Nkonzi Camp: Information from the owner
General information
- Type
- Camp
- No. of rooms
- 5
- Welcome to Nkonzi Camp, a seasonal bush camp, open from 1st June through to the end of October that seamlessly blends old-world charm with modern comfort. Set within South Luangwa National Park, the camp offers unique experiences, exceptional hospitality, and first-class guiding in one of the most beautiful locations in the world.
- Each of their 5 walk-in safari tents has an open-air ensuite bathroom with classic hot water bucket shower, flush toilet, power sockets, comfortable beds and a fan.
- Attached to each tent, the outside seating area offers seclusion away from the main camp for guests to relax in the shade and escape the midday sun.
- The central seating and dining area is situated under a 10 x 6 metre tent, underneath mature riverine trees. The camp has a fully stocked bar and a small library. The wildlife hides, one within camp & the other located beside a natural spring, are perfect for bird watching and game viewing.
- The sightings in and around camp recently have been incredible. With 3 separate wild dog packs in the area and plenty of leopard and lion activity at the nearby natural spring. Elephants regularly drink from the small waterhole opposite camp as well as abundant birdlife. Nkonzi Camp are also lucky enough to see game that is unique to the quieter areas of the park.
- Nkonzi Camp is proud to be 100% carbon neutral and powered purely by solar energy. They believe in having as little impact on this pristine environment, as possible. The Luangwa Valley is their home and using locally sourced, natural materials to build camp every season, engaging in ethical guiding and giving back, through their chosen charities, they are committed to preserving this very special corner of the world.
Facilities at Nkonzi Camp
- Property facilities
- Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Communal Dining, Eco Friendly, Guided Tours, Laundry Service, Library, Smoking Section, Vegetarian
- Room facilities
- Bath Towels, Bed Linen, Drinking Water Filtration System, En Suite Bathroom, Ensuite, External Shower, Fan, Hand Towels, Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Outside Shower, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Twin Bed, Verandah, Wardrobe
- Activities on site
- Bird Watching, Game Drives, Game Viewing Hide, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Night Drives, Safaris, Walks (Guided), Wildlife Tours
- Nearby activities
- Bird Watching, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Natural History Tours, Night Drives, Safaris, Walks (Guided), Wildlife Tours
- Languages
- English
Room types at Nkonzi Camp
Tent Five
Authentic walk-in safari tents, each offer an open air en-suite bathroom with flush toilets and bucket showers, wooden framed beds and white cotton linen, solar powered electric charging points and a central light. In addition, each tent has an outside lounge area with sun beds and sofas for relaxation. Offering single, twin or kingsize on request.Tent Four
Authentic walk-in safari tents, each offer an open air en-suite bathroom with flush toilets and bucket showers, wooden framed beds and white cotton linen, solar powered electric charging points and a central light. In addition, each tent has an outside lounge area with sun beds and sofas for relaxation. Offering single, twin or kingsize on request.Tent One
Authentic walk-in safari tents, each offer an open air en-suite bathroom with flush toilets and bucket showers, wooden framed beds and white cotton linen, solar powered electric charging points and a central light. In addition, each tent has an outside lounge area with sun beds and sofas for relaxation. Offering single, twin or kingsize on request.Tent Three
Authentic walk-in safari tents, each offer an open air en-suite bathroom with flush toilets and bucket showers, wooden framed beds and white cotton linen, solar powered electric charging points and a central light. In addition, each tent has an outside lounge area with sun beds and sofas for relaxation. Offering single, twin or kingsize on request.Tent Two
Authentic walk-in safari tents, each offer an open air en-suite bathroom with flush toilets and bucket showers, wooden framed beds and white cotton linen, solar powered electric charging points and a central light. In addition, each tent has an outside lounge area with sun beds and sofas for relaxation. Offering single, twin or kingsize on request.Activities at Nkonzi Camp
Afternoon/Night Drives
Our afternoon safari begins with a departure from camp between 3:30 and 4:00 PM, depending on the season. After enjoying afternoon tea in camp, we set off. . As the sun begins to dip on the horizon, we'll take a leisurely pause for sundowners, giving you the chance to soak in the breathtaking beauty of an iconic African sunset. Once the sun has fully set, we shift gears and continue our adventure under the stars. Equipped with powerful spotlights, we embark on a thrilling search for nocturnal animals as they come to life in the cooler evening air. This unique experience allows you to witness the park from a different perspective, unveiling the secrets of the night. We aim to return to camp around 7:30 PM, allowing you just enough time to relax and share stories of the day’s adventures before gathering for dinner at 8:00 PM.
