FREQUENTLY ASKED
You sure can! We offer an excellent mix & match package to enjoy the best of the safari world. A guide will drive your rental vehicle inside the National Park, he/she can take you on a night drive as well, and the vehicle is for your own use outside of the National Park. DNPW does not allow individuals to drive "open" professional safari vehicles inside the park. However you can explore yourselves the fantastic Game Management area without the need of our professional guide. Normal "closed" vehicles are still allowed in the park on self-drive, but they need to exit the park by 18.00 hours.
Unfortunately not, DNPW only allows South Luangwa Registered guides to drive open professional safari vehicles inside the park and actually so do we. Insurance and other liabilities just don't allow us to accept any other guides than our own, who have been duly trained by us and know the park inside and out.
Sorry no, our vehicles are only insured for game drives inside the park with our own team of guides. Therefore it is not possible to rent a professional vehicle and arrange your own guide. We work with an excellent team and can try and honour your request for a specific guide, but can not guarantee he or she will be available, or be allowed to guide on our vehicles, under our licenses.
Indeed our safaris are priced for 9 people, sitting on the back seats. So that is exclusive of the front passenger and the driver. We understand you might be with more people, or some are kids, but any child over the age of 12 is considered an adult. However, if there are smaller kids part of your group we indeed can be flexible. Depending on the total number and age groups, we can allow a few extra children, or for instance leave the spotter out on evening safaris. However, this is always up to our discretion. Understand 13 adults and a few kids will never fit and is just not safe. Better to get an extra vehicle and guide, mix up your times and have more flexibility with children anyway.
We ourselves do not offer accommodation, but can assist for sure! Since we call this area home, we know all the places and can assist with making your personal itinerary and arrange all bookings for you. We work alongside many accommodation providers within this area and are the specialists in offering safaris and / or vehicles for the people who do not want to share their vehicle with strangers. No need to accept set timings for your safaris, no price per safari per person, and yes to stay out longer or come back earlier, the choice is yours. We discuss plans in detail and arrange your self-drive, room only, self-catering or camping arrangements at any of the accommodation suppliers. This gives you the chance to explore the park and its surroundings at your own time and who knows even have a meal in local restaurant too and really get to know this area.
But you are more then welcome to enquire and have us arrange your full board lodge stay too. Which at most places include all game activities, room and board. We have some personal favourites and can assist with all planning and organizing and who knows make a suggestion you never thought of. Just let us know how we can assist!
You have found the right people! We especially cater for individuals and groups wishing to combine safari with community work. At times you wish to go on safari, our guide will take you and your group on a professional game drive inside the park. At those special moments you spend your time in the community working on various projects, you and your group can use the vehicle yourselves. Easy logistics at favourable rates too. Rest assured, we have short and long term experience with these sort of requests and can work on a flexible itinerary for you. Know that we support Project Luangwa, CSL, Muzanga Foundation and other NGO's within this area. Volunteers assisting these are receiving favourite rates.
We ourselves do not offer accommodation, but can assist for sure! Since we call Zambia home, we know all the places and can assist with making your personal itinerary and arrange all bookings for you. We work alongside many accommodation providers within this area and are the specialists in offering safaris and / or vehicles for the people who do not want to share their vehicle with strangers. No need to accept set timings for your safaris, no price per safari per person, and yes to stay out longer or come back earlier, the choice is yours. We discuss plans in detail and arrange your self-drive, room only, self-catering or camping arrangements at any of the accommodation suppliers. We can even supply you with a basic 2 person camping kit, inclusive of a rooftop tent. This gives you the chance to explore the park and its surroundings at your own time and who knows even have a meal in local restaurant too and really get to know this area. More and more private houses for rent are showing up too...
We have a fleet of 4x4 vehicles available for your self-drives in and around South Luangwa National Park. We can even kit this vehicle out with camping equipment, giving you the freedom to go when and where you want. Know that camping inside the National Park is not allowed. However there are nice campsites on the river at the boundaries of the park.....and indeed the park is not fenced, so plenty of wildlife to be seen there too. If wished for, we can even suggest an itinerary to get the best out of your self-drive around this beautiful area.
