Description
The RPS Mobile Camps are semi-permanent and are set up along the Mupamadzi River in the remote north part of the South Luangwa Valley. Guests leave on a set-departure trip organised by Robin Pope Safaris for 5 nights.
With a maximum of six guests, the safaris are exclusive and are led by RPS's top guides. The camps are simple, with en-suite walk-in tents with long drop loos and a bucket shower. The camps are open and animals will wander through freely.
The days start with the dawn, guests gather around the camp fire, where tea, coffee and toast will be waiting. The first walk of the day is in the cool of the morning, when the animals are more active. Generally, walks last for about four hours, but they are not a route-march - plenty of time is spent stopping and looking at game and birds, and the guide will point out interesting plants and tracks. There are numerous stops for resting and for some tea, coffee and cake before continuing on to the next camp, which the team will have packed up and moved to a new location. The mobile camp is usually moved three times during the five night safari, but this will depend very much on the wildlife activity.
The expert level of guiding on all these trips is very reassuring. The Luangwa has become the centre for walking safaris because of its stringent tests for guides, and the park rules that dictate that an armed game scout and a guide must accompany every group. It's one of the safest places to walk in Africa.
Finally, completing the complement for most walking trips is a 'tea-bearer' – a member of the camp's staff who acts as another experienced pair of eyes, whilst carrying vital supplies of tea, coffee, cold drinks and delicious cakes for refreshment stops along the way.
Accommodation
Accommodation is in 3 comfortable walk-in safari tents. With bucket showers (hot water available) and long-drop toilets.
Childcare
Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to walk in the South Luangwa and those between 12 and 16 may have to seek permission first.
Activities
The sole activity is game viewing which is all done on foot on the walking safaris that take the guests from one camp to the next.
When to travel
RPS Mobile Camp is open from June to October.
Zambia has a moderate to sub-tropical climate with three distinct seasons: from November to March is the Emerald, or the rainy season, April to July is Zambia's winter, when the weather is cool and dry, and August to October is summer, when the weather is hot and dry. In terms of game-viewing, the dryer months, meaning a higher concentration of game at the permanent water sources, are a superb time to visit. Alternatively come for some superb bird-watching at the end of the rains.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best time to visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
Not applicable
Location and directions
Luangwa Valley, Zambia
The RPS Mobile Camps are set up along the Mupamadzi River in the remote north part of the South Luangwa Valley, Zambia.
How to get there
Ten hour international flight followed by a 70 minute domestic flight and approximately a four hour road transfer. However this forms part of a set departure mobile camping trip, so the transfer will be all included.
