Robin Pope safaris - Nkwali Camp, Tena Tena Camp, South Luangwa National Park

Robin Pope Safaris - Luangwa Valley (Zambia)
Member of the Classic Safari Camps of Africa

Location:

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 ox bow lagoons, woodland and plains of the valley hosts huge concentrations of game - including elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion, giraffe, hippo - and over 400 species of birds. Robin has a number of camps situated through the Luangwa Valley. All his camps are intimate and highly personalized. Exceptional service has become the hallmark of all Robin's operations. Flexibility and responsiveness to guests wishes are key.

Tena Tena Bush Camp " is altogether beyond superlatives, and must be one of the best safari camps in the whole of Africa", The Times, London.

Tena Tena, in the local dialect, means "temporary home". The name is apt indeed as, with a capacity of only 12 guests, the camp atmosphere is at once intimate and highly personalized.

This remote camp, located within the Nsefu section of the South Luangwa National Park, enjoys a stunning location on a sweeping bend of the Luangwa River. A grove of mahogany trees shade six large custom-made tents.

From the thatched dining room and bar guests can watch the elephants, hippo and antelope on the river banks.

The thatched dining room and bar overlook a wide bend in the Luangwa River. Game is always in the vicinity and guests dining on Tena Tenas superb cuisine are able to watch antelope, elephant, and other species as they come to drink at the river.

The hide behind Tena Tena overlooks a waterhole and guests can spend many hours with their cameras as game pass through.

Tena Tena accommodates 12 guests in tented accommodation with en-suite bathrooms and is open June - October for walking safaris, game drives and night drives

Nkwali Camp is located on Robin's private land, overlooking the National Park.

Access to the park is by boat or our nearby pontoon. The land is superb game viewing country, with a beautiful area of ebony woodland and open grass plains.

Made of woven bamboo, the 6 chalets are airy and very spacious, and all have a view of the river. The attached bathrooms are partially open to the sky and to shower in the moonlight is a luxurious experience.

The magnificent bar, on the banks of the river, has been built around a massive ebony tree.

From the bar, the sunsets are spectacular and are frequently accompanied by a large herd of elephants crossing the river. The dining room overlooks a lagoon where many of the resident animals drink during the day.

At night, some of these animals wander through the camp feeding on the vegetation. Nkwali is surrounded by thickets and wooded glades which provide cover for many birds, including some very unusual species.

The area used for morning and night drives is famous for leopards and they are often seen hunting.

From the top of the nearby Chindeni Hills, the view across the Valley is exceptional. Nkwali accommodates 12 guests. Chalets all have en-suite bathrooms. The camp is open April - December for walking safaris, game drives and night drives.

Nsefu Camp was the first game camp in Zambia and dates back to the early fifties. The Nsefu Sector was recognized then as a phenomenal area and it still is.

At the end of the seventies the camp was abandoned. Robin reopened the camp in 1982 and this is where he made his reputation. He managed Nsefu for five years, during which time he used the Tena Tena site as a fly camp. In 1986 he left Nsefu and moved to Tena Tena full time.

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 gauzed windows and from the new wooden veranda.

The camp lies in the heart of the undeveloped Nsefu sector and so offers charm and total comfort in remoteness and seclusion

Walking Mobile Safaris have come to be known as THE wilderness experience of the South Luangwa!

After 2 or 3 nights at Nkwali, the party drives up to the remote north of the park. For 5 days the safari follows the Mupamadzi River, covering approximately 10km a day.

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. After 2 or 3 nights at Nkwali, the party drives up to the remote north of the park.

For 5 days the safari follows the Mupamadzi River, covering approximately 10km a day. 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 loo is a long drop with a wooden throne. Meals of a high standard are served under the open sky. A final few nights at Tena Tena complete the safari.

6 guests
From mid June - September
Walking only

The Lundu Walking Safari combines our Nkwali and Nsefu camps with camping and walking near the Mupamadzi River.

