North Luangwa Walking Trails

Kutandala is an exqusite bushcamp on the banks of the Mwaleshi in the North Luangwa National Park.  The owners, Rob and Guz, run the camp as their own home.  "Simple and perfect" (Jo's words!) - this is truly the definition of a "bushcamp".

Here's a sample itinerary. However you can book the camp without using this suggested itinerary.

9 Nights Itinerary

Combining
Robin Pope Safaris in South Luangwa 5 nights
Kutandala in North Luangwa 4 nights

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. The 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 at 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.  Following tea you will go out on an afternoon game drive that continues into the early night giving the chance to see the nocturnal world, returning to camp about 20.00 hrs with dinner generally at 20.30.

NKWALI CAMP

Day 3 After an early breakfast, a  transfer gamedrive through the park takes you to a crossing point on  the Luangwa River.  The Nsefu staff will meet the party, who will cross the river by boat, and then enjoy a 45 minute drive to camp, gameviewing on route.  Nsefu was the first game camp in Zambia and dates back to the early fifties. The Nsefu Sector was recognised then as a phenomenal area and it still is. Robin Pope Safaris owns the only two camps in this sector of the Park. There are six round rondavels with luxurious ensuite facilities and each room has a clear view of the sweeping bend of the Luangwa River through large windows and from the wooden verandahs.  On arrival you will be shown to your rondavel and then lunch will be served followed by a well deserved siesta before the afternoon and evening game drive.  (Note: option of booking Tena Tena for the 3 nights).

NSEFU

Day 4 Today is a chance to drive or walk through the ebony groves.  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.

NSEFU

Day 5 After breakfast around the camp fire, your safari will continue with another relaxing day at Nsefu, with morning and evening game activities and the possibility of visiting Kawaza village. This community tourism initiative is a great opportunity 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 or with Robin Pope Safaris on arrival.

NSEFU

Day 6 After an early breakfast, we transfer you to Mfuwe Airport or Lukuzi Airstrip for an early 45 min flight to North Luangwa.   On arrival there is then a 1 hour drive to reach Kutandala Camp in North Luangwa National Park, on the Mwaleshi River.  The park is very remote and wild -  a place for real bush lovers to visit.  Made of reed, grass and poles, and taking only 6 guests the camp is intimate and natural.   On arrival you will be greeted by Rod & Gus Tether just in time for lunch.  Gus is a first class trained cook and produces mouth watering dishes so be prepared to extend your belt a notch or two during your visit!  After your siesta and tea you will enjoy an afternoon walk with Rod in the bush and back for sundowners in camp and a fantastic dinner under the stars.  

KUTANDALA CAMP

Set on a stunning site on the banks of the Mwaleshi River in the heart of the North Luangwa National Park, Kutandala Camp offers the ultimate safari for those who seek truly remote wilderness.

Not many experiences can match the thrill of finding lion on foot or standing face to face with a thousand head of buffalo

Whether you want to track large mammals from Elephant to the endemic Cookson's Wildebeest, or identify some of the three hundred and fifty bird species recorded - on safari at Kutandala you will be in the company of people who know and love this area.

With a capacity for only six guests, exclusivity is guaranteed and you can drive or walk for days and not meet another soul.

Rod and Guz, who own and operate Kutandala Camp, care passionately about what they do and about the restoration work which has brought the North Luangwa back from the brink. In camp Guz manages, against incredible logistical odds, to produce meals of the highest quality and variety.

Rod's depth of knowledge and enthusiasm for all things ecological means that the guiding experience is always informative and fresh.

Kutandala is Zambia's smallest owner-operated camp, catering for only six guests on each safari.

The guest rooms are spread out along the river bank, giving ample space and privacy, and each has an en-suite bathroom with a flush loo and hot shower.

All the rooms have an unrestricted view of the Mwaleshi River and its flood plain throughout the day.

 

The dining area, bar and library are under the shade of a huge Natal Mahogany, deliberately and delightfully low key. There are iced drinks, but thankfully no generator, and therefore no noise - lighting is provided by rechargeable solar lanterns and hurricane lamps.

