Travel reviews by Mr B from Bristol

"Once again an efficient collection at the airport and transfer to Pioneer.
Busy bar and lounge area, social and that delicious Pioneer steak.
Chalet was spacious and clean, a good nights sleep in quiet surroundings.
Thank you to Sophie and all the team at Pioneer."

"Wonderful location inside the national park located along the dry river bed.
Spacious chalet, comfortable stay, often joined by elephants for afternoon tea. The food was excellent remembering that this is a 'bush camp' avec comfort.
Wild dogs regular at this location always a bonus.
Mild mannered excellent guide in Philemon, diligent Sarah as host and a friendly team throughout.
Thank you to everyone, a wonderful experience shared with some other wonderful guests."

"Firstly thanks to Ed for the two fantastic flights in the RemoteAfrica Cessna. The views of the park from the air are magical. Ernst- great guiding, mostly walking safari with some drives.
The river provides a warm bath of relief in the very high temperatures and we could hear the hyena splashing through at night.

Very private stay here shared with friendly staff who all do RemoteAfrica proud and very much part of the extended Coppinger family. Excellent food, many drinks and stories shared with other guests and the grand event of the frisbee match in which the United Nations team beat the Zambians at their own game. Great fun, fantastic experience- thanks to everyone."

"They are special moments in life when one meets special people that show such kindness, love and loyalty to people of the local area and the Coppinger family, John, Carol, Jenny and Bryan Jackson do just that. I felt privileged to have met a true family team of friends, excellent guides based in a beautiful location. Special thanks to Heather who essentially planted the seed to visit NOrth Luangwa and Tafika.

The game viewing was excellent, the chalets very comfortable and it was great to be able to view the elephants every day at such close quarter in such a relaxed manner in and around camp. Meeting Norman Carr himself on my first visit to the valley back in 1991 was indeed a wonderful privilege, meeting and sharing this beautiful area with the Coppingers was on a level par to that.

I cannot speak highly enough of my experiences here. Thank you indeed to everyone, what a credit you are to South Luangwa and long may you continue to do something that you all love."

"Once again words fail me on another visit to Kakuli with my favourite guide Aubrey. This is my favourite camp, very comfortable chalet/tent, great location looking out to the river where the whole cast of animals come to drink.

Always a great team here, the best guiding, wonderful stories shared and so delicious was the food. Bendy - RIP, your legacy will live on.

Thank you to everyone concerned."

"This amazing creation, a vision of perfection much like one of NCS 's finest hosts who will be missed. This is luxury beyond anything in South Luangwa but it is the friendly staff and great guides that make any stay here very special.

The chalets cater for every need. So much space, very comfortable beds, a bath, shower, varied seating inside and outside which has a pool. From the pool/ sun beds and cushioned seating outside you have grand views to the river where elephants and hippos are at play.

The food was excellent, a buffet for brunch and a menu provided to choose your three courses for dinner. Excellent wine to accompany dinner. The bar area has a touching tribute to Norman Carr.

Special thanks to Innocent for his excellent guiding and sharing the experience of the 14 lions trying to take a young elephant- long live Hercules! What an event!"

"Thank you to everyone at Pioneer for another very comfortable stay after my adventure in South Luangwa. Paul, Sophie and the team really have created the right blend of comfort for different styles of guests and travellers here. This is a social place to mix with the best kind of people those that love to explore the world.

Excellent steak again."

"Pioneer is the perfect place to unwind and relax after a long flight.

The 'pick up' and transfer was very efficient and the usual friendly welcome and good breakfast that awaits soon after my arrival.
Safe and clean, good birding within the grounds this time of year.

Evenings spent socialising with different people, fellow travellers, sharing stories and enjoying the damn good steaks on offer.

Thankyou to Paul, Alfred and the Pioneer team."

"Once again another delightful base at Kapani to explore the immediate area within the national park.

Friendly faces, old friendships reunited, good organisation, excellent food.

Extra activity- being shown around the developing site at Chimzombo.

Thankyou to all the staff at Kapani lodge, especially Brian, my guide for the first 4 days, exciting times ahead."

"Kakuli, Aubrey and Batwell(scouting), it does not get any better than this.

My favourite bush camp, boating and walking safari with the river high enough to transverse the channels.
Super sightings, close encounters but always in safe hands. The experiences never cease to amaze me.

