Nkwali Camp

The Came Setting Photo #1 of 7 Photo copyright Robin Pope Safaris.

Elephant trunk tricks at Robin Pope Safaris, South Luangwa, Zambia

Video #1 of 1

Overview

Nkwali is located on Robin's private land, overlooking the National Park. The area surrounding Nkwali is superb game viewing country, with a beautiful area of ebony woodland and open grasslands. We have put driving loops in this area and often see as much behind camp as in the park - including leopard, lion and occasionally wild dog. This area is particularly good for elephants and Thornicroft giraffe (an endemic species) Elephants also regularly cross the Luangwa, seen from the bar, or come to the waterhole near the thatched dining room.

The chalets are large, cool and spacious, with a great view of the river. The front of the room is open during the day and then closed by grill doors at night. The ensuite bathroom has double sinks and showers, which are open to the skies during the dry season. The bar area, right on the edge of the Luangwa banks, is built around a huge ebony tree with fantastic views of the river and across to the park. The open deck is wonderful for moonlit dinners. The dining room is a simple thatched structure, by the lagoon but we rarely eat meals there - they are served under the trees by the lagoon or the river, on the deck, or in the bush!

Although the camp is outside the national park we access the park by either by boat (2 minutes) or our nearby pontoon (10 minutes). And of course the main bridge is only 15 minutes away - giving us 3 options for entry. We therefore easily cover a large game viewing area from Nkwali. This central area of the park is accessible all year and so the game is very relaxed and used to the vehicles. This gives great photographic opportunities as the game allows the vehicles to get close.

Nkwali is open all year and the seasons are basically divided into the "dry season" (mid May - October) and the "Emerald Season" (November - mid May). This is a broad brush approach and every month produces a special natural happening - here are monthly details on the climate and what each season brings.