Read 29 traveller reviews of Nkwali

Built on the banks of the Luangwa River, Nkwali Camp sits under the shade of tall mahogany, ebony and sausage trees. Owned and run by Robin Pope Safaris the camp is well situated a relatively short drive from Mfuwe Airport and overlooking South Luangwa National Park.

Nkwali Camp has six brick-and-thatch chalets, each overlooking the Luangwa River and the park beyond. High ceilings and flagstone floors help to keep these spacious rooms cool in the summer and warm during winter (See Zambia's weather). The chalets are open-fronted allowing guests to lie back on their comfortable beds whilst watching animals visit the river to drink. At night, large mosquito nets are lowered to cover the beds, whilst bars are fitted in the open windows to keep the inhabitants safe. Each chalet has a large en-suite bathroom with twin sinks, flush toilet and an open-air shower.

At the centre of Nkwali lies an open-sided thatched building with a large wooden deck over the river. Various comfortable sitting areas are scattered throughout this 'chitenge' which also has a small reference library and the camp's bar – the place to gather for pre-dinner drinks and to exchange stories of the day's wildlife adventures.

Although Nkwali Camp has a thatched dining area, this is usually only used if it rains. Otherwise tables are set up for meals at various points throughout the camp. On our last visit, in October 2007, we enjoyed a buffet lunch on the lawn under the shade of a grand jackalberry tree, and dinner near the camp's waterhole whilst watching bushbuck drink. A hyena passed by during dessert, and this caused quite a stir!

Rather unusually for safari camps in South Luangwa National Park, Nkwali Camp has a swimming pool. Comfortable sun loungers offer a welcoming spot to relax here in-between game drive safaris.

Nkwali Camp is situated in a small game management area (GMA) on the opposite side of the river to South Luangwa National Park. Whilst animals are common residents of the GMA, activities usually take place across the river within the national park. These include short walking safaris and 4WD game drives – during the day and at night. Typically there are two activities per day, each lasting around 3-4 hours and led by an expert guide. All walking safaris are accompanied by an armed game ranger, as well as a fully-qualified Robin Pope Safaris guide.

Nkwali's 4WD game safaris operate in the heart of South Luangwa, where the game is at its most relaxed – but the density of other vehicles is also at its highest. This is seldom problematic, as just south of Nkwali Camp, Robin Pope has a private pontoon over the river which enables its vehicles to swiftly enter the park, south of the main (and sometimes busy) gate at Mfuwe Bridge – which is the access point for a number of camps which are located outside the park.

A trip to Nkwali combines naturally well with its sister-camps, Nsefu Camp and Tena Tena, as well as being part of the itinerary for trips that use Robin Pope's mobile walking camp, in the north of the park on the Mupamadze RIver.

Close to Nkwali, Robin Pope Safaris also run Robin's House and the impressive Luangwa Safari House. These are two private 'houses', with two and four bedrooms respectively. Each comes with its own chef, expert wildlife guide and private safari vehicle, and both are ideal for families or small groups traveling together.

Further afield, in the Lower Zambezi National Park, Robin Pope Safaris has also been instrumental in building the spectacular Chongwe River House, which works on the same basis.

Lodge overview

Lodge type: Safari

No. of bedrooms: 6 brick-and-thatch chalets

Season: Open Year Round

Ideal length of stay: We recommend a stay of 2 or 3 nights at Nkwali Camp in conjunction with time at either Nsefu Camp or Tena Tena in the Nsefu Sector of South Luangwa. Nkwali also a very natural complement to trips to Kawaza Village - which was originally set up with the help of Robin Pope Safaris.

Central facilities: Nkwali Camp has an open-sided thatch building at its centre with a wide wooden deck over the Luangwa River. This area has a homely area with various comfortable sitting areas, a stone fire-place and small library. At the back of the camp a small waterhole attracts various animals down to drink. During our stay we enjoyed watching the interaction of a family of elephants here, hyena and a family of bushbuck who appeared after the coast was clear. Unlike many of the other safari camps in South Luangwa, Nkwali has a swimming pool. As elephants are regular visitors to the camp and the pool is set a little way from the rooms you will need to ask for an escort to the pool area. Once there, comfortable sun loungers offer a nice spot to relax in between activities.

