Kafunta Three Rivers Camp

Highlights

• Set where the Luangwa, Kapamba and Lusangazi rivers meet
• Only five tents, so the camp never feels crowded
• A private star bed on every tent for a night under the open sky
• Walking safaris straight from camp with Kafunta's guides
• Game drives in the quiet southern reaches of South Luangwa
• Hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds in view from the main deck
• Cold beers around the fire pit after dinner :)

Information

• Lodge type: Luxury seasonal river camp
• Location: Southern South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
• Lodge size: 5 tented suites (2 river-view, 3 lagoon-view)
• Recommended stay: 3–7 nights
• Malaria risk: Yes — South Luangwa is a malaria area; take antimalarials on medical advice
• Getting there: Mfuwe Airport is the gateway, about 1 hour by scheduled flight from Lusaka, then roughly 3 hours by game-drive transfer through the park

Experience The Wild At Kafunta Three Rivers Camp In The South Luangwa, Zambia

Kafunta Three Rivers Camp is a five-tent seasonal camp at the confluence of the Luangwa, Kapamba and Lusangazi rivers, in the remote southern section of South Luangwa National Park. It stands on the eastern bank of the Luangwa, one of the few camps on that side of the river this far south. The transfer in from Mfuwe takes about three hours as a game drive, which explains why it feels so far removed from the busier central sector of the park.

The camp is run by Kafunta Safaris, the owner-run company of Ron and Anke Cowan, who have operated in South Luangwa since 1998. Three Rivers is the youngest of their properties. It is a seasonal satellite of Kafunta River Lodge and sits between the lodge and Island Bush Camp, which is a 7 km walk away.

The wildlife is the reason to come. Elephant and buffalo herds, giraffe, a wide spread of antelope, lion and wild dog all move through the area. The rivers and the oxbow lagoon draw in hippos, crocodiles and superb birdlife. The camp opens for the dry season only, from late May to early November, when the bush thins and the animals concentrate on the water.

Rooms and Suites

The camp has five tented suites: two face the Luangwa River and three look over an oxbow lagoon, and both settings bring wildlife right to the deck. Each tent stands on a raised wooden platform. Inside is a large bedroom under mosquito netting and an en-suite bathroom with double basins, a flush toilet, and indoor and outdoor showers.

The standout feature is the private star bed. It is a raised sleep-out platform, linked to the tent by a walkway and fitted with a mosquito net, where you can trade canvas for the open sky for one night or several. Hippos grunt in the lagoon below, lions call across the river, and the Milky Way stretches overhead.

Cuisine and Wine

Meals are full board, starting with early-morning tea before the first activity. A buffet brunch follows the morning activity, high tea comes before the afternoon drive, and dinner is by candlelight at the river's edge. Local drinks are included in the rate; premium brands are extra. The kitchen caters for many dietary requirements but not all of them, so tell us at enquiry stage and we will confirm with Kafunta before you book your Zambia safari.

Facilities

The main area is a tented lounge, bar and dining space on a wooden deck above the Luangwa River. Every seat looks across the river and floodplain, where hippos, crocodiles and birds keep the view busy from sunrise to sundown. A fire pit on the deck is where evenings end, drink in hand. The camp runs on solar power, drinking water comes from a purified borehole supply, and laundry is included in the rate.

Activities

The camp offers game drives, walking safaris and night drives, with two activities a day included in the rate. Walking is the signature experience. South Luangwa is the home of the African walking safari, and the riverbanks around camp are ideal for it; the 7 km walk to Island Bush Camp is also possible. Game drives explore the southern part of the park, well away from the busier Mfuwe sector, and night drives are offered as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Kafunta Three Rivers Camp?

Three Rivers Camp is in the remote southern section of South Luangwa National Park in eastern Zambia, at the confluence of the Luangwa, Kapamba and Lusangazi rivers. It stands on the eastern bank of the Luangwa and is owned and run by Kafunta Safaris, which has operated in South Luangwa since 1998. The nearest airport is Mfuwe.

When is Kafunta Three Rivers Camp open?

Three Rivers Camp in South Luangwa is a seasonal camp, open for the dry season only, from late May to early November. These are the park's best game-viewing months. The bush thins, water sources shrink, and wildlife gathers along the Luangwa River and its lagoons. September and October are the hottest months and bring the most concentrated sightings.

How do you get to Kafunta Three Rivers Camp?

Guests fly into Mfuwe Airport in eastern Zambia, about an hour by scheduled flight from Lusaka. From Mfuwe, the road transfer to Three Rivers Camp takes about three hours and doubles as a game drive through South Luangwa National Park. Transfers between Mfuwe Airport and the camp are included in the rate; flights are not.

What makes the tents at Kafunta Three Rivers Camp special?

Each of the five tents at Three Rivers Camp in South Luangwa has its own private star bed. It is a raised sleep-out platform with a mosquito net, linked to the tent by a walkway. Two tents face the Luangwa River and three overlook an oxbow lagoon. All have en-suite bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers.

Is Kafunta Three Rivers Camp in a malaria area?

Yes. Three Rivers Camp lies in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, which is a malaria area. Speak to a doctor or travel clinic about antimalarial medication before you travel, and pack long sleeves and insect repellent for the evenings. Every bed at the camp has mosquito netting, including the star-bed sleep-out platforms.

What is included in the rate at Kafunta Three Rivers Camp?

Rates at Three Rivers Camp in South Luangwa include accommodation, all meals and snacks, local drinks, two activities a day and laundry. Park fees, bed levies, the Luangwa Conservation and Community Levy, and transfers to and from Mfuwe Airport are also included. Flights, premium drinks, visas, travel insurance and gratuities are extra. The camp is sold as part of a tailor-made Zambia safari.

In Conclusion

Kafunta Three Rivers Camp is the choice for travellers who want South Luangwa at its most remote: five tents, three rivers and a star bed on every deck. The walking safari was born in this valley, and the southern sector lets you do it with almost no one else around.

Getting there is simple: fly from Lusaka to Mfuwe, then take the three-hour game-drive transfer into camp. Pair Three Rivers with Kafunta River Lodge or Island Bush Camp to combine walking and driving, or add the Lower Zambezi or Victoria Falls for a fuller Zambia itinerary.

The camp opens from late May to early November. June and July are cooler, with the bush still thinning. September and October are hot and dry, with game crowded along the water and cloudless skies for the star beds.

Uyaphi.com has been planning African safaris from Cape Town since 1999. That is 27 years of matching travellers to the right camp, the right season and the right connections, with no booking fees and no credit card surcharges. Tell us your dates and we'll build your South Luangwa safari around Three Rivers.