Luangwa Bush Camping - South Luangwa

“Best camp for walking” The Times, July 2010 

”Extra special mention has to go to the bush camping crowd who cannot be praised enough – the bush camping was just beyond expectation - ‘magical’ with such highlights as tracking and finding leopards (and cubs), tracking lions, bumping into elephants at every turn”. The Harpers 2007

  • Walk in tents, mattresses on the ground, shared bucket shower, short drop bush loo
  • "Camping out" for 2 or 3 nights
  • Full bar and food service
  • Operated in the Nsefu Sector of the Park, which is big game country
  • Usually night before and after at Tena Tena/Nsefu – ie walking between the camps
  • Walking only

Name one of the most exclusive experiences on offer in Africa? Bush Camping with RPS.

Notes from my honeymoon…….

Two nights bush camping?.......you must be joking! What about the lions, the snakes and flies. You know I hate crawling about in tents, cold showers and no proper toilet!

“Don’t worry” my husband calmly said, “You'll love it”.  Five minutes in the company of Debs, our guide, and the armed escort scout and my fears turned to eager anticipation, any doubts to sheer delight. It felt both exhilarating and humbling to walk amongst big game in their own habitat. En route we learned to interpret subtle signs and tracks and to identify new scents, sounds and tastes of the bush. I was so absorbed in the experience that three hours whizzed by.  Unannounced, our camp appeared in the shade of mahogany trees on the river bank.  The “pods” of hippos were spread out every 200 meters or so. Exciting to be sleeping so close.

The camp? Large, airy, walk-in tent (no crawling needed), a table set for lunch and a well stocked bar. It wasn’t like this in the Girl Guides! After a cool face cloth and icy drinks I found myself tucking in to a simple, leisurely lunch. Imagine my relief when I discovered the civilised toilet (‘thunder box”) and delightfully warm shower.  Revitalised by an unplanned siesta (soft breeze, comfy mattress and feather pillows were so seductive) the afternoon walk was great fun and we returned, bubbling with stories of the days events, for a well-earned gin and tonic.  Soon the campfire was crackling away beside us, a canopy of stars emerged overhead and we swapped our stories over perfectly grilled steak and a bottle of red. Perfect end to a perfect day.  As we headed for bed I had one last question: do you think they'll let us do three nights next year!?

Luangwa Bush Camping is camping and walking in the Nsefu Sector, in the game rich riverine areas of the lagoons and woodlands that run along side the river. This is usually combined with a stay at both Tena Tena and Nsefu.