Olimba Camp

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  • dining tent, olimba camp, south luang
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Olimba Camp was originally the base for the BBC’s Sir David Attenborough series, Kingdom – the longest their Natural History unit has ever stayed in one area to film! Today, the camp has been rebuilt and is the newest addition to the Remote Africa portfolio. Named after a resident leopard, Olimba, who was a frequent highlight for guests exploring this sector of the park, the camp sits in a secluded setting beneath an ebony grove, offering panoramic views across the Luangwa River and consistently high-quality wildlife sightings. Four understated chalets accommodate up to eight guests, supported by first-rate local guiding and a kitchen focused on fresh, garden-to-table produce.

Permanent lodge

South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Classic

From US$750 – US$1,400 pp

A low-key camp in the South Luangwa, originally built for the BBC crew filming the wildlife documentary series, Kingdom

An open-sided lounge, a communal dining room, a bar, and a small plunge pool

Four rustic-chic solar-powered chalets, with private decks and indoor/outdoor showers

Game drives, night drives, specialist birding, cultural visits, and photography

Our Roonterra Opinion
  • Top pick
It doesn’t really get better than staying in the same spot used by a film crew – anyone who’s seen Kingdom can attest to how spectacular the game viewing can be in this region! Fortunately the camp itself is now a much nicer version of the crew’s temporary set up!
Olivia Barclay-Hudson Product Manager

Activities

Activities at Olimba Camp focus on game viewing in the Nsefu sector of the Luangwa Valley. Guests can also visit Mkasanga village for insights into local life and Zambian culture.

Game drives

Night drives

Specialist birding

Cultural visits

Photography

  • Led by highly skilled guides, game drives are taken in open-top vehicles for up to four guests, guaranteeing unobstructed game viewing and photography opportunities. The Luangwa is known as the Valley of the Leopard, so there’s a good chance you’ll come across these stealthy predators, as well as lion, elephant, giraffe, huge buffalo herds, and African wild dog. Covered vehicles are available upon request and are generally used during the hotter times of the year.

    dining, olimba camp, south luangwa, zambia - Roonterra Safaris

  • Start your night drive with a scenic sundowner, before seeking out the South Luangwa’s nocturnal wildlife with a spotlight. There’s a whole new world to discover after dark, including owls, genets, civets, hyena, lions on the hunt, leopard, four-toed elephant shrew, and mongoose.

    dining, olimba camp, south luangwa, zambia - Roonterra Safaris

  • Home to more than four hundred bird species, the South Luangwa is an ornithologist’s paradise. Sightings might include bat hawks, Pel’s fishing owls, lilac-breasted rollers, crowned cranes, carmine bee-eaters, yellow-billed storks, and the yellow-throated long claw.

    dining, olimba camp, south luangwa, zambia - Roonterra Safaris

  • Enjoy an afternoon visit to Mkasanga village, where a warm welcome is guaranteed. You’ll begin at the Mkasanga school, supported by Remote Africa through the Tafika Fund. The local ladies will show you how millet is ground, and you can even try your hand at some pounding! Finally, visit a church choir for beautiful harmonies and the chance to join in some dancing.

    dining, olimba camp, south luangwa, zambia - Roonterra Safaris

  • Open-top vehicles are kitted out with bean bags, allowing unobstructed views of wildlife and ensuring great photo opportunities from every angle. For those seriously keen to hone their skills, private photographic safaris are guided by professional photographer and guide, Bryan Jackson. Please note that this incurs an additional cost.

    dining, olimba camp, south luangwa, zambia - Roonterra Safaris

    • Access & Location

    Olimba Camp is located on the northern boundary of the Nsefu sector in South Luangwa National Park. Guests arrive at Mfuwe Airport, before taking a 2-hour car journey to the camp. It’s also possible to take a 15-minute charter flight from Mfuwe to Lukuzi Airstrip, followed by a short game drive.

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    Warning icon
    This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.

    Facilities

    Olimba’s open-sided main areas afford spectacular views of the Luangwa River and an active lagoon teeming with wildlife.

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    Communal Dining

    Communal dining

    Bar

    Bar

    Wifi

    Wifi

    The areas include an airy lounge, a well-supplied bar, and a communal dining room, where guests gather for delicious lunches featuring freshly grown greens from the garden, and three-course dinners by night. Private dining is also available on request. Outside, the camp has a small plunge pool on its own deck for a refreshing splash between safari activities. Practical amenities include Wi-Fi and a solar-powered communal charging area for all your equipment.

    Amenities

    Guest accommodation at Olimba Camp consists of four solar-powered chalets constructed from canvas, reed, and thatch.

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    Mosquito net

    Mosquito net

    Shower

    Both indoor and outdoor showers

    Flush toilet

    Flush toilet

    Balcony

    Private deck

    Raised slightly from the ground on wooden platforms, these accommodate up to eight guests in either king or twin configurations. The interiors are chic yet understated, with each chalet offering cool stone floors, a fan, mosquito nets, a USB charging port, and an electronic safe, alongside an en-suite washroom with both indoor and outdoor showers. Private decks are designed to while away the time with ‘armchair’ wildlife viewing, furnished with comfy cushioned sofas, and a small table and chairs ideal for early-morning coffee. For groups requiring maximum privacy and a tailored safari schedule, the camp is also available for exclusive hire.

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    Talk to someone who’s been there

    Real expertise doesn’t come from a few trips to Africa. All our specialists have either been guides, run the camps, or grown up and lived in Africa. That’s over 600 years of genuine safari experience.
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    hello@roonterrasafaris.com
    Ellie Walkingshaw
    Business Improvement Director

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