Nkonzi Camp: Our full report
A rustic, seasonal bush camp; Nkonzi is tucked away in the heart of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park.
Set amongst grassy plains, and open from June to the end of October, Nkonzi has a remote location alongside the Luwi River, a seasonal sand river that attracts a variety of wildlife.
Nkonzi Camp is purposefully simple, with five safari tents spaced out under the shade of mature evergreens. Each tent has either twin or double beds, and an open-air en-suite bathroom with a bucket shower and flush toilet. Reed matting and solar lights add to the rustic charm,
The central area of the camp comprises a small but welcoming lounge and dining space, under a large stretch canvas tent. Meals are freshly prepared and often served al fresco, often under the canopy of trees or beneath a blanket of stars. A fire pit serves as the camp’s social hub, a great spot to gather in the evenings after the afternoon activity.
Nkonzi Camp specializes in walking safaris, a quintessential South Luangwa experience. Led by highly experienced guides, these walks take you deep into the bush to explore the flora, fauna, and smaller details often overlooked on game drives.
The camp also offers day and night game drives and, due to Nkonzi’s location in a quieter area of the park, this does often mean fewer vehicles and a more intimate wildlife-viewing experience. We haven’t had the chance to visit the camp recently but are looking forward to the opportunity to revisit and experience again this off the beaten track section of the South Luangwa.
Due to its location, many travellers prefer to combine Nkonzi Camp with time at one of the camps either close to the central Mfuwe area (perhaps Kafunta, or Flatdogs), or one of the bushcamps a bit further north, Tafika and its satellite bushcamps or Mwamba Bushcamp are some of our favourites in this area.
Our view
Nkonzi Camp is a good option for those seeking a simpler, off-the-beaten-track experience in the Luangwa.
While the camp doesn’t offer the luxuries of larger lodges, its simplicity, combined with a focus on walking safaris, allows you to take advantage of this more remote location in the park.
Country manager: Zambia
Geographics
- Location
- South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
- Ideal length of stay
- We'd recommend a stay of two to four nights at Nkonzi, before moving either north or south to an additional, complementary location in the South Luangwa.
- Directions
- Nkonzi Camp is about a 45-minute drive to the main gate of the South Luangwa, then another 45 minutes drive through Mfuwe Village to Mfuwe Airport.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- A buffet breakfast is normally available in the main tent before the early-morning activity and guests generally around the campfire. Brunch is served after the morning activity, and dinner once everyone has returned from sundowners and the night drive.
- Dining style
- Group Meals
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Drinks included
- Soft drinks, house wine and local spirits are included in the rates. Filtered drinking water is included, and provided in the rooms.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Nkonzi welcomes children of 12 years and older.
- Special activities & services
- None
- Equipment
- None
- Generally recommended for children
- Although children are welcome, the camp is largely one for older children or adults. We recommend Nkonzi Camp for children over the age of 16.
- Notes
- Nkonzi is in a remote location in the national park, and is not fenced, so animals roam freely through the camp. Children must be supervised at all times by a parent or guardian.
Communications
- Power supply notes
- The camp runs on solar power, but has a backup generator. A central charging point is in the main tent.
- Communications
- There is no WiFi, and limited cellphone reception at Nkonzi, but in an emergency the camp uses radio to communicate with the main office.
- TV & radio
- None
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- Jugs next to the basin and the bucket shower are filled with hot water on request. There are flush toilets in each of the bathrooms.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- Management staff and guides are first aid trained, and there is a doctor in Mfuwe, about an hour's drive away. For emergencies, Nkonzi has links to a flying doctor service.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- The camp is unfenced, and animals roam freely. You will be escorted to and from your tent in the hours of darkness. An airhorn is in each tent to signal to staff in case of emergencies.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers and a bucket of sand in each tent and the main area.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Guided walking safari
Night drive
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- A complimentary laundry service is included, but this does not include ladies' underwear; soap for this is provided in the tents. Clothes are hand-washed and coal-ironed.
- Money
- No exchange facilities are provided.
- Accepted payment on location
- Nkonzi accepts cash payment for any extras in UK pounds, US dollars, euros and Zambian kwacha.
Other lodges in South Luangwa National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Tafika
One of the best camps in Zambia, Tafika is naturally built, combining excellent service and food with top guiding skills for a superb wildlife experience.
Nkwali
On the banks of the Luangwa River, with its own access to the national park, the intimate Nkwali is open year round.
Kaingo Camp
Small and owner-run, the riverside Kaingo occupies a a quiet but excellent game area, with a series of wildlife hides and a focus on photography.
Nsefu
One of the Luangwa's oldest camps, Nsefu is a great safari camp in a remote, beautiful and game-rich location with top-rate guiding.
Mwamba Bushcamp
Small, remote and owner-run, Mwamba offers first-class walking, 4WD safari drives and superb hides, with excellent guides and a real bush feel.
Tena Tena
One of the Luangwa's best camps, in a beautiful, remote bush location, Tena Tena is very small, exceedingly well-run and has top-rate guiding.
