Sungani Lodge

independent, family-owned and thoughtfully designed

Sungani Lodge is located in the South Luangwa South area of eastern Zambia.

Set beside a richly vegetated lagoon just back from the main Luangwa River, Sungani Lodge occupies one of the most remote and private corners of the reserve.

Sungani is an unusually refined offering by local standards, with a distinct aesthetic. The family ownership has invested deeply in elegant interiors, personalised service and low-impact sustainability. There’s a sense of comfort and detail here that will suit guests looking for something more luxurious and intimate, but without losing the authenticity of the bush.

On arrival, the lodge reveals itself across raised wooden walkways and shaded decks, with interiors that balance soft fabrics and timber detail. The main area includes a generous lounge, well-stocked bar, and shaded dining. Outside, there’s a boma fire circle, a viewing deck with plunge pool, and ample space for relaxation between drives.

Animals in camp

As with most camps in the valley, it is often possible to view a lot of animals in and around Sungani Camp, especially hippos, elephants and pukus.

Rooms

Guest accommodation at Sungani Lodge is in just seven guest suites …

Standard Suites : 6 : Beautifully finished timber-and-canvas rooms set on raised decks above the lagoon. Each features a generous bedroom with wide netted beds, a private deck, plunge pool, stylish a private bathroom with copper fittings and indoor/outdoor shower. USB charging, fans and Wi-Fi provided.

Family Suite : 1 : A two-bedroom suite with a shared lounge and deck. Ideal for families or small groups wanting privacy. Same high-quality fittings and lagoon views.

Activities

This far south, animal activity has historically been less predictable, largely due to poaching. However, the establishment of the two camps down here in 2018 has led to a great improvement and you can now expect good levels of sightings.

You are also highly unlikely to encounter other vehicles this far south, which can be a significant advantage during the Jul-Sep peak season, when other parts of the reserve can get relatively busy.

Sungani Camp provides the following guided activities …

• vehicle safari
• walking safari
• night vehicle safari
• seasonal boat 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.

Sungani Camp tends to be the second or third stop within South Luangwa, so most commonly features in longer and more comprehensive safaris.

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.

Sungani lies in the far south of the Luangwa and is reached by light aircraft from Mfuwe Airport to the private Sungani Airstrip.

Charter flights between Sungani and destinations like Lower Zambezi or Liuwa Plain are also possible, and recommended for private groups looking to avoid multi-stop connections.

usually combined with Livingstone and other safari areas