Hidden within Zambia’s vast and remote Kafue ecosystem lies a wild hunting region that’s been untouched by hunters for over seven years. This is Nkala – a free-range concession where time seems to have paused, allowing nature to reclaim the land and wildlife to roam in complete freedom.

Previously out of commission due to administrative complexities, Nkala has now returned to ethical hunting stewardship under Thormählen & Cochran Safaris. The result? A pristine, underutilized area where seasoned hunters can once again experience the thrill of tracking game through unspoiled terrain – without competing pressure or overhunted populations.

From expansive plains to dense woodlands, Nkala offers an authentic Zambian hunting adventure in a concession few modern hunters have had the privilege to explore.

Nkala sits on the edge of Zambia’s famed Kafue National Park, the country’s oldest and largest national park. The hunting concession (Nkala GMA) forms part of the park’s buffer zone, meaning there are no fences and wildlife roams freely between the protected park and our hunting area. This is true free-range hunting in one of Africa’s great wildernesses.

The landscape here is dramatically different from other regions – expect vast open savanna grasslands, pockets of dense woodlands, and seasonal marshes that swell with water in the rainy season. It’s remote, wild, and utterly authentic. Nkala has seen virtually no hunting pressure for over seven years, making it a pristine safari frontier with abundant game and superb trophy quality.

What makes Nkala so alluring is its sense of remoteness and exclusivity. You won’t encounter crowds or cross paths with other hunting outfits – T&C has exclusive rights to this block, ensuring a personal, private safari for each client. The area’s free-range nature means hunts here are challenging and rewarding: you’ll track game through miombo woodland and across open plains, earning your trophies through skill and perseverance.

For hunters who dream of the old days of classic safaris – camped in the bush, following fresh tracks at dawn, immersed in wild Africa – Nkala delivers that experience in spades.

Nkala offers a rich variety of game, from Africa’s iconic dangerous big game to unique plains species found only in this corner of the continent – including species that set Nkala apart from T&C’s southern African areas. Below are some of the most popular game you can hunt in Nkala:

How Nkala Compares to Hunting in Namibia and South Africa

Many of our clients have hunted with T&C in Namibia or South Africa, or are considering which destination best suits their dream safari. Each region offers something unique – there is no “one size fits all.” Here’s how hunting in Nkala, Zambia stacks up against T&C’s other major hunting areas:

South Africa – Variety & Accessibility

South Africa is renowned for its high game densities and comfortable safaris, often on private game ranches or managed reserves. T&C operates in exclusive free-range government park areas in Mpumalanga, giving clients the chance to hunt truly wild terrain in SA. You’ll find a huge variety of species – from plains game like springbok, blesbok, nyala, and kudu to dangerous game like buffalo (in certain reserves). The environment ranges from bushveld to mountains and is malaria-free in many of our areas.

In South Africa, vehicles are used to access hunting grounds, followed by spot-and-stalk on foot. It’s ideal for hunters seeking diversity in a shorter safari or for those bringing family (sightseeing options like Kruger Park or cultural tours are easily added). However, South Africa doesn’t offer certain species found in Zambia – for example, there are no wild lions or endemic antelope like puku or lechwe. South Africa shines in its variety and infrastructure, while Nkala delivers pure wilderness and a more rugged, adventurous style of hunting.

Namibia – Wide Open Spaces & Desert Game

Namibia offers vast landscapes and a mix of free-range conservancies and private land. T&C hunts in semi-arid and acacia savannas for species like gemsbok (oryx), springbuck, and Hartmann’s mountain zebra – arid-adapted game not found in Zambia. In regions like the Caprivi Strip and Bushmanland, you’ll find free-roaming elephant, leopard, buffalo, hippo, and crocodile across mopane woodlands and swampy terrain.

Compared to Nkala, Namibia’s hunting blocks are equally wild, but Namibia is generally drier, with semi-desert conditions except in the Caprivi. Lion hunting opportunities are more limited in Namibia, whereas Zambia offers a rare chance to pursue lion, leopard, and buffalo from one central safari camp. Logistically, Namibia often requires charter flights or long drives to camp. Nkala, by contrast, is just a 4.5-hour drive from Lusaka or Livingstone – close to the famed Victoria Falls. Both countries offer truly untamed African experiences, but Nkala is notable for combining big game and plains game in one remote camp without the need to move around.

