Classic Mobile Walking Safari in the Luangwa valley

The Luangwa valley is a renowned walking safari destination, and a lot of that reputation is that thanks to Robin Pope Safaris, who have led walks in the remote wilderness along the Mupamadzi River for over thirty years.

This is the classic style mobile safari where the camp is packed each day to move ahead of the walking party by vehicle, with 5 nights spent on the walking trail. Guests bookend the trail with nights at one of the fixed camps (Nkwali at the start and Nsefu or Tena Tena at the end).

Each day around 10km is covered at a modest pace, and will be enjoyed best by regular walkers with a reasonable level of fitness. Guests are accompanied by a knowledgeable professional guide and a scout, and there are plenty of pauses to appreciate the smaller wonders of nature. Minimum age is 21 years.

South Luangwa is accessed via Mfuwe airport, which is a 1 hour 30 minutes flight with Proflight from Lusaka, Zambia. From Lilongwe, Malawi it is a 1 hour flight. In Lusaka, Lilongwe and Mfuwe guests will be met by a RPS representative to assist with immigration formalities.

Guests are met by their guide at Mfuwe airport for the one hour transfer to Nkwali camp, which overlooks the Luangwa river. It's nice to have time to stay more than one night here to enjoy game drives and walks. In the evening, guests get  a full briefing from their guide about the adventure ahead.

The following morning bags packed, cooler boxes brimming with cold drinks and delicious packed lunch, everyone clambers into a closed Land Cruise for the 90km drive to the first Mobile Camp.  The journey there is taken at a leisurely pace taking in the game and scenery on the way with stops for tea and then later for lunch before finally arriving in camp by early afternoon to be welcomed by smiling faces, cold flannels and walk in tents set up on the Mupamadzi River.  The camp will already be set up and has 3 twin walk-in Meru tents for a maximum of six guests. There's a bucket shower and long drop loo.

Then a couple of hours to grab a snooze or even a wallow in the cool waters of the river before afternoon tea fuels your body for a walk.

On the following days, the walking is completed in the best morning conditions, arriving at the newly erected camp by mid-morning. There guests can refresh before lunch and then relax at camp through the middle of the day, and take a shorter walk in the afternoon.

On the seventh day, guests take an early breakfast, and then transfer by vehicle (4-5 hours) to the Luangwa River crossing point opposite Tena Tena. Tena Tena staff will meet and boat the party across the river, and then a 20-minute drive to Tena Tena camp. This remote and small camp lies within the National Park and enjoys a stunning location on a sweeping bend of the Luangwa River. Most meals are taken under the shade of a huge Mahogany tree in the centre of the camp. On arrival you will be shown to your tent and then lunch will be served followed by a well-deserved siesta before the afternoon and evening game drive. There is also an option to spend the final night at Nsefu Camp.

• Rate is fully inclusive of all meals and drinks
• All safari activities
• Laundry
• Transfers to/from Mfuwe airport

• Airport taxes
• Visa fees
• Gratuities