8 Day Mobile Walking Safari South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

8 days

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8 Day Mobile Walking Safari South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
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  • Itinerary
  • Location

The Safaris starts with a night in Nkwali, then the group drives to the north of the park and walks for five days along the Mupamadzi River, covering around 10 kilometers per day. This river is a major tributary of the Luangwa River. The relocated location is secluded, and the landscape is home to a variety of shy and rarely seen game. You will be able to experience the outdoors like never before, from tiny ants to massive buffalo, birds nesting, and lion tracking.

With a fully serviced mobile camp that has been particularly constructed for comfort and is well-equipped with tents and beds. The toilet is a bush potty with a wooden throne, and the showers are beneath the tree. The open nature and unbeatable vistas complement the exceptional quality of the refreshments and meals. The safari comes to an end on the final night at Tena Tena, or Nsefu.

Highlights

  • Mobile Walking Safaris
  • The best wilderness experiences
  • Learn the many facets of the bush
  • South Luangwa National Park

Route: Nkwali Camp 1-night, Mobile Walking 5 nights & Nsefu or Tena Tena 1 night.

Tips on activities on offer:

Nkwali, Tena Tena & Nsefu: Tracking, game drives (day and night), Kawaza Village Tour, traditional Textile’s tour (for souvenirs), Chipembele Wildlife Orphanage visit.

Mobile Walking: Walking only.

KEY FACTS:

  • Available dates June – October
  • Country visited Zambia
  • National Park South Luangwa National Park
  • Max group size 6 guests
  • It can also extend to a 10-day trip
About
  • Accommodation
  • All meals & Bar
  • All safari activities
  • Return Domestic Flights (Lusaka - Mfuwe - Lusaka)
  • Return Road Transfers to/from Mfuwe airport
  • Personal Comprehensive Travel Insurances
  • Gratuities
  • Visa fees where applicable
  • International flights

Day 1 – 2: Nkwali Camp – South Luangwa National Park

Many places claim to be "among the remaining wilderness areas" or "one of the last wildlife sanctuaries"; South Luangwa National Park lives up to both and more. The Luangwa Valley is vast, remote and home to both people and a truly impressive variety of games.

The South Luangwa Park is 9050 sq. kilometre; with the river, its tributaries and the riverine strips being the focus of the wildlife viewing. There are diverse habitats, from huge ox bow lagoons of varying stages of maturity, woodlands, ebony groves, grassland and thickets, that host a great variety of wildlife. The birdlife is also excellent with over 450 species to be seen.

Nkwali is located on the banks of the Luangwa on a magnificent meander in the river overlooking the National Park where leopards roam along the bank and can often be spotted from camp. Situated on Robin Pope Safaris’ private land outside the park there is a private game viewing area behind camp as well as exclusive access into the park either by boat or across the pontoon.

The six chalets with bamboo woven walls and thatch roofs offer a rustic luxury opening up to magnificent views of the river as well as open-air en-suite bathrooms.

Nkwali offers understated elegance, seclusion and superb service.

Day 2 – 6: The Mobile Walking Safari

The Robin Pope Safaris’ Mobile Walking Safaris have long been known as the best wilderness experience of the South Luangwa. After a night at Nkwali, the party drives to the north of the park where they will walk for five days covering approximately 10km 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 bush loo with a wooden throne. Meals of a high standard are served under the open sky. A final night at Tena - Tena or Nsefu completes the safari. Mobile Safari Camp (Walking Safari) – South Luangwa National Park

Day 7 – 8: Tena – Tena Camp, South Luangwa National Park

The South Luangwa National Park marks the end of the Great Rift Valley, one of the last remaining unspoilt wilderness areas and possibly the finest wildlife sanctuary in Africa - a claim which is not an overstatement.

It is through this 9050sq kilometre National Park that the great meandering Luangwa River runs, with its oxbow lagoons, tributaries, riverine supported woodlands and large plains, all of which play host to huge concentrations of game including elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion, giraffe, hippo and over 450 species of birds.

