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"
Our guide Perry was so knowledgeable and made a great effort to try and spot animals that we hadn't seen before.
The wildlife here was more spread out than in the Nsefu area. However we saw wild dogs and male lions that we hadn't before." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia
"Nkwali review"
There's plenty of wildlife around camp, just an hour after arriving a group of elephants came to drink from the lagoon in front of our lunch table. Being outside the park was offset by the location on the banks of the river with a very short boat ride from camp taking you directly into the park. This helped avoid the busiest parts of the central area of the park and I only felt sightings were crowded on the few occasions when we went to the central areas with a specific goal (lion and wild dog).
It was the only camp that allowed radio communication between guides. This proved a double-edged sword - it means greater chance of seeing something special if it's found by another Nkwali vehicle, but there were a couple of occasions where a voice over the radio felt intrusive if we were stopped at a sighting. Not a big issue for me, but worth keeping in mind depending on the type of experience you want.
On the whole, of all camps I stayed in on this trip, I felt the team at Nkwali went that little bit further in ensuring they gave me the very best experience possible (not that others were bad, the Nkwali team were just superb). This included shuffling some allocations of guests and guides to give me a dedicated "birding" game drive with Perry (offered to me without me asking, when they noticed my interest in birds), and arranging an extra-early departure for a morning game drive to find lions in time to watch the sun rise with them." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
"Nkwali review"
The vehicle density in this part of the park is high, especially around the dogs and big cats, although our guide Sebastian Jr, understanding our reluctance to be a part of the sighting frenzy, did his best to keep us away from other vehicles as much as possible.
Our highlight at Nkwali was a large buffalo herd at a watering hole with the sun setting behind them, as well as the large numbers of amazing birds we saw in our two days." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
"Nkwali review"
We were delighted that Sebastian (junior) was our guide for our stay of five days. His knowledge of wildlife is impressive and he is always kind, courteous and patient. We were pleased to see lions mating and Pel’s fishing owls in the daylight.
The food was great. We especially enjoyed our brunch in the bush.
Special thanks go to Kiki and Sorel for making our stay so enjoyable. Also praise to the two boatmen, Benson and Samuel, who skillfully negotiated the river crossings each day. And thanks again to Wilson for more great spotting.
We were pleased to meet Rob, the Operations Director, and enjoyed hearing about how RPS develop and train the staff, enabling those who show potential to develop new skills and eventually become guides and managers. We made one important suggestion. We hope it can be properly considered and implemented in the not too distant future." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
"Nkwali review"
RPS really go the extra mile for their guests. I was a little disappointed that due to the dry conditions, the wild dog pack that usually frequent the central section of the park had been able to go walkabout up to the far north of the park (Mupamadzi). But Kiki made a special effort to liaise with ZCP (Carnivore researchers) to obtain information on the locations of monitored packs and, along with another couple keen to see dogs, we departed extra early in the afternoon to try to locate a different pack north of the central area. After one failed attempt, the next day the pack had moved even further north but Kiki dispatched a vehicle after lunch to locate them and sit with them for us until we arrived. This was really appreciated by myself and the other guests, who had never seen wild dogs after several safaris and were very, very happy.
As I was staying a week, I was also able to do an all day drive to the north of the park, and when I left to Tafika, the transfer went all the way up to the Tafika crossing rather than the more boring, easier option of going via Mfuwe and the Milyoti gate. Another couple arriving at Tafika from Nkwali a few days later had also come this way.
My guide, John, was excellent and I really enjoyed his guiding.
I noted a few improvements RPS have been making by replacing the bench seats in the vehicles with individual "bucket seats" and providing options for evening meals.
Although the dogs were largely absent, I had some great leopard and lion sightings, especially one morning spent with the "big pride". The park looks particularly beautiful at this time of year- it has been a dry year so grass wasn't too high but the scenery still looked lush and green." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia
"Nkwali review"
Being called to dinner by drum was special and an elephant occasionally visited the lagoon by the restaurant, monkeys and baboons entered the camp as well.
Food was excellent.
Kiki accommodated my requests for trips out during lunch break and a variety of people kept me company for the times when I was the only person in camp.
Kiki also ensured that I had driver Sebastian for both camps for continuity which I believe helped a lot - didn't need to explain what I liked, hoped to see etc. more than once!
Lots of good animal sightings too." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
"Nkwali review"
"Nkwali review"
"Nkwali review"
We have spent over this period over 100 days at RPS camps. See IT's Monday 9 January 2024 which mu husband wrote and photographed.
We do not count the animals. Sadly you do not ask about the birds which were very good yet again.
They are also part of the experience. If you just do the animals you will have long stretches of NOT seeing anything.
Also the trees and flowers are so very interesting but again you ignore them Why?" See all these reviews: 22n in Zambia
"Nkwali review"
Despite taking all sensible precautions, we were both badly bitten on faces and body whilst asleep (more than 20 each on our faces)
This did not endear us to the camp." See all these reviews: 20n in Zambia
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