Puku Ridge

a good base from which to explore central areas

Puku Ridge is located in the South Luangwa Central area of eastern Zambia.

The camp is in an impressive hillside position overlooking the Kakumbi Floodplain, in the reasonably quiet southern edge of the Central Sector, some 10 km as the crow flies south of the main Mfuwe Bridge Gate.

It is a comfortable tented lodge, centred on a stylish main building which contains elegant bar, lounge and dining areas, leading out onto prominent decks above the plain and wrapped around with an unusual water feature which we think is primarily to provide a cooling effect, although maybe you can also sit and cool your feet in it. Out front there are some nice wicker seats hanging suspended from the trees.

There is no swimming pool here, but guests are welcome to use the facilities at the nearby Chichele Presidential Lodge, which is under the same ownership.

Animals in camp

The view out across the floodplain is perhaps the camp’s biggest single asset. The area has particularly rich soil, so tends to attract a good number of grazers such as pukus, zebras and impalas, with buffaloes, baboons and elephants often also coming into view.

There are also two waterholes close by which occasionally also tempt predators to visit and which are floodlit at night.

We particularly appreciated the picture ‘windows’ in the rooms, which made it possible to watch the sunrise and watch the wildlife without having to even get out of bed.

Rooms

Guest accommodation at Puku Ridge is in eight tented suites, ranged across the hillside to either side. Fronted by a large private verandah, each tent contains a lounge area at one end, a large bed under a large mosquito net in the middle and a conventionally plumbed bathroom at the far end, notably including a large bathtub. There is also a plunge pool on the exterior decking and a starbed on the roof. We particularly appreciated the picture ‘windows’, which made it possible to watch the sunrise and watch the wildlife without having to even get out of bed.

The view out across the floodplain is perhaps the camp’s biggest single asset. The area has particularly rich soil, so tends to attract a good number of grazers such as pukus, zebras and impalas, with buffaloes, baboons and elephants often also coming into view. There are also two waterholes close by which occasionally also tempt predators to visit and which are floodlit at night.

Activities

Puku Ridge provides the following guided activities …

• vehicle safari
• walking safari
• night vehicle safari

South Luangwa is a very high quality safari area that often serves as the primary location in a trip.

The stay duration tends to be 5-8 nights split between two camps, or more occasionally 3-5 nights at one camp. Three camp combinations are also possible.

Seasonality

The best time to visit South Luangwa is during the May-Oct dry season, when the wildlife is focused on the riverine areas and easy to find.

Within that period, May-Jul is pleasantly cool at night, but the animals may not yet be fully migrated back into the river.

Towards the end of that period, Oct-Nov the wildlife should be at its strongest, but the weather is likely to be uncomfortably hot, especially at night. Bear in mind that most camps do not have air-conditioning.

Getting around

South Luangwa lies to the east of the country and is usually accessed by light aircraft services from Lusaka or Livingstone.

From Mfuwe Airport it is 45 minutes by road into camp.

usually combined with Livingstone and other safari areas