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Where to Stay

Kafunta River Lodge

from $710 per person per night for 2026/27

One of the few owner-run camps in the South Luangwa Valley

Kafuna River Lodge was opened in the South Luangwa National Park by Ron and Anke Cowan in 1998. The camp sits outside of the national park on the other side of the river, but its private crossing points have meant that guests at Kafunta can easily get across to the plains of the national park.

Amazing views out across the river and into the park

The cross over into the park but this is not too bad.

About the location

The camp is located outside of the national park and the Luangwa River marks the barrier between the national park and the game management area.

The game management area, which Nkwali also sits on, has resident game as there are no fences and the animals are free to move between the national park and the GMA, but game drives are mostly done in the park as the sightings are more reliable.

Do see Parks & Regions on this page.

lodge Layout

Kafunta River Lodge is formed of a total of ten rooms – eight safari chalets and two luxury suites, each with private verandas and en-suite bathrooms. The camp has a swimming pool, a natural hot spring tub, a small gym and spa and the main area has a cosy lounge, dining and bar area.

Do see our new Kafunta River Lodge Picture Gallery further down this page.

Kafunta River Lodge Accomodation

The chalets are built on raised wooden platforms and have natural thatch roofs. The rooms have simple yet colourful furnishings and the use of natural materials give it an authentic design. The luxury suites have a private deck, an upstairs viewing veranda and larger bathroom.

Do see Best Safaris & Holidays on this page.

Wildlife & Activities at Kafunta River Lodge

Two game activities are included at Kafunta River Lodge, one early morning at around 6am, and the other in the late afternoon at around 4pm. Kafunta have their own crossing points into the national park which are used to cut down on logistics and time using the main gate. Game drives and walking safaris can be done, all on a shared basis.

Don’t miss our Kafunta River Lodge Wildlife Guide on this page.

How to book Kafunta River Lodge

Please call us in the UK on the usual +44 1525 840 149 or email info@theafricaspecialists.com to check availability, best prices and what adventures you have in mind. We can plan and arrange it all for you and have been for over 20 years!

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Where on the map is Kafunta River Lodge?

Kafunta River Lodge

Kafunta River Lodge, South Luangwa National Park map

Kafunta River Lodge Highlights

Just some of the highlights of this hand-picked South Luangwa National Park lodge. Do call us direct for any other details or to help with planning and logistics.

Luxury Accommodation

8 safari chalets & 2 luxury suites

4WD Drive Game Safaris

Game drives & walking options

Swimming Pool

swimming pool included

Elephants all around

amazing wildlife

Private Restaurant

private dining available

Spacious rooms

cosy lounge, dining & bar area options

Please go to either of our Tailormade Safari Trips pages to see a lot more safari trips, ideas and budgets.

What kind of wildlife should you expect to find around Kafunta River Lodge for 2026/27?

For 2026/27, we expect you’ll be able to find the following wildlife around the Kafunta River Lodge bearing in mind the quality of guiding, budgets, time of year and duration of stay all affect your chances of finding or seeing any of the following outstanding wildlife that dwell in this part of the South Luangwa National Park…

Don't miss our full Africa Wildlife Guide right here.

What are your best safari trips & itineraries to Kafunta River Lodge’s South Luangwa National Park for 2026/27?

Some of our most-popular tailor-made trips for the South Luangwa National Park that could include a stay at Kafunta River Lodge include...
Days7Days14

Duration

$5,000$7,500

Price Brackets (USD)

1 The Best of Zambia

Africa, Zambia

Visits : Lower Zambezi National Park, Lusaka, South Luangwa National Park, Victoria Falls Africa, Zambia

This ‘best bits of Zambia’ itinerary combines the mighty Victoria Falls, the South Luangwa National Park and the exhilarating Lower Zambezi National Park. If you want to tick off Zambia with all… More…

9 Nights

FROM $7,500pp/pn

Waterberry lodge victoria falls zambia waterberry sunset cruise victoria falls zambia

