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Robin Pope Safaris Camps
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Location: On the banks of the Luangwa River, within South Luangwa National Park, ZambiaPark, Zambia
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| Game Viewing Activities: Day and evening game viewing in open 4-wheel drive vehicles, walking safaris
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| Tena Tena: Tena Tena, in the local dialect, means ætemporary homeÆ. The name is apt indeed as, with a capacity of only 12 guests, the camp atmosphere is at once intimate and very personalized. Exceptional service has become the hallmark of all Robin PopeÆs operations. The camp is within the National Park, in the remote Nsefu sector on the east bank of the Luangwa River, under evergreen mahogany trees which provide good shade. The six large custom-made tents each have an attached bathroom with a flush toilet and shower. The thatched dining room and bar stand on a wide bend of the Luangwa River. Meals of a very high standard are served overlooking this wonderful view. Tena Tena also has an extensive wildlife library and crystal clear water pumped from a deep borehole. The game is always in the vicinity of the camp. From the bar, herds of elephant and many species of antelope can be seen drinking at the river. The hide behind Tena Tena overlooks a waterhole and guests can spend many hours with their cameras as the game passes through. From both Tena Tena and Nkwali, there are daily walks in the bush, morning and night drives and all-day drives with bush picnics. Both camps pride themselves on their flexible approach to game-viewing, with meal times based around game drives and not vice-versa. The length of the drives are determined by the enthusiasm of the guests. | |
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Walking Safaris: Robin Pope, raised in Zambia, has worked in Luangwa Valley as a safari guide and camp manager for the past seventeen years. In 1989, he initiated mobile walking safaris. These walking safariÆs take place in one of the most inaccessible areas of the South Luangwa, the Mupamadzi River. The countryside is both spectacular and diverse, with hills, woodlands and vast grass plains. The wildlife, shy and unused to man, is abundant. Robin or one of his senior guides takes small groups exploring into this wilderness. From ants to elephants, a birdÆs nest to tracking a pride of lion, you will learn the many facets of the bush. The drive from Nkwali to the area take five hours. The party walks for five days along the Mupamadzi River, covering approximately 10 km a day. During the course of the safari, three camps will be erected and are sited for maximum shade, views, water and game density. The camp will be moved ahead by four-wheel drive truck. The camps are extremely comfortable and well equipped with walk-in tents, camp beds, mattresses and full bedding. The toilet is a long drop with a wooden throne. The shower has mixed hot and cold water. The camp is run by a caterer and eight well trained field staff and meals of a high standard are served on a table under the open sky. All the safaris are escorted by an armed wildlife scout with daily radio contact with National Parks and Nkwali. To walk through such an untouched part of Africa is indeed a privilege.
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| Nkwali Camp: Thirty kilometers south of Tena Tena, Nkwali is located on RobinÆs private land, overlooking the National Park. The land is superb game country, with a beautiful area of ebony woodland and open grass plains. This is in the central all-weather area and therefore, Nkwali has a longer season than Tena Tena. Made of woven bamboo, the 6 chalets are airy and very spacious, all have a view of the river. The attached bathrooms are partially open to the sky and to shower in the moonlight is a luxurious experience. The magnificent bar, on the banks of the river, has been built around a massive ebony tree. From the bar, the sunsets are spectacular and are frequently accompanied by a large herd of elephant crossing the river. The dining room overlooks a lagoon where many of the resident animals drink during the day. At night, some of these animals wander through the camp feeding on the vegetation. You might well be awakened by the sound of a giraffe browsing outside your chalet. Nkwali is surrounded by thickets and wooded glades which provide cover for many birds, including some very unusual species. The area used for morning and night drives is famous for leopards and they are often seen hunting. From the top of the nearby Chindeni Hills the view across the Valley is exceptional.
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