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South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Nkwali Lodge

 — Mango's view

The South Luangwa National Park is bordered to the East by the Luangwa River, which floods annually into a series of oxbow lagoons. Hidden away among the huge ebony and fig trees on the banks of one of these beautiful lagoons sits Nkwali Lodge.

Nkwali is located on Robin Pope Safari's private land, overlooking the National Park. The land is superb game viewing country, with a beautiful area of ebony woodland and open grasslands. Elephants regularly cross the Luangwa, seen from the bar, or come to the waterhole near the thatched dining room. The chalets are cool and spacious, overlooking the river. They include ensuite bathrooms and there is room for only a total of 12 guests.

Access to the park is by boat or by nearby pontoon. The area is famous for leopard and giraffe sightings. Walking safaris, game drives, and night game drives are all available.

Experts have dubbed South Luangwa as one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world, and not without reason. The concentration of game around the Luangwa River and its ox bow lagoons is among the most intense in Africa. The park's 9050 km2 is host to a wide variety of wildlife birds and vegetation. The now famous 'walking safari' originated in this park and is still one of the finest ways to experience this pristine wilderness first hand. The changing seasons add to the park's richness ranging from dry, bare bushveld in the winter to a lush green wonderland in the summer months. There are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species.

The staff at Nkwali is excellent with children. There is a box full of games available to occupy the children. You have the option to take a morning visit to Chipembele Wildlife Education Center - giving the family a chance to learn more about the animals and birds that they are seeing and the important role that conservation has to play in this area.

You can take the optional visit to Kawaza Village and School, a chance to experience how the local Zambian people live. Join in with a walk around the village and watch maize being pounded, houses built and beer brewed. Visit the local school and let the children see how different it is from their schools at home. There is an option to stay for lunch to try traditional Zambian food.

Includes: All meals