Summary of our Camps, Walks and Safaris
The LUANGWA VALLEY
The LUANGWA VALLEY, which marks the end of the Great Rift Valley, is one of the last unspoilt wilderness areas and possibly the finest wildlife sanctuary in Africa. It covers an area of over 9000 sq. km. through which the meandering Luangwa River runs. The oxbow lagoons, woodland and plains of the valley host huge concentrations of game - including elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion, giraffe, hippo - and over 400 species of birds.
To explore this wilderness, Robin has a number of camps situated through the Luangwa Valley. All his camps are intimate and highly personalised. Exceptional service has become the hallmark of all Robin's operations. Flexibility and responsiveness to guests wishes are key. The specialities of these safaris are:
WALKING SAFARIS - The only way to really discover the secrets of the bush. Walks are led by an experienced naturalist and accompanied by an armed game scout.
GAME DRIVES - Conducted in open four wheel drive vehicles by knowledgeable safari guides. Special gameviewing seats provide excellent viewing and opportunities for photography.
NIGHT DRIVES - Set out in the afternoon. Later, after watching the sun set over the river with a sundowner in hand, the drive continues with a powerful spotlight. The nocturnal world of the bush is witnessed from owls, genets to hunting lions and the graceful leopard.
Staying at Nkwali, Nsefu and Tena Tena gives you an excellent view of the Luangwa Valley. For those who wish to explore the bush in more depth we recommend:
- WALKING MOBILE SAFARI
combining Nkwali, Walking (5 nights under canvas) and Tena Tena (10 nights) - NORTH LUANGWA WALKING TRAILS
combining Nkwali and Tena Tena, with 4 nights at Kutandala Camp (10 nights)
THE CAMPS
NKWALI CAMP
NKWALI CAMP is located on Robin's private land, overlooking the National Park. The land is superb gameviewing country, with a beautiful area of ebony woodland and open grass plains. Elephants often cross the Luangwa, seen from the bar, or come to the waterhole near the thatched dining room. The chalets are cool and spacious, overlooking the river. Access to the park is through the main entrance over the bridge, by boat or by our nearby pontoon. The area is famous for leopard and giraffe sightings.
- 12 guests
- en suite bathrooms
- open all year
- walking, drives, night drives
ROBIN'S HOUSE
ROBIN'S HOUSE lies on the edge of Nkwali Camp. Recently renovated, this private house is ideal for families, honeymooners and guests looking for a little privacy. Set apart from the camp, on the banks of the Luangwa River Robin's House has an amazing view of the river and the animals that come down to drink. It is under a grove of large trees and is well shaded. The large windows allow light to flood in. There are two luxury bedrooms (a double and a triple), each with its own bathroom., and a central sitting room and dining room . All the rooms have wonderful views. There is a private kitchen and chef, along with a valet, so meals can be served where and when you like. This is particularly important for families with children. There is also a private guide and safari vehicle for the gameviewing activities.
- up to 5 adults, more with smaller children
- luxury house
- very large ensuite bathrooms
- open all year
- private safaris - walking, drives, night drives
TENA TENA CAMP
"TENA TENA CAMP ... is altogether beyond superlatives, and must be one of the best safari camps in the whole of Africa", The Times, London. This remote and small camp lies within the National Park and enjoys a stunning location on a sweeping bend of the Luangwa River. A grove of mahogany trees shade the large custom-made tents. From the thatched dining room and bar, guests can watch the elephants, hippo and antelope on the riverbank. Nearby there is a spectacular lagoon, Buca Buca, where a whole morning can be spent quietly sitting while the game comes down to feed and drink. With the camp being remote and small, we have these scenes to ourselves.
- 8-10 guests
- tents
- en suite bathrooms
- open late May - October
- walking, drives, night drives
NSEFU CAMP
NSEFU CAMP - On a sweeping bend of the river, 12 kilometers north of Tena Tena, lies Nsefu. Nsefu was the first game camp in Zambia and dates back to the early fifties. The Nsefu Sector was recognised then as a phenomenal area and it still is. We reopened the camp in 1999, in keeping with the original style, and so operate the only 2 camps in the Nsefu Sector of the park.
