Nkwali in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Nkwali

Nkwali is located on the banks of the Luangwa on a magnificent meander in the river overlooking the National Park where leopards roam along the bank and can often be spotted from camp.

Situated on Robin Pope Safaris’ private land outside the park there is a private game viewing area behind camp as well as exclusive access into the park either by boat or across the pontoon. Nkwali is dominated by an enormous ebony tree around which the bar is molded. It is this tree which, when Robin and Jo Pope found it cemented the location of the camp.

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Nkwali 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. Nkwali's six chalets are spacious and during the day are fully open to wonderful river views, in the evenings the Constantia grill doors are pulled together to close the open room fronts. The en-suite bathrooms are spacious with double sinks and showers from which you can enjoy the enormous African skies.
Nkwali is dominated by an enormous ebony tree around which the bar is molded. It is this tree which, when Robin and Jo Pope found it cemented the location of the camp. From the bar deck cantilevered over the river a cool drink can be enjoyed whilst watching the sun set over the Luangwa. Set back from the river on a lagoon are the dining room and swimming pool from which guests are often treated to elephants and other game coming down to drink during the day unperturbed by our presence.
Activities on offer include guided walking safaris, game drives (day and night), guests can also take a cultural/village tour, visit Chimpembele Wildlife Orphanage, a local market, and Tribal Textiles. 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.

Even though the camp is situated outside the National Park this does not impact on the game viewing with private land offering large diversity of wildlife behind the camp for short game drives and exclusive access directly into the park by boat or by using the pontoon for most of the activities. We do occasionally use the main gate for guests staying with us for extended periods of time as well as for game drive transfers up to the bush camps.

Key Facts

Open dates: All year round
Location: South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Access: Air- 1 hour 30 min flight with Proflight from Lusaka, Zambia to Mfuwe. Flights from Victoria Falls to Mfuwe seasonally. Road- From Mfuwe Airport it is a 40 minute road transfer.
Accommodation: Six open-air bush chalets; 1 x double, 4 x twins, and 1 x honeymoon suite/family suite. Each chalet features an open en-suite bathroom with double basins and shower.
Activities: Guided walking safaris, day and night game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, cultural/village tour, visit to Chimpembele, visit local market and Tribal Textiles
Children: Children 7 years and older are welcome