We are Gavin Opie Safaris, a family run safari company rooted in the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. Our home is Nkonzi Camp, a charming safari camp hidden away from the crowds, deep inside the national park. Walking safaris are our speciality; nothing brings you closer to Africa than trekking quietly across the savannah, experiencing the wild with all five senses at once.
Gavin has spent over thirty years living in Zambia’s wildest places. He established Nkonzi Camp in 2015 and has been sharing the magic of the South Luangwa ever since. Nkonzi Camp offers incredible value for money while also being good to those around us; we are certified carbon neutral and every year our safaris raise thousands of dollars for local community and conservation projects.
The Camp
Welcome to Nkonzi Camp – a classic old-world safari camp set in an exclusive area of South Luangwa National Park.
Here you will experience the exhilaration of a safari under canvas, totally immersed in the sights and sounds of the African bush.
We are proud that Nkonzi Camp offer the best value safari accommodation inside the South Luangwa National Park.
Gavin is a renowned safari guide with a deep love for Zambia and a talent for sharing his vast (and sometimes obscure!) knowledge.
Whether on a walking safari, night drive or tucked away in our wildlife hide, you can expect outstanding wildlife experiences.
Our safaris are truly off the beaten track – no queuing to enter the park gate or jostling for space with other vehicles – our area is remote, exclusive and home to breathtaking African wildlife.
Our small and experienced Zambian team all hail from the South Luangwa area. Many are like family, having been with us for over a decade. The team really makes things tick and is always on hand to create wonderful safari experiences.
Gavin Opie
Safari Guide And Jack Of All Trades
Godfrey Daka
Safari Chef
Moses Nkoma
Wildlife Spotter
Rosie Opie
Reservations And Marketing
Dickson malapita
Spotter
Discover Zambia’s Hidden Gems
The South Luangwa is our home, one of Africa’s most sought-after safari parks and famous for its abundant wildlife, unique habitats and beautiful birdlife.
But Zambia offers many more awe-inspiring safari destinations too. So we work with carefully chosen safari camps in our favourite areas of the country which, like us, prioritise exceptional value safaris in exclusive destinations, showcasing the best Zambia has to offer.
If you like the idea of combining your South Luangwa safari with canoeing down the mighty Zambezi River, or witnessing a 360° rainbow in the spray of Victoria Falls, look no further than our wonderful Zambian package trips.
Packages
Explorer's Dream
South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi
From US $ 6,315 per person
8 night safari with domestic flights
Walking, driving and canoeing safaris through spectacular scenery
Off the beaten track and away from the crowds
Beautiful and authentic safari camps, just as the early explorers liked them
The Best Authentic Bush Safari
Gavin and his team go out of their way to provide an authentic African Bush experience. The tented camp is extremely comfortable with flush toilets in an outdoor bathroom. Hot water is provided by camp assistants at your request. Everything you need is provided in the tents and beds are very comfortable. Meals are superbly prepared and the staff provide close attention. Some meals are enjoyed in the dry river bed. Having breakfast while watching elephants at the waterhole and listening to lions roar is an experience not easily forgotten. Gavin shares his expert knowledge of the flora and fauna of the bush on game drives and bush walks. The choice is yours to decide. There is a very wide variety of animals and birds to see. I highly recommend this camp as a venue that will provide you with a memorable bush experience.
Peter S
2024-09-20
Truly authentic bush camp experience.
Nkonzi Camp is an absolutely stunning place if you want the true and genuine bush camp experience, but without sacrificing the creature comforts. It is located in a remote part of South Luangwa, well away from the busy tracks near the park entrance - you really do feel like you are 'out in the wild'. The only life you see apart from the camp staff is the actual African wildlife. Whilst in the camp we have seen anything from lions to African wild dogs - plus so much more. Despite it's remote location, Nkonzi Camp has everything you need - modern tents with an adjacent relaxation area with loungers, luxury beds, en-suite toilet and shower, charging points, a bar, an open air lounge area, an open air dining area - and of course, not to mention the amazing staff. Whether it be Bev the camp manager, or Jacob the barman & waiter, every one of the staff make your stay truly memorable. The camp owner, Gavin Opie, is the icing on the cake - a legendary wildlife guide, and such an amazing person to share time with. With only five tents, you really do benefit from the personal touch. The food is of the best quality, served either in the open air covered dining area, or in the dry river bed that runs alongside the camp. I've already booked for next year, which says it all!