Beautiful location, fantastic food, friendly faces and great service. I will never forget the brunch arranged on top of the riverbank, under the shade of the ebony tree over looking the river. Cooked breakfast to order, 'G and T' in hand after a long morning walking safari, the experience does not get better.

Thankyou to my friend Aubrey and all of the team at Kakuli- memorable!"

"This spell I had the privilege of being guided by the best- Mr Abraham Banda. Thankyou once again and also thanks to Enoch (a wonderful ambassador for NCS), Mario, Ian (Kakuli), Priya, Katie, Judy and Patience (good luck with those guide exams).

Reliving old times, sharing old and new stories/experiences this was a wonderful way to finish in the valley.

David and Christina, what a fantastic team you have. Thankyou."

"Thanks again to Paul and all the team at Pioneer.

The great way to relax in similar surround to that in the valley whilst retaining that Africa feeling.

Enjoyed the conversation and the archery at dusk.

Great steaks, the perfect way to end from what was the perfect vacation."

"Pioneer gave a very comfortable, clean and safe stopping point before and after my safari in South Luangwa.
Efficient transfers (22mins), Paul(manager) and Alfred(assistant) are friendly and helpful. The steaks are good and the breakfast more than adequate.

Pioneer is not 5 star, but it does not advertise as so. This is a bridge into Africa and a easing back down to earth after any up market trip into South Luangwa. In any case if you want a 5 star hotel in Lusaka - good luck!
Paul also arranges on line check in.

No fuss here, straight forward accommodation, retain the look and feel of Africa.
Sometimes, some interesting clients, if you're sociable by nature, even more reason to stay. If you want to shut yourself away then head for the concrete jungle of Lusaka!

Thank you to everyone at Pioneer, striving to improve even further."

"O Kapani, I know you so well. Staying here in the emerald seasons of year's past and now at last the dry season.

Very comfortable amidst the extreme temperatures(42-47 degrees celsius), enjoy the fan before heading for the real bush camp experiences. The best guides in Zambia are part of the NormanCarr family. Finding the animals/birds are their forte, their knowledge unexhausted, this is a great start to any safari.

Organised, safe, clean venue, with the wonderful raised decking brings dinner under candle light where excellent food has been created and then provided. Still the great setting first experienced in 1991. Thank you to everyone at Kapani."

"Brian(senior guide) and Tara(hostess)provided the best of a real bush camp experience. Enjoyable walks/game drives, super location, friendly staff and excellent food.

The hide overlooking the lagoon created during the dry season is a great little extra.

Thank you to everyone at Luwi, indeed a special place."

"Simon(senior guide), Katie(hostess) combined with the very comfortable chalet meant a very enjoyable stay at Mchenja. The game is prolific here, varied landscape (hot springs area being a bonus visitation), great food and very good company.

Descent sunrise at camp, varied locations taken for excellent sun set.

Enjoyable elephant, lion, buffalo experiences here. Lots to see on spotlight safari.

Thankyou to everyone at Mchenja."

"The legendary 'Shaddy' was the senior guide, great walking safari, so close to lions on foot, I guess this depends on the client, the wonderful knowledge of reading the situation and staying safe! Great job.

Fantastic elephant experiences in and around the camp, lions trying to take a wharthog, all while having a drink at the bar- magical.

Chalet's are comfortable, minor points for improvement have already been discussed with Christina.

Thank you to the bar staff/waiters/general staff covering for Jo(hostess)who was ill while I was there."

"Experiencing a great safari depends upon the animals, the location of the camp and having one of the finest guides in Africa let alone, Zambia, senoir guide Aubrey. Another legend like Abraham and Shaddy, Aubrey lives and breathes Kakuli. Nothing is too much of a problem. His knowledge, humour and tracking skills meant this was another very productive venture at Kakuli.

Great location overlooking the near dry river, good gaming, excellent food, friendly staff and the chirpy Sarah as hostess.

Thank you for another great time at Kakuli. This just overshadows Luwi as my favourite bush camp."

"Quick transfer, enjoyable evening, good nights sleep before the flight home.

Thankyou to Paul and all the staff at Pioneer."

"It took me 19 years to get back to my favourite place in the world- the South Luangwa Valley, once again at a rejuvenated Kapani lodge and having the same guide, the infamous Abraham Banda. Nothing let me down! This was just how I wanted to experience, the best of Africa's game reserves/parks and at my favourite time of the year- the emerald season. Amazing sightings, harder work for the tracker/guide, Abraham, but this is part of the challenge.

