Robin Pope Bush Camping

Name one of the most exclusive experiences on offer in Africa?  Bush Camping with RPS.

Bush Camping is a wonderful way to dive deeper into the bush – walking from camp to camp and staying at simple but extremely comfortable camps on the way.  We operate these safaris in two different and contrasting areas.

Palmgrove Bush Camping is in a wild an remote area away from the main Luangwa River. 

Luangwa Bush Camping in the Nsefu Sector, walking in the game rich riverine areas of the lagoons and woodlands that run along side the river.

• 2 - 4 guests
• Top guides
• from Late May to October
• set departures including both areas, or open dates

Spend a couple of days walking with two of the top African guides – Debs Tittle and Robin Pope, walking through remote bush and camping in an exclusive camp of up to four guests.

Robin Pope Safaris – will start “bush camping” in the 2007 season.

Debs Tittle will be guiding all the Luangwa Bush Camping nights.
Robin Pope will be guiding the Palmgrove Bush Camping on seven of the eighteen departures.

What is “bush camping”? 
…walking with the best of guides, dipping deeper into the bush from the fixed camps by camping out for a couple of nights, dinner and stories around the fire, simple but delicious food…

with….stand up tents, mattresses on the ground, sheets and blankets, wash basin, shared 60L bucket shower, bush loo, full bar and food service, fully serviced camp (except laundry).

Luangwa Bush Camping

Well, we thought the name “fly camping” was great but it turns out that many clients were expecting airplanes to be involved, and one wondered when he was getting the fly fishing rod!  Back to the drawing board and so we are re-branding Nsefu Fly Camping – it is now called Luangwa Bush Camping. 

• Two nights camping in the bush, walking only (one night not available)
• Walking in the game rich area between Tena Tena and Nsefu
• Debs Tittle, one of Zambia’s best, is the guide and host
• exclusive and intimate camp of 2-4 guests with absolute personal attention

Comment from the Harpers….”extra special mention has to go to the bush camping crowd who cannot be praised enough – the bush camping was just beyond expectation - ‘magical’ with such highlights as tracking and finding leopards (and cubs), tracking lions, bumping into elephants at every turn”.

Palmgrove Bush Camping

Robin has been exploring a new area – a dry river bed, the Mushilashi River. And he loves it.  There is a huge palm grove, unexpectedly, in the middle of the bush, where vultures nest.  The camp is under evergreen trees on an island in middle of the river bed, surrounded by white sand.  A magical site.  And Robin’s dates have been designed around the full moon – you can dance with your moon shadow on the white sand!

This is a wilderness experience, and we mean it!  The game, if any, will be sparse and very shy.  The walking can be rigorous (depending on group). A wild area indeed.  So for those who love to be in wild places and who are not looking for a game experience everyday of their Luangwa safari.

• Palmgrove Bush Camping operates June to Oct
• We have designed set departures – called RPS Bush Camping
• Robin will lead 7 out of the 18 set departures (May-Oct).  see dates
• Robin’s walks have been designed around the full moon period so you will see the sand river reflecting the moonlight.
• Set departures include 2 nights each at Nkwali Camp, Palmgrove Bush Camping, Luangwa Bush Camping and Nsefu Camp. See full itinerary.

These safaris can be booked as guaranteed set departure or open dates to fit with your safari.

The safari is 8 nights unless stated where Luangwa Bush Camping is not included:

• Nkwali Camp 2 nights,
• Palmgrove Bush Camping 2 nights
• Luangwa Bush Camping 2 nights
• Nsefu Camp 2 nights

Mupamadzi Bush Camping

Traditionally we have ended our Walking Mobile Safaris at the end of September, and so for the month of October we have not walked at the Mupamadzi River.  We found that with the moving of the truck every two days, from camp to camp the fridges and freezers did not cope.  However, now we have launched the concept of Bush Camping we can have the camp set up at one site for the month.  So during the month of October the camp will remain at Camp 4.  The safari structure:

Thursdays and Sundays will be the transfer days.  We will not be holding space at the camps either side, so where you stay either side, and for how long, will be subject to availability. 

This gives you either 3 or 4 days in a beautiful and remote area.  We will be developing a small road network for these safaris so night drives and limited day drives will be possible. And of course, the game viewing in October can be extraordinary because of the concentration of game around the Mupamadzi river.