Reviews of Lianshulu Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
61 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Lianshulu Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
33% success
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83% success
83% success
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"Best location ever"
I don't think the bedrooms have changed in over 30 years (when a friend of mine worked at Lianshulu as a student volunteer). Ours was huge with lots of useful storage and an open plan bathroom at one end. The shower looked like something from the 80s and turned out to be the best shower you could wish for. The room had no sockets to charge anything (electricity in the bedrooms is strictly for lights only), no A/C and rather amazingly not even a fan. So it was extremely hot in March in the late afternoon and early evenings but by the dead of night was just about bearable. WiFi has to be purchased at extra cost per 24 hour period (we didn't bother) and there is a rather wonderful "charging room" next to the office where you can take your phone/torch/device and plug it in. So you could say it's a bit out of date.
We were the only guests staying for our first night and the staff were wonderful. We arrived at 4pm to discover that activities go out at 3.30pm but were very happy to sit on the deck and chat. The food was delicious and impeccably served by Stanley. We had lots of fun chatter and information from manager Ralph, and super guiding from Victor. We didn't see a lot of game with the grasses so high and the water so plentiful but Victor made our activities interesting with a lot of information about birds & trees.
On our second night we heard lions just outside the camp, and saw tracks as we left in the morning. We certainly didn't feel we had missed out, and it remains my favourite lodge in Namibia. By 2026 Lianshulu will have been refurbished by Naankuse who have just bought it, with the promise of AC and other modernities. I hope they manage to retain some of its traditional rustic feel because it's a very special place." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Hippo
10 sightings
Roan antelope
1 sighting
"Lianshulu Lodge review"
Great wildlife viewing." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia; 1n in Botswana
Buffalo
1 sighting
Elephant
1 sighting
Giraffe
1 sighting
Hippo
1 sighting
Roan antelope
1 sighting
"really enjoyed our 4 night stay."
They even came to terms with my craving for English Breakfast Tea. Saw Sitatunga on 3 occasions but still failed to get a photo.
We did have to arrange for a different guide for the last day as Kennedy was getting a bit repetative but was a nice guy all the same.
Sorry to have to leave to make our way back home." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Cheetah
1 sighting
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Hippo
Multiple sightings
Roan antelope
Multiple sightings
Sitatunga
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Lianshula great lodge with great activivities"
Our room was in a great location on the river with birds and monkeys. outside. the room had all we needed except a fan . It was hot in room but we new that we could open the windows and door to our patio and move the insect screens across. Other guests did not and hence the need for guests to be shown around their rooms which we were not here. Also when you cannot drink the tap water we expected some free bottle water to be available in room. This was the only lodge on our holiday in Namibia that did not supply this. Also there was a storm on first night with thunder and lightening and high winds, so when we returned to our room after dinner we saw the insect mesh was damaged and the mesh door of its runner at floor level. We asked for this to be repaired twice but even though we were assured it would be, nothing was done
The food was excellent and the service efficient and friendly. The communal areas were very comfortable with great views of the river. The pool was refreshing with plenty of sun loungers and shade. Breakfast was only served from 7.30 but they supplied an excellent breakfast pack for our early departure.
We took a boat trip on the first evening with excellent game and bird viewing the highlight was a large group of elephant making a river crossing right in front of the boat. Kennedy was our excellent guide on the boat and on a great game drive the next morning when we had more great game viewing including very photogenic lions who kept posing for us in different locations. The game drive in the afternoon with a different guide was not as good." See all these reviews: 24n in Namibia
Buffalo
5 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Hippo
9 sightings
Lion
2 sightings
Roan antelope
1 sighting
Sable antelope
1 sighting
Sitatunga
1 sighting
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Lianshulu Lodge review"
It is a shame that no drinkable water was provided free of charge but had to be purchased.
The check out was not well managed and there were discrepancies in the billing of couples in our group (of 3 couples) with some items finding themselves on the wrong bill." See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
4 sightings
Hippo
2 sightings
"Disappointing"
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Hippo
Multiple sightings
Lion
1 sighting
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Small lodge with warm welcome"
Animals walk though the camp and you are escorted at night. Lianshulu takes guests safety very seriously." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
"Stunning setting"
A beautiful large open reception/seating area with gorgeous views of the river & sunsets, fantastic thatched rooms with lovely balconies frequented by birds & monkeys.
Our host Michael was exceptional, very knowledgable, clearly passionate about his role & always had time to talk & find bird names that we didn't know.
The staff were so cheerful & friendly & gave excellent service. We had lovely afternoon tea & really good meals. So glad we stayed here for 2 nights.
Only downer was the river trip where our driver kept falling asleep when we parked up to watch wildlife, his boat handling skills were poor. I spotted more birds than him." See all these reviews: 27n in Namibia; 1n in Botswana
"Fabulous setting and a great host"
We had a great river cruise with Alfred, saw lots of hippos, and our sun-downer was made super special by a sudden arrival of a herd of elephants on the river bank where we were having our wine! We were served a delicious dinner, at a lovely set table on the massive veranda deck, and slept incredibly well!
The next day had an awesome drive with Dusty - quiet to begin with but again, the sun-downer stop by the Hippo Pool was made super special by another - this time even bigger - herd of elephants (we counted at least 30, with lots of little ones) which came over to drink from the river. And the massive croc which was trying to get to one of the little elephants but was effectively nearly stampeded by protective mum and aunts was a sight to see! Superb. Food on the second night was great again and also we would like to mention how nice, friendly, laid back and helpful Annette, the manager, was to us, as was Michael from the nearby Lianshulu Bush Camp.
All of the other staff were also very friendly! The swimming pool is also a great option for a bit of chilling out and cooling down." See all these reviews: 6n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
"Excellent location; good game drives"
Extremely well appointed guest rooms in the gardens.
Enjoyed two game drives in the park.
If there is to be any minor criticism, the kitchen seemed to be trying a little too hard to over-complicate the food, but that is largely a matter of personal taste" See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 3n in Botswana; 2n in Namibia
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