Olimba Camp is a small four-chalet safari camp on the northern boundary of the Nsefu Sector of South Luangwa National Park. Set beneath mature ebony trees overlooking the Luangwa River, it accommodates a maximum of eight guests and provides access to an area of the valley particularly well known for its predators.

The Nsefu Sector has long been one of the important wildlife areas of South Luangwa. Here the Luangwa River, lagoons, open plains and seasonal pans create a variety of habitats within a relatively small area. Leopard and lion are regularly encountered, African wild dog moves through the area, and the wider concentrations of elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo and antelope provide plenty to look for between predator sightings.

Olimba’s location adds another dimension. Game drives can explore three distinct areas: the Luangwa riverfront, the open Mutanda Plains and the salt pans. The latter are particularly interesting for serval, a smaller and more elusive African cat that can be difficult to see elsewhere. From August, the pans also attract crowned cranes.

The camp itself overlooks the Luangwa River, with a wildlife-rich lagoon a few hundred metres away. There is a private hide at nearby Kawere Lagoon, allowing guests to spend time quietly watching animals and birds approaching the water between game drives. At certain times of year there is also a hide positioned close to a colony of carmine bee-eaters.

Olimba takes its name from a leopardess that lived in this part of the Luangwa Valley for many years. The site was previously used as a private base for the film crew responsible for the BBC wildlife series Kingdom, which followed individual leopards, lions, wild dogs and hyenas living in the area. Remote Africa’s guides knew many of these animals long before filming began, and some of their descendants and associated groups continue to use the same territory.

LOCATION

Olimba Camp is situated on private land belonging to Remote Africa Safaris, immediately adjoining the northern boundary of the Nsefu Sector of South Luangwa National Park. The camp sits beneath large ebony trees with views across the Luangwa River.

This northern part of the South Luangwa provides access to several contrasting habitats. The river and its adjoining lagoons concentrate wildlife around permanent water, while the Mutanda Plains provide more open country. The salt pans create another distinct environment and are particularly associated with serval as well as crowned cranes later in the dry season.

The Nsefu Sector generally experiences relatively low vehicle traffic, which is significant in an area where time spent following individual animals can be as important as simply finding them. Day and night drives allow guides to stay with sightings as behaviour develops and to continue exploring after sunset when leopard, lion and other nocturnal species become more active.

Access from Mfuwe Airport is approximately 1½ to 2 hours by road. A charter flight to nearby Lukuzi airstrip reduces the flying transfer to around 15 minutes, followed by the onward transfer to camp.

CAMP

Olimba has just four chalets, accommodating a maximum of eight guests. The camp can also be taken exclusively by groups of six, providing an interesting option for a family or group of friends travelling together.

The chalets are constructed using canvas, screed and thatch and can be arranged with king or twin beds. Each has an en-suite bathroom with running water and a choice of indoor and outdoor shower, allowing guests to shower outside with views into the surrounding bush.

Electricity is provided by solar power, with charging points in the chalets and a communal 220V charging area. Roof fans are provided, and Wi-Fi is available in the communal area rather than throughout the camp.

The main sitenje sits beneath the ebony trees and provides the shared lounge and dining area. Meals are generally taken communally, although private dining can be arranged. Fresh salad, fruit and vegetables are supplied from Remote Africa’s own vegetable garden.

There is also a swimming pool for the middle part of the day, when guests can remain in camp between the morning and afternoon activities. The nearby lagoon hide provides another option during this time, particularly when wildlife is moving around the water.

The scale of Olimba is probably one of its most useful characteristics. With only eight guests, this remains a genuinely small safari camp in an area where the quality of guiding and the time available to observe wildlife matter considerably more than an extensive list of lodge facilities.

ACTIVITIES

Game Drives – Day and night game drives are the main focus at Olimba, exploring the Luangwa riverfront, Mutanda Plains and salt pans as well as the Nsefu Sector itself. Leopard, lion and African wild dog are important predators here, alongside elephant, buffalo, Luangwa giraffe, puku, hippo and crocodile.

