• Mobile Walking Safaris

    7 Nights with Robin Pope

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  • WALKING SAFARIS The only way to really discover the secrets of the bush. Walks are led by an experienced naturalist and accompanied by an armed game scout. 
  • GAME DRIVES (not available when on mobile) Conducted in open four-wheel drive vehicles by knowledgeable safari guides. Special gameviewing seats provide excellent viewing and opportunities for photography. 
  • NIGHT DRIVES (not available when on mobile) 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. 

LOCATION:


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. 


As well as commerical flights we are able to offer VIP Airliners and Private Jet Charters.  We have a number of options for any request so  please ask us for details. 

Nkwali - 1 nights

Mobile Walking Camp - 5 nights

Nsefu or Tena Tena - 1 night

LENGTH: 7 nights


DATES:  June - October

Overview


The Robin Pope Safaris’ Mobile Walking Safaris have long been known as the best wilderness experience of the South Luangwa National Park, operating since 1990. They were the first such walking safaris in Africa. They continue to be totally unique. Ditching the confines of the game drive vehicle for a pair of walking boots as you venture out in the wilderness, where so much lies in store. After a night at Nkwali Camp, 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. A final night at Tena Tena Camp or Nsefu Camp completes the safari.


The South Luangwa National Park, Zambia marks the end of the Great Rift Valley, one of the last remaining unspoilt wilderness areas and possibly the finest wildlife sanctuary in Africa. South Luangwa National Park is widely known as the home of the walking safari. This is one of the most exclusive experiences on offer in the African bush. The park is centred around the Luangwa River. Untapped by man, its natural ebb and flow of flooding makes much of the park inaccessible by road which keeps it a sanctuary for the large concentration of game that live there. A paradise for birders, over 450 species are to be found in the park, and the wildlife includes elephant, buffalo, hippos, giraffe, leopards and lions.


The area we operate our Mobile Walking Safaris 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. All walks are led by a highly experienced guide and always accompanied by an armed game scout, thus giving you the utmost safety during this adventure.


Day by Day Itinerary


Day 1 - Nkwali Camp

Arrive Lusaka international Airport where you will be met, connect with your flight to Mfuwe, on arrival you will be met and transferred to Nkwali Lodge for one night. 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 Pope Safari'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.


This is a small intimate and authentic camp and is the ideal start off point to any safari with a few more creature comforts than the bush camps to help ease people into the African way of life. While at Nkwali Camp, you have the option of 2 game activities per day, with the choice of a game drive or a walking safari. There is no typical day on safari, you can choose to do as little or as much as you like although we recommend at least one activity per day. Apart from the game activities, there are also some enriching cultural experiences such as visits to the local village and school to see what local Zambian life is about. A trip to one of the wildlife education centres is also encouraged.


Day 2  | Mobile Camp

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 | Mobile Walking Safari

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 Overnight.


Day 4 |

Explore the area on foot – returning to the same campsite.


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 | Tena Tena Camp

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 Overnight.


NOTE – The last night can be spent at Nsefu Camp.

On a sweeping bend of the river, 12 kilometres north of Tena Tena, lies Nsefu. Nsefu was the first game camp in Zambia and dates 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 two 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 dormant 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 veranda. 


Day 8 | Depart

You will be transferred back to Mfuwe for your flight to Lusaka and onward journey

 

After a few days’ walking in the bush it is a good idea to spend extra nights at either Nkwali, Tena Tena or Nsefu to relax or 2 or 3 nights at the Victoria Falls on either the Zambia or Zimbabwe side. Please ask for further details.



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