The Robin Pope Safaris Mobile Camps are semi-permanent and are set up along the Mupamadzi River in the remote north part of the South Luangwa Valley. Guests leave on a set-departure trip organised by Robin Pope Safaris for 5 nights.
With a maximum of six guests, the safaris are exclusive and are led by RPS's top guides. The camps are simple, with en-suite walk-in tents with long drop loos and a bucket shower. The camps are open and animals will wander through freely.
The days start with the dawn, guests gather around the camp fire, where tea, coffee and toast will be waiting. The first walk of the day is in the cool of the morning, when the animals are more active. Generally, walks last for about four hours, but they are not a route-march - plenty of time is spent stopping and looking at game and birds, and the guide will point out interesting plants and tracks. There are numerous stops for resting and for some tea, coffee and cake before continuing on to the next camp, which the team will have packed up and moved to a new location. The mobile camp is usually moved three times during the five night safari, but this will depend very much on the wildlife activity.
The expert level of guiding on all these trips is very reassuring. The Luangwa has become the centre for walking safaris because of its stringent tests for guides, and the park rules that dictate that an armed game scout and a guide must accompany every group. It's one of the safest places to walk in Africa.
Finally, completing the complement for most walking trips is a 'tea-bearer' – a member of the camp's staff who acts as another experienced pair of eyes, whilst carrying vital supplies of tea, coffee, cold drinks and delicious cakes for refreshment stops along the way.