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10 Nights / 11 Days Itinerary

The LUANGWA VALLEY, which marks the end of the Great Rift Valley, is one of the last unspoilt wilderness areas and possibly the finest wildlife sanctuary in Africa. It covers an area of over 9000 sq. km. through which the meandering Luangwa River runs. The ox bow lagoons, woodland and plains of the valley host huge concentrations of game - including elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion, giraffe, hippo - and over 400 species of birds.

Combining Robin Pope Safaris in the Nkwali Camp 2 nights, Walking Moobile - 5 Nights and Tena Tena Camp or Nsefu - 3 Nights

NKWALI CAMP
Day 1 On arrival at Mfuwe International Airport a guide from Robin Pope Safaris will meet you. The drive to Nkwali Camp is 1 hour through colourful local scenes of villages, agriculture as well as 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, in the day 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.

NKWALI CAMP
Day 2 At dawn breakfast is served around the campfire. This includes porridge heated on the fire and toast 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 species of giraffe, the Thornicroft Giraffe. A mid morning break of tea, coffee and cake will be taken by a scenic point on a lagoon or the Luangwa River. Return to camp for lunch around mid day. After lunch you can cool off in the swimming pool or siesta. Tea will be served in the afternoon and then off on an afternoon game drive that continues into the early night giving the chance to see the nocturnal world. Usually one returns to camp about 20.00 hrs with dinner generally at 20.30.

MOBILE CAMP
Day 3 After an early breakfast, you will be heading north to start your walking mobile which has become known as THE wilderness experience of the South Luangwa. Your drive is some 90kms to the Mupamadzi River along a bush road, through remote parts of the park. You arrive in camp for lunch around mid day. The camp is already set up for your arrival with well-equipped walk-in tents. The shower is under a tree and the toilet is a long drop with a wooden throne. Enjoy a relaxing siesta after lunch, before tea and going for a walk around camp in the afternoon, to return for sundowners and dinner in the open under the stars!

MOBILE CAMP
Day 4 Up at sunrise for the morning walk. The area is remote and wild, the terrain and habitats varied and the game shy and unused to man. From ant's to buffalo, a bird's nest to tracking a lion, you will learn the many facets of the bush. The mobile camp will be packed and moved to Camp 2 and lunch will be ready as the guests arrive late morning. Lunch, siesta and afternoon walk.

MOBILE CAMP
Day 5 Explore the area on foot - returning to the same campsite.

MOBILE CAMP
Day 6 The camp will be moved again to camp 3 during the morning as you walk further down the river. The Mupamadzi River is a major tributary of the Luangwa. All walks are led by an experienced naturalist and accompanied by an armed game scout.

MOBILE CAMP
Day 7 Explore the area on foot - returning to the same campsite.

TENA TENA
Day 8 After an early breakfast, transfer to the Luangwa River crossing point opposite Tena Tena. This is a 4 to 5 hour drive. Tena Tena staff will meet and boat the party across the river, and then a 20 minute drive to Tena Tena camp. This remote and small camp lies within the National Park and enjoys a stunning location on a sweeping bend of the Luangwa River. A grove of mahogany trees shade the large custom-made tents. From the thatched dining room and bar, guests can watch the elephants, hippo and antelope on the riverbank. Tena has 5 tents, each with a dressing room, open air bathroom and private verandah that overlooks a water hole. Most meals are taken under the shade of a huge Mahogany tree in the centre of the camp. On arrival you will be shown to your tent and then lunch will be served followed by a well deserved siesta before the afternoon and evening game drive. Time to rest those weary legs!!

TENA TENA
Day 9 Today is a chance to visit the spectacular lagoon, Buca Buca, where a whole morning can be spent quietly sitting while the game comes down to feed and drink. Being remote and so small, we have these scenes to ourselves. 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.

TENA TENA
Day 10 Being the last whole day at Tena Tena you resume game activities in the morning and evening with the possibility of visiting Kawaza village as an option to meet local people and experience life in a real Zambian village. If you wish to visit then it is best to mention this when booking your holiday or with Robin Pope Safaris on arrival.

Day 11 Depending on your flight time you will be transferred by vehicle to Mfuwe Airport which is approximately 1.5 hrs drive from Tena Tena. Where possible we would incorporate a game drive.

Note - The last three nights can be spent at Nsefu Camp.

The specialties of these safaris are:

WALKING SAFARIS The only way to really discover the secrets of the bush. Walks are led by an experienced naturalist and accompanied by an armed game scout.
GAME DRIVES (not available when on mobile) Conducted in open four wheel drive vehicles by knowledgeable safari guides. Special gameviewing seats provide excellent viewing and opportunities for photography.
NIGHT DRIVES (not available when on mobile) Set out in the afternoon. Later, after watching the sun set over the river with a sundowner in hand, the drive continues with a powerful spotlight. The nocturnal world of the bush is witnessed from owls, genets to hunting lions and the graceful leopard.

All Robin's camps are intimate and highly personalised. Exceptional service has become the hallmark of all Robin's operations. Flexibility and responsiveness to guests' wishes are key.

Walking Fitness
For general idea of fitness level, here are some guide lines. This does not mean this is the distance and timing of every day. But it gives you an idea of how fit you need to be.

Robin always says that you should also be able to run 50 meters, but please understand that this is not because you will be running from any animal! It's just another way of showing a level of fitness.

Walking Mobile Safaris
10 km in 4 hours on varied ground

Luangwa Bush Camping
6 km in 3 hours

North Luangwa Walking
6 km in 3 hours

Prices: