Gem of Zambia Safari

Zambia's Three Premier Parks - South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi and North Kafue

10 night itinerary combining

  • South Luangwa - Nkwali, Tena Tena/Nsefu 4 nights
  • Lower Zambezi - Chongwe River Camp 2 nights
  • North Kafue - Shumba and Lufupa Camp 4 nights

Note

  • the order of camps can be changed & budget camp option available.
  • 14 night itinerary available
  • Valid mid June - mid November

Zambia's three stunning premier parks are all different. The lagoons and riverine woodland of the Luangwa, the escarpment and water experience of the Lower Zambezi, the miombo woodland and vast open plains of North Kafue are contrasting and all host exceptional game. The camps are small, personal and immaculately run. This is a spectacular safari through Zambia - remote areas, with dedicated guides and excellent game.

Itinerary

Days 1 and 2  After meeting you at the Mfuwe airport your guide will drive you to Nkwali Camp through colourful local scenes of villages, agriculture as well as bush. Nkwali Camp overlooks a wide bend of the Luangwa River into the South Luangwa National Park and is ideally situated for the start of your safari. All rooms have a view of the river and open air bathrooms. The game in this area is excellent - and includes many family herds of elephants and the endemic Thornicroft Giraffe.

A typical day  at Nkwali has you waking with the dawn to enjoy breakfast round a camp fire before heading out on your morning activity. A delicious lunch is enjoyed on the bank of the lagoon, which is frequently visited by a variety of wildlife. The afternoon is the quiet part of the day, perfect for siesta or a swim in the pool.  In the mid-afternoon you meet up with your guide before heading out for your evening adventure, finding a beautiful location to watch the sun go down with a well earned drink in hand. The opportunity to discover the nocturnal world by spotlight is a wonderful treat before heading back to Nkwali for dinner.

NKWALI CAMP

Days 3 and 4 After an early breakfast, a gamedrive through the park and across the river takes you into the Nsefu Sector, which is recognised as a phenomenal game viewing area. Nsefu was the first game camp in Zambia and dates back to the early fifties. There are six round rondavels with luxurious ensuite facilities and each room has a clear view of the sweeping bend of the Luangwa River through large windows and from the wooden verandahs.

During your stay you have the opportunity to drive or walk through the ebony groves or, depending on the heat and time of year, to explore further afield with an all day picnic drive to the salt pans that will cover different habitats and is an exceptional day's safari. There is also the option of visiting the community at Kawaza Village to meet interesting local people and experience life in a real non-tourist village.

(Note: option of booking Tena Tena for the 2 nights).

NSEFU CAMP

Days 5 and 6 In the morning you fly to Lower Zambezi via Lusaka (about 4 hours door to door). As you fly into the area, you will see the wide Zambezi River, dotted with islands. Buffalo and elephant are always seen feeding along with the pods of hippos that rest on the edge of the sandbanks. A game drive from the airstrip introduces you to the game of Lower Zambezi before arriving at Chongwe.

The Chongwe River is the boundary of the Lower Zambezi National Park. The camp has a wonderful view of not only the confluence of the two rivers but also the mountains of the impressive Zambezi escarpment.  Situated under a canopy of Albida thorns and surrounded by cool lawns, the 8 chalets are large, well appointed safari tents under thatch, with luxury ensuite open air bathrooms.

The bathrooms are an experience on their own. All fittings are made from natural materials found near the lodge. Activities are extremely flexible and with individuals choosing from drives, walks, boat cruises, canoeing and fishing.  Gameviewing in the pristine Lower Zambezi National Park is superb and big game, such as elephant, hippo, buffalo and the big cats are even seen regularly in and around the camp!   After a late lunch there will be a chance for an afternoon activity – be it on the river or by vehicle.

At Chongwe River Camp there are various activities to choose from.  Not only on offer are exciting day and night drives and bush walks, but guests can choose their own day's itinerary from a selection of canoe trips, river safaris on safe, stable pontoon boats and catch & release angling for the infamous tiger fish. 

CHONGWE RIVER CAMP

Days 7 & 8 After breakfast and farewells, a drive through the park to the airstrip to meet the plane taking you to the Kafue National Park (1.3 hours).  Landing at the Busanga Airstrip at Busanga, you will be met with some refreshments before taking your helicopter flight to Shumba Camp. The camp is only 15 minutes from the airstrip and so you are soon settling into your spacious tents. 

Shumba Camp is situated in the northern region of the Kafue National Park, in the famed Busanga Plains area.  The Plains, covering approximately 750 square kilometres, is considered one of Zambia's most important wetlands as well as a wildlife paradise with a wealth of plains game, predators and birds.  Shumba Camp comprises six spacious luxury safari tents on raised platforms with breathtaking views of the surrounding plains. Activities here include game drives, night drives and nature walks; exploring this incredible park.

SHUMBA CAMP

Day 9 & 10  After an early breakfast you will be transferred to Lufupa Camp. The camp is situated in the northern sector of the acclaimed Kafue National Park, near the confluence of the Lufupa and Kafue rivers - an area filled with floodplains, broad-leaved woodland, lush riverine vegetation and dambos (seasonally flooded grassy clearings).  The Kafue area hosts many species of birds and mammals not (or rarely) seen in the Luangwa and Zambezi Valleys including hartebeest and sable antelope and cheetah.

You will spend your time here discovering the area by a variety of options to include day and night nature drives exploring prime game viewing areas adjoining the Lufupa Channel. Boat trips also reveal the incredible hippo population of the area complemented by a constant array of colourful water birds, reptiles (Nile crocodile, water monitor, terrapins) and lush riverine vegetation. Guided nature walks are also on offer.

LUFUPA CAMP

Day 11 After breakfast, a morning activity, time permitting; you will be transferred to Lufupa airstrip for your flight to Lusaka to connect onto your onward flight. 

This package includes

  • Robin Pope Safaris ~ full board, all gameviewing, laundry, bar, National Park fees, transfers to/from Mfuwe Airport
  • Chongwe ~ accommodation, meals, local drinks, park fees, laundry, all activities, and transfers to/from airstrip
  • Wilderness Safaris (Shumba & Lufupa) ~ accommodation, all meals, local drinks, 2 game activities per day, park fees and bed levy

This package excludes

  • Visas, Airport Taxes, International Flights. Premium brand drinks at the Wilderness Camps

Conditions

  • Minimum 2 people. Children of 13 years and above are welcome at full rate.

South Luangwa National Park with Robin Pope Safaris

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 450 species of birds.

To explore this wilderness, Robin Pope has three camps from which you can drive, walk and night drive. Robin's camps are known world wide for their atmosphere and care for the guest.

Nkwali Camp is located on RPS 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, with a view of the river.  One double, four twins and a honeymoon suite/family suite.  Throughout the year we have direct access from camp to the park by boat.  During the dry months we operate a pontoon into the more southern part of the area.

  • 12 guests
  • woven bamboo walls with plastering on the inside and thatch roof chalets
  • en-suite semi open air bathrooms with flush loo, double shower and basins
  • walking, drives, night drives, visit to Kawaza Village and school, Tribal Textiles
  • plunge pool

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 - early November
  • open mid January to end March for River Journeys
  • walking, drives, night drives

“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. The dining room is on an elevated deck overlooking the lagoon, where guests can watch an assortment of animals that come to the lagoon to drink. 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.

  • 10 guests
  • tents under thatch
  • en suite bathrooms
  • open late May - early November
  • walking, drives, night drives

Lower Zambezi National Park

With the dramatic backdrop of the Zambezi escarpment and the wide, clear watered Zambezi River this park has spectacular landscapes and views. The gameviewing is excellent and the boating on the river gives a varied safari. The elephants and buffalo regularly cross the river and feed on the grass covered islands.

Chongwe River Camp Chongwe River Camp. This unique camp is situated on the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi Rivers, directly opposite Mana Pools, and probably the best site in the Lower Zambezi.  The Chongwe River is the boundary of the Lower Zambezi National Park. The camp has a wonderful view of not only the confluence of the two rivers but also the mountains of the impressive Zambezi escarpment.Situated under a canopy of Albida thorns and surrounded by cool lawns, the 9 chalets are large, well appointed safari tents under thatch, with luxury en-suite open air bathrooms. The bathrooms are an experience on their own.  All fittings are made from natural materials found near the lodge.

The Albida Suite is for the slightly more indulgent guest who may be on a special safari like a honeymoon or anniversary or for some one who very much values their privacy and fine surroundings.

The Cassia Suite - a stand alone unit at the very confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi Rivers built to compliment our executive suite at Albida and provide a luxurious individual tent for Chongwe.

  • 16 beds at camp, 4 at Albida Suite, 2 at Cassia Suite 
  • tented under thatch roof, Suites tented with canvas roof but open sided bathroom 
  • game drives, walking, boating, canoeing and fishing 

Northern Kafue National Park

The Northern Kafue is a mix of Miombo forest broken by 'dambos', a local term for open grass areas. It is particularly good habitat for sable, roan and Lichtenstein's hartebeest as well as reedbuck and oribi. The major rivers in the area are the Kafue and the Lunga, which are clear flowing with thick, lush, green riverine vegetation lining the banks, hosting rich birdlife.

Lufupa Tented CampLufupa Tented Camp is located on the confluence of the Lufupa and Kafue Rivers.  This is as ‘wild’ as you can get in today's world: an unfenced mosaic of expansive grassy seasonal floodplains, “dambos” (open grassy areas that sometimes will fill up with rainwater) and diverse riverine vegetation. This camp is perfectly situated overlooking the Kafue River.  The accommodation is in safari style tented rooms with wooden deck providing river views. Each tent is en-suite with shower, basin and toilet.

  • 18 beds - 9 tents comprising of 1 family and 8 twins 
  • tents – with fans
  • open 01 May – 04 January
  • game drives, night drives, nature walks

Shumba Camp is situated in the northern region of the Kafue National Park, in the famed Busanga Plains area. The Plains, covering approximately 750 square kilometres, is considered one of Zambia's most important wetlands as well as a wildlife paradise with a wealth of plains game, predators and birds. Shumba Camp comprises six spacious luxury safari tents on raised platforms with breathtaking views of the surrounding plains.

  • 12 beds
  • 6 tents
  • open 6th May – December