Thornicroft Lodge

In the dining area delicious international and traditional local meals are prepared. From the bar, you can order a selection of drinks for all occasions and unwind in the lounge or Zambia shaped swimming pool.

The lodge is surrounded by the African bush, set on a small piece of raised ground between the Luangwa river and a lagoon you get a sense of the wild while just a short drive from Mfuwe. Wildlife often passes through the camp at night to graze while during the day elephant, monkeys, mongoose, baboons and giraffes can visit.

There’s a constant interest as animals come to the water’s edge on the opposite bank to drink or even to bathe in the river. We have comfortable chairs on the bank for you so you can relax and take it all in.

In the evening you can sit around an open fire enjoying a pre dinner drink whilst comparing wildlife encounters, watching the sunset and finally seeing the stars come to life.

Simple but elegant accommodation is offered in nine comfortable en-suite chalets that are spread-out along the riverbank with fabulous views of the Luangwa River and the South Luangwa National Park beyond. More basic accommodation in dome tents.

The chalets are equipped with double or twin beds with high quality mattresses and bedding (draped with mosquito nets). There is also enough space for a third bed if required and they have cots for infants. The chalets have everything you need to make your safari a fantastic one, private bathroom, with a lovely hot walk-in shower, desk, tea & coffee making facilities, cupboard and hanging space, power points, both Euro and UK, 230 volt and fan, as well as verandah and the huge windows with views.

Lamps light the camp paths at night and lead you to the main lodge which is a spacious thatched area that houses the dining room, indoor braai/BBQ, lounge and bar. With a traditional roof, stonewalls and gnarled wooden colonnades the lodge has been designed to fit in with the natural environment.

In the evening you can sit around our open fire enjoying a pre-dinner drink whilst comparing wildlife encounters, watching the sunset and finally seeing the stars come to life.

Facilities include:

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Swimming pool
• Indoor BBQ
• Lounge
• Open air fire pit

More than that, Thornicroft Lodge aim to build your knowledge of wildlife and habitat during your stay, as the guides give you wildlife knowledge during your drives. With comfortable safari vehicles, equipped with cushioned seats and affording you excellent views. Each drive is an adventure.

Thornicroft Lodge has the finest safari guides available, firmly believing that a good safari guide enhances your whole safari experience. The guides will make your stay so much more enjoyable, informative and fun.

Morning game drives start at 6.00 hours giving you the best chance to see animals moving around as the sun comes up before the heat of the day drives them to shade. It is an excellent opportunity to see elephants going for an early morning drink and catch a hippo returning back to its pool.

All game drives are undertaken in open game viewing vehicles, to optimise your pleasure and experience. Drinks and snacks are taken along for your enjoyment whilst in the park. Depending on game sightings, we return to the lodge by 10.00 hours for a scrumptious “brunch”.

Afternoon or night game drives leaves at 4.00 pm. South Luangwa is one of the only National Parks in Africa to allow night drives. The last hours of the day are perfect for balmy game-viewing. At dusk watch the sun go down and have a ‘sun-downer’ while waiting for the nocturnal animals to wake.

Night safaris give you the best opportunity to see nocturnal birds and mammals, including owls, leopard and hyena. This is also the time when lions are the most active. With a powerful searchlight our guides scan the bush looking for the reflection of eyes. A sight that needs to be experienced. The safari finishes by 20 hours back in time for dinner.