Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs B from Singapore

"Great start to our Zimbabwe trip. We designed our trip to start in the Zambezi National Park so that we could slowly get used to the African Winter (we were coming from hot and humid Singapore). The proximity to Victoria Falls Airport enabled us to fly Singapore-Joburg-Victoria Falls in one go and even made it for the afternoon sunset cruise on the Zambezi. The next day we visited the Victoria Falls, followed by a Game Drive. The following day we did a Bush Walk and a Game Drive. From all our camps, Old Drift Lodge offered the greatest variety of activities. We could already see some great sightings early into our safari. One highlight was the excellent bush walk where we followed lion tracks for 2 hours and indeed managed to spot a lioness in safe distance. Rooms were rather suites. Very flexible mealtimes, this is really a recommendable place."

"Lovely lodge with awesome meals that is beautifully built around a waterhole that attracts massive number of elephants. You can regularly see Roan and Sable as well, just sitting on the veranda of your room. Compared to other African National Parks, I felt that Hwange did not produce the astonishing wildlife moments I have seen in the Luangwa Valley, the Lower Zambezi NP, Okavango Delta, Kruger NP or Etosha. The best game drive of the time was actually the furthest away one to a damn. That one game drive produced more action than all other drives combined, hence my average rating for location. There seem to be more interesting areas than the concession this lodge is in. I also felt an obsessive focus on lion tracking but that could be related to us sharing a vehicle with first timers."

"Great people, lovely lodge, excellent meals. Particularly liked the self-help bar. Had some rare sightings during the three days including Puff Adder, Eland and Eagle Owl. Similar to Camp Hwange, the location is perfect for elephant lovers. As we entered the second week of our trip, we also decided to enjoy the camp a bit more by skipping morning game drives. Instead, we enjoyed a dip in the small pool while observing the naughty resident (but peaceful) elephant. I would highly recommend this place for travelers looking for an authentic bush experience. This camp looks nicely integrated into its surroundings. There are some good waterholes within reasonable game drive distance, look out for Ray's Pen with a viewing and star bed platform that seem to be more frequented by lions than humans. Flying in is better than the drive to the main park gate."

"Expectations were the highest for Amalinda Lodge as so much has been written. Hence, we put this lodge as our final stop as we wanted to end the trip on a high, and rest and relax before flying home. We were not disappointed at all. The rooms (or better suites) are gorgeous. Very spacious, beautifully designed and built into the rocky area Motobo Hills is so famous for. Meals were very good, and a great variety was offered. The biggest highlight is the natural infinity pool. Though the water was pretty cold as it was winter, with a few gin and tonics from the pool bar, it was very manageable. Lodge offered different activities so that we never had to do the same activity twice: rhino tracking (must-do humbling experience), bush paintings (fairly good condition so highly recommendable) and World's View providing a stunning 360-degree lookout point. Also just staying an afternoon at the lodge is highly recommended as there are easy to walk tracks (~2km) around the lodge, clearly sign-posted and on flat terrain. You can see Zebra, Bushbuck, Kudo, Warthog, Lizards, Bushpig and the very special Zonkey, our favorite. Not a big issue for us, but be aware that the activities on offer usually require a 45-60 min drive as the entrances to the National Park (both north and south) are approx. 20km away. A fact we also had to get used to, there is more cattle than wildlife visible in the National Park. So come with a mindset for the beautiful scenery and a good chance to see Rhino, but don't expect spectacular game drives."

"Stayed for a transfer night.

Reliable pick-up, 20min or so transfer to the camp, nice dinner and a good rest before starting the safari trip."

"Lovely stay at KaingU, especially liked the warm hospitality at the camp. Location by the Kafue River is awesome, and you can enjoy a short boat ride before each game drive.

Meals on the veranda are in a beautiful setting. Stayed only two nights and could therefore only do a few games drives but those produced great results. We managed to even see a cheetah which was the main reason for us to come to Kafue NP.

What we did not know yet, this one cheetah would be the only one to show up during the entire Kafue trip including a later visit to the Busanga Plains. So, the Cheetah experience will always be linked to KaingU."

"Super liked the Bird Nest, an absolute stunner.

The Chisa crew was very friendly, and our trip included some nice bush surprises but no spoiler here. Got hot water bags for both bed and the morning game drive and believe me with 6 degrees one morning this was very helpful.

