Luxury Lodges · South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Kafunta River Lodge

Mfuwe, Zambia 3 suite options 5 experiences

Guide rate on request · final price depends on your dates Special offer: Long Stay Discount - Kafunta River Lodge

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Overview

Kafunta River Lodge is owned and operated by Anke & Ron Cowan who have made the Luangwa Valley their home for the past 27 years.

The 10-room lodge is located on the floodplains of the Luangwa River, away from the busier area near the park's Mfuwe gate. During the peak season the lodge accesses the national park via its own pontoon.

Central to the lodge is a spacious bar and dining area. Built around a semi-evergreen wild mango tree and thatched in the traditional style, it offers superb panoramic views over the Luangwa River and the South Luangwa National Park. Great game viewing and bird watching from the lodge is guaranteed.

Adjacent to the bar is a refreshing infinity pool and the only natural hot spring tub in the Luangwa Valley. This unique hot tub is fed from a source on Kafunta’s grounds, offering a constant temperature of 38 degrees. Here you can enjoy pure relaxation while being presented with magnificent views over the flood plains and the Luangwa River.

Activities on offer include game drives (morning, afternoon and night), bush walks, village & cultural tours as well as a wellness spa.

Since the end of 2023, the lodge also features a new private tented villa, The Sunset House, with 3 en-suite bedrooms. Perfect for multi-generation families or small groups of friends seeking more privacy and flexibility.

Suites & Rates

Suites and villas

Kafunta Luxury Suite

The lodge features two luxury suites, set further away from the main dining area. The suites offer a double bed on the ground floor and the possibility to make 2 extra single beds on...

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Kafunta Standard Chalet

The lodge features 8 standard chalets, constructed from thatch and wood to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings. Each chalet includes a twin-bedded bedroom, en-suite bathroom, minibar fridge, and ceiling fan. A private verandah...

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The Sunset House

The Sunset House at Kafunta River Lodge is a 3-bedroom canvas-roofed safari house with a private pool and private services (butler, chef, safari guide). The villa is divided into two units. The main unit...

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Offers

Current offers

Something extra Valid 1 Apr 2025 – 5 Jan 2027

Long Stay Discount - Kafunta River Lodge

When staying 5 nights or more, the rate will be approximately 10 to 15% lower.

The stay can be a combination of Kafunta River Lodge with Island Bush Camp & Three Rivers Camp (limited season for the bush camps)

Conditions

Valid for 5 nights or more, at one camp or as a combination of camps.

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Details

Good to know

Languages spoken

English

Ideal for

Adventure, Birding, Flora, Indigenous Culture / Art, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife

Property facilities

Accept Credit Cards, Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Children Friendly, Communal Dining, Credit Card Facilities, Disabled Friendly, Drivers Cabin, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service, Licensed, Mobile Connectivity, Outdoor Pool / Pool Deck, Parking, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa, Vegetarian, Wheelchair Access

Accommodation & amenities

Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Driver's cabin, Electrical Outlets, En Suite Bathroom, Family Safari Tent, Fan, Fridge, Hairdryer, Hand Towels, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Mosquito Nets, Mosquito Netting, Private Lounge / Sitting Area, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Smoke Alarm, Tea / Coffee, Verandah, Wheelchair Friendly

Services

Airport Shuttle (Complimentary), Credit Card Facilities, Disability, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Private Vehicle (Available)

On-site activities

Bird Watching, Fine Dining, Game Drives, Game Viewing Hide, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Massages, Night Drives, Safaris, Walks (Guided)

Nearby activities

Bird Watching, Child Friendly Activities, Cultural Tours, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, General Sightseeing, Safaris

Location

Coordinates 13.1635° S · 31.7397° E

AddressMfuwe, Zambia

DestinationSouth Luangwa National Park

CountryZambia

Video

Lodge videos

Kafunta River Lodge (FS2025)

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Kafunta Safaris - wildlife and activities

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A short video on South Luangwa's wildlife

Activities

Bush Walks

South Luangwa is the birthplace of walking safaris. Bush walks bring another dimension to a safari, focusing on smaller things, birds and flora while observing animals in the distance. Bush walks are not strenuous, but can take place over rugged terrain, lasting usually 3 to 4 hours. Qualified walking guides and escort scout are a must. Unfortunately children under the age of 12 are not authorised to participate.

Cultural Visits

Kafunta Safaris highly recommend a visit to the village of Mfuwe where Project Luangwa has a visitor center where one can learn about the many projects benefiting local education and communities, there is also a café and a craftshop . It is also possible to organise a side trip to the Mulberry Mongoose jewellery workshop and to the iconic Tribal Textiles factory and shop and its Artisan market. In Central Mfuwe there is also the Conservation South Luangwa visitor center to learn more about conservation efforts. Great for younger visitors is the Chipembele Wildlife Educational Center only 20 minutes away from Kafunta River Lodge.

Game Drives (morning, afternoon & evening)

The morning game drive departs at sunrise for approximately 4 hours, including a tea break. The afternoon game drive stops for sundowners and continues into a night drive using spotlights, to find smaller nocturnal animals or predators on the hunt.

Infinity Pool, Natural Hot Tub, Wellness Spa

Kafunta River Lodge features a small, intimate spa with an array of relaxing treatments performed by an on-site therapist. Enjoying the infinity pool and the natural hot tub and booking a massage at the spa is the perfect way to spend the midday hours between game-viewing activities.

Photographic Hide

The hide is set up right under the dining deck and is facing the floodplains and lagoon where many waterbirds including fish eagles and saddle-billed storks are often seen, along with elephants and giraffes.