11 Night South Luangwa Mobile Camping Itinerary
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Zambia Walking Safari
11 Night South Luangwa Mobile Camping Itinerary
Walking mobile safaris offer the ultimate wilderness experience in South Luangwa, one of the finest wildlife areas on the continent. After 2 nights in a comfortable lodge you set out on foot into the wilderness. The area is remote and wild, the terrain and habitats varied and the game shy and unused to man. From ants to buffalo, a bird's nest to tracking a lion, you will learn the many facets of the bush.
The fully serviced mobile camp is extremely comfortable and well-equipped with walk-in tents and full bedding. The shower is under a tree and the loo is a long drop with a wooden throne. Meals of a high standard are served under the open sky. A final few nights at Tena Tena complete the safari.
Day 1
On arrival at Lusaka you will be met by a Mahlatini representative who will assist you with your light aircraft transfer to Mfuwe Airport for South Luangwa National Park. On arrival at Mfuwe you will be transferred to Nkwali Camp for 2 nights. 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. 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.
Day 2
At dawn breakfast is served around the campfire. This includes porridge heated on the fire and toast cooked on 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.
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!
Days 4-5
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. On Day 5 explore the area on foot – returning to the same campsite.
Days 6-7
The camp will be moved again to camp 3 during the morning as you walk further down the river. The clear water Mupamadzi River is a major tributary of the Luangwa and all walks are led by an experienced naturalist and accompanied by an armed game scout. On Day 7 explore the area on foot – returning to the same campsite.
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 large custom made tents, each with a dressing room and open air bathroom 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!!
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 days safari.
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 non tourist village.
Day 11
Transfer to Mfuwe Airport which is approximately 1.5 hrs drive from Tena Tena. Where possible we will incorporate a game drive
Note: This is simply a suggestion of how you can spend your time. Mahlatini will tailor make the itinerary specific to interests and budget. The region offers a wide variety of places to stay ranging from formal hotels to informal holiday flats, game lodges and reserves, guesthouses etc. There is usually something to suit everyone’s budget! Should you wish to have the car hire delivered or if you would prefer transfers this can easily be arranged.