The plains are beautiful, with large number of Pukus and Lechwes.

Hoped initially to see cheetahs which we were not able to find. Try again another time."

"Since it has been my 4th time to visit Sausage Tree, expectations were high and again exceeded! And all the familiar faces were still there. My great guide Henry, muchinda Chris, bartenders Brian and Mike. Good to see Collins and Faith again as well.

We made full use of all activities: bush walks, canoe trip, sunset cruise, game drives, day trip (rewarding the wild dogs), swimming in the infinity pool.

The meals got even better, awesome meal choices every day. Best croissants in the bush! The camp also surprised us several times, but no spoiler here.

Wildlife was great, in particular: 3 leopards in one tree, a honey badger couple, a bush pig and lots of genets and civets."

"Trip to Zambia started with a transit night in Lusaka. Gladly, I decided to stay in the Pioneer Lodge.

After a long flight from Singapore via Johannesburg, I was very happy to be reliably picked up from Lusaka Airport. The drive was nice. Staff at the lodge is very friendly and I could immediately start relaxing, enjoying bar, restaurant and pool area.

Had a great dinner and drinks and could peacefully rest in the room on a comfy bed. Immediately had the African feeling.

Transport early morning at 5am also no issue. Would always come back"

"This was my 3rd visit to Sausage Tree Camp after 2017 and 2019. I was once again amazed that I was meeting the same friends for the 3rd time, Henry, Chris and Mike! That's absolutely awesome. And they are only getting better and better each time.

The private game drives are a main attraction. With the superb guide Henry, I had a private session with a rock python devouring a mongoose for a good one hour. What a start! The Zambezi carried unusually high water so the canoe tour turned into an absolute thriller with elephants and hippos.

During siesta time I enjoyed my favorite infinity pool, watching elephants wandering through camp or hippos grazing on land opposite the pool. The pool is definitely welcoming during the October heat. You can even have your lunch at the pool which is a regular thing for me.

I enjoyed Chris' impeccable butler service. He always knows what I want before I even know it.

Meals were amazing, they must be serving the best croissants in the country. The surprises organized by the camp are awesome. But won't spoil the surprise here.

I had little time to spend time in my massive bungalow. Slept well, appreciated the morning coffee brought to my door and the occasional plunge into the veranda pool.

Wished I stayed a few nights longer but now I have a good reason to come back again."

"This was my second visit after 2017. Puku Ridge underwent a recent upgrade so I was very keen to experience the place once again.

The additions to the camp are amazing:

A secret hide to watch over the waterhole in front of the lodge is exciting for observing elephants, giraffes, warthogs, buffalos, pukus, impalas, zebras, kudos, baboons, birds including owls who regularly flock by.

A small pool is added on the veranda of each room. This came in very handy as the October heat exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in the Luangwa. Rooms are also equipped with A/C which makes the heat much more bearable. Of coz you can chose to switch it off and enjoy the breeze but that probably works in other months better.

The bungalows are now two-story. The upper floor not only gives you an elevated, even more amazing view of the plains, but it also features a bed so you can sleep under stars. Of coz it comes with a mosquito net so you don't need to worry about insects at night.

The most outstanding additions are the bush surprises...thanks Puku Team for these experiences. Very cool!!!

Meals are very tasty and of high variety. It was often difficult to chose from the options. They were all great.

Management and all staff are impeccable. There is really nothing that I feel could have been done better.

I highly recommend this camp. And spend a morning or evening in camp, and just enjoy the action that takes place around the veranda of your bungalow. It's Bush TV all the time.

Also, if your time permits, do a bush walk, the team is very experienced and does not take any risks. When we saw elephants, we detoured to give them ample space, same with hippos. Seeing hundreds of hippos from the riverbanks of the Luangwa River on foot is just cool.

Would always come back if opportunity arises."

"Spent five days with Flatdogs Camp, for the second time after my first visit in 2017. Very happy to see that Jess, Adrian and Paolo were still around, entertaining, helpful and hospitable as always.

The addition of the new pool area is perfect. It's so good that I skipped game drives so I could fully relax in camp, especially when we encountered 43 degrees heat. Will also help you to cool down from hot nights. I found the nights still bearable even in October as there is a powerful fan in the tent. The camp is an awesome place to unwind and just chill. The restaurant has so much variety, you have to stay for a long time to finish the whole menu.

