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OVERVIEW:
Flatdogs Camp offers fantastic value and a convenient location close to South Luangwa’s Mfuwe main gate. A friendly, laidback camp with an enviable position on the Luangwa River, it has a wide range of accommodations that make it an excellent choice for families, solo travellers, and small groups alike. Those seeking extra privacy will appreciate the à la carte dining, which offers a flexible approach. However, the camp is also known for its social element, with a buzzy bar and friendly staff. Safari packages at Flatdogs include accommodation, all meals, two game-viewing activities per day, park entry fees, a laundry service, and Mfuwe airport transfers.
ACCESS & LOCATION:
Flatdogs Camp is located just outside Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, close to the Mfuwe main gate. Guests usually arrive at Mfuwe Airport, followed by a 45-minute drive to Flatdogs Camp.
ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT FLATDOGS CAMP:
Flatdogs is a comparatively large camp with a range of accommodation options to suit groups of varying sizes. There are three classic tents for single use or extended stays, seven luxury safari tents, six chalets, a 3-bedroom tented house called ‘Crocodile Nest’, and the 2-bedroom ‘Jackalberry Treehouse’. The comfortable yet straightforward luxury tents are positioned on the banks of the Luangwa, each equipped with a mosquito net, an electric fan, a writing desk, charging points, and mains electricity. All open-air en-suite bathrooms feature a hot shower, flush toilet, and single basin. One of the tents is suitable for families, containing a double bed and two single beds. Another is designated for honeymooners as it’s the most private and overlooks the watering hole. Six duplex stone-and-thatch chalets have a downstairs en-suite double bedroom and an upstairs twin/triple room with its own bathroom. The partially open-air Jackalberry Treehouse is ideal for adventurous nature lovers, as it overlooks an active watering hole from elevated wooden decks, offering guests a unique vantage point to observe the wildlife. Finally, Crocodile Nest is the camp’s 3-bedroom tented house, boasting panoramic views of the Luangwa River, along with a lounge, a dining room, and an outside pool with sunloungers, parasols, and scenic river views. The property even comes with its own vehicle and safari guide, providing an added degree of privacy and flexibility during game drives.
Meals at Flatdogs are enjoyed at individual tables in the thatched restaurant, outside in the courtyard, or in the gardens overlooking the river. There are no set dining times, allowing guests to come and go as they please without being restricted by schedules. There’s also a well-stocked bar, which is a great spot to pull up a stool and share stories with fellow safari travellers. The camp features two outdoor swimming pools, and there’s ample space to sit under a parasol or on the Lamu-style hanging swing and observe passing wildlife. During the heat of the day, the poolside lounge is a comfortable, shaded seating area, perfect for enjoying a light lunch and refreshing drinks.
*Please be aware that the Jackalbery Treehouse and the Family Chalet are only permitted for families with children above the age of 6 years, for safety reasons relating to the balconies/decks/walkways*
ACTIVITIES AT FLATDOGS CAMP:
Flatdogs offers day and night game drives in South Luangwa, as well as walking safaris and village visits.
- Game drives – Days at Flatdogs begin with a light breakfast at 05:30, followed by morning game drives in open-air safari vehicles led by professional safari guides. You’ll explore the South Luangwa’s diverse wildlife, which concentrates around the river in particular. Look out for large elephant and buffalo herds, as well as lion, spotted hyena, and wild dog. South Luangwa is also renowned for its leopard sightings, often spotted during thrilling spotlit night drives that depart from camp in the late afternoons.
- Walking safaris – South Luangwa is the birthplace of the walking safari, a legacy that lives on with superb opportunities for exploring on foot. Accompanied by an expert safari guide, you’ll learn all about the smaller details of the bush, including the spectacular array of birds, medicinal plants, insects, and trees.
- Chundu village visit – Invited by its residents, visit a local village and gain insight into its residents’ everyday lives through details such as preparing maize for meals, collecting water, and visiting the nearby school outside of class times. Please be aware that this activity incurs an additional cost, and the proceeds are allocated towards community support and cooperative farming programmes.
*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.