2 The Greatest Walking Safari

Africa, Zambia

Visits : Lusaka, South Luangwa National Park Africa, Zambia

Zambia is famous for its walking safaris so this itinerary gives you a feel for the best bush walks and camps in the South Luangwa National Park. You will stay in three… More…

8 Nights

FROM $5,000pp/pn

Walking Safaris in South Luangwa, Zambia

3 World Class Waterfall and Safari

Africa, Zambia

Visits : Lusaka, South Luangwa National Park, Victoria Falls Africa, Zambia

If you only have a week to travel Zambia, this itinerary will cover the essentials. Spend 2 nights at Victoria Falls to fit in all of the adrenaline activities the falls has… More…

8 Nights

FROM $7,000pp/pn

Victoria Falls, Zambia, Royal Livingstone Hotel

4 Crocodiles and Leopards

Africa, Zambia

Visits : Lower Zambezi National Park, Lusaka, South Luangwa National Park Africa, Zambia

This itinerary combines fantastic camps in the Lower Zambezi National Park and then onto the South Luangwa National Park. You can enjoy safaris on the water, in open-sided vehicles and on foot… More…

7 Nights

FROM $6,000pp/pn

Leopard at the Old Mondoro Camp, Zambia

5 Zambia and Zanzibar

Africa, Zambia, Zanzibar

Visits : Lower Zambezi National Park, South Luangwa National Park, Tanzania, Zanzibar and islands, Zanzibar beaches Africa, Zambia, Zanzibar

Although Zambia ticks all the boxes for an exhilarating safari experience, it is a landlocked country so it does not have a beach to jump onto after your safari. This itinerary combines… More…

14 Nights

FROM $7,000pp/pn

Pongwe Beach Hotel

Don't miss our new Africa Safari Finder to find safari ideas by destination, region and type...

What are the other best lodges in South Luangwa National Park for 2026/27?

We highly recommend the following lodges for South Luangwa National Park for 2026/27. These are all tried and tested by The Africa Specialists™ so don’t hesitate to call us with any queries over them or to check availability.

NB. All prices for properties exclude applicable park fees and are guide prices.

$425$1,840

Price pp pn (USD)

