Need help/feedback with a Zambia intinerary
 

In 2005 I did a 4-day walking safari in South Luangwa with Robin Pope Safaris (Jason was the guide) which followed the Mupamadzi River. In addition, we stayed 3 nights at Nkwali and 3 nights at Nsefu.
So, now I'm planning to go back and am strongly considering using the Bushcamp Co. because the camps are small. I'm trying to decide which ones to choose. I'd like to stay in areas that are remote and are not the same areas where I stayed previously. I've been going a little crazy looking at maps and trying to figure out where all the different camps/lodges are...Hopefully, someone can advise me.
Also, here's my tentative itinerary--open to all comments, criticisms, and recommendations:
Kutandala - 2 nights
Bushcamp Co. - 6 nights
Chiawa - 3 nights
Old Mondoro - 3 nights

Is including Kutandala too ambitious? Should I just spend those 2 nights in South Luangwa?
Also, I'm not sure which direction to go. In 2005 we started in South Luangwa and ended in Old Mondoro (where we only spent 1 night)

thanks in advance,

fern

Great, you are going back!

I'd either spend at least 3 nights at Kutandala or skip it.

What month are you going?

We spent threen nights at Old Mondoro, and easily could have spent a whole week there. True wildness, intimate, and rustic, great numbers of wildlife and birds all around (and in) camp, yet classy and elegant.

Jim

phernska - I would concur with Lynn that if you do Kutandala that you do 3 or 4 nights. Personally I would want to include the N.Luangwa and would alter my itinerary to do that. Logistically if you fly its a short flight from Mfuwe to the N.Luangwa and doable.

I stayed at Bilimungwe, Chendeni and Chamilandu at the Bushcamp Co and they are all located in the S.W. of the park about about a 4 hour drive from the furthest one out (Bilimunge) to the Mfuwe Lodge. They are fairly close to each other as you can walk from camp to camp. The Bushcamp guides, and camps were first rate and there were no other people around. You could possibly do only 2 of the 3 camps and that would open up some more days in the North.

Yo experience the avrious terrains traversed by the BCC I would suggest that you opt for three nights at Bilimungwe or Kapamba (they are both down there in the south) or three nights at either Chindeni or Chamilandu, not as far down in the south but siginificantly far from it all. So a combo of two of those for would be great. And if you wanted to mix it up a bit then spend a couple of nights at Kuyenda, which is quite different from the previous four and not quite as far from the entrance.

I would also consider a night at Mfuwe, as you might need the time for an early start to catch the outbound flight.

Thanks for all the replies...

Lynn--I'm thinking of going in May or June...I was there in late Sept. last time and it was very dry and getting hot. So, I'm thinking May and June would be a different experience.

Okay...If I add an extra night in Kutandala, would it be cutting it too short to reduce the South Luangwa portion to 5 nights? Oh, what the hell, I guess I should just add the extra night in Kutandala...why nit pick over one night!

Thanks again for all your help and enthusiasm...

Add 1 more day! That's the spirit Phernska!