Luangwa Bush Camping in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

This is simple camping but with that extra touch of comfort. There are stand up tents, mattresses on the floor of the tent, sheets and blankets, wash basin, shared 60L bucket shower, bush loo, full bar and food service, fully serviced camp (except laundry).

Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Ideally you would spend the night at a camp not too far off so that you can get up at sunrise and then take a morning walk as a morning activity to the first bush camp. Situated in a secluded area of the Nsefu sector the camp is simple and “bush”. Arriving in time for a leisurely lunch followed by a siesta and an afternoon walk will follow tea and then back to camp for sundowners and dinner around the camp fire.
Day 2: The day is spent walking in the game rich area of the Luangwa riverine habitat, with ebony groves, many lagoons and of course the Luangwa River itself. During your morning walk the camp will be moved to a second site and lunch will be waiting for you on arrival, alternatively you and your guide may decide to have a picnic lunch en route. This is a very flexible day and your guide will discuss options to suit you and any other guests.
Day 3: Following a relaxed breakfast you will walk out of camp and head towards your next lodging, stopping for tea and cake along the way and arriving in time for lunch. This day will vary depending on where you are staying overnight today. If not a nearby property, then you may well walk into one of our camps in the Nsefu Sector and then be driven to onward connection.
Luangwa Bush Camping is the ultimate rustic wilderness experience. The camp is simple and caters to all your needs. Two twin walk-in Meru tents, maximum four guests, shared bucket shower and long drop loo. No power here, just paraffin lamps and torches are used for lighting. Meals are enjoyed beside the Luangwa River with magnificent wildlife encounters.
You can make the dream of truly escaping into the wild a reality, when you come with us into the Luangwa bush 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.
Responsible Tourism

Operating lodges and camps in protected ecosystems in Africa alongside local indigenous communities and wildlife comes with a great deal of responsibility.

Robin Pope Safaris is committed to responsible tourism. We conduct our business in a manner that benefits the environment and wildlife conservation, the people who work for us, and our neighboring communities. In this way our tourism operations, and the presence of our guests, has the capacity to protect natural wildlife areas, alleviate poverty through good employment practices and contribute positively to the local community. We work together with community development, wildlife conservation and responsible tourism specialists to ensure that we operate in accordance with these principles.

Caring for the environment

Robin Pope Safaris takes pro-active steps to ensure that we run in an environmentally responsible manner. This is important in protecting the fragile ecosystems upon which the wildlife and local people rely upon for their survival and in which we operate.

Steps we take:
- The use of green technology; solar energy systems, natural air-cooling and non-fired bricks.
- Conserve water
- Recycle, re-use, or dispose waste in a responsible matter.
Wildlife Conservation

Robin Pope Safaris undertakes many activities, and supports a diversity of projects that contribute to the conservation and protection of wildlife. We also ensure that wildlife and their habitats are not disturbed by our operations.

Activities we undertake:
Professionally Trained & Highly Qualified Safari Guides
Our guides are trained to the highest possible standards and all have professional safari guiding qualifications.

Anti-Poaching
In Zambia we financially support the vital anti-poaching activities of Conservation South Luangwa (CSL) in order to keep South Luangwa’s wildlife safe from poachers.
We also support both financially and practically our local Kakumbi Community Resource Board.
In Zimbabwe we support the Zambezi Elephant Fund. This fund works with local authorities, as well as a collaborative group of alliance partners to maintain a strong anti-poaching presence.

Carnivore Research The Luangwa Valley is home to Zambia’s second largest wild dog population, its largest lion population and one of its largest leopard populations.

Conservation Education
Changing ‘hearts and minds’ of community members living alongside wildlife to understand the importance and value of wildlife are crucial in its conservation.

Support of Government Wildlife Bodies
Robin Pope Safaris supports the conservation efforts of the Zambian, Malawian and Zimbabwean governments through the payment of tourism levies and fees, by reporting snared animals to the wildlife authorities, promoting the protection of fish species along Lake Malawi National Park and by assisting their operations with vehicles and resources when needed.

Community benefit

For over 30 years, we have been committed to ensuring that our local communities benefit from our presence through employment. We understand the interdependence between local communities and the wildlife and natural resources that tourism depends upon. As we operate in rural areas that lack other development opportunities, we are in a great position to impact positively on local people’s lives.

Healthcare
Robin Pope Safaris founded the Luangwa Safari Association Medical Fund, which contributes to the upkeep of the government’s rural Kakumbi Health Centre; which provides healthcare for more than 20 000 residents.

Education
Robin Pope Safaris believes that investing in education provision in the local community is one of the best contributions we can make to our neighbours. Education is key to ending the cycle of poverty in rural African communities.

Trade Not Aid
We purchase as many locally available supplies as possible to stimulate local trade. We also contract local craftsmen for new buildings and in the refurbishment of our existing properties and support local artisans by selling their wares in our gift shops.

With our active support, community members from Kawaza Village set up and manage the first authentic cultural village tourism enterprise in Zambia. We encourage trade with Kawaza Village and are their main supplier of guests, marketing them internationally through our website and our tour operator partners and acting as their Booking Agent.

Caring for our staff

To care for our staff, we ensure high standard treatment, fair wages, and good working conditions as well as access to education and training. We employ solely on the basis of merit and employ local staff in all areas of our operations.

Training & Promotion
We have a number of training mechanisms in place for our staff and have a policy of in-house development and promotion from bottom to top.

We always reward good work and encourage our staff to further their education – both through our in-house training courses and externally. We sponsor employees that show high commitment and potential to develop themselves to senior management level.

Luangwa Bush Camping

Luangwa Bush Camping

Key Facts

Where To Next?

Nkwali

Nsefu

Anabezi

Robin’s House

Luangwa River Camp

The Mobile Walking Safari

Luangwa Safari House

Tena Tena