You regularly see elephants, pukus, impalas, baboons, bushbucks roaming through camp, occasionally also buffalos and hippos. Great safety measures are in place that everyone can happily coexist.

Jess and Adrian perfectly organized my Covid Test which can be taken in the camp. You get the result back and it just took 3 hours. So this is helpful, so that stop-overs in Lusaka just for the purpose of a Covid-Test are not needed. They print the test out for you, the QR code can be scanned with your mobile phone when applying for the GlobalHaven certificate (which nobody wanted to see at the airport anyway). The Covid certificate was accepted in South Africa, so it's all reliable.

The Game Drives were nice, the other travelers I was mixed with were a good fit. We actually had a lot of fun. Sightings wise, was a lucky week that the 21 wild dogs I have seen at Puku Ridge earlier moved on to the Mfuwe Lodge area and we could see them in two more game drives. Sightings of leopards and lions was less often than I experienced in 2017 (which was Aug/Sep), probably due to the heat. Still, we had some cool moments with leopards as well."

"Spent one night with Latitude 15. Like the vibe of the place. The restaurant was awesome, had a very decent steak and some really good cocktails. Room is spacious and clean and bed was comfy.

Initially, was a bit frustrated that I had to check out at 12pm as my airport pick up was only at 4pm. However, sitting in the lounge area was not too bad, eventually. WIFI was good so I could get some stuff done.

If a stay-over in Lusaka is not avoidable, I would definitely come back to Latitude 15."

"Second time for me to visit Sausage Tree Camp (first in 2017) and first time after the recent renovation. Rooms are even better than before and now directly located at the Zambezi river banks. Happy that the infinity pool is still around and swimming so close to hippos, elephants and buffalos is still possible.

Was very surprised that we met 5 leopards in the first game drive (some before, others after sun set). Very decent size of buffalo herds and very large number of elephants around. Regular sightings of lions and occasionally of Hyenas.

Did the Canoeing and River Cruise, which is highly recommendable. Great highlights are the meal surprises.

It was also great to see that quite a number of Sausage Tree staff from 2017 was still around. I don't hesitate to return a third time, hopefully sooner than later."

"My second trip to the South Luangwa NP but first trip to Lion Camp and the northern part of the park. Camp is very lovely, in particular the rooms with an awesome veranda overseeing the plains. Made fully use of the outside bath tub overseeing hundreds of animals grazing around. Food was plenty with great variety and the bar well stocked. The staff was very accommodating and friendly and I felt well taken care of.

The area is very rich in wildlife. The amount of leopards and lions is hard to beat anywhere else in Africa. Lion cubs were a regular sighting and even a leopard cub on one occasion, allowing me to spend an hour with no other car. Very exclusive encounter indeed. Very laudable are the walks. Truly enjoyed walking, learnt lots about animal tracks and animal behavior: it definitely activated all my senses and I must have been the most skittish creature in the bush. During the night drives I also encountered plenty of leopards, lions, porcupines etc.

Great food, great accommodation, great scenery, great people and a quasi-guaranteed sighting of leopards and lions...not much more to ask for. Looking forward to returning one day."

"Felt like Nat Geo live! Elephants mud bathing in front of my tent. Consistent leopard spotting in every game drive and lots of lions with cubs. When in camp I enjoyed very delicious food, plenty of choice and a lovely Asian touch to many dishes. Management tremendously supported me when my luggage was 5 days delayed. Will never forget the shopping tour in the nearby village. Highly recommended camp!"

"Still captivated from the leopard kill we could observe from the veranda during the tea break. The plain's view creates an enormous bush experience. All meals served with a spectacular view. Tents are spacious, have a fantastic view as well. Camp is intimate, and game drives exciting. Leopards, lions, wild dogs and hyenas are around. Very few cars only. One camp where I truly like to return to. Meals very delicious. South Luangwa is such a great national park for cat lovers like me. Well done Puku Ridge family!"

"Personal and private service is impeccable. I felt so well taken care off. Guests have great flexibility and variety when it comes to activities and their timings. You can go on game drives, including late afternoon well into darkness, canoe, go tiger fishing (catch&release), walk, do a sunset cruise or just laze in the infinity pool. I became a residential hippo staying their every day during lunch time enjoying a tasty meal with a local Mosi beer overseeing the Zambezi. So bring your swimwear! Special thanks to Chris and Henry. Big thank you to the whole team. Awesome camp."