The library is extremely comprehensive with over 250 titles relating to Zambia and the natural history of the area.

With such small groups at any one time, exclusivity and flexibility is the key, with every safari tailored to the interests of the guests

Day 7 Up early to the campfire and a hearty cup of tea and coffee then off on a morning walk to investigate the area around camp and back for lunch.   In the afternoon there is a chance to walk or drive to Lunagwa/ Mwaleshi confluence and the fossil sites.  Home for dinner and bed!

KUTANDALA CAMP

Day 8 An option is for a full day trip to the Chipopma falls.  This would be after breakfast and a 1 hour game drive to the drop off point followed by a 2 hr walk to scenic Chipopma falls at the foot of the Muchinga escarpment, where there is a good opportunity of seeing mammals and birds particular to the escarpment.   BBQ lunch at falls, swim in pools, walk down and night drive back.

KUTANDALA CAMP

Day 9 Morning and afternoon game viewing activities as normal.

KUTANDALA CAMP

Day 10 After breakfast transfer to the airstrip and fly to Mfuwe Airport (45 minutes) to connect for your flight to Lusaka.

Rates include:

All domestic flights and transfers.

Robin Pope Safaris:

Accommodation - Nkwali only in low season, Nkwali, Tena Tena, Nsefu in high season, meals, drinks, laundry, game activities, transfers, national park fees.

Kutandala:

Accommodation, meals, drinks, laundry, game activities, National Park Fees

Rates exclude:

International flights

Conditions:

Minimum 2 pax. Children of 13 years and above are welcome at full rate.

CAMP INFORMATION

NKWALI CAMP

NKWALI CAMP is located on Robin's private land, overlooking the National Park. The land is superb gameviewing country, with a beautiful area of ebony woodland and open grass plains. Elephants often cross the Luangwa, seen from the bar, or come to the waterhole near the thatched dining room. The chalets are cool and spacious, overlooking the river. Access to the park is through the main entrance over the bridge, by boat or by our nearby pontoon. The area is famous for leopard and giraffe sightings.

• 12 guests
• en suite bathrooms
• open all year
• walking, drives, night drives

NSEFU CAMP

NSEFU CAMP - On a sweeping bend of the river, 12 kilometers north of Tena Tena, lies Nsefu. Nsefu was the first game camp in Zambia and dates back to the early fifties. The Nsefu Sector was recognised then as a phenomenal area and it still is. We reopened the camp in 1999, in keeping with the original style, and so operate the only 2 camps in the Nsefu Sector of the park.

The view of the river is superb and includes a terraced area where game grazes during the day. The bar, tucked in beside a huge extinct termite mound, overlooks a waterhole that is very productive for game, especially leopard at night. The original rondavels have been extended, with a spacious bathroom added. Each room has a clear view of the river, through large windows and from the new wooden verandah. The camp lies in the heart of the undeveloped Nsefu sector and so offers charm and total comfort in remoteness and seclusion.

• 12 guests
• en suite bathrooms
• open late May - October
• walking, drives, night drives

KUTANDALA BUSH CAMP

KUTANDALA BUSH CAMP is set on a stunning site on the banks of the Mwaleshi River in the heart of the North Luangwa National Park; Kutandala Camp offers the ultimate walking safari for those who seek true wilderness. The camp is home to Rod and Gus Tether who own and run the camp. With a capacity for only six guests exclusivity is guaranteed and you can walk for days without seeing another soul. The North Luangwa is renowned for its superb wildlife in a pristine environment. Safaris at Kutandala are primarily undertaken on foot but for excursions further a field, such as the scenic Chipopma falls, which involve some driving there, in a game-viewing vehicle. The guest rooms all have an unrestricted view of the Mwaleshi river and its floodplain - each have an en-suite flush toilet and hot shower and are built entirely of reed and grass. Lighting is by rechargeable solar lanterns and paraffin hurricane lamps. 6 beds

• reed and thatch chalets
• open 10 June to 05 November
• walking only
• nearest Airstrip – Mwaleshi (40 mins flight from Mfuwe and 1 hour from camp)
• 220v battery charging possible – 3 pin square plugs
• no credit cards