The original South Luangwa camps

On Day 1 of your trip, you will fly to Mfuwe for two nights at Nkwali Camp. Situated within a private reserve on the banks of the River Luangwa, this smashing little camp is owned and operated by the ever-popular Robin Pope Safaris. Most of the communal areas are housed in an open-sided timber, stone, and thatch structure, which has a friendly atmosphere and beautiful river views. There is also a thatched dining space and a large swimming pool! Guest accommodation consists of six bamboo-and-thatch chalets, all with en-suite facilities as well as those wonderful river views. As each chalet is open fronted, you can enjoy scenes of elephants crossing the river and quenching their thirst without even leaving your room! Lion, leopard, and wild dog are often spotted in the area around the camp as well. However, venture out on a game drive or walking safari, and you will be richly rewarded with further sightings – including over 450 species of bird! Other activities include visiting the local market and taking in a little culture on a village tour.

The second part of your trip is spent at Nsefu Camp. The camp is located on a sweeping meander of the river and offers amazing views. It is the oldest camp in the South Luangwa, and is steeped with a real sense of history. The communal lodge is rustic in appearance, and positioned next to an enormous termite mound! Inside, you will find a comfortable lounge and bar, perfect for relaxing and getting to know your fellow travellers. The camp also has a hide, set a short distance from the lodge. Guest accommodation consists of six rondavels, or round houses. These are constructed from concrete and have simple yet appealing interiors. Activities on offer from Nsefu Camp are day and night game drives, and walking safaris. There are lots of wildlife highlights here, such as lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, and hundreds of bird species!

For the final part of your trip, you will transfer by road to Tena Tena. Also located in Nsefu and close to the river, this camp came first in Robin Pope’s property portfolio! Occupying an area of Nsefu that has a real wealth of wildlife, Tena Tena has an exciting, adventurous feel to it. The main areas are housed under canvas, within a marquee propped up by tree trunks as well as poles. They include two comfy seating areas and an all-day bar. There is a further seating area set up nearer to the river, in a great spot for watching wildlife. Sandy paths connect the communal tent to each of the five guest tents, which also have lovely views of the river. They feel very authentic, while providing everything you need for a comfortable stay – and we love the open-air en-suite shower rooms! Activities here consist of day and night game drives, walking safaris, and excursions to the local village.