Nsefu Camp (South Luangwa National Park) Zambia
Location
On a sweeping bend of the river, 12 kilometers north of Tena Tena, lies Nsefu. Nsefu was the first photographic safari camp in Zambia and dates back to the early fifties. The Nsefu Sector was recognized then as a phenomenal area and it still is. The camp was re-opened in 1999, in keeping with the original style. Robin Pope thus operates the only two camps in the Nsefu Sector of the park.
Nsefu safari camp has a special significance to Robin and Jo Pope. During the 1980s Robin managed the camp for five years before leaving to set up his own company. After Nsefu fell into disrepair in the 1990s, he and Jo bought the lease and restored it to its former glory. The Popes, who have pioneered conservation and community Toursm in Zambia, also support a home-stay project in the nearby village of Kawaza where overnight stays can be arranged with local families. In 2000, Kawaza won the British Guild of Travel Writers’ prestigious Silver Otter Award for Best Overseas Tourism Project. On the banks of the Luangwa River, Nsefu marks the spot where Tourism first arrived in Zambia. The camp originally opened in 1951 and, although carefully renovated in the late 1990s, it retains an air of the early pioneers.
Accommodation
With just six traditional African houses, or rondavels, the camp is set within the Nsefu Sector, a pristine area of the South Luangwa National Park that is rich in wildlife and far from the intrusive view of outsiders. Game viewing here is effectively private. Only 12 guests are accommodated in six beautifully restored rondavels from the 1950's. All are whitewashed with thatched roofs, open-air bathrooms, and decorated with understated elegance.
Each of the original rondavels has been extended, with a spacious bathroom added. Each rondavel has its own wooden veranda with comfortable directors chairs. Crisp cotton sheets, thick cotton towels and linen bathrobes, along with the characteristic English toiletries, are a luxurious touch. Every bed in camp has its own private view of the Luangwa River. Lighting is supplied by generator and solar lamps. The view of the Luangwa River from Nsefu Camp is superb and includes a terraced area where game grazes during the day.
The thatched bar and communal lounge area is tucked in beside a huge extinct termite mound and overlooks a waterhole that is very productive for game - for those fortunate enough, leopard at night are a special reward.
In keeping with authentic feel of early safari days, the camp has original 1920's hand basins, a working gramophone player, and heavy hotel-silver cutlery is used, with dinners served by candlelight. Breakfast is served at dawn on the grass terrace in front of camp. The camp also includes laundry services.
Activities / Wildlife
The Nsefu area is famous for its concentrations of plains game (which in turn attract predators), especially huge herds of buffalo that move around in the area.
Activities at Nsefu take advantage of the great game-viewing in the area, and include game-drives in specially adapted open safari vehicles (both day and night-drives), and guided walks.
Visitors to the South Luangwa Valley have the possibility of seeing over 400 species of birds, and 100 species of mammal, including elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion, giraffe, and hippo. Two of the more interesting species of game - Thornicroft's Giraffe and Cookson's Wildebeest - are endemic the Luangwa Valley.
Accommodation Rates:- From $670 per person per night sharing - Please contact us for a quote and suggested itinerary