Time + Tide King Lewanika
King Lewanika is a luxury lodge nestled into a wooded island in the heart of the VAST open plains OF Liuwa Plains National Park.
King Lewanika is the only permanent lodge in the Liuwa Plains National Park, and due to its position in the heart of the plains away from public camp sites it does offer the best possible Liuwa experience. The camp is arguably a little more luxurious than is needed in such a remote and specialist destination, but being built from scratch the owners decided to build to a level that will last, and we have no doubt that guests enjoy the extra comforts! The camp has a tranquil and exclusive feel, with lovely views out over the plains. However, choosing whether to visit Liuwa is all about the park itself, rather than the accommodation, and if you decide that you wish to visit Liuwa, then this is the best place to stay. The Liuwa Plains are magical and offer something different and special for anyone who has travelled around Africa a lot, and enjoys birding and exclusive wilderness.
Rooms
King Lewanika is located in the southern section of the park, and offers the only permanent accommodation in Liuwa. The luxury camp offers accommodation for 14 guests in six modern and spacious tented suites, one of which is a two-bedroomed family unit. The camp is nestled into a small pocket of woodland and the tents are built on low steel and wood platforms offering views out across the plains. Each suite is very spacious with a contemporary feel, with canvas and gauze stretched between a solid framework. Bathroom facilities include plumbed showers, vanity and flush toilet.
Central Areas
The central area is the hub of the camp and includes indoor and outdoor dining options, a bar, relaxing lounge and a camp fire.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for charging – Yes
Swimming pool – No
Habitat & Wildlife
The Liuwa Plain National Park is located on the extreme western edge of Zambia along the Angolan border. The vast plains, formerly the hunting grounds for Lozi kings, was proclaimed a National Park in 1972 and is largely cut off from the rest of the country when the Zambezi floodwaters spread out across the plains between Mongu (the nearest large town) and Kalabo (a small frontier town).
The 3600 sq. km. park is dominated by huge plains, dotted with small woodland islands and since 2003 has been managed by African Parks. It is home to the second largest wildebeest migration (after the Serengeti), which gather on the north-west plains during the start of the dry season and slowly graze their way southwards until the onset of the rains again in November.
Aside from the wildebeest, the park has always been a stronghold for oribi and has growing numbers of tsessebe, red lechwe, and zebra. Hyaena have traditionally been the apex predator in the park, but lion and cheetah are also resident and wild dogs were seen for a few years up until 2016 – it is hoped they will return. Other species returning include roan antelope and very occasionally sightings of elephant occur, a sure sign that the protection now afforded by African Parks is starting to pay dividends. Since 2007, African Parks have introduced a number of other species including eland and buffalo.
A total of 334 species of birds has been recorded and the birdlife is particularly spectacular in the rains when large flocks of migratory cranes, storks, egrets, pratincole and waterfowl are seen. Liuwa is an important breeding ground for the rare wattled crane.
Activities
Liuwa is home to the second largest wildebeest migration (approximately 25,000 strong) in Africa, which is resident on the southern plains close to King Lewanika Lodge from November to June. Liuwa has healthy populations of spotted hyaena, the dominant predator, and with careful management the number of other predators (lion and cheetah in particular) are increasing. Birdlife on the plains is superb, especially during the ‘flood season’ (January to April) and around the many lagoons as the waters dry up. Activities focus on daily game drives across the plains in open 4×4 vehicles, whilst guided walks and night drives are also available. Liuwa is a fairly specialist game viewing destination where guests can enjoy the wilderness, incredible open scenery, big skies, wonderful birding and exclusive game drives. Canoeing on the flood plain is also possible.
Seasons
King Lewanika is open from October through to mid-July each year.
King Lewanika as a camp is quite suitable for families and their family unit is perfect for families wishing to sleep under one roof. However the nature of this specialist destination means that it is unlikely to be chosen for a typical family safari. Kids should be old enough and keen enough to appreciate the remote wilderness they are exploring.
Time + Tide, owners of King Lewanika, operate the Time + Tide Foundation which connects their lodges with neighbouring communities. The projects undertaken by the Foundation reinforce conservation, health and education in the areas they operate with their current focus being on the educational opportunities for girls and handicapped children.
They are creating support structures in Liuwa and the Lower Zambezi for female students and handicapped children. Girls clubs will be introduced in schools to build their self-confidence, reproductive health knowledge and English language skills. Through sponsorship programmes in secondary schools they aim to increase girls’ academic advancement in spite of community views towards female education.
The Foundation aims to promote a home-based care programme that provides community volunteers with the skills to support handicapped children and so increasing the number of disabled children in formal education.
By working with parents, guardians and teachers to encourage a more open-minded approach to education, the Foundation hope to see 40% of all female students advance to secondary school and 70% of handicapped children in home-based programmes enrolled in primary schools.