Don't mind the Elephant in the Room...
Escape to the beautiful, game rich South Luangwa National Park in Zambia and stay in Mfuwe Lodge. This eco-friendly lodge is situated just inside the Park and is easily accessible. The main lodge consists of a group of thatched buildings situated on the banks of a lagoon.The whole lodge is shaded in the dappled light cast by ancient Ebony and Mahogany trees.Mfuwe Lodge has constantly been voted one of the best lodges in Zambia over the past few years. It has 18 thatched chalets which are perfectly placed so that guests can enjoy the views over the river, and watch the antics of the honking Hippos in private.Each suite is beautifully furnished and is decorated in an African theme. They are furnished with comfortable beds and showers which have panoramic views.
The Elephants pass through...
Mfuwe Lodge is unique in that each year a group of very special guests arrive at reception and "check in" for a few hours. These are not your typical guests though but are Elephants. At the end of October and beginning of November every year the Elephants wander through reception, much to the delight of the guests. This annual event has been widely reported and is now one of lodges biggest draw cards.Why, would these Elephants wander through a building? Has it been constructed on some ancient migration route? No, it appears that the Elephants are after the luscious wild Mangoes (Cordyla Africana) that ripen on a tree in the lodge garden. It is this which draws these gentle giants back year after year.The herd is led by a matriarch affectionately known as Wonky Tusk and her theory seems to be, "Why walk round, when there is a perfectly good direct route through the reception?" The Elephants often wander through daily, and many guests are left humbled by this experience.The rest of the year...
The game viewing is no less spectacular and the lodge is still worth a visit during the rest of the year. guests may still see Wonky Tusk's herd around. The South Luangwa offers some of the best game viewing in Africa. Set out on an early morning game drive in an open safari vehicle.Your guide will look for tracks in the sand and interpret what animals passed by in the night. The morning is when many of the animals are at their most active and game viewing should be at its best.Luangwa is often called one of the best wildlife reserves in Africa with prolific populations of plains game, Elephant and Buffalo. Visitors can also see Thornicroft's Giraffe which is unique to the valley. Small herds of Zebra and Puku are often seen on the grasslands around the pans, which are called dambos.
by Michael English
Mfuwe Lodge in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia has a very special feature - you don't need to go out looking for wildlife, they come to ...