Undoubtedly the best way to experience Zambia is with your own vehicle. A self-drive adventure gives you the freedom to plan for your own interests and move at your own pace plus the thrill of spotting unexpected views, landmarks and wildlife at your leisure. We also offer vehicles for collection and return in Lusaka.
Our vehicles are to be used in the greater South Luangwa area. We do however have excellent knowledge and experience in the rest of Zambia and even Malawi. We service the area of South Luangwa and the rest of Zambia too. We can offer you a fly-in package whereas a different vehicle is ready for you upon your new destination. We can even combine safari, with the northern circuit, exploring lesser known waterfalls, lakes and mountains. Taking the roads less travelled ! So get in touch and let us explore your wishes!
Adding a rooftop tent and other camp equipment takes a lot of work. Therefore we only offer this option for the duration of your hire.
Our vehicles for the South Luangwa area are not comprehensive insured, however all 4x4 vehicles for self-drives throughout Zambia are (pick up Lusaka). Carefully check our terms and conditions and know that the vehicle (and optional camping equipment) is at the sole risk of the Renter (fair wear and tear excepted) from the moment the key and/or the vehicle is handed to the Renter until such time as Personal Touch has recorded the return of the vehicle.
Mfuwe (South Luangwa) vehicles are insured for self-drive activities in the South Luangwa National Park and visits to Community Projects or shops in the Mfuwe area. The 4x4's for self-drive throughout Zambia have a different set of conditions and also limit driving on certain roads.
All Mfuwe or Lusaka airport transfers are included in the price for hires of more than three days. If you mean other transfers, we can arrange that too. Please contact us with specific details, so we can send you a custom quote. Road transfers to/from Chipata, Malawi, Lusaka other places are all possible.
E-visa are now easily applied for online. Check out the very informative website of the Zambian Immigration Department. Visa on arrival are also available for most Nationalities, or , even better, no longer needed. Please check at the same page and ensure to have the correct amount in cash USD with you.
For payments of your reservation with us, we offer a multitude of payment options, even in your own country. So, yes EURO, GBP and others are accepted for payments of your reservations.
Whilst on holiday, the most accepted currency in Africa (besides the local official currency) is still US dollars. Be aware of notes before 2013 as these are not accepted. We advise to bring some cash and also some smaller notes. Ensure your bills are clean, undamaged and not stained. One hundred dollar bills might bring you trouble in getting the correct change. Euro, Pounds or South African Rands in cash are not accepted by us or many other places. You may be able to change these at a bank. Traveller cheques are also not widely accepted. Better bring your cards and draw funds whenever you can.
They sure are! However power outages, technical problems and other mishaps may occur in the more remote places. This includes Mfuwe. Best is to get some funds upon arrival at the airport or when in a larger town. Mostly you are only allows to draw maximum of K 4000 per transaction. For current exchange rates, please see Xe.com which shows you the mid-rate.
Yes you can. Know that park entrance is payable per person per day (not 24hrs). This means that you pay the same if you go in for a morning and afternoon or for an afternoon only. So plan your days carefully. If you are a safari fanatic and wish to go into the park each day, you can indeed pay all in one go and get a permit for your entire stay. Know that DNPW does not do refunds for any days not using your permit. Self-drive guests are allowed in the park until 18.00 hours. People on safari with our guide may go on a night safari and leave the park by 20.00 hours. The same personal permit applies, however the entrance fee per vehicle for entrance after 18.00 hours applies (once off, not per person). See terms and conditions for current fees.
It is pretty easy to avoid big crowds in the great outdoors of South Luangwa on your private safari, or whilst exploring Zambia in your rental 4x4.
Personal Touch Safaris is proud to have obtained the Global Safety Stamp. Ensuring you that we work according the Safe Travels Protocols set out by the World Travel & Tourism Council. Even after that horrible period, we remain vigilant. Our company has adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.
Read more on your safety, but also flexible booking conditions here
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