Why book an African Safari (Especially Now)? Read More

South Luangwa Safari with Teenagers

Multi-generational safari travel is on the rise: grandparents, parents and children are now enjoying a proper African safari together: big wildlife, camp fires, sleep-outs and bush walks. Wilder and more remote destinations have become available to families, hosted by lodges designed for them and led by guides well experienced in family safaris.

South Luangwa with Teenagers

Family Safaris for all ages are offered across Africa but it’s your teens who’ll be able to do the most activities.

Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park is such a wild and remote place; indeed, few other safari destinations can match the pedigree of the South Luangwa when it comes to delivering big game viewing in unspoilt surroundings. Its ruptured, river-riven landscape marks the end of the Great Rift Valley and the park supports large numbers of animals, including big cats and wild dog, as well as a huge bird list.

Big wildlife in South Luangwa

Wildlife watching from a 4X4 makes up part of the safari experience in the South Luangwa.

And although you’ll find that many family-safari camps in the South Luangwa are happy to accept children of all ages – which works very well – the South Luangwa National Park is famous for its guided walking safaris, and that’s where the teenager bit comes in.

Families with younger children are not going to miss out – the classic South Luangwa safari activities are still available: 4X4 game drives, boat cruises, waterhole viewing plus age-appropriate games and fun. It’s also a park where spot-lit night drives are permitted, allowing for the chance to see leopards, bush-babies and perhaps the super-rare aardvark.

Boat cruise on the Luangwa River

River safaris give you the chance to see one of the Luangwa’s most famous residents!

But children have to be 12 or older to go on the South Luangwa’s other safari activities: canoeing, sleep-outs and bush walking (at the guide’s discretion). And with walking safaris now available to the family, a whole new facet opens up. Walking in the South Luangwa is one of the most exhilarating experiences imaginable; getting up close to herds of elephant and buffalo, tracking lions, watching hippos fight, all under the watchful eye of your armed guides and park rangers. Morning walks may finish with an alfresco breakfast; afternoon walks are bound to end with cold drinks and a sunset view.

Guided bush walk

Walking safaris add another dimension to your experience; teenagers are allowed to take part.

Teenagers? You know what you’ll be asked: and yes, some camps have internet but don’t count on it. Instead, you’ll find plenty else to entertain the family. Why not take them to a local community to see how their fellow teenagers live? They’ll have more in common than they might think. And make sure you choose a lodge with a swimming pool, or one with a photographic bird hide. The sight of Southern Carmine Bee-eaters in flight is something your family will talk about for a long time to come.

Southern Carmine bee-eaters in Zambia

If the Southern Carmine Bee-eater doesn’t spark an interest in feathered things, then nothing will.

Where to go? South Luangwa has a sister park – the North Luangwa National Park – which is far less developed than the South, and offers a more remote experience with a limited number of accommodation options. The central area of the South Luangwa is home to a handful of bush camps, usually operating on a seasonal basis, while the majority of the lodges in the South Luangwa are set on the Luangwa River itself, on the eastern edge of the park. Now you have a wide range of accommodation to choose from – budget-friendly, mid-range and top-end. And if you are a large family, it makes sense to look at private camps that can be booked exclusively and come with their own chef, camp staff, guide and vehicle.

Exclusive use Safari House in South Luangwa

Multi-generational families often book a private camp for exclusive service & facilities.

When to go? If you want the most comfortable experience, then Zambia’s dry season between June and October is hard to beat. June and July are cold and clear, offering reduced rates as a shoulder season, and then as the rivers dry up, the August, September and October period usually delivers the best wildlife watching as so many animals are concentrated at the remaining water sources but you’ll have to be prepared for some heat, especially in October. Avoid the rainy months of December through April.

Book your safari in South Luangwa with Teenagers

Dry season safaris usually guarantee good wildlife & the most comfortable conditions.

How to get there? The South Luangwa is remote but served by Mfuwe International Airport, making it easy to connect with travel hubs such as Johannesburg as well as other local destinations such as Victoria Falls; and if you thought your teenagers enjoyed the South Luangwa, wait until they get to the beaches of Lake Malawi.

Hands-on Expertise

  • We’re based in Africa
  • Consultants Travel in Africa
  • Knowledgeable team
  • Expect great customer service

Accredited & Bonded

  • SATSA – Bonded Membership (2061)
  • Travel Save Compliant Certificate
  • Fully Independent & Owner Run
  • Travel Support from Start to Finish

Reviews

It was a safari of a lifetime and exceeded all of our expectations!

Our mom grew up in Central and South Africa so we had visited the continent many times. My sister and I wanted to take our teens and husbands to Africa to experience the magic. We had a limited budget but big and specific expectations and by some miracle Walter was able to manage both.

Heather (USA)
Best trip I have ever been on. Highly recommend.

Would highly recommend. Safari online asked questions when booking and were efficient and knew exactly what we were looking for in terms of accommodation and animals were wanted to see. Gave advice on a few little extras with no pressure, which we did and am very grateful which make trip even more exciting. Would definitely recommend booking with them.

An incredibly well organised tour with no hassles whatsoever.

Safari Online understood our needs and was able to present us with sensible options to choose from. It was evident that this tour operator has knowledgable and experienced agents who can arrange a seemless tour. We were provided with a professional online itinary which was comprehensive and easy to use, knew exactely what to expect, and encountered no stumble blocks along the way.

Gwen (AU)
Safari Online made our fantastic family holiday dream come true!!

Safari Online have been nothing but professional and incredible from the time we made our first enquiry to the last day of our stunning holiday. Nothing was too much trouble for Walter. We are now starting to plan our next family Safari for 2019. Guess who we will be booking with??? Safari Online we hope you are ready!!!!!

Penni (AU)
Safari Online were extremely efficient and absolutely charming to work with.

Our 28-day itinerary took us to South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana. A magnificent and unforgettable adventure. Everything ran smoothly and efficiently from the flights, transfers, rides, connections, etc. Absolutely wonderful! Can’t thank them enough!

Ann and Mario (Canada)
Very helpful good suggestions for holiday ideas always available for questions good organising

Excellent service and they supplied good suggestions for our holiday they also organised all internal flights and arranged check in for us so we had no worries while on holiday. We have had a most memorable holiday staying at wonderful places thanks to Sabrina and Safari Online. Would recommend Safari Online to organise your holiday.

Lorraine (UK)
Karina was absolutely instrumental to our safari success.

Our experience with Safari Online was excellent. After becoming very frustrated trying to search for a safari destination on our own, we turned to Karina for help and she was a lifesaver.  We had an amazing safari adventure at the lodge–the experience of a lifetime–and are so grateful for her help. We literally couldn’t have done it without her!

Chris (USA)
Professional, patient, efficient and responsive. Met all our travel needs and requirements spot on

Communication was excellent – I asked A LOT of questions and did a ton of research myself and Walter was extremely patient with me and very responsive. he was straight forward and extremely professional. Tour itself was excellent – an incredible experience and one never to be forgotten. Everything was spot on.

Neena
Professional, quick and top of the edge service!!!

From the very first contact we’re very happy about the respond time and quality of information from safari-online.com. Based on the received first tailor-made quote, which is a weblink with all the details about the flights, photos of the lodges etc. we knew that this is “our” partner for this trip. Our expectations were excelled!!!

Lukas (Germany)
Walter has always been an excellent communicator and has supported us fully

We have been to Africa for 24 of the last 27 years so know a bit about what is involved. Walter has arranged the details for the last couple of years, and has done a superb job. He is always quick to respond and comes up with answers immediately……..no evasive tactics, always head-on!

Roger (UK)