Chikoko Tree Camp
Chikoko Tree Camp is an excellent small, rustic bushcamp that concentrates on walking safaris, and is run by a top-quality operation.
Big Lagoon Camp
Big Lagoon Camp is a great little rustic bushcamp built to high standards that focuses on excellent walking safaris, with the emphasis on top wildlife guides.
Luangwa River Camp
Luangwa River Lodge is a small and consciously stylish lodge in the Mfuwe area, overlooking the Luangwa River and the South Luangwa National Park beyond – an area renowned for great game.
Flatdogs Camp
A relatively big safari camp, Flatdogs offers value for money with great guiding and good food in a comfortable, relaxed setting.
Kapani Lodge
Kapani Lodge is now the main office base for Norman Carr Safaris, one of the Luangwa's oldest safari operations.
Mchenja Bushcamp
Set in a shady ebony grove on the banks of the Luangwa, Mchenja is a smart tented bushcamp. It combines well with Kakuli and Nsolo – its sister camps with a focus on walking safaris.
Kakuli Bushcamp
Beside the Luangwa River, Kakuli is a comfortable tented bushcamp offering 4WD safaris and walking safaris – the best of which are camp-to-camp walks linking Kakuli with its nearby sister camps.
Nsolo Bushcamp
Nsolo is a small, comfortable bushcamp overlooking one or two pools in the usually dry Luwi riverbed. It concentrates on walking safaris in an interesting and diverse area, led by a knowledgeable guide.
Kafunta River Lodge
Kafunta is a laid-back, friendly and good-value lodge on the outskirts of South Luangwa National Park.
Luwi Bushcamp
In a remote part of the South Luangwa National Park, Luwi is a rustic bushcamp whose emphasis is on walking safaris with great guiding and a chance of seeing some rarely seen and elusive antelope.
Lion Camp
Lion Camp is an established and comfortable camp with a swimming pool, located near to the game-rich Lion Plain in the northern part of South Luangwa National Park.
Robin Pope mobile
RPS mobile safari camps are at the heart of their set-itinerary walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park, which start and finish at a permanent camp.
Puku Ridge
Puku Ridge is a luxurious designer camp set in a stunning location, high on a hill overlooking a floodplain within South Luangwa. Explore from here on 4WD safaris and walks.
Kapamba Bushcamp
In the remote far south of South Luangwa National Park, Kapamba is a small and very comfortable bushcamp offering good walks and game drives.
Mfuwe Lodge
In a game-rich area close to the South Luangwa’s main Mfuwe Gate, Mfuwe Lodge is relatively large by park standards, but it’s stylish, modern and family friendly.
Kuyenda Bushcamp
Kuyenda Bushcamp is a classic bushcamp with particularly delightful hosts and offers top-class walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park.
Luangwa Safari House
Luangwa Safari House is a vast and very smart four-bedroom house specifically designed for families and small groups, and offering an exclusive and flexible safari experience.
Three Rivers Camp
In the remote far south of South Luangwa National Park, Three Rivers Lodge sits at the confluence of three of the valleys rivers.
Island Bush Camp
Island Bushcamp is a good-value, rustic, walking-only camp, in arguably one of the most remote parts of the South Luangwa, well away from all other camps.
Bilimungwe Bushcamp
A smart bushcamp with four very spacious chalets, Bilimungwe offers interesting walking safaris in pretty riverine woodland, as well as day and night safari drives.
Chinzombo
Opened in early June 2013, Chinzombo offers luxurious and stylish accommodation with very high levels of service and excellent guiding.
Chindeni
Chindeni Bushcamp is a very modern and minimalist camp, which is a far cry from your traditional bushcamp and unlike most of the other camps in South Luangwa.
Robin's House
With your own expert guide, private vehicle, chef and valet, the two-bedroom Robin's House offers an exclusive, flexible safari experience – and is open year round.
Kawaza Village
Kawaza Village – beside the South Luangwa National Park, offers guests the rare opportunity to appreciate local village life. Visit for a few hours or stay overnight.
Chamilandu Bushcamp
A comfortable little bushcamp, Chamilandu has a picturesque setting by the Luangwa River, in an area with a range of habitats to explore on foot and by 4WD.
Mwamba Camp-out
The Mwamba-Camp Out allows you to have an incredibly adventurous night in the bush, sleeping under mosquito nets with activities led by some of the best guides in Zambia.
Zungulila
Zungulila is a small, comfortable tented bushcamp with an emphasis on walking safaris, in the remote southern section of the South Luangwa.
Shawa Luangwa
Opened in June 2021, Shawa Luangwa Camp is a small, intimate and rustic camp, with a good location in a remote section of the South Luangwa National Park.
Luwi Riverbed Sleepout
For an adventurous night in South Luangwa National Park, come and sleep out in the bush, around a campfire, with an experienced guide and game scout.
Chichele Lodge
Currently in the final stages of an extensive rebuild, Chichele Presidential Lodge stands high within the park, with superb views, and is due to reopen in early 2025.
Chikunto
Chikunto Safari Lodge is a more traditional property in the South Luangwa National Park, sitting on a peninsula of land created by the meandering Luangwa River.