The view of the river is superb and includes a terraced area where game grazes during the day. The bar, tucked in beside a huge extinct termite mound, overlooks a waterhole that is very productive for game, especially leopard at night. The original rondavels have been extended, with a spacious bathroom added. Each room has a clear view of the river, through large windows and from the new wooden verandah. The camp lies in the heart of the undeveloped Nsefu sector and so offers charm and total comfort in remoteness and seclusion.
- 12 guests
- en suite bathrooms
- open late May - October
- walking, drives, night drives
KAWAZA VILLAGE
For the last 10 years we have supported a school in the Nsefu Village area. Kawaza School now has the reputation in Zambia of being a great example of how help from tourism can improve a community. The response of the guests who have visited the school has been overwhelming and many of them wanted more interaction. We can now offer the opportunity to stay at Webby's village, next to the school for a night. Accommodation and food is totally African. There is the chance to meet the Chief, a local traditional healer, to spend a morning with the ladies collecting water and cooking, to help with constructions, dance with the ladies. This is not a set up village, but a chance to spend time with an African family and community. There is also a donation for the school in the fee.
- 8 guests
- April - December
- suggested 1 or 2 nights
SAFARI HOUSES OF ZAMBIA
Luangwa Safari House - South Luangwa National Park
Designed by Neil Rocher, this stunning private house is situated on Robin Pope’s Nkwali land, approximately 1 km from camp. The super structure of the house is twenty five ancient and weathered leadwood trees – powerful and natural. The entrance side of the house is grand, castlesque and is exquisitely faced with stones from the hills. The massive door opens into the huge main room and instantly you see incredible views through the front of the house – which is completely open.
Built on the edge of a seasonal lagoon and with a backdrop of the Chindeni Hills the game, including herds of elephants and journeys of giraffe, use this area to feed and water throughout the day.
So outwardly the house has a traditional feel. However, venture inside and you find that each room has a totally individual and unique style. The sizeable living room is dominated by large comfy sofas and a huge marble dining table. The room stretches up two storeys, some twelve meters, to the thatched roof with wooden staircases rising out of the floor to take you to the upstairs bedrooms. Much of the fittings are hand made metalwork, designed by Matt Peacock, including a huge thirty lamp metal chandelier. The open front of the room leads out onto a quartz tiled terrace with large plunge pool to one side.
From this terrace a magnificent risen walkway leads to a wooden deck surrounding a small group of huge ebony trees in the middle of the lagoon. There is a large leather sofa, and a hanging chair plus dining table and chairs for al fresco meals. From here the waterhole is nearby, and sitting quietly you will be close to families of elephant that come to bathe.
Each of the four bedrooms has a style of its own. Extra large beds, both king size or twin fit into each room under one mosquito net. There is a wooden ceiling fan inside each net. The beds have all been designed differently, from two poster beds to beds suspended by chains from the roof. The materials used in the bedrooms are hand painted and specifically designed, made locally at Tribal Textiles. Each bathroom has a different theme for the fittings, reflecting the colours of the rooms. From copper for the “Coral room” (including a hand made copper bath) to recycled sandblasted aluminium in the “Blue Agate” bedroom. These fittings have been matched with unusual pieces of Zambian marble hand picked by Jo and Robin.
The upstairs rooms have a suspended wooden balcony, where you can sit out at night with a moonlit view over the bush to the distant hills. The downstairs bedrooms each have a private tiled verandah with large morris chairs for quiet moments.
The Luangwa Safari House is extraordinary – large and powerful, this castle like house gives you space, luxury with nature on your doorstep.
Chongwe River House - Lower Zambezi National Park
Again Neil’s inspirational design has given you a totally unique private house. However, the style is as far from the Luangwa Safari House as you can get. The entire house is built of ferro walls and wild wood. So the walls follow the natural lines of the branches used. In fact there is not a single straight line to be seen! It is flowing and natural in every way.