The safaris starts with two nights at Nkwali. Then there are four nights to experience the remoteness of a mobile safaris. The safaris ends at Nsefu for a final three nights.

6 guests
From June - September
Mostly walking

The Mupamadzi Safari combines Nkwali and Tena Tena camps with the remote Luwi Bush camp for two nights and the Camp 3 on the Mupamadzi River for three nights. Transfers between the camps are by road but the bulk of the time in each camp is spent walking.

At Luwi Bush camp, reed and thatch huts (all en suite) are set under a grove of Mahogany trees with views over the grazing lawn where impala, puku, baboon & elephant are often seen.

Dining under the shade of the trees in the day and under the African sky at night. Nearby Luwi Lagoon is home to an huge population of hippo. Camp 3 is a fully serviced mobile camp.

It 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.

The Nsefu Walking Trail is a shorter program that combines two nights at Nkwali Camp with three days of walking through the Chibembe area and two nights at Nsefu (Tena Tena in June). The walking safari area is one of the best riverine areas in the Luangwa.

The river is rapidly changing course here and the resulting channels and lagoons host spectacular game. The 2 camps are comfortable and rustic. The grass huts are comfortable and spacious. Luggage is portered between the camps.

The North Luangwa Walking Trails - combining Nkwali, Walking Mobile and Tena Tena (7 to 12 nights)

This ten day safari starts at Nkwali Camp for three nights. Guests will then transfer to Tena Tena for three nights, and the safari will end with four nights at Kutandala. The transfer to Kutandala Camp in the North Luangwa is by light airplane. The park is very remote and wild - a place for real bush lovers to visit. Made of reed, grass and poles, and taking only six guests, the camp is intimate and natural. As well as the walking safaris there is the chance for an all day drive to the confluence of Mwaleshi and Luangwa rivers. Excursions can also be made to the Chipopoma Falls where there are clear water pools for a dip.

6 guests
From June - October
Walking and drives at Nkwali, Kutandala and Nsefu / Tena Tena
Set dates (10 nights)

Game Viewing / Activities:

WALKING SAFARIS - the only way to really discover the secrets of the bush. They are led by an experienced naturalist and accompanied by an armed game scout.

GAME VIEWING DRIVES - conducted in open, four-wheel drive vehicles by knowledgeable safari guides. Special game viewing seats provide excellent viewing and opportunities for photography. Camps pride themselves on their flexible approach to game-viewing, with meal times based around the game drives.

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.

Rates:

Nsefu Camp	1 July to 31 October 2009	22 Jan to 31 March 2010	22 May to 30 June 2010	1 July to 31 October 2010
Per Person Sharing	USD 650	USD 500	USD 550	USD 650
Single Supplement	USD 250	NIL	USD 165	USD 250
Rates include: full board, all game viewing, laundry, bar, National Park fees, transfers to/from Mfuwe Airport meet & greet at Lusaka Airport. Rates exclude: visas, airport taxes, flights. Private Vehicles: USD 500 per day. Children 12 years and older are welcome. A 10% reduction is applied for 7+ nights at all Robin Pope Safaris properties. Nsefu Camp is closed between 1 Nov to 21 Jan and 1 April to 21 May each year.
Tena Tena Camp		1 July to 31 Oct 2009	22 May to 30 June 10	1 July to 31 Oct 2010
Per Person Sharing		USD 650	USD 550	USD 650
Single Supplement		USD 250	USD 165	USD 250
Rates include: full board, all game viewing, laundry, bar, National Park fees, transfers to/from Mfuwe Airport, meet & greet at Lusaka Airport. Rates exclude: visas, airport taxes, flights. Private Vehicles: USD 500 per day. Children 12 years and older are welcome. A 10% reduction is applied for 7+ nights at all Robin Pope Safaris properties. Tena Tena Camp is closed between 1 November and 21 May each year.

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