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Nkwali Safari Lodge

South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Be prepared that this may well not be your last visit here!

Wake each morning to views over the river and the National Park beyond, listening to the strange melodies of grunting hippos and wonder at what today will bring.

The area around the lodge can offer some great wildlife viewing in itself, with a beautiful area of ebony woodland and open grasslands.  It is particularly good for elephants, which if you are lucky you may spot from the bar, as they swim across the Luangwa River and Thornicroft giraffe, an endemic species.  Lion, leopard and occasionally Wild Dog may also be sighted here.
 

However, the anticipation really builds as you cross over the river by boat to your safari vehicle waiting on the far bank, or via the pontoon bridge, or alternatively the main bridge about 15 minutes drive from Nkwali.  The variety of options to enter South Luangwa National Park from Nkwali is merely a prelude to the diversity of wildlife found there.  The sights, sounds and smells of the park will envelope you and your expert guides will reveal some of its secrets.

All of this and you haven’t even started walking yet.....
 

Facilities & accommodation


Nkwali Lodge South Luangwa
The Lodge Situated right on the banks of the Luangwa River the open bar and lounge area is the perfect spot for a sundowner, or to sit and while away the hours in the hotter part of the day.  Nkwali is open all year round and can accommodate up to 14 guests, with 5 ensuite chalets and a family suite dotted along the river.
Chalet Nkwali South Luangwa

Chalets The cool and spacious chalets open up on to the river, providing privacy to relax and enjoy the views during the day and then grilled doors offer security at night.  Each bathroom has double sinks and showers, which are open air during the dry season.

 Pontoon Crossing South Luangwa

Activities Morning and late afternoon/night game drives are provided, or if you choose an all day drive with a picnic lunch.  South Luangwa is renowned for walking and the opportunity accompanied by a professional guide and armed scout should not be missed.  Boating safaris offer a different perspective during the rainy season when much of the park is cut off, due to the floods.  A choice of cultural activities and excursions can also be arranged to the nearby communities.

Dining by river Nkwali South Luangwa

Food & dining The simple thatched dining room is located by the lagoon, but meals are rarely served there.  More often you dine by moonlight on the deck, under the trees by the lagoon, or river, or even in the bush; the variety complementing the array of delicious foods prepared for you.
Guided Safari South Luangwa

Staff & service The staff at Nkwali are friendly, professional, polite and go the extra mile to ensure that you will come back to see them again.  The guides have a tireless energy and enthusiasm.

 Walking Safari lions South LuangwaBush Camps & Walking Safaris Nkwali makes an excellent combination with the slightly more rustic, but very comfortable Tena Tena and Nsefu Camps situated inside South Luangwa.  Game drives are also available here, but there is more of a focus on walking safaris.  If you want the ultimate walking safari and adventure ask us about the Mobile Walking Safaris.
 


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Responsible travel

Nkwali works closely with the community, providing support for the following projects:

Kawaza Education Project

• Since 1988 working with Kawaza School to improve the standards of the buildings, access to educational material and number of teachers.
• Rebuilding Kawaza School (complete October 2005).  The focus now is to develop the school into a secondary school as well.
• Complete development of Nsefu School (completing a half finished block, building 2 new blocks, building 4-6 teachers houses).
• 2 new basic schools have been formed to provide the opportunity for small children who cannot walk the far distances to school, or who have been turned away due to overpopulation to be able to attend classes.
• Paying for teachers (up to 15 at theses schools), so that the children will be able to benefit from smaller class sizes and more classroom time with the teachers.
• Child sponsorship scheme, putting 50 children a year through secondary and tertiary education.

Kawaza Tourism Project

This project has helped the community in hosting tourists in the villages for day or overnight visits, providing a cultural exchange at a normal village that has not been set up for tourists.  The project has provided a good source of income for the community.

Luangwa Safaris Association Medical Fund

Currently donates to the upkeep of the main local clinic, providing care for more than 20,000 residents in the Luangwa area.  This includes the services of a volunteer doctor and provision of medical supplies and medicines.

Nkwali’s staff comes predominantly from the local community, the Kunda people.

Nkwali operates an HIV/AIDS programme to make sure all staff members have the opportunity to be counseled and tested, receive ongoing attention and when necessary have access to ARV drugs.  Staff members and their spouses should they request it are assisted with any extra costs associated with having the disease.

Conservation & environment

Other than donations to the South Luangwa Conservation Society (SLCS), time and vehicles are always made available for conservation efforts.

To offset the carbon footprint and to help reforest the Nsefu area the Reforest Nsefu project was initiated in 2007 to plant up to 4000 trees a year with the help of Kawaza and Nsefu schools and the community.

All non-biodegradable material (i.e. plastics and un-usable metal) are transported for proper disposal elsewhere.  Biodegradable waste goes into a compost system wherever possible.
 

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