The location of the house is at the end of a massive winterthorn grove, on the banks of the peaceful Chongwe River, a tributary of the Zambezi. The view of the nearby mountainous escarpment is spectacular. On entering the house, the main room has low bridges over flowing water. From this room you look out over the deck and pool to the river and mountains beyond. All the furniture in the sitting room has been carved from a single huge fallen winterthorn tree, as if it has fallen across the room. Beautifully soft coloured pebbles from the Chongwe River have been embedded in the ceilings
The ground floor bedrooms are each entered through a tunnel which gives the feeling of walking through a cave. The curved entrance gives privacy without the need for doors. The downstairs bathrooms have water pouring out of the stone ceiling instead of the normal shower rose, whilst the upstairs showers are waterfalls. “Taps” are made from bone and wood and the exquisitely carved basins have been carved out of wood and white marble by the famous Zambian artist, Eddie Mumba. The upstairs bedrooms have unusual baths, from which you have a view across the bush.
The Chongwe area is famous for huge male elephants feeding through the winterthorn grove in which the house is situated and this amazing game experience is enhanced by the fact the Chongwe River itself it the main water source for most of the game in the area. From the bedrooms, the sitting room and the deck you will have game in view, feeding and watering.
Details of both Houses
- Uniquely designed private houses for up to eight guests
- Four large ensuite bedrooms, massive dinning/sitting area
- Swimming pool and platform
- All activities are exclusive to the house guests
- Private vehicles, guides and armed scout for walking safari. Canoes and boat at Chongwe.
- The private chef and house manger will discuss menu planning for the stay
- Activities and meals will be designed to suite the individual group requirements
Family Safaris
- Equally suitable for families and groups (min age 7)
- Wide range of hosted activities for children, independent of parents, (with child minder available)
WALKING SAFARIS
WALKING MOBILE SAFARIS
The WALKING MOBILE SAFARIS have come to be known as THE wilderness experience of the South Luangwa. After two nights at Nkwali, the party walks for 5 days covering approximately 10 km a day, following the Mupamadzi River. This clear river is a major tributary of the Luangwa. The area is remote and wild, the terrain and habitats varied and the game shy and unused to man. From ants to buffalo, a bird's nest to tracking a lion, you will learn the many facets of the bush. The fully serviced mobile camp is extremely comfortable and well equipped with walk-in tents and full bedding. The shower is under a tree and the toilet is a long drop with a wooden throne. Meals of a high standard are served under the open sky. A final three nights at Tena Tena completes the safari.
- 6 guests
- from mid June - September
- walking only
- set dates (minimum 9 nights)
NORTH LUANGWA WALKING TRAILS
NORTH LUANGWA WALKING TRAILS combines the South and North Luangwa National Parks . After 2 nights at Nkwali and 4 nights at Tena Tena or Nsefu the guests fly to the North Park where they will be staying at Kutundala Bush Camp. Made of reed, grass and poles this delightfully simple but extremely comfortable camp is the base for 4 days of walking and exploring the North Park.
- 6 guests
- from June - October
- walking and drives at Nkwali, Tena Tena and Kutandala
- requested dates
ROBIN POPE BUSH CAMPING
Name one of the most exclusive experiences on offer in Africa? Bush Camping with RPS.
Bush Camping is a wonderful way to dive deeper into the bush – camping in a simple but extremely comfortable way. We operate these personal safaris, with 2-4 guests, in two different and contrasting areas.
RPS Bush Camping is …walking with the best of guides from the fixed camps by camping out for a couple of nights, with dinner and stories around the fire, simple but delicious foood, stand up tents, mattresses on the ground, sheets and blankets, wash basin, shared 60L bucket shower, bush loo, full bar and food service, fully serviced camp (except laundry).
Luangwa Bush Camping is in the Nsefu Sector, walking in the game rich riverine areas of the lagoons and woodlands that run along side the river.
The top RPS guides operate the Bush Camping safaris.
- 2 - 4 guests
- Top guides
- from June - October
- Open dates
Mupamadzi Bush Camping. During the month of October there is the chance to walk in the Mupamadzi River area and camping under a grove of trees. This clear water perennial river is a tributary of the Luangwa and will be the last water in the area for the game. The area is diverse in habitat as it is near the escarpment and so species that you do not see on the Luangwa River are found – roan, hartebeest, reedbuck included. The safaris, with maximum of six guests, leave Nkwali every Sunday and Thursday.
