Nsefu Camp

Founded by the legendary Norman Carr in the 1950's, Nsefu was the first safari camp in Zambia, and has a very special vintage ambiance.

Nsefu camp is situated on a sweeping bend of the Luangwa River, far in the north of the Park's Nsefu Sector. The perennial Luangwa River is the very life-blood of the Park and, together with its many oxbow lagoons, ensures a permanent supply of water to support high concentrations of wildlife.  

Apart from being well removed from the busier Mfuwe sector of the park, one of the great highlights of the Nsefu sector is the abundance of 'Luangwa Wafwas' (literally 'dead Luangwas'). These are dried out oxbow lakes that have been replaced by lush grasslands, and attract game in large numbers. This sector of the park 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, accompanied by a qualified guide and experienced game scout. 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.

Nsefu is a comfortable camp with a nostalgic vibe and a wonderful location. As at all Robin Pope-owned camps, the atmosphere is intimate, the camp staff friendly and professional, and the service highly personalized. There is a separate thatched dining area and sitting room, with a bar and a panoramic view. In keeping with authentic feel of early safari days, heavy hotel-silver cutlery is used and dinners are served by candlelight. 

Guests are accommodated in six beautifully restored rondavels from the 1950's. All are whitewashed with thatched roofs and open-air bathrooms. 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.

        Conservation Dimension

In addition to their donations to local wildlife organizations, Robin Pope Safaris founded the Kawaza School Fund charity which supports education in the Nsefu Village area by assisting and constructing community schools. The company also helped to found Project Luangwa in 2009, another successful initiative that directs funds to under-resourced area schools. Guests at camp have the unique opportunity to spend time in the Kawaza village to visit the school projects and learn the local way of life.

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