A Weekend at Flatdogs Camp: South Luangwa Safari with the Crafted Africa Team

There are some trips you know will stick with you forever. Our recent team getaway to Flatdogs Camp in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia was one of those. For our Operations and Finance teams, many of whom had never been on a familiarisation trip before, this was their first time experiencing the magic of South Luangwa. What a weekend it turned out to be!

First Impressions: Elephants on the Doorstep

We barely had time to buckle up for our very first game drive when, just two minutes out of camp, we were greeted by elephants. It set the tone perfectly, a reminder that in South Luangwa, the wildlife is never far away.

Back at camp, Flatdogs lived up to their reputation for being eco-conscious and welcoming. Nestled in a grove of trees, the chalets blend into the bush, yet offer all the comforts of home. It’s also famous for elephants strolling right through camp as if they were fellow guests. That quickly proved true, much to the surprise of John, our Ops Manager, who was convinced there was a hippo in his room… only to discover it was a very relaxed elephant munching leaves just outside his window. We had a good laugh after he shared the story with us.

Meeting Lucy: South Luangwa’s Star Leopard

One of the team’s biggest highlights was seeing Lucy, one of South Luangwa’s famous leopards. For many on our team, this was their first leopard sighting and Lucy did not disappoint. She moved with effortless grace, pausing in the late afternoon sun before melting back into the bush.

The real showstopper came when we encountered one of her cubs the following morning. Majestic yet soft, he posed perfectly for us, stretching, yawning and looking every bit the future ruler of the bush. Although we noticed he carried an injury, his beauty and presence left us all in awe.

The Drama of the Bush

South Luangwa is famous for its raw, untamed encounters and we witnessed plenty. Lions lazing around with full bellies. Hyenas stealing from Lucy’s kill. A hippo sprawled by the river in a standoff with a lion and a sleepy elephant lying down just outside camp, enjoying its own siesta while we prepared for lunch.

The dry season painted the landscape in golden tones, but the air still carried the sweet scent of blossoms, reminding us of the subtle contrasts that make this park so unique.

Flatdogs Hospitality

When we weren’t out on game drives, Flatdogs offered space to simply be. Long lunches under the trees with visitors strolling past camp, the pool providing much needed relief from the heat and the sound of lions roaring at night just beyond our rooms. It’s the kind of camp where comfort meets authenticity and where you can fall asleep safely in a soft bed while the wild hums all around you. On our last morning, as we packed to leave, there was a shared feeling of reluctance. It’s not easy saying goodbye to ample amounts of wildlife sightings during a sunset game drives and hello again to inboxes and to-do lists. We left with something far more lasting, a deeper connection to the wild, to each other and to the work we do at Crafted Africa.

Why It Matters

Although it was a quick weekend away for the team, this was a lovely reminder of why we exist as a company: to connect travellers to places like South Luangwa, where encounters with astonishing wildlife and the beauty of a true Zambian sunset stay with you long after you’ve left.

If you’re dreaming of a safari that combines incredible wildlife, warm and authentic hospitality and a true bush experience, Flatdogs Camp in South Luangwa National Park is a place we wholeheartedly recommend.