Reviews of Nkwali
(96%) From 199 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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A great return to Nkwali
It's been five years since we last stayed and Nkwali and it was as great as ever. The camp suffered from power cuts during our 2 night stay, exacerbated by the backup generator being out of action but the camp looked lovely with all the lanterns and solar lights.
This trip we were given a huge room with an enormous sofa so we had plenty of room for the tree frogs that shared the bathroom with us. The steps down to the river have been upgraded to concrete which makes it much easier to get to and from the boat. The pool was a welcome respite from the heat and it was lovely watching Humphrey the hippo enjoying the waterhole. This trip the elephants weren't coming to the waterhole as often, but we had many close encounters with them in the park.
Pias was our guide for our short stay. During the transfer to Tena Tena, we were fortunate enough to encounter a pack of 11 wild dogs. One of the dogs had found a discarded plastic bottle (slapped wrist for whoever was so thoughtless) and refused to share with the others. Unlike watching lions during the day when you are waiting for one of them to even roll over, the dogs are so much more active. We loved watching them and actually got to see a second pack that evening - fortunate indeed! If the number of sighting of giraffes we had are anything to go by, the population in the park is healthy.
Kiki was a marvellous host for our all too short stay. Despite the brevity of our stay, we still saw 56 different species of animals which is pretty amazing.
Nkwali Camp - Unbelievable start to safari
Sept 29+30: Well organized pickup at Mfewe airport then 40 minute drive to Nkwali Camp in time for dinner at 8pm. Delicious food, lovely accommodations, dinners served by small lagoon where resident hippo sleeps or chomps on vegetation. Baboons and monkeys wander around as well as mongoose families and all sorts of birds.
Small pool overlooking the lagoon was perfect. Rooms are beautiful with an open air feel to the bathroom area, which was well stocked with amenities, insect repellent and bug spray. Breakfast served overlooking a bend in the Luangwa River where hippos lounge in the water and elephants can be seen crossing over.
My first game drive greatly exceeded my expectations - lion pride resting under tree after kill, hyenas and vultures at the kill, pack of wild dogs resting after their kill, plus large herd of water buffalo crossing the road, elephants, giraffes, zebras, warthogs, impalas, puku, crocodiles, hippos. Spectacular!
Nkwali Review
How nice to return to Nkwali (visit No.5) and to be greeted by Kiki and so many familiar faces. We were expertly guided by Perry and Wilson, our spotter, was as wonderful as ever at locating wildlife!
We particularly liked our palatial room at the camp and the river views. It was well worth spending time in the afternoons by the lagoon and watching Humphrey the hippo and all the other visiting animals, retiles and birds.
Thanks to everyone on the staff for making this such an enjoyable stay.
Nkwali review
Great staff, food, room and location, tho' the latter not as breathtaking as Nsefu. Enjoyed a walk with guide Prius, who an encyclopedic knowledge of all things bush. Our young guide, Perry, was great company and it was good to transfer between camps with him by a 4 hour game drive.
The camp Manager, 'Keke' was a delightful worldly man.
Still short of coat hangers!
Re. Wildlife Survey:
Waterbuck - 5 sightings
Leopard - 4 different individuals sighted
Lion - 12 individuals
Wild Dog - One sighting of a pack of 13 active individuals
Highlight - At dusk two lions up one tree and a leopard up another, both in clear sight at the same time and just 60m apart.
Nkwali review
I think the only sadness is being so close to the entrance of the park there are quite a few other vehicles around, however, the Robin Pope guides adhere to only 4 vehicles near any sighting, sadly other don't in particular the self drive
Read more about the whole safariNkwali
A friendly, welcoming camp easily accessible from the airport (should you have a later flight) - being just outside the park is not a drawback. The short boat ride across the river afforded additional photo opportunities.
Obi was an excellent guide and a fount of knowledge who helped us see so much.
Fabulous sightings at Nkwali
We were lucky enough to have the honeymoon suite again this trip which was lovely.
Our guide Pious was amazing his ability to track and find the wildlife was incredibly, we had the most amazing sightings here.
The location of Nkwali is also lovely
Again all staff were great.
Wonderful Nkwali
Staff were very friendly, relaxed and professional . Kiki was a perfect host supported by new arrival Ben ( who happened to come from 10 miles up the road from us at home!)
Perri , our guide was extremely knowledgeable and approachable. He made us feel at ease and relaxed about asking questions.
Our tented accommodation was luxurious and food “ top class”.
Returning for a 6th time to Nkwali
Nyambi was an excellent guide and we had some very good sightings, particularly of wild dogs, leopards and lions.
Staying at Nkwali was a pleasure.
Nkwali fantastic as always
We just love everything about Nkwali. The people, the location, the guiding, the food, the chalets..... This was our 4th stay in 4 years time and we always stayed a longer period at least 7 nights there, which we would highly recommend. Then you can experience all the secrets of the area. For example during the dry season it is possible to explore the game management area around the camp where we had very special sighting exclusively for us because only RPS cars are allowed to drive there.
We enjoyed this time the Emerald season when the park is green and you have the feeling to have the park for yourself. The bird life is amazing and we found other wildlife sightings like leopards, wild dogs, lions with cubs, lots of elephants etc. The game is maybe a bit more difficult to spot in comparison to the dry season but in a park like the South Luangwa there is always still more that you could wish for. The high levels of the river and the morning boot drives into the park at sunrise have been out of this world. Just stunning!
We have to say a special thank to everybody from Nkwali. The whole team made this stay again unforgettable and it was so hard to leave. The atmosphere in the camp is very warmly, relaxed, cheerful. Thank you for all the new wrinkles because of laughing so hard :-)
The passion for wild life with all the incredible knowledge that all the staff has got is amazing. Guiding is hard to top. We have been very privileged to go with Kanga on our Safaris. We learned a lot from him observing carefully the nature. Now we understand again more how this precious and fragile ecosystem with all the plants and animals is working.
We are looking very much forward to our next time even when we have to wait till 2021.
