Mobile Walking Safari Zambia – 10 nights

The following sample holiday is a Mobile Walking Safari. These have come to be known as THE wilderness experience of the South Luangwa. Following 2 nights at Nkwali Camp, the party drives up to the remote north of the park. For 5 days the safari follows the Mupamadzi River, covering approximately 10km a day. This clear river is a major tributary of the Luangwa. 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.

contact a specialist about this trip
Day 1 & 2:
Arrive at Lusaka and fly by light aircraft to the South Luangwa National Park where you will spend 2 nights at:
  • Mahlatini recommends the following accommodation:
  • Nkwali Camp in a luxury Chalet (AI)
Day 3 - 7:
You will embark upon your Walking Safari throughout the park and spend 5 nights at various mobile camps:
Day 8 - 10:
You will spend a further 3 nights in the national park where you could stay at:
  • Mahlatini recommends the following accommodation:
  • Tena Tena in a Luxury Tent (AI)
Day 11:
On your final day take a flight from South Luangwa to Lusaka for onward connections

Contact a specialist about this Zambia Walking Safari

Day 1 & 2:

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.

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.

Day 3 - 7:

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!

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.

Day 5 Explore the area on foot – returning to the same campsite.

Day 6 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.

Day 7 Explore the area on foot – returning to the same campsite

Day 8 - 10:

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. If you wish to visit then it is best to mention this when booking your holiday with Mahlatini or with Robin Pope Safaris on arrival.

Day 7:

Tea and toast heralds another dawn at Nsolo and the conversation will often include an interpretation of all the noises that kept you awake through the night. You head off again on foot and follow the course of the Luwi sand river towards its confluence with the main Luangwa. Positioned overlooking this confluence you will find Kakuli bush camp, where a cool drink and brunch will be waiting and your bags will have been delivered to your tent.

Nightdrives from this camp are usually very worthwhile so again you can choose to walk, drive or do a little of both.

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 will incorporate a game drive.

The speciality 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 - Conducted in open four wheel drive vehicles by knowledgeable safari guides. Special game viewing seats provide excellent viewing and opportunities for photography.

NIGHT DRIVES - 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.

Please note: Game Drives and Night Drives are not available when on mobile.

Contact a specialist about this Zambia Holiday

Cost:
  • Zambia Mobile Walking Safari – Prices range from £3,525 per person sharing.
Notes:
Prices are dependent on season and are excluding international flights which we can arrange. There may always be specials available at the time of enquiring so we may manage to get more competitive prices than those advertised.
Includes:
  • Fully Inclusive accommodation
  • All game viewing activities
  • Laundry
  • Local Beverages
  • National Park fees
  • Transfers to and from Mfuwe Airstrip
  • Light aircraft transfers to and from South Luangwa
Excludes:
  • International Flights into and out of Lusaka
  • Visas
  • Gratuities
  • Imported wines or spirits, champagne
  • Airport taxes

Contact a specialist to personalise your Zambia Walking Safari

Customer Review

Holiday to Zambia, South Africa and Botswana during October 2011

Zambia Review

Stayed near Vic Falls for just 2 days so didn't stray much further. Swimming in the devils pool is definitely worth a go though!!

Rated...

Signed:

Hayley Allen

Zambia Factfile

Timezone:
GMT +2
Language:
English, many local languages
Currency:
Kwacha, US Dollars
Best time:
Year round destination
Flights:
10 hours from Europe
Visas:
Required, call for info