All Day Game Drive
Departing camp at 6:00 AM, we set off in our open game viewers for an exhilarating full-day drive through the stunning landscapes of South Luangwa National Park. With ample time on our side, we’ll enjoy a scenic morning tea break and a leisurely lunch amidst nature, allowing you to relax in the heat of the day and absorb your surroundings. The full-day safari gives us the opportunity to venture further into the park, exploring its incredibly diverse habitats. This significantly increases your chances of witnessing extraordinary wildlife sightings, including some of the park’s iconic animals in their natural behaviour. As the day winds down, we aim to return to camp in time to bask in the breathtaking sunset unfolding before Nkonzi Camp, providing a perfect end to a day of adventure. Following the stunning views, you’ll be treated to an early dinner prepared with fresh, local ingredients, allowing you to reflect on the day’s experiences with fellow guests. This unforgettable day is sure to be one of the highlights of your stay at Nkonzi Camp and is guaranteed for those booking a stay of four nights or more. Join us for an adventure that promises both excitement and unforgettable memories.
Morning Game Drives
Start your day with an unforgettable morning game drive, departing from camp at 6:00 AM after enjoying a light breakfast set against the stunning backdrop of the dry riverbed in front of Nkonzi Camp. Our carefully designed open game viewers allow guests an unobstructed view of the spectacular birds, lush trees, and diverse wildlife that inhabit the surrounding area. During the drive, we pause midway for a refreshing morning tea break in the shade. This is the perfect opportunity for guests to stretch their legs and indulge in a delicious homemade muffin or cookie while soaking in the natural beauty around them. Morning game drives typically return to camp between 10:30 and 11:00 AM, providing you with ample time to relax, unwind, or enjoy a rejuvenating shower before gathering for lunch at midday.
Walking Safaris
Gavin Opie, who leads most of the walking safaris from Nkonzi Camp, describes a walking safari - "Being on a walking safari removes any barriers between you and the environment. On a drive, those barriers may be minimal, but you are still one step removed from what is going on around you. When walking, you are better able to take it all in. you feel the earth and smell the air. Not only are you able to observe many aspects of the bush that you miss, when on drive, but you also experience a greater connection – a deeper appreciation of where you are and the significance of the environment you are in. There is no greater thrill than approaching lions from downwind or observing elephants walking past you on their way to water. It can’t be described, you have to experience it!"
Wildlife Hides at Nkonzi Camp
Nkonzi Camp features two hides designed for immersive wildlife viewing. The first hide is strategically located next to a permanent water source, easily accessible by vehicle or on foot during a walking safari. This prime location has yielded incredible wildlife sightings over the years, including lions, elephants, wild dogs, and an abundance of birdlife. It’s a fantastic spot for avid photographers and nature enthusiasts alike to observe these magnificent creatures up close in their natural habitat. The second hide is conveniently situated within the camp itself, providing guests the freedom to visit at their leisure. This hide offers a tranquil space to watch the local birdlife while enjoying the sounds of nature. Additionally, directly opposite the camp lies a well-frequented waterhole, where a wide variety of wildlife often gather. From the comfort of your safari tent, you can catch glimpses of animals coming to quench their thirst. This unique setting allows for some prime game viewing right outside your door. Whether you’re a seasoned wildlife enthusiast or new to safaris, these experiences promise to enhance your stay and create lasting memories.
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.
