. The river acts as the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe and on the south bank opposite the Lower Zambezi National Park, is Zimbabwe's equally wild Mana Pools National Park.
The park has three main habitats: the riverbanks overhung with a thick fringe of foliage and large mahogony acacia and 'upside down' baobab trees; inland floodplains lined with mopane forest and interspersed with
winterthorn trees and reed islands harbouring a myriad of wildlife; escarpment hills covered in broadleaf woodland.
The park covers a wide area but the escarpment acts as a kind of barrier keeping most animals in the bottom of the valley. This park is so beautiful that it is hard to know which to admire more, the scenery or the animals.
The Zambians who live along the Zambezi are very poor, yet their smiles are broad. They manage to eek out a meagre subsistence living on the banks of the river from catching fish and irrigating a few crops.
ANIMALS AND BIRDS
Wildlife seems less bothered by people when they are at water level and there are some spectacular opportunities in this park, to get close to animals from a canoe or boat. The tranquil river and floodplain scene is punctured by a huge variety of wildlife with antelopes and buffalo wandering in and out of the picture and herds of elephants up to 100 strong.
Baboons and vervet monkeys thrive here with their main enemy being the leopard. Lions prefer zebra or buffalo. Territorial hippos and huge crocodiles inhabit the river in abundance.
Bird watchers will be thrilled at the colorful array of birds including kingfishers, lovebirds, parrots and hornbills, and also upon hearing the distinctive 'cry of Africa' from majestic fish eagles.
Fishing is very popular in the Zambezi and the 'striped river dog' or tiger fish, attracts anglers from all over the world. They can be caught on fly, spinner or bait.
SEASONS
Zambia has three main seasons:
Hot Rainy Season: December to March is hot, humid and rainy with an abundance of insects. Lodges often close from December to March, as roads become impassable. Expect midday temperatures of at least 82°F (28°C)
Cool Dry Winter: May to September is cool and dry with pleasant mid-term temperatures around 75°F (24°C). Night temperatures go down to 46°F (8°C). Warm clothing is advisable for winter evenings.
Hot Dry Season: October and November becomes hotter reaching approximately 95°F (35°C).
The best time to visit Lochinvar is during the dry months from June to November.
LOWER ZAMBEZI SPECIALITIES
• Close encounters with big animals from a canoe or boat
• Bush walks and animal tracking
• Wading waterbuck and buffalo
• Beautiful scenery
• Tiger fishing
• Night game drives
• Elephants swimming
• Superb safari lodges located along the river
FACTS
Day and night game drives are an option
This is a malarial area
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