Credit Robin Pope Safaris

On arrival at Mfuwe International Airport in Lusaka a guide from Robin Pope Safaris will meet you. The drive to Nkwali Camp is 1 hour through colourful local scenes of villages, agriculture and bush. Nkwali Camp has a wide view of the Luangwa River. On Robin's private land, and overlooking the South Luangwa National Park, Nkwali is ideally situated for the start of your safari.  The six rooms all look out over the river and have open air bathrooms. Depending on your arrival time you will enjoy a lunch looking out over the lagoon to the back of Nkwali or if in the afternoon for tea and the afternoon and night game drive.

At dawn breakfast is served around the campfire. The porridge is heated on the fire and the toast is cooked by the coals.  The morning walk or drive will leave soon after, entering the park by boat from the camp or by the nearby pontoon.  The game in the area is excellent - and includes many family herds of elephants and the endemic Thornicroft Giraffe.   A mid morning break of tea, coffee and cake will be taken at a scenic point on a lagoon or the Luangwa River.  Return to camp for lunch around midday.   After lunch you can cool off in the swimming pool or enjoy a siesta.  Following tea you will go out on an afternoon game drive that continues into the early evening giving you the chance to see the nocturnal world, returning to camp about 20.00 hrs with dinner generally at 20.30.

Today is your chance to drive or walk through the ebony groves. Or you may decide this is an ideal day, depending on the heat and time of year, to explore the Nsefu Sector of the National Park possibly with an all day picnic drive to the salt pans that will cover different habitats and is an exceptional day's safari.

After breakfast around the camp fire, your safari will continue with another relaxing day at Nsefu, with morning and evening game activities and the possibility of visiting Kawaza village. This community tourism initiative is a great opportunity to meet local people and experience life in a real non-tourist village. If you wish to visit, then it is best to mention this when booking your holiday or with Robin Pope Safaris on arrival.  

After an early breakfast, transfer to Mfuwe Airport (1.5 hours) for the flight to Lusaka (1.5 hours) and then onto the Lower Zambezi (30 mins). As you fly into the area, you will see the wide Zambezi River, dotted with islands.  Buffalo and elephant are always seen feeding along with the pods of hippos that rest on the edge of the sandbanks.  The transfer to Chongwe River Camp is a short 15 min trip in an open game viewing vehicle. The camp itself looks onto the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi rivers and the mountains of the escarpment to the north. The chalets are large, well-appointed Mulati tents under thatch, with a luxury open-air bathroom on suite. Situated under a canopy of Albida thorns and surrounded by cool lawns, they command fabulous views over the Rivers. The bathrooms are an experience on their own, open air with fittings made from natural materials found near the lodge. You will arrive in time for a delicious buffet lunch. In the afternoon you will have the choice of game viewing by vehicle or you can jump in a boat and experience life on the Zambezi .

At Chongwe there are various activities to choose from. On offer are exciting day and night drives and bush walks, and guests can also choose their own day's itinerary from a selection of canoe trips, river safaris on safe, stable pontoon boats and catch & release angling for the infamous tiger fish (in season).  

The day will be spent continuing with your chosen activities and ending with a delicious supper served alfresco under the African night sky.

There is a wide range of activities on offer at Tongabezi including fishing, canoe trips on the river or game drives in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park.  For the more adventurous, Livingstone boasts a whole host of adrenaline filled activities including whitewater rafting, bungee jumping and microlighting. Or you may just wish to rest in camp and enjoy the spectacular scenery and peaceful atmosphere.  The day will end with a relaxed dinner served either in the main dining area or as a private meal outside your room.

After breakfast, and a morning activity time permitting, transfer to Livingstone Airport for your onward flight.