Mitch,
I also have been communicating with Luangwa River Lodge, at Roccos's suggestion. Barry has been very helpful.
But are you saying that that wouldn't be the best location for wildlife viewing? What would you suggest for possibly 3 locations (that wouldn't involve long transfers between)that you would consider best----spending 3-4 days at each place.
Thanks

tigerpaw,

I think I already made my opinion regarding the wildlife situation outside the park clear.

My suggestions for three locations are southern sector of the park (Bushcamp Company), Mfuwe Sector (Puku Ridge) and Nsefu Sector (Nsefu, Tena Tena, Kaingo, Tafika).

You can find links to the camps on my website at
http://www.safari-portal.de/Lodging....SouthLuangwaNP

Mitch

PS: If you don't want longer transfers (what is long?) I always would recommend to stay in Nsefu Sector.

tigerpaw-Rocco should be posting about his stay at luangwa river lodge in about 7 days when he gets to capetown (if not sooner if he can persuade Barry to get him online) and will tell us about the wildlife viewing firsthand. Bwanamitch seems to be VERY knowledgeable and helpful and i'm disappointed about his comments about l.r.l. and game viewing as i am staying there in october, but as he said, he's sure i will have a good time. Hopefully by some fluke, all the animals will decide to come to L.R.L while i am there! :)

Pretty sure Barry will allow him to post... Rocco should be at LRL today or tomorrow. isnt it funny

Mitch,
Thanks for the information. Your website is excellent.

Matnik,
I'll be very anxious to hear of your experiences. I'm sure you'll have a great trip. I'm in the planning process for a 2006 trip. Don't know which month yet.
Thanks.

Mitch or anyone: Do you know in which sector the Luangwa River Lodge is located?

The people of Luangwa River Lodge wrote me the following:
"We are infact located in the Upper Lupande GMA overlooking the Luangwa Wafwa section of the SLNP. As you cross the bridge leading into the park (Main Gate) we are upstream (North) 9kms as the river runs. About half way to Tena Tena camp. From the Airport we are a 50 minute transfer."

In Google Maps this is about here:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=-13.05...64128+(Luangwa River Lodge)&spn=0.140435,0.161121&t=k&hl=en

That means, the lodge is located directly south of Nsefu Sector and more than 10 kms away from all the other 'big' lodges in the GMA which are located southwest of Mfuwe Bridge,
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=-13.09...;t=k&hl=en

I have my fingers crossed for you, Dennis.

Mitch

PS: Please, Dennis, tell me the exact location after you are back.

Thanks Bwana!

After I've researched this one thing is clear:
Luangwa River Lodge doesn't share the same area with the other lodges during game drives. I also guess that they don't use a pontoon for getting into the park, instead that they drive north into Nsefu Sector.

Mitch

You should compare LRL's location with the area I will go:
http://www.virtuellesafari.de/Itiner...bia2005.d.html

Mitch

Isn't it a good thing that they don't share the area with other lodges on game drives? Fewer people, vehicles, etc.? Thanks

Or are you saying LRL doesn't even go into the park? Sorry - I really am trying to keep up here! ;-)

biting my nails here! i would think it's good they don't go where everyone else goes, right? just have to wait until we hear from Rocco! :'(

Here is map of the area on the Norman Carr Safaris website:
http://www.normancarrsafaris.com/zam...uangwa_map.htm

LRL is located SSW of Kakuli Bushcamp, the other 'big' lodges of the Mfuwe Area are located around Kapani Lodge, and Nsefu Sector is the park area east of the river in the north (east of Kakuli and Mchenja). It is unlikely, that LRL will do its game drives on the west bank because this area seems to be the 'concession' of Norman Carr Safaris.

Mitch

I'm reading that the nsefu sector is game rich, so if lrl does there drives there, we will be in a game rich area.

Dennis - I've read that, too. Mitch, don't roll your eyes at me but is the LRL in the Nsefu sector or not?!

(confused face here)

Sharon

Nsefu Sector is regarded as one of the best areas of the park. However, it's also the 'territory' of Robin Pope Safaris. Their flagship camp Tena Tena is located just NE of Kakuli Camp on the east bank, or in Google Maps:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=-12.99...1.905413+(Tena Tena)&spn=0.078655,0.084475&t=k&hl=en

So I really have no idea where the people of LRL are going during their game drives. Maybe they go SW and then cross the river... this would still be an exclusive area. Would be interesting to hear what Rocco is telling us when he's back.

Mitch

Sharon,

LRL is outside the park and outside Nsefu Sector. Have a look at the Norman Carr Safaris map. LRL is 7 o'clock (down left) from Kakuli Camp, in the area where the Luangwa River forms a big ox bow.

Nsefu Sector starts right of Kakuli Camp, the green lappet.

Mitch