Situated in the exclusive Nsefu Sector Tena Tena sits nestled under a magnificent and thick grove of mahogany trees. On a double tiered river bank, each room enjoys its private view onto a long stretch of the Luangwa River.

Tena Tena is synonymous with Robin Pope Safaris as it was the first camp that Robin opened and ran and has become a favourite amongst many safari lovers over the years.

Gallery
Itinerary
  • Day 1: Meet & Greet/ Nkwali Camp

    On arrival at Lusaka International Airport, Meet & greet by our representative who will then assist you with your luggage and help you to check-in for your domestic flight to Mfuwe in South Luangwa National Park

    On arrival at Mfuwe International Airport, a guide from Robin Pope Safaris will meet you. The drive to Nkwali Camp is 1 hour through colourful local scenes of villages, agriculture as well as bush. Nkwali Camp has a full panoramic view of the beautiful Luangwa River. At Robin’s private land, and looking at the South Luangwa National Park, Nkwali is a good start to your safari. Six rooms that look out over the river and have spacious bathrooms. Depending on your arrival time, during the day you can enjoy lunch looking over the lagoon and the backdrop of Nkwali or enjoy afternoon tea and afternoon game drive will all be available to kick-start your safari adventure.

  • Day 2: Mobile Camp

    After having an early breakfast, you will start walking north on a path known as ‘The wilderness experience of the South Luangwa.’

    Driving 90km to Mupamadzi River along a rough road taking you through remote parts of the Park. At around midday, you will arrive at the camp for lunch that is already set for your arrival with tents, showers under the tree and a toilet. Enjoy a relaxing siesta after lunch, before tea and taking a walk around camp in the afternoon, to returning for drinks and dinner under the stars.

  • Day 3: Mobile Camp

    At sunrise, we take a morning walk taking in the remote and wild, the terrain and home various animals. From big to small animals and the guide showing you some spectacular well-kept secrets about the park and the ecology of the park you are touring. The mobile camp will be packed and moved to Camp 2 and lunch will be ready as the guests arrive late morning. Lunch, siesta and afternoon walk.

  • Day 4: Mobile Camp

    Exploring the area on foot and returning to the same campsite.

  • Day 5 & 6: Mobile Camp

    The camp will be moved again to camp three in the morning as you walk down the river. An experienced biologist leads all walks and is escorted by an armed game guide.

  • Day 7: Tena - Tena or Nsefu Camp

    On day seven after an early breakfast, you will cross River Luangwa at a point opposite Tena - Tena, which is a 4 to 5-hour drive. The Tena - Tena staff will meet you at the boat helping the party across the river, and after a 20-minute drive to Tena - Tena camp.

    This exclusive and small camp lies within the National Park and enjoys a marvellous location on a great bend of the Luangwa River. Woods of mahogany trees shades the large of kind tents. From the thatched dining room and bar, guests can watch the elephants, hippo, and antelope on the riverbank. Tena has five tents, each with a dressing room, open-air bathroom and private verandah that overlooks a waterhole. All meals are served under the shade of an enormous Mahogany tree in the centre of the camp. On reaching, you will be presented your tent, and lunch will be served followed by a well-deserved rest before the afternoon and evening game drive.

    NOTE: The final night could be spent at Nsefu Camp

    A bend of the river, 12 kilometres north of the Tena - Tena, is Nsefu which dates back to the fifties was the first game camp in Zambia. Nsefu was created after it was recognized as a beautiful area in the fifties and reopened in 1999 keeping the original style with only two camps operational in the park. To give you an exclusive experience that view of the park and including looking out at animals as they graze. The bar, tucked in beside a substantial dormant termite mound, overlooks a waterhole that is very productive for animals, particularly leopard that hunts in the night. The original rondavels have been enlarged, with a spacious bathroom added. Each room has a distinct view of the river, through generous windows and from the unique wooden veranda.

  • Day 8: Departing /Flight to Lusaka

    Today you will check out of the camp and depending on your flight time your guide will transfer you to Mfuwe Airport in time for your flight to Lusaka for onward connection. When you arrive in Lusaka at Lusaka International Airport our representative will welcome you and assist you with the luggage to Check-in on your International Flight Back Home.

Location