Paul R
2024-08-23
Great camp , Great People and great memories!
A most wonderful experience at Nkonzi with Gavin and his entire team. The people were a delight, the food and service excellent and of course the animals spectacular. It was a brilliantly authentic experience with Gavins knowledge and enthusiasm shining though. Bucket showers, camp fire breakfasts and superb BBQ's made this a truly memorable trip. Whilst we stayed in "smarter" places on our trip, Nkonzi is the one that will live longest in the memory. Terrific!
Mallie W
2024-07-30
The Best Bush Camp in South Luangwa
Stayed at Nkonzi camp in July 24. It is a magical place in an amazing location inside the National Park. I enjoyed spotting wildlife with no other vehicles around. There was so much to see in the area and Gavin is a very knowledgeable guide. My safari tent was beautiful and so comfortable with everything I needed. I loved the open air showers and private outside lounge to relax in. Bev and Gavin are perfect hosts and the staff are really friendly and create a great atmosphere. The food was delicious, I could not ask for more.
arturstankiewicz
2024-07-26
Authentic safari experience far from crowds
I have spent 20 days at Nkonzi as part of arrangement with the owner, Gavin Opie. During this time I had the opportunity to get to know the south Luangwa valley but also the camp itself with their staff. The camp itself is located some 30 minutes drive from the main gate, which means it’s quaint and doesn’t suffer from a heavy traffic of the main area. Anyone valuing this aspect will appreciate its positioning right on the bank of transitional River, where animals roam freely day or night. Camp has everything needed to feel comfortable and welcomed. Lounge and dining area with a bar, toilets near by, and 5 well appointed tents - simple yet super comfy with spacious outside shower/toilet area. Small, private lounge with comfy lounge chairs is an integral part of the tent area. Meals start from an early breakfast buffet setup on the sands of the river bed, through lunch, high tea and dinner. What can I say - everything served was very tasty and served at the right portions. Camp manager, Bev and chefs ensure your diets and wishes are met without any problems. Staff of the camp is very friendly and helpful, and always available to meet your needs. The owner, Gavin, is also an amazing guide - his knowledge of the local fauna and flora is vast and he always finds amazing fun facts to keep you focused and amazed. The camp specializes in walking safaris and one won’t be disappointed taking a morning or afternoon walk through the wilderness of Luangwa valley.
Blair S
2024-07-05
Game viewing as it should be.
Wonderful remote camp in the middle of the park. Brilliant facilities run by great management and staff. Comfortable tents, delicious food. Game drives lead by knowledgeable guides and you are the only vehicle present at sightings. An all round excellent experience.
Peter S
2024-01-26
The best wildlife safari experience anywhere!
I’ve been going on safaris since 2003 to Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and Rwanda, and have spent more than two years of my life in total visiting these six countries – and the absolute best experiences that I have are always at Nkonzi Camp. Where do I start – the legendary wildlife guide Gavin Opie, the remote and ‘real’ location of Nkonzi Camp, the unique wildlife viewing experiences that Gavin always provides, the amazing staff at the camp, the superb food, …. where do I stop? Anyone who is fortunate enough to share time with Gavin Opie in South Luangwa, Zambia, cannot fail to be impressed with his endless knowledge, his passion for the wildlife, his deep understanding of all issues related to wildlife and conservation, and his wonderful sense of humour. He has created a unique camp in a remote area of South Luangwa, and provides a luxury experience with his four double tents, lounge area, dining area and bar, without taking anything away from how ‘real’ you feel when you are out there. All his staff are amazing – and his Camp Manager Bev makes sure that every visitor feels safe, special and valued. The images I have posted show the camp and experiences other than the wildlife sightings – I prefer to keep my wildlife images to myself - the images I am able to take on Gavin’s game drives are certainly worth treasuring! It’s hard to pick out anything that stands out above the rest, everything is so wonderful, but the all-day game drives – literally out into the middle of nowhere – are an experience not to be missed. Don’t miss out on the guided bush walks – what an experience these are. Enjoy breakfast round the fire on the banks of the river, enjoy the wonderful meals served up out in the fresh air, enjoy the torchlight barbecue in the middle of the dry river bed, enjoy the authentic location, enjoy the luxury tents and the open air shower, enjoy the amazing wildlife experiences, and enjoy sharing time with the best wildlife guide I have ever met – by a mile.
Tapiwa Mayuni
2023-11-28
Nkonzi - an authentic safari
Nkonzi Safari Camp, located in the South Luangwa National Park, is a testament to the legendary walking safari guide Gavin Opie's passion for the wild. This neat little camp, owned by Gavin himself, exudes authenticity and charm. Bev, the gracious host, ensures a warm and accommodating atmosphere, while Jacob, the wonderful barman, attends to every need with a friendly touch. The camp, a true gem in the bush, embraces the essence of a no-frills, authentic safari experience. The spacious safari tents, each equipped with outdoor bathrooms, offer a perfect blend of comfort and immersion in nature. Nkonzi Safari Camp, under Gavin's guidance, provides a genuine and unforgettable taste of the untamed beauty of South Luangwa.
Steve D
2023-10-30
Absolutely magic experience !!
Similar to a few other reviewers we recently stayed at Nkoni Camp having booked with Naturetrex. We’ve been lucky enough over the years to have enjoyed a number of safaris, the one thing we have always found is, the more you get off the beaten track, the better the experience, and Nkoni Camp is certainly that. It is though a very long journey from the UK, involving 3 flights and a road trip, so the travel time for us was around 30 hours. But was It worth it – 100%!! That said, if you are seeking the luxury lodge experience you often see on travel programs this is probably not for you. For us though, we loved it!! The tents are great, with plenty of room, and well stocked with excellent insect repellent - a real must. The outside shower experience was fab, especially as it needs to be manually filled and was so, whenever we asked, the food was top notch and any request happily accommodated, for instance I don’t eat cheese. Oh and if you fancy a beer or wine with your evening meal, the prices are unbelievably good @ $2 a pop. Our fellow camp mates were a pleasure to spend time with, but above all of that, Bev and her team are truly fabulous!! And as for the wildlife – superb, we have never seen so many Lions, we saw them on every safari and eventually lost count......... So if you are looking to do a safari with a guaranteed opportunity to see Lions, probably Leopards and potentially Wild Dogs, we would highly recommend Nkonzi Camp.
Wiggy82
2023-10-28
Simple / Authentic / Family Feel / Bush Camp
Stayed here for 4 great day and nights and had the camp to ourselves which was great! This was the last camp of five we stayed in on a Zambian safari organised by Jay from Africa Travel Resource. (africatravelresource.com ) He put a great safari together which culminated at Nkonzi. The camp is an authentic bush camp, simple but homely. It has all you need and nothing you don't, just as we like it. The staff are great, Jacob looks after your breakfast and bar needs and serves the meals. Dixon is the eagle eyed spotter and barman on your trips out. Francis looks after your safety, especially whilst on foot. Bev, the camp manager ensures all your needs are catered for and also joined us a few times on safari. Gavin Opie, the camp owner, was professional to the core. He was knowledgeable, respectful of the wildlife and obviously cared deeply for the natural environment his camp is situated in. Tents were comfortable and looked out onto the dry riverbed. We were visited by elephants on two nights, munching on the grass directly outside our tent - wonderful. The food was plentiful, tasty and the onion tart we had for lunch one day superb! How the chef managed to produce the food he did in the tent kitchen is beyond me! Wildlife viewing was good. We eventually tracked down our favourite animal - the wild dog, after a couple of days of seeing their fresh tracks. We approached on foot and looked down upon them while they relaxed in the dry river bed. After we left them and went for sundowners further down the riverbed we had a magical experience as the pack ranged down the riverbed towards us and passed directly in front of us as we took cover beside our vehicle. One dog passed within a couple of metres from us, then joined the pack and then melted away down the riverbed- magical. We had an excellent all day game drive exploring the greater South Luangwa area and had an excellent leopard sighting and then a fantastic lion family encounter as the sun set. It was a great way to finish our time on safari! Thank you Braston our driver guide that day along with Dixon and Francis. If you want an authentic, well lead, respectful wildlife safari, then look no further than this great camp. It doesn't have the bells and whistles of other high end camps - but it is much the better for it in my opinion!
In the news
The most unforgettable safari moments come from witnessing incredible wildlife interactions
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