About

Chibembe Wildlife Reserve!

15,000 acres of prime wilderness in the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia's premier National Park

Norman Carr pioneered walking trails at Chibembe and in the South Luangwa National Park. Demonstrating that photo safaris could be more successful than hunting safaris, Carr persuaded his peers to open up the national parks of Zambia to operate walking safaris - the same experience as hunters enjoyed, but without harming the wildlife. Carr's vision created the photo-tourism industry and a new way of funding conservation forever...

On retirement from a distinguished career as a Chief Warden of South Luangwa National Park, Carr acquired the Chibembe land from the then Chief Mwanya and established Chibembe Safari Lodge in the mid-1970’s. Knowing the park well he selected the location carefully for its beauty and location on the confluence of the Chibembe and Luangwa Rivers on the eastern boundary of the South Luangwa National Park. Whilst much has changed in Zambian tourism in the last 40 years, Chibembe’s location remains unrivalled.

A number of renowned Zambian safari guides have spent time living and working at Chibembe including Phil Berry, Robin Pope, Simon Bicknell and John Coppinger. Simon, together with other investors, acquired Chibembe in 1996. In 2022 the neighbouring concession area in the South Luangwa National Park was acquired to create an area of circa 15,000 acres on either side of the Luangwa River now known as the Chibembe Wildlife Reserve. Norman Carr's vision has stood the test of time

Where is Chibembe Wildlife Reserve?

Chibembe Wildlife Reserve is located in the north-east corner of the South Luangwa National Park in the Mwanya District in Zambia.

International air access will get you on scheduled flights to Mfuwe International Airport (MFU) serviced by regular flights from Lusaka (Zambia) and Lilongwe (Malawi).   Airlines to Lusaka include South African Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Airlink and many others.

The flight from Lusaka to Mfuwe takes around 1 hour 30 minutes with Proflight.  Flights from Lilongwe are by private air charter, about 1 hour 30 minutes away.  Private air charters should be arranged to Lukuzi Airstrip (FLKZ) – all Chibembe safari experiences start at Mfuwe International Airport or Lukuzi Airstrip.