Nkwali is located on private land, overlooking the National Park, it is owned and run by Robin Pope Safaris who were among the first to operate safaris in this area. The area surrounding Nkwali is superb game viewing country, with a beautiful area of ebony woodland and open grasslands. There are driving loops in this area and often as much can be seen behind camp as in the park - including leopard, lion and occasionally wild dog. This area is particularly good for elephants and Thornicroft giraffe (an endemic species). Elephants also regularly cross the Luangwa, seen from the bar, or come to the waterhole near the thatched dining room.
Although the camp is outside the national park guests can access the park either by boat (2 minutes) or the nearby pontoon (10 minutes). The main bridge and park gates are just 15 minutes away - giving 3 options for entry. Therefore guests will easily cover a large game viewing area from Nkwali. This central area of the park is accessible all year and so the game are very relaxed and used to the vehicles. This gives great photographic opportunities as the game allow the vehicles to get close.
The six cottages are made of woven bamboo and thatch and are airy and cool with open-air en-suite bathrooms. The bar is built around an enormous ebony tree and the separate dining area overlooks a small lagoon which often attracts elephants and bushbuck down to drink. Nkwali also offers a swimming pool to cool off in on those warm lazy afternoons.
Nkwali offers an authentic safari experience, top of the range professional guiding and a base camp for those keen to take part in some fantastic walking safaris between Robin Pope’s bush camps.
