North Luangwa Walking Trails

Activities Safaris > Zambia Safaris > 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".

This ten day (nine nights) safari starts at Nkwali Camp for two nights. Guests will then transfer to Nsefu for three nights, and the safari will end with four nights at Kutandala.

The transfer to Kutandala Camp in the North Luangwa is by light aeroplane. The park is very remote and wild - a place for real bush lovers to visit. Made of reed, grass and poles, and taking only six guests, the camp is intimate and natural.

As well as the walking safaris there is the chance for an all day drive to the confluence of Mwaleshi and Luangwa rivers.

Excursions can also be made to the Chipopoma Falls where there are clear water pools for a dip.

• 6 guests
• from June - October
• walking and drives at Nkwali, Kutandala and Nsefu/Tena Tena

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 night

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 Campin 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 intimateand natural.   On arrivalyou 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 [more about Kutandala Camp ]

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. [ Kutandala web site ]

• 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

Walking Fitness

For general idea of fitness level, here are some guide lines. This does not mean this is the distance and timing of every day. But it gives you an idea of how fit you need to be.

Robin always says that you should also be able to run 50 meters, but please understand that this is not because you will be running from any animal! It's just another way of showing a level of fitness.

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10 km in 4 hours on varied ground
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6 km in 3 hours
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The Luangwa Valley

The LUANGWA VALLEY, which marks the end of the Great Rift Valley, is one of the last unspoilt wilderness areas and possibly the finest wildlife sanctuary in Africa. It covers an area of over 9000 sq. km. through which the meandering Luangwa River runs. The oxbow lagoons, woodland and plains of the valley host huge concentrations of game - including elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion, giraffe, hippo - and over 400 species of birds.

*** Custom Tailor Made Safaris are our specialty, if you do not see a Safari that makes you happy, let us know and we can design the perfect fit for you!***