A walking safari is the most authentic way to enjoy an African safari. It leaves the roads behind and takes you on paths less travelled. You often may be lucky to spot some of the wildlife that South Luangwa has to offer, but that’s not the main goal of a walking safari. Being on foot allows you to get up close to nature, immersing yourself in the sights, sounds and smells which are often overlooked when in a vehicle. With South Luangwa being home to the original walking safaris, there is no better place for this experience. In addition to walking as part of daily activities in camp, we offer two specialist walking trails; Luangwa Bush Camping and Mobile Walking Safari.
Our Mobile Walking Safaris have been operating since 1991 and were the first such walking safaris in Africa. We believe they continue to be totally unique. Combining our safari camps with a five day walk which is backed up by a totally mobile camp – a winning combination for those looking to be totally immersed in the bush.
Alternatively guests can enjoy a shorter walking trail, Luangwa Bush Camping – with a night’s deep in the bush within the Nsefu Sector of the Luangwa Valley. This is a back to basics camping experience with several touches of comfort and fully serviced by our team. For those seeking to get closer to nature and some adventure, a walking safari is the way to go. With South Luangwa being home to the walking safaris, there is no better place for this experience. In addition to walking as part of daily activities in camp, we offer two specialist walking trails; Luangwa Bush Camping and Mobile Walking Safari. Some have dubbed these as the best way to explore the wilderness, with all your senses awakened and operated in very remote settings. Whether you are keen on the big game or birding, you will enjoy these walking trails that are led by our most seasoned and passionate safari guides. You can make the dream of truly escaping into the wild a reality when you come with us into the Luangwa wilderness to camp. Walking through the splendid isolation of the Nsefu sector of South Luangwa National Park is a rare delight that only a fortunate few will experience.
Nkwali Camp – 1 nights
Mobile Walking – Camp 5 nights
Nsefu Tena Tena Camp – 1 night
Rates from US$ 5827 per person sharing
Available dates – June – October
Come with us on an adventure you’ll remember for the rest of your life, our multi-award-winning mobile walking safari. This has been long considered the best wilderness experience in South Luangwa. Our experienced guides know the secrets of this wilderness and will share that magic with you.
The Camp Accommodation:
Three twin walk-in Meru tents, maximum six guests.
Facilities Bucket shower and long drop loo.
Note: There is no WIFI or telephone reception
Activities:
Walking only.
Meals & Drinks:
Rate is fully inclusive of all meals and drinks.
Nut Allergies:
While our kitchen is fully capable of catering for most dietary requests, we regrettably are unable to cater for people with severe nut allergies as we cannot guarantee a completely nut free environment.
Electricity & Water:
No power here, just paraffin lamps and torches are using for lighting.
Bottled water is also provided at the camp free of charge.
Children Policy:
Minimum age is 21 years.
Payment for extras:
All extras can be paid in cash (local currency, US$, Euro or British Pounds) only.
Tipping Is not expected but always enthusiastically received if you are happy with the service.
Please always give tips for the staff to the management to be shared out and please tip your guide individually.
Open: June – mid-October
Travel information:
International flights South African Airways, Kenya Airways and Emirates fly into Lusaka, Zambia. South African Airways, Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airways fly into Lilongwe, Malawi.
Getting to Mfuwe:
1 hour 30 minutes flight with Proflight from Lusaka, Zambia. From Lilongwe, Malawi it is a 1 hour flight. Getting to the camp From Nkwali it is a 5 hour picnic road transfer through the park, game viewing along the way.
Getting into the Park:
The campsites are perfectly located within the remote and true wilderness area of Mupumadzi River, in the northern sector of the South Luangwa National Park. Meet and greet In Lusaka, Lilongwe and Mfuwe you will be met by a RPS representative who will assist you with immigration formalities.
Visas:
Most nationals can obtain their visa at the point of entry into Zambia. Current charges are $50 for tourists of most nationalities, including US, Canadian, British and most European countries. If you are not one of the above please ask about visas before booking. Please visit the Zambian Immigration website http://www.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm/ for full information.