The season brings better light and photographic opportunity in general and no dust to test my lenses and camera. This is the place to see leopard and the newly crowned king with a pride of 17 lions in tow. The kill during the famous spotlight safari, with 18 lions in a scrum trying to get their share of the kill was amazing to see and hear. Great birding opportunity, genet, serval and the regular cast.

Had the opportunity for a 'free' upgrade to KAKULI bush camp, and 2 wonderful walking safari's- part of what is the Norman Carr concept. Thank you to all concerned and it will not be another 19 years before I get back to South Luangwa!"

"Good 4 star hotel with all the necessary facilities but great location and short walk into the Victoria Falls. Would use again the next time I'm there.

Efficient airport 'pick up' and transfer's through 'wilderness safaris'."

"Lebala, lebala, lebala- so good is the accommodation, the food and the staff.

You will see the African wild hunting dogs here between Lagoon (pack of 18), and the Lebala(pack of 6). Good leopard sightings and excellent for the 3 dominant Cheetah brothers.

Giraffe and elephants in abundance. No lion, but many hyena here. Friendly, cheerful staff and super food. Entertainment, African dancing and singing to top off what was the perfect 3 nights here.

Thank you to all concerned."

"I visited Kwara last year and just had to come back. It did not let me down.

The best of Kwando safaris guides are here, even though David has left. Jacob and G.T were my team this year, and did everything they could to find what I wanted. 4 out of the 5 of the cheetah cubs from last year have survived, what a mother! Following a nervous female leopard for ages without interfering with her (building trust for later observers). African wild hunting dogs found after a kill and 3 Cheetah brothers, observed, diamond formation and setting off at top speed towards their target- what a privilege!

The 7 male lions have now separated and have created their own territories but I've been informed occasionally, 5 still get back together. Many elephant and giraffe. Walking safari here too. Gcodikwe lagoon, hippos and sundowner, another G and T. Very good accommodation, in great location and the food and service here is excellent.

Thank you to all concerned."

"Thanks to a smooth transition from London/Jo'berg/Maun and the light aircraft(Moremi Air), I arrived at Lagoon camp. The wonderful 'team' of staff at Lagoon, created a harmony of professionalism, courteousness and genuine light hearted banter. This was home from home!

My guide and tracker(Dishoe and James) were incredibly motivated to find the game and their skills produced fantastic photo opportunity, when against the odds(this was the rainy/green season and the grasses were tall, hence the game so much harder to find. Both African wild hunting dog packs(Lagoon and Lebala) were found in the same day, cheetah stalking, killing and then eating a young osterich, elephant, most of the antelope and birdlife in abundance. Very good location, friendly staff and great food!

Thankyou to all concerned."

"Two nights here were not enough! The game is prolific and I intend to go back in the future. Relief management were in place here and this does have an affect on the dynamic at any camp. However my stay here was very enjoyable, my guide(David), is the finest guide/tracker that I've experienced in my 20 years of extensive travelling throughout Africa. No greater compliment can be paid.

Leopard tracking, the finest art! The cheetah with five cubs, the fondest of memories and super photos. Seven male lions that dominant this area, three cheetah brothers and once again an abundance of birdlife.

My favourite 'tent' of the three camps - the sliding doors make it so much easier. Great food and enjoyable company here.

Thank you to all concerned."

"This was the last of the three camps visited and the main lodge area, with its high ceiling built in a semi-circle, (so wherever you sit everyone has a view of the lagoon), was my favourite setting. The general staff seemed shy, slightly subdued but one could build a rapport with most of the staff as time went on.

Meticulously clean, no fuss, the ladies worked very hard to produce the finest of meals. The mokoro trip was a pleasant change, peaceful and tranquil. Botswana has produced a high standard of guides through its policy of education and once again great tracking skills in evidence as several leopard were found for those special moments. Good game viewing, but Kwara and Lagoon/Lebala regions were better.

Sometimes taking the chance of travelling 'out of prime game viewing season' pays off- quite literally! The weather was superb, very little rain and temperature between 28 and 35 degrees celsius. No flat open plains for easy game viewing, this was real safari, off road, very private and game tracking at its best. Thankyou, for all the efforts put in to make this one of my greatest adventure yet! Vi ses igen."