Reviews of Nkwali
Wildlife sightings and reviews
254 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Nkwali and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Nkwali review"
We particularly enjoyed the drum wake up call!," See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia
"Nkwali review"
"Brief Visit, but was warmly welcomed"
"Our first visit to a Robin Pope camp"
The accommodation was comfortable and exceptionally well-equipped, with hair-dryer, bath-robes, toiletries and insect repellent.
The camp was run in an efficient but relaxed and unobtrusive manner; Harriet and Fred were a great team along with the rest of the staff; our laundry was always returned neatly ironed and folded the same day; the room was always immaculately clean and well-prepared. Food was excellent, varied, fresh and delicious [ the lemon tart was the best we've ever tasted] and dietary requirements were always met. It was a nice touch to be surprised on an afternoon drive to find a table already set up with champagne and nibbles for sun-downers!
Jackson was a delightful and ever-present watchman who has served Nkwali for many years and escorted us to dinner each night.
Harriet was always on hand to meet us at the end of a drive with either a warm or cold flannel! She was an excellent host with a great sense of humour whose company we enjoyed very much.
Game drives and a short walk, guided by Fred, were informative and relaxed. Fred is obviously an experienced and enthusiastic guide with extensive knowledge and was an entertaining companion. His knowledge of the area enabled him to avoid some of the main routes and therefore other vehicles; there were rather more vehicles than we had expected but not enough to detract from our enjoyment. Fred proved to be a keen star-gazer and used his laser pointer to great effect. It was a definite advantage to be with the same guide for each activity.
The facilities generally were excellent; It was good to have twin showers - this saved time when trying to get ready for dinner - hot water was available at all hours. The swimming pool was a bit disappointing and uninviting - an apple core was spotted in the bottom! The lagoon behind the dining area was an attractive and interesting backdrop to mealtimes, with monitor lizards, sacred ibis, yellow-billed storks and turtles, as well as the legendary lizard buzzard which we thought was a mythical creature invented by Fred but proved to be in his bird book! Elephants and other animals often come to drink there.
It was a real bonus for us to be offered a third night by Claire which we appreciated hugely. We loved Nkwali and would certainly choose to go there again if returning to South Luangwa. Thank-you to all involved." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia
"Fantastic beginning."
The game drives were great and rarely did I see another vehicle with the exception of painted dogs interacting with hyenas who had stolen their kill. We were the first car there but another three later joined us. All were very quiet and unobtrusive, so it was not a problem. I also saw other spotlights on occasion during the night drives, but this was not a big negative as far as I was concerned.
The guiding was excellent and I was fortunate to have a very experienced guide, Kiki, who was also the camp manager. I was quite lucky because for three game drives, I was the only passenger. Those drives with Kiki were a highlight of the entire trip.
The accommodations were nicer than I had expected. There were no negative aspects at all with regards to the rooms. If there was a negative, it would have to be that the food was not always to my liking and there were no other options if you didn't like a particular dish. There was a meat, a starch, and a vegetable, so if you didn't like the meat for instance, there wasn't something else to fill up on because servings were of a particular portion not of your own choosing. That said, it certainly wouldn't prohibit me from choosing to stay again at Nkwali, or any of the Robin Pope Camps." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
"Leopards galore"
A pack of 14 Wild dogs as well as hyenas and much else. Great food and hospitality. Excellent guiding from Kiki." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia
"Can't wait to return!"
Every aspect was outstanding - location, accommodation, food, game drives and walks. All the staff without exception were friendly, helpful and efficient. We very impressed by the attention to detail and quality of management." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
"A lovely lodge in a beautiful position."
The guides are one of the most important things when on a safari. Daudi had an unshakeable knowledge of everything. - plants, insects, birds and animals. He was highly ethical in his approach to the viewing and also great company.
The game drives were brilliant and we also did an all day bush picnic which was magical." See all these reviews: 4n in Zambia
"Nkwali review"
"Emerald Gem"
Nkwali is a very well run and comfortable camp. We have nothing but praise for everyone there who helped make our stay extremely pleasant and comfortable, especially the excellent and charming hostess, Christabelle. We were also very impressed with the quality of the guiding of Jacob in particular - and he was also a whole barrel of fun to be with.
February is, of course, 'off season' (and very few camps are open, as a result). But it is a truly fabulous time to visit South Luangwa, lush, green and with bags of bird and mammal activity. For fans of the latter, we had two good leopard sightings and both lions and painted dogs were seen by others while we were there; elephants and buffalo were around in abundance.
Together with its sister camp, Nkwali, strongly recommended." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
Holiday styles & special interests in Zambia
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Zambia.
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.
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.
Nkonzi Camp
A simple and rustic bush camp, Nkonzi has a strong focus on walking safaris in this remote section of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park.
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.