Nkala, Zambia – Remote Free-Range Adventure

Nkala is ideal for the hunter seeking a raw, off-the-grid safari focused on dangerous game and select plains game species. It strikes a perfect balance – more challenging than fenced hunting, yet rich in opportunity and wildlife encounters. Every moment here feels hard-earned and authentic, whether you’re tracking a lone dagga boy through the reeds or spotting sable through morning mist.

The classic tented safari camp sits within the hunting block, immersing you in the wild from start to finish. This is a safari the way it was meant to be – and by choosing Nkala, you’re also supporting the ongoing conservation of a key ecosystem (more on that below). Many of our clients combine Zambia with safaris in South Africa and Namibia. Since T&C is fully outfitted across all three countries, it’s easy to build a seamless multi-country experience. For example: leopard and plains game in Namibia, buffalo and lion in Zambia, and species like nyala or bushbuck in South Africa.

Whichever combination you choose, you’ll enjoy expert guides, authentic camps, and the high standard of service T&C is known for. Nkala isn’t just another hunting destination – it’s a frontier rediscovered.

Ethical Hunting and Conservation in Nkala, Zambia

Modern hunting safaris are about more than just trophies – they’re about conservation, ethical practice, and real benefits to local communities. Thormählen & Cochran Safaris has always operated with a strong ethical code, and Nkala exemplifies this commitment. Nkala Lodge is officially licensed as an ethical game-hunting operation, adhering to strict regulations set by the Zambian Wildlife Authority (ZAWA).

But what does ethical hunting mean in this context, and how does your hunt support conservation? Let’s break it down:

• Fair Chase & Sustainability: All hunting in Nkala is conducted on a true fair-chase basis, no artificial enclosures, no short-cuts. Game is wild and free-roaming. Quotas and licenses are tightly regulated to ensure sustainability, with only mature, non-breeding males targeted. For example, a buffalo or sable harvested here will typically be an old bull past his prime breeding years, ensuring minimal impact on herd dynamics.
  
  Respect for the animal and the land is core to our philosophy. If a shot isn’t clean, our professional hunters follow up tirelessly. This level of commitment to ethical standards is a hallmark of T&C’s reputation and one reason our clients return year after year.
  
  
• Anti-Poaching & Wildlife Management: Your safari investment directly supports conservation. In Zambia’s Game Management Areas (GMAs), a portion of every hunt goes toward anti-poaching initiatives, wildlife monitoring, and habitat protection. Local Community Resource Boards (CRBs) co-manage the area with wildlife authorities, hiring village scouts to conduct patrols, intercept poachers, and remove snares.
  
  In very real terms, the proceeds from your safari help pay the salaries of those scouts, fund rural schools and clinics, and keep pressure off the land from illegal activities. In regions like Nkala, where tourism is limited and agriculture is marginal, hunting provides critical economic justification to conserve the land and its wildlife..
  
  
• Community Benefits: T&C partners closely with community leadership to ensure the local population benefits. We employ staff from surrounding villages – cooks, drivers, skinners, trackers – and source supplies locally whenever possible. Meat from your hunt is donated to nearby communities, ensuring that nothing goes to waste and the nutritional benefit is direct and immediate.
  
  This connection builds trust and a shared conservation ethic: when local families see that protecting wildlife has more long-term value than poaching it, they become guardians of the ecosystem. This model has played a vital role in sustaining species like elephant, lion, and buffalo across Zambia’s GMAs.
  
  
• T&C’s Ethical Track Record: Since its founding, T&C has prioritized free-range hunting in remote wilderness areas – it’s the foundation our company was built on. Nkala reflects that same philosophy. Our professional hunters are fully licensed and highly experienced, and we strictly follow the codes of conduct set by PHASA, NAPHA, and DSC/SCI.
  
  When you hunt with us, you’re part of something bigger – a conservation effort that ensures wild Africa remains intact for generations to come..
  

In short, a safari in Nkala offers not only the thrill of the hunt ,
but the deep satisfaction of knowing your adventure is helping lions keep roaring and buffalo keep roaming in this unforgettable corner of Zambia

Planning Your Nkala Safari – When to Go, Travel Logistics & What to Expect

When is the best time to hunt Nkala?

Zambia’s hunting season runs from May through November, aligning with the dry season. The early winter months (June–August) offer mild days and cool nights – a comfortable climate with temperatures ranging from 50-75°F (10-24°C) and almost no rain.s.

As the season progresses into September and October, the temperatures rise (90°F+/32°C+), but so does the action. This is often considered prime time for buffalo and big cats, as drying water sources draw game into more concentrated areas near rivers and pans – making for exceptional stalking and visibility..

November brings the onset of heat and the possibility of early rains, making it a more unpredictable but still viable time for experienced hunters chasing late-season trophies. T&C does not operate from December through March, as the rainy season makes access difficult and wildlife more dispersed.

Your ideal hunting dates may depend on your goals:

• Buffalo & Big Cats – Late season (Sept-Oct) when movement concentrates around water.
• Zambian Sable & Roan – Often in peak condition by mid-season (July-Aug)
• Leopard – Best chance in dry, late-season months when baiting conditions improve

Whatever you’re after, we’re happy to advise and build the perfect safari timing based on your personal preferences.

How do you get to Nkala?

Most international hunters fly into Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, via Johannesburg or another hub. From Lusaka, there are two main options for reaching camp:

• By Road: Our team can meet you in Lusaka for a scenic 4.5-hour drive westward to Nkala. Roads are decent most of the way, and the journey offers a real taste of rural Zambia – from small villages to the occasional wildlife sighting. Nkala is also accessible from Livingstone (home of Victoria Falls), lying about 4 hours away in the opposite direction. This makes it easy to combine your safari with some sightseeing: many hunters opt to arrive via Livingstone, visit the Falls, then continue on to camp. We usually aim to depart in the morning or early afternoon – no night transfers for safety reasons..
  
  
• By Air Charter: Prefer to skip the drive? We can arrange a charter flight to Ngomo, a bush airstrip located about 30 minutes from camp. After a roughly one-hour flight from Lusaka, your PH will meet you right at the strip (possibly after waving off a few baboons!). It’s a faster, more dramatic arrival – though more costly – and gets you into camp the same day. That said, road transfer remains an excellent, cost-effective option and is popular among most of our clients..
  

Once you land in Zambia, T&C handles all in-country logistics. We also recommend using a professional firearm clearing agent in Lusaka to help with rifle permits, it saves time and paperwork. Should your flight require an overnight stay, we can book you into comfortable accommodations like Wild Dog Lodge or similar.

Rest assured, we’ve done this many times, and we’ll make your arrival smooth, safe, and stress-free.

What to expect in camp and during your hunt

Nkala is a smaller concession when viewed on the map – not vast like some other hunting blocks in Zambia – but it’s exceptionally well protected due to its location directly on the border of Kafue National Park. This unique positioning means wildlife frequently moves freely between the park and the hunting area, giving Nkala a steady and healthy game presence despite its more compact footprint. You benefit from rich animal movement without needing to traverse huge distances – a big advantage for focused, rewarding hunts.

At Nkala, you’ll stay in a classic tented safari camp on the banks of the Kafue River. Accommodations are rustic yet comfortable – spacious walk-in canvas tents under thatch or shaded structures, each with proper beds, en-suite toilets, hot showers, and porches overlooking the wilderness.

Nkala Camp has generated electricity, a welcoming lapa, and a firepit where hearty meals are shared under the stars. It’s the perfect balance of bush authenticity and comfort: you might hear lions or hyenas in the night or see hippos wallowing in the water below camp – yet you’ll return to a warm shower, a cozy bed, and an ice-cold drink at the fire. Our attentive staff handles cooking, cleaning, and laundry, leaving you to focus fully on the hunt and the experience.

Evenings at camp are a highlight in themselves – stories are traded by the fire as the African sun sets in vivid streaks over the floodplains.

A Day in the Life at Nkala

Most days start early – a 5:30 a.m. wake-up with coffee signals the beginning of your adventure. The cool, early hours are best for tracking, and you’ll head out with your professional hunter and trackers at first light. We may check waterholes for fresh spoor, follow buffalo tracks into the reeds, or climb ridges to glass plains game in the distance.

Hunting in Nkala is active – expect to walk, sometimes several miles, depending on the day’s target species. Around midday, we typically return to camp for lunch and a well-earned rest (a bush siesta is a tradition for good reason).

The afternoon may involve building a blind over a bait site for leopard or continuing a track from earlier. Because we’re located outside the national park boundary, night drives are possible, and often thrilling. You might spotlight nocturnal species like civet, genet, hyena, or even catch a rare glimpse of an aardvark or African wildcat, as one guest did on a past visit.

Every day is tailored to your pace and priorities, no rushed schedules, no fences, no pressure. We hunt from sunrise to sunset, making the most of every opportunity this wild and remote concession offers.

Health and safety notes

Nkala lies within a malaria zone, so we strongly recommend taking prophylactic medication before and during your safari. Please consult your doctor to determine the best anti-malarial for your needs..

Tsetse flies are present in some parts of Zambia, but at Nkala their presence is extremely limited, many guests never encounter them at all. In the unlikely event that we pass through an area with a few tsetse, they are more of a nuisance than a threat. Still, we recommend bringing insect repellent with DEET or Picaridin and wearing long sleeves in the evenings. Our vehicles are stocked with fly spray, and you can optionally pre-treat clothing with permethrin. Overall, tsetse flies are rarely an issue at Nkala, and shouldn’t affect your safari experience

We also recommend that hunters are up to date on routine travel vaccines. A Yellow Fever vaccine is not required for Zambia if arriving directly from the U.S. or Europe (only if transiting a country with active Yellow Fever risk).

From a general safety perspective, Zambia is a stable country, and you’ll be with your PH and team at all times. In the field, your PH will brief you daily on safety protocols around dangerous game. Always follow their instructions, especially during encounters with buffalo, elephant, or big cats.

T&C camps are equipped with first aid kits, satellite communication, and evacuation plans – though in practice, these are rarely needed. You’re in experienced, capable hands every step of the way.

Trophy export

Zambia operates on a tag-based hunting license system, and all necessary export permits are arranged after a successful hunt. T&C partners with trusted taxidermists, and we typically recommend Life Form Taxidermy in South Africa for dipping, packing, and shipping services.

You can choose to have shoulder mounts or European mounts completed in Africa, or have your raw trophies (skins and horns) shipped directly to your preferred taxidermist back home. Export timelines typically range from a few months, depending on processing and transit.

Our team will walk you through each step, from permit application to export logistics, and ensure that all documentation is properly completed. With our guidance, the process is smooth, secure, and hassle-free.

Start Your Nkala Adventure!

Nkala is more than just another hunting destination – it’s a rare opportunity to experience Africa in its most raw and authentic form. From the thrill of stalking Cape buffalo through tall grass, to watching a fiery sunrise burn off the mist on the Kafue River, to evenings under a billion stars listening to hyenas whoop in the distance – this is why we hunt.

If you’ve been dreaming of a Zambia hunting safari, or want to add an unforgettable chapter to your hunting journey, Nkala belongs at the top of your list.

Join us in Nkala for a hunting safari that blends thrilling free-range pursuit, diverse game, and genuine conservation impact. Let us show you the unforgettable magic of wild Africa.

Thormählen & Cochran Safaris
where ethical African hunting meets world-class adventure.
Come as a client, leave as a friend – with memories and trophies that last a lifetime.
We strive for ultimate perfection on every safari.

Ready For Your Nkala Adventure?

Get in touch with Thormählen & Cochran Safaris to inquire or book your hunt in Nkala, Zambia. We’ll happily discuss available dates, custom package options – from Cape buffalo-focused hunts to multi-species safaris – and answer any questions you may have.

Our experienced team will ensure you’re fully prepared and excited for the journey ahead. Prime season spots fill up quickly, and this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.