Remote Africa limits its open safari vehicles to a maximum of four guests. This gives everyone an unobstructed view and enough room to move when photographing wildlife. The guides also operate without radio chatter between vehicles, relying on their knowledge of the area to find wildlife rather than congregating around sightings reported by other guides.

Leopards and Other Predators – South Luangwa has a particularly good leopard population, and the Nsefu Sector has a long-established reputation for leopard sightings. The riverine woodland and lagoons provide suitable habitat, while the concentration of prey species supports lion and African wild dog as well.

Olimba adds another possibility for guests interested in cats. The salt pans are known locally as a good area for serval throughout the season. These smaller, predominantly nocturnal cats are much less frequently encountered than lion or leopard, making a sighting particularly worthwhile.

Night Drives – Afternoon drives continue after sunset, with a dedicated spotter using a spotlight while the guide concentrates on driving and interpreting what is seen. Leopard and lion often become more active as temperatures fall, while hyena, genet, civet, mongoose and other nocturnal species may also be encountered.

The transition from daylight into darkness is an important part of these drives. Rather than returning to camp at sunset, guests remain out as a different group of animals begins to become active.

Kawere Lagoon Hide – A private hide at nearby Kawere Lagoon provides an opportunity to watch wildlife approaching the water without remaining in a safari vehicle. The hide can be reached by vehicle, making it accessible during the hours between the main morning and afternoon activities.

Birdwatching – Around 470 bird species have been recorded in the wider area. The mixture of river, lagoons, plains and seasonal pans produces considerable variety, while crowned cranes gather around the salt pans from August.

There are also two particularly seasonal attractions. A yellow-billed stork colony can be visited in May, while a hide close to a carmine bee-eater colony provides opportunities to watch and photograph these birds when they are nesting. These are worthwhile additions for keen birdwatchers without needing to become the focus of the safari.

Mkasanga Village – Guests can visit nearby Mkasanga Village during the afternoon and then join the evening game drive afterwards. The visit provides an opportunity to meet people living close to the protected wildlife areas and to see the school supported by Remote Africa through its Tafika Fund.

GIVING BACK

Remote Africa Safaris has a long-standing relationship with Mkasanga Village, close to its camps in this northern part of the South Luangwa Valley. Its Tafika Fund provides direct support to Mkasanga School rather than operating simply as a general conservation levy.

Support includes books and other educational materials, contributions towards teachers’ salaries and scholarships for pupils. This provides a clear connection between tourism in the area and a school serving families from the neighbouring community.

Remote Africa also grows fruit, vegetables and salad for its camps in its own garden, reducing the amount of fresh produce that needs to be transported into this relatively remote part of the valley.

The operator has worked in the Luangwa Valley for many years and remains owner-run. Its approach to wildlife viewing also reflects the relatively low-impact character of its camps: small groups, a maximum of four guests in safari vehicles and radio silence during game drives help reduce the number of vehicles gathering around individual animals.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OLIMBA CAMP IS SITUATED ON PRIVATE LAND IMMEDIATELY ADJOINING THE NORTHERN BOUNDARY OF THE NSEFU SECTOR OF SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK.

THE CAMP HAS FOUR CHALETS AND ACCOMMODATES A MAXIMUM OF EIGHT GUESTS. IT CAN BE BOOKED EXCLUSIVELY FOR GROUPS OF SIX.

OLIMBA OPERATES SEASONALLY FROM MAY TO NOVEMBER AND HAS A MINIMUM GUEST AGE OF EIGHT YEARS.

GAME DRIVES ARE LIMITED TO FOUR GUESTS PER VEHICLE. DAY AND NIGHT DRIVES, LAGOON AND SEASONAL BIRD HIDES AND VISITS TO MKASANGA VILLAGE ARE AVAILABLE.

MFUWE AIRPORT IS APPROXIMATELY 1½–2 HOURS AWAY BY ROAD. A SHORT CHARTER FLIGHT TO MWANYA (LUKUZI) AIRSTRIP CAN REDUCE THE ONWARD ROAD TRANSFER TO APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES.