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South and North Luangwa

Explore two diverse parts of the Luangwa Valley - both renowned for their walking safaris

8 night itinerary combining

  • South Luangwa with Robin Pope Safaris, Nkwali, Nsefu and Tena Tena 4 nights,
  • North Luangwa at Kutandala 4 nights

Note

  • the order of camps can be changed & budget camp option available

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.

Itinerary

Days 1 and 2 After meeting you at 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 our local wildlife. The afternoon is the quiet part of the day - for siesta or swim in the pool. In the mid-afternoon you meet up with your guide before heading out for an 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 experience life in a real non-tourist village.

(Note: option of booking Tena Tena for the 3 nights).

NSEFU CAMP

Days 5 to 8 Kutandala is a swift flight from Mfuwe and from the plane's window you can watch the meandering Luangwa River full of hippos and spot other game amongst the ox-bow lakes. A game drive through North Luangwa takes you across the Mwaleshi River where you are met with a cool refreshing drink, just in time to freshen up in the open air bathrooms before sitting down to a delicious lunch in the shade of an ebony tree. The park is very remote and wild - a place for real bush lovers to visit. Made of reed, grass and poles, and taking only 6 guests the camp is intimate and natural.

The focus at Kutandala is to experience the bush on foot - nothing quite beats the experience of tracking and finding lion or buffalo with a professional informative guide. Morning and afternoon walks with Rod and returning to camp for fantastic meals under the shade of a tree or under the night sky. There is also an option of a full day trip to Chipopma falls where you can swim in the pools enjoy the birdlife particular to the escarpment. In addition you can investigate the fossil sites at the Luangwa and Mwaleshi confluence.

KUTANDALA

Day 9 A morning flight to Lusaka via Mfuwe to connect with your onward flight to your next destination.

This package includes

  • Robin Pope Safaris ~ accommodation - Nkwali only in low season, Nkwali, Tena Tena, Nsefu in high season, meals, drinks, laundry, game activities, transfers, national park fees.
  • Kutandala ~ accommodation, meals, bar and house wine, game viewing activities, national park fees, transfers within North Luangwa NP

Rates exclude

  • International flights, visas and airport taxes

Conditions

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

South Luangwa Camp Information

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

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.

  • 8-10 guests
  • tents
  • en suite bathrooms
  • open late May - early November
  • walking, drives, night drives

North Luangwa Camp Information

Kutandala Bush Camp is set on a stunning site on the banks of the Mwaleshi River in the heart of the North Luangwa National Park; Kutandala Camp offers the ultimate walking safari for those who seek true wilderness. The camp is home to Rod and Gus Tether who own and run the camp. With a capacity for only six guests exclusivity is guaranteed and you can walk for days without seeing another soul. The North Luangwa is renowned for its superb wildlife in a pristine environment. Safaris at Kutandala are primarily undertaken on foot but for excursions further a field, such as the scenic Chipopma falls, which involve some driving there, in a game-viewing vehicle. The guest rooms all have an unrestricted view of the Mwaleshi river and its floodplain - each have an en-suite flush toilet and hot shower and are built entirely of reed and grass. Lighting is by rechargeable solar lanterns and paraffin hurricane lamps. [Kutandala website]

  • 6 beds
  • reed and thatch chalets
  • open 10 June to 05 November
  • walking only
  • nearest Airstrip – Mwaleshi (40 mins flight from Mfuwe and 1 hour from camp)
  • 220v battery charging possible – 3 pin square plugs
  • no credit cards