Travel to Zambia

When I created Nuru Expeditions, I wanted to offer something more meaningful than just another safari. I believe that travel, when done thoughtfully, can create positive change for everyone involved—the travelers who seek authentic experiences, the wildlife we've come to admire, and the communities who have protected these landscapes for generations.

Our approach is simple but powerful: 10% of every safari cost goes directly to local conservation organizations. But beyond the financial support, during your stay, you'll meet in person the communities that protect wildlife.

While famous parks like Masai Mara in Kenya fill with convoy after convoy of safari vehicles, South Luangwa remains refreshingly quiet.

I personally always avoid overcrowded parks and with Nuru Expeditions, you will too. Mass tourism is clearly detrimental to the ecosystem, and having hundreds of Land Cruisers at a single river crossing during the great migration is not only dangerous and disastrous but it's also the perfect way to make you regret your trip.

South Luangwa won't shy away from big park names. Here you'll find the world's highest concentration of hippos—about 50 per kilometer of river. The elephant population has recovered beautifully from near-extinction, growing from just 1,000 in the 1980s to over 15,000 today.

What makes South Luangwa truly special are the species you'll hardly find anywhere else. Leopard sightings are so regular that photographers consider this their holy grail destination. You'll also have the greatest chance to see a pack of wild dogs, which are one of the most endangered species with fewer than 5,000 individuals in the world.

Every memorable safari needs an exceptional guide, and Curteis brings something special to your journey. With more than a decade of experience leading groups in the bush, he has developed a guiding style that balances deep knowledge with genuine warmth, creating an atmosphere where learning feels like exploring with a knowledgeable friend.

Curteis understands that the best safari experiences come from patience and observation rather than rushing between sightings. He reads the landscape like no one else, noticing subtle signs that reveal hidden stories. His approach helps guests move beyond simply viewing animals to understanding their place in a complex ecosystem.

What guests remember most about Curteis is his ability to make everyone feel comfortable and engaged, whether they're experienced safari-goers or stepping into the African bush for the first time. His stories bring the landscape to life while his calm presence ensures everyone feels safe and included in each adventure.

One of the most meaningful experiences of your safari takes place outside the park.

You'll spend an afternoon with local artisans from Mulberry Mongoose, who found an innovative way to fight poaching while creating sustainable income. They collect wire snares—the traps that poachers set to catch animals—and transform them into beautiful jewelry and artwork.

During your visit, you'll create your own piece of jewelry from rescued snare wire. As you work alongside the artisans, you'll hear their personal stories about life in rural Zambia and the impact of their work. This isn't a staged cultural performance but rather an authentic exchange between people who share a common interest in protecting wildlife.

Every piece of jewelry sold in the store generates funds for anti-poaching patrols.

Zambia pioneered an approach to conservation that many other countries now try to copy. The philosophy is straightforward: wildlife thrives when local communities benefit from its protection. This isn't charity or imposed conservation—it's practical economics that works for everyone.

Around South Luangwa, approximately 30% of working-age adults earn their living through tourism-related jobs. Conservation South Luangwa employs 118 community scouts who patrol the park, removing snares and watching for poachers. Since 2003, they've removed over 10,000 wire snares and treated more than 250 animals injured by human activities.

At our level, we donate to Conservation South Luangwa as it's one of the best local NGOs that work tirelessly to preserve wildlife. We also arrange a meeting with a ranger to learn how they work and their impact on conservation.

We believe in transparency about where your safari dollars go. When you travel with Nuru Expeditions, your contribution supports specific, measurable conservation outcomes. Our primary partner, Conservation South Luangwa, provides detailed reports on their activities and impact.

Your safari helps fund anti-poaching patrols that protect elephants and other wildlife, education programs that teach local children about conservation, and alternative livelihood projects that help communities earn income without relying on natural resource extraction.

This approach transforms tourism from a potential threat to wildlife into its greatest protector. Every guest becomes part of the conservation story, contributing to the long-term survival of the species and habitats they've come to experience.

I've stayed in multiple places in South Luangwa, and Msandile stands out for its spectacular location in front of the Luangwa River and the hospitality of the staff.

It's a small and cozy lodge with every safari tent facing the river where you'll see elephants cross daily, hippos rest on the banks, and even several bee-eaters nest.