Nkwali Camp is situated just outside the South Luangwa National Park. The camp has six delightful thatched cottages with open-air en-suite bathrooms.
Enjoy a fun river crossing on Nkwali's pontoon to take you to the more remote areas of South Luangwa
Spend a fascinating cultural day at Kawaza Village, supported by Nkwali Camp and very welcoming
Enjoy a wonderfully relaxing massage from the comfort of your deck
Experience top-class guiding on day and night game drives in open vehicles with your expert guides
Nkwali is located on private land, overlooking the National Park, it is owned and run by Robin Pope Safaris who were among the first to operate safaris in this area. The area surrounding Nkwali is superb game viewing country, with a beautiful area of ebony woodland and open grasslands. There are driving loops in this area and often as much can be seen 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.
Although the camp is outside the national park guests can access the park either by boat (2 minutes) or the nearby pontoon (10 minutes). The main bridge and park gates are just 15 minutes away - giving 3 options for entry. Therefore guests will easily cover a large game viewing area from Nkwali. This central area of the park is accessible all year and so the game are very relaxed and used to the vehicles. This gives great photographic opportunities as the game allow the vehicles to get close.
The six cottages are made of woven bamboo and thatch and are airy and cool with open-air en-suite bathrooms. The bar is built around an enormous ebony tree and the separate dining area overlooks a small lagoon which often attracts elephants and bushbuck down to drink. Nkwali also offers a swimming pool to cool off in on those warm lazy afternoons.
Nkwali offers an authentic safari experience, top of the range professional guiding and a base camp for those keen to take part in some fantastic walking safaris between Robin Pope’s bush camps.
When to visit
If you are lucky you might get to see a herd of elephant cross the Luangwa River in front of the Lodge.
Plan your trip
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Enquire NowNkwali Camp sits under the shade of mahogany, ebony and sausage trees, on the banks of the Luangwa River. Just outside the South Luangwa National Park, Eastern Province of Zambia.
Zambia Walking Safari
Step into the wild on this journey across the wildernesses of Zambia’s Luangwa Valley, where leopard stalk the night and a true adventure awaits. Expert guides lead you away from the ordinary to hidden corners of this remote Eden rarely seen by tourists; fall in love with the African bush in a new way in the area that pioneered the walking safari. Reconnect with nature as you fall asleep listening to the call of distant lions after a day exploring the sweeping Luangwa plains and rivers.
Night Drives
If you get the opportunity to head out after sunset you should take it. The bush transforms under the cover of darkness as the nocturnal wildlife gets going. Using a spotlight your guide will scan the bush for eye-shine picking out some great action.
Game Drives in the South Luangwa
Game drives are the most common way of exploring the African bush. A vehicle allows you to cover distance quickly and comfortably and offers visitors the best opportunity of getting very close to wildlife in a safe and controlled way.
