NSOLO CAMP – SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

Nsolo is a small and rustic camp with just 5 reed and grass thatched chalets set in a remote area of the South Luangwa National Park. The camp is named after the honeyguide bird and is an excellent location for both birding and wildlife viewing.

The camp’s rooms stretch out on raised wooden platforms along a bend in the seasonal Luwi River. Each has a feather-top bed, open air ensuite bathroom and a shady private deck offering views of a permanent river lagoon that teems with wildlife.

Set alongside an elephant path there is plenty of wildlife wandering through camp – from elephants to warthogs and vervet monkeys. Enjoy life’s simple pleasures with afternoon tea and cake in the spacious main lounge and dinner out under the starts.

With a wild dog den nearby and lion prides using the dry riverbed as a thoroughfare, walking and driving safaris around the camp offer outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities. You can also enjoy ‘Sleepout under the Stars’ – a magical wilderness experience!

LOCATION

Nsolo is located in a remote area along the Luwi River in the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. Access is by flight from Lusaka to Mfuwe and it is a 2 hour game drive to camp.

CAMP

The camp has just 5 reed and thatch rooms with beds swathed in mosquito nets overlooking the seasonal Luwi River and grassy plains of the South Luangwa and are cooled by natural breezes and a fan. The rooms are set under a thatched reed roof with reed matting with expansive polished wooden floors and there is a sitting area just outside the room with table and chairs – ideal to sit and watch bird and wildlife. The ensuite bathrooms have an outdoor shower, sinks and toilets enclosed with rustic reed matting and open to the elements.

In the main lodge there is a dining area, a comfy lounge, a bar and a campfire. All your electrical devices can be charged in the lounge area and the camp is solar powered and has no phone signal or WIFI.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE

The peak season is September, October and November when it is increasingly very hot – most of the wildlife congregates around the river and dwindling water sources – this is a great time to see predators and life is hard for many as they await the rains in early November.

Once the rains arrive in November the Luangwa River is flowing at its highest levels and this secret season is perfect for exploring on foot and by boat. With many migrant species flocking to the river this is an excellent time for birdwatching. September to November is the best time of year to see the iconic carmine bee-eaters nesting in the dry riverbanks.

From October to April is one of the best times to see wild dogs – although these can be seen at any time of the year. The populations of wild dogs have increased vastly over the last 10 years and on a recent visit we enjoyed watching a number of families hunt and play on the pans.

The coolest months of the year are from the end of May to August which is winter in the southern hemisphere and a perfect temperature for walking safaris. It can get quite cold at night and layers are recommended – by around 9am you are peeling off the layers!

Day and night game drives – discover wildlife with your guide in a morning or evening game drives. Just before dark enjoy a sundowner and then your guide will drive you back to camp in the evening to give you the chance of seeing the areas nocturnal wildlife.

Walking Safaris – discover the smaller wildlife, learn about tracking and wildlife tracks and the medicinal uses of trees and shrubs whilst walking thought the bush with your guide and an armed ranger.

Sleepout under the Stars – this extraordinary experience allows you to reconnect with nature and each other in a simple and fun way. Just like the early explorers you fall asleep under a canopy of a million twinkling stars listening to the sounds of the night-time bush. A cosy bedroll, bush loo and culinary team ensure that this experience is as comfortable as it is memorable.

NSOLO IS CLOSED FROM THE 1ST NOVEMBER THROUGH TO THE 19TH MAY EVERY YEAR

THE CAMP WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDRENAGED 12 YEARS AND OLDER. DO NOTE THAT ONLY CHILDREN AGED 12 YEARS AND OLDER CAN PARTICIPATE IN WALKING SAFARIS