Geographics

Location: South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Directions: After an hour flight from Lusaka or Lower Zambezi, guests are met at Mfuwe Airport for a 40-minute drive through Mfuwe Village and a game management area to Nkwali Camp.

Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Key personnel

Owner: Robin Pope Safaris

Staff: Managers: Kiki Guides: Kiki, Zebron, Joseph, Paul, Brandon

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Food quality: Meals at Nkwali Camp are varied, tasty and of a high standard. The camp prides itself in its vegetables picked fresh from their garden. They even produce their own eggs! The day will often begin with a light breakfast buffet. The fare usually includes a selection of cereals, toast, fruits and porridge with tea and coffee. A large brunch is usually served upon returning from your morning activity. On the day you arrive you might be offered a light lunch instead. A buffet that might include a choice of salads, fresh bread, a meat option and a cheese board is often laid out under the shade of a tall tree. When we last visited Nkwali we enjoyed a choice of green salad, cucumber salad, chicken kebabs, fresh bread and a fruit mix. During brunch a hot option of eggs, sausages, tomatoes, beans and bacon can be made to order. Dinner is usually a laid out under the stars. On our last visit we sat overlooking the camp's waterhole whilst enjoying roast pork, crackling cooked to perfection, potato gratin and stir fried vegetables followed by sticky date pudding.

Dining style: Group Meals

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included

Drinks included: Most drinks are included including local spirits and beers. Premium brands such as champagne and many whiskies are not included.

Special interests

Family holidays: Nkwali is one of few of the top safari camps that really welcomes families; their rates are especially good March-June. However, close by is Robin's House and also the Luangwa Safari House which have been designed specifically with families in mind. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for family holidays in Zambia

Birdwatching: The Luangwa Valley's birding is varied and Nkwali is in a superb location, overlooking the Luangwa River, to take advantage of this. Add to that first-rate guides who know their birds well, even the more obscure species, and you've the recipe for a great camp for bird-watchers. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for birdwatching in Zambia

Walking: Walking safaris were pioneered in the Luangwa Valley, and Nkwali is the base camp from which some of Africa's most famous walking safaris set off. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for walking in Zambia

Wildlife: Nkwali camp has first-rate guides, most fully-qualified to lead walking safaris as well as 4WD safaris, and South Luangwa allows night drives, and some off-read driving. These factors make for a superb wildlife safari experience in one of Africa's best game areas. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for wildlife in Zambia

Children

Generally recommended for children: Yes

Central communications

Power supply: Mains Electricity

Communications: In case of emergency, the camp has access to very good communications facilities.

TV & radio: No TVs or radios – this is the bush!

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Medical care: All the guides at Nkwali Camp are trained in first aid. The camps and lodges of South Luangwa National Park usually club together to provide for a doctor to visit them and their staff regularly. The doctor is often based at Nkwali Camp.

Dangerous animals: High Risk

Security measures: As elephants are regular visitors to the camp, guests are escorted to their chalets and around camp after dark.

Fire safety: Each of the chalets has a sand bucket in case of fire. The camp has water, sand and fire beater sources ready in the unlikely event of a fire.

Extras

Disabled access: On Request

Laundry facilities: A laundry service is included at Nkwali Camp. A coal iron is used for pressing, so it's not recommended for anything delicate. Ladies undergarments cannot be washed for cultural reasons. However, washing powder is made available in the rooms for hand washing.

Accepted payment: American Dollars, Pounds sterling, Euro, South African Rand and Zambian Kwatcha are all accepted forms of cash. Visa and Mastercard are also accepted as payment for souvenirs or premium brand drinks.

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