Stars3Stars5

Our Rating

4 Nights

Tafika Camp

South Luangwa National Park

From $980 per person per night
See the camp now
Tafika Camp

4 Nights

Nsefu Camp

South Luangwa National Park

From $1,150 per person per night
See the camp now
Nsefu Camp

4 Nights

Mchenja Camp

South Luangwa National Park

From $1,200 per person per night
See the camp now
Mchenja Camp

4 Nights

Chinzombo

South Luangwa National Park

From $1,840 per person per night
See the camp now
Chinzombo

4 Nights

Tena Tena

South Luangwa National Park

From $1,150 per person per night
See the camp now
Tena Tena

4 Nights

Flatdogs Camp

South Luangwa National Park

From $425 per person per night
See the camp now
Flatdogs Camp

4 Nights

Luangwa Safari House

South Luangwa National Park

From $600 per person per night
See the camp now
Luangwa Safari House

4 Nights

Kakuli Camp

South Luangwa National Park

From $1,200 per person per night
See the camp now
Kakuli Camp

4 Nights

Kapamba Bush Camp

South Luangwa National Park

From $955 per person per night
See the camp now
Kapamba Bush Camp

4 Nights

Luwi Camp

South Luangwa National Park

From $1,030 per person per night
See the camp now
Luwi Camp

4 Nights

Nsolo Camp

South Luangwa National Park

From $1,030 per person per night
See the camp now
Nsolo Camp

4 Nights

Chamilandu Bush Camp

South Luangwa National Park

From $955 per person per night
See the camp now
Chamilandu Bush Camp

4 Nights

Zunguilila Bush Camp

South Luangwa National Park

From $955 per person per night
See the camp now
Zunguilila Bush Camp

4 Nights

Bilimungwe Bush Camp

South Luangwa National Park

From $955 per person per night
See the camp now
Bilimungwe Bush Camp

4 Nights

Mfuwe Lodge

South Luangwa National Park

From $755 per person per night
See the lodge now
Mfuwe Lodge

4 Nights

Chindeni Bush Camp

South Luangwa National Park

From $1,066 per person per night
See the camp now
Chindeni Bush Camp

1 Nights

Crocodile River Camp

South Luangwa National Park

From $580 per person per night
See the camp now
Crocodile River Camp

1 Nights

Chikoko Tree Camp

South Luangwa National Park

From $580 per person per night
See the camp now
Chikoko Tree Camp

4 Nights

Robin’s House

South Luangwa National Park

From $455 per person per night
See the camp now
Robin's House

4 Nights

Luangwa River Camp

South Luangwa National Park

From $665 per person per night
See the camp now
Luangwa River Camp

4 Nights

Nkwali Camp

South Luangwa National Park

From $755 per person per night
See the camp now
Nkwali Camp

When is the best time to stay at Kafunta River Lodge in 2026/27?

Generally speaking, as the Kafunta River Lodge is in South Luangwa National Park, we recommend booking stays here with us any time on the following timescales — depending on your preferences and wildlife/safari viewing plans — but if you want to avoid peak season or aim to get the timing “just right” then do call us any time to check your plans, costs and best options for a fantastic Kafunta River Lodge stay in the 2026/27 season…

January fair

February fair

March mixed

April mixed

May mixed

June great

July best

August amazing

September great

October still good

November fair

December fair

Don’t miss our full When to Visit zambia guide on our main zambia page.

Why travel with The Africa Specialists™?

1

100% tailormade

We help plan your trip from start to finish
We make sure to include all your interests
We offer a range of accommodation types
It is your trip, made to suit you

2

Expert knowledge

We have over 40 years of destination know how
We all spend time in our destinations annually
Local contacts give us unique insight
We are true specialists

3

We have you covered!

We have full ATOL bonding for your financial peace of mind
We provide 24/7 emergency backup as you travel
We make sure that the properties and guides are the best!

4

A trusted service

Established in 2010, you can totally rely on us.
The Africa Specialists trust logos

Please call us any time on USA +1-917-336-2937 or drop us a note via our contact us page.

It is the people, the animals and the unique experiences that bring people back to Africa time and time again.”

Nick French, The Africa Specialists™

Nick French signature shot in Africa

What to do next...

Begin Your Journey (French's Safari Map)
Begin Your Journey

Step with us into a world where every detail is curated, every moment considered, and every horizon feels like it was reserved exclusively for you.

Craft Your Bespoke Safari (icon)
Craft Your Bespoke Safari

Tell us what inspires you — and we’ll shape an African journey like no other — right down to the smallest detail.

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Your Adventure, Tailored to Perfection

From private conservancies to remote luxury lodges, let us help you design your perfect safari adventure.

Please call us any time on USA +1-917-336-2937 or drop us a note via our contact us page.

Old Main Content

Nick/FiFi : This is the ‘old’ (imported) main content. Fi : This is what we’re copying up to the new hotel accordions.

Location

The camp is located outside of the national park and the Luangwa River marks the barrier between the national park and the game management area. The game management area, which Nkwali also sits on, has resident game as there are no fences and the animals are free to move between the national park and the GMA, but game drives are mostly done in the park as the sightings are more reliable.

Layout

Kafunta River Lodge is formed of a total of ten rooms – eight safari chalets and two luxury suites, each with private verandas and en-suite bathrooms. The camp has a swimming pool, a natural hot spring tub, a small gym and spa and the main area has a cosy lounge, dining and bar area.

Rooms

The chalets are built on raised wooden platforms and have natural thatch roofs. The rooms have simple yet colourful furnishings and the use of natural materials give it an authentic design. The luxury suites have a private deck, an upstairs viewing veranda and larger bathroom.

Activities

Two game activities are included at Kafunta River Lodge, one early morning at around 6am, and the other in the late afternoon at around 4pm. Kafunta have their own crossing points into the national park which are used to cut down on logistics and time using the main gate. Game drives and walking safaris can be done, all on a shared basis.

MORE PHOTOS >>

Kafunta River Lodge