Airport Tax:
Most airlines now include airport taxes in the tickets. But for charter flights these may still be payable, please confirm with us for exact amounts. International airport taxes: US$40 per person Domestic airport taxes: US$16 person Please note that all taxes can be paid in US Dollars. For Lusaka and Mfuwe our meet and greet team will assist you with the above.
Health:
All visitors should be medically insured. We recommend that visitors to Zambia take malaria prophylactics. Tetanus, polio, typhoid and the hepatitis vaccinations are recommended. It is advisable to know your blood group type in case of an emergency. Please do ask for up to date health advice in your home country.
Insurance:
We highly recommend full Trip Cancellation Insurance – we do need to charge cancellation fees as stipulated. Robin Pope Safaris bears no responsibility for any delays, cancellation of flights or change of itinerary and retains the right to alter or cancel an activity with just reason.
Cancellation Policy Confirmation to 91 days 20% of accommodation only, then full invoice (excluding park fees) 90 – 61 days 25%, 60 – 31 days 50%, 30 – 0 days 100%. Cancellation fees will be applied and so we highly recommend that you ensure full “Trip Cancellation Insurance” is bought at time of confirmation.
Additional information:
Photography:
Please be sensitive when photographing local people and their villages. Ask the guide or the villagers first. Be careful when photographing public buildings and persons in uniform – again, ask first.
What to bring:
You should always travel with soft bags not hard suitcases (not only for the smaller aircraft but also to fit into vehicles). Proflight baggage allowance (for most routes) – limit of 15 kg for hold luggage and 5 kg for hand luggage.
Please visit http://proflight-zambia.com/content/beforeyoufly/baggageallowances for full information.
Bush & Lake Aviation baggage allowance – limit of 12 kg for hold luggage and 3 kg for hand luggage (so this is 15 kg max per person ONLY if total weight falls within weight and balance graph of aircraft for the specific flight; body weights are taken into consideration).
Important items to bring: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, torch, binoculars and film/photo camera. Climate Depending on which time of year you visit, you may need waterproofs, a warm jacket or sunscreen. The dry months are from April till October and the wet months November till March. Temperatures range throughout the year from between 11-40 C
Day 1:
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 wide view of the Luangwa River. On Robin’s private land, and overlooking the South Luangwa National Park, Nkwali is ideally situated for the start of your safari. The six rooms all look out over the river and have open air bathrooms. Depending on your arrival time, in the day you will enjoy a lunch looking out over the lagoon to the back of Nkwali or if in the afternoon for tea and the afternoon and night game drive.
NKWALI CAMP Day 2:
After an early breakfast, you will be heading north to start your walking mobile which has become known as THE wilderness experience of the South Luangwa. Your drive is some 90kms to the Mupamadzi River along a bush road, through remote parts of the park. You arrive in camp for lunch around mid-day. The camp is already set up for your arrival with well-equipped walk-in tents. The shower is under a tree and the toilet is a long drop with a wooden throne. Enjoy a relaxing siesta after lunch, before tea and going for a walk around camp in the afternoon, to return for sundowners and dinner in the open under the stars!
MOBILE CAMP Day 3:
Up at sunrise for the morning walk. The area is remote and wild, the terrain and habitats varied and the game shy and unused to man. From ant’s to buffalo, a bird’s nest to tracking a lion, you will learn the many facets of the bush. 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.
MOBILE CAMP Day 4:
Explore the area on foot – returning to the same campsite.
MOBILE CAMP Day 5&6:
The camp will be moved again to camp 3 during the morning as you walk further down the river. The Mupamadzi River is a major tributary of the Luangwa. All walks are led by an experienced naturalist and accompanied by an armed game scout.
Day 7:
After an early breakfast, transfer to the Luangwa River crossing point opposite Tena Tena. This is a 4 to 5-hour drive. Tena Tena staff will meet and boat the party across the river, and then a 20-minute drive to Tena Tena camp. This remote and small camp lies within the National Park and enjoys a stunning location on a sweeping bend of the Luangwa River. Most meals are taken under the shade of a huge Mahogany tree in the centre of the camp. On arrival you will be shown to your tent and then lunch will be served followed by a well-deserved siesta before the afternoon and evening game drive. Time to rest those weary legs!!
TENA TENA. NOTE – The last night can be spent at Nsefu Camp.
