Travel reviews by Mrs E from Yardley, PA, US
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
2
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
13
Excursions taken
0
My Aug 2024 trip
Zambia and 1 other country between 1 Aug 2024 and 23 Aug 2024
"Another fantastic trip to Zambia! All of the connections went smoothly. I had been to all of the camps except Shoebill Island before, many times, so I knew I would be happy there. This was my fist visit to Bangweulu Wetlands, and quite surprised as to the uniqueness of the area's landscape and land use. I was happy to have been able to see a shoebill in the wild and to visit the African Parks Shoebill Program."
Arranged By Lucy Copson
InterContinental O.R. Tambo
"InterContinental O.R. Tambo review"
1 night
Arrived
2 Aug 2024
"Very easy to get to as it is just across the street from the airport exit. We were not met at the airport as expected, but I knew how to get to the hotel."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Kaingo Camp
"Kaingo Camp review"
4 nights
Arrived
3 Aug 2024
"This comfortable camp is located next to the river in prime game territory. We saw between 3 and 5 different leopards each day, members of two lion prides, many elephants, and a variety of other animals. Very close to camp is a beautiful ebony forest.
The chalets are very attractive and have their own viewing deck above the river. Chef Catherine is very creative with her offerings and makes absolutely delicious food with produce from their farm in Mfuwe. The guiding is absolutely top notch. Staff is friendly and helpful.
I've been to this camp eleven times and will return next year."
The chalets are very attractive and have their own viewing deck above the river. Chef Catherine is very creative with her offerings and makes absolutely delicious food with produce from their farm in Mfuwe. The guiding is absolutely top notch. Staff is friendly and helpful.
I've been to this camp eleven times and will return next year."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
1 sighting
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Hippo
10+ sightings
Leopard
10+ sightings
Lion
3 sightings
Spotted Hyena
Many sightings
Wild dog
1 sighting
Wildebeest
1 sighting
Zebra
Many sightings
Tafika
"Tafika review"
1 night
Arrived
7 Aug 2024
"Tafika is a very nice, family run camp, along the Eastern bank of the Luangwa River. Staff and guides are very friendly and helpful.
We were only there one night before flying on to our next camp using their plane."
We were only there one night before flying on to our next camp using their plane."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Elephant
1 sighting
Hippo
1 sighting
Wild dog
1 sighting
Zebra
1 sighting
Shoebill Island Camp
"Shoebill Island Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived
8 Aug 2024
"This camp is located in the unique environment of the Bangweulu Wetlands. The tents are comfortable and have attached bathrooms with hot running water and WC. We stayed in a tent on the water-view side. The dining room/lounge is quite large and open air with little decoration. Staff was quite friendly and eager to please.
We did manage to see a shoebill among the reed and papyrus-filled swamp. The polers had to work very hard to get our boat through the narrow, and sometimes very shallow, waterways. We also saw thousands of black lechwe, hundreds of tsesebe, and several endemic bird species.
There were many fires all over the area, some of which so close to camp that we could hear crackling, and the smoke was everywhere. The fires are set by the local people to enrich the soil and encourage the growth of new grass, but they can be unpleasant for visitors."
We did manage to see a shoebill among the reed and papyrus-filled swamp. The polers had to work very hard to get our boat through the narrow, and sometimes very shallow, waterways. We also saw thousands of black lechwe, hundreds of tsesebe, and several endemic bird species.
There were many fires all over the area, some of which so close to camp that we could hear crackling, and the smoke was everywhere. The fires are set by the local people to enrich the soil and encourage the growth of new grass, but they can be unpleasant for visitors."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Facilities
Average
Bilimungwe Bushcamp
"Bilimungwe Bushcamp review"
3 nights
Arrived
11 Aug 2024
"One of my favorite camps in Zambia. There are only 4 chalets, each with a deck overlooking a pond where many animals come to drink, bathe, dust bath and wallow. The baboons come to play in the trees and birds fly in for a quick drink or bath. On many nights a hippo comes to eat the Nile cabbage. While we were there a Pells fishing own frequented a branch over the central pond.
Another highlight of camp is the breakfast boma overlooking the Luangwa River and Chindeni Hills to the east.
The chalets are quite large and comfortable. The staff couldn't be nicer."
Another highlight of camp is the breakfast boma overlooking the Luangwa River and Chindeni Hills to the east.
The chalets are quite large and comfortable. The staff couldn't be nicer."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
1 sighting
Elephant
Many sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Hippo
Many sightings
Spotted Hyena
Many sightings
Wild dog
2 sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
Chamilandu Bushcamp
"Chamilandu Bushcamp review"
3 nights
Arrived
14 Aug 2024
"The serene setting for this camp is amazing. Set on the Luangwa River, the three chalets have open sides for outstanding views of sunrise of the Chindeni Hills and sunsets over the Muchinga Escarpment, and elephants crossing the river from the Game Management Area to the national park.
The staff is wonderful - a well oiled machine, many of whom have been working at Chami for over ten years. During my twelve visits I have seen elephants come through camp, and pesky baboons scavenge ebony fruits from the tree by chalet #1. Many mornings I have seen leopard tracks under my chalet deck or at the morning breakfast area."
The staff is wonderful - a well oiled machine, many of whom have been working at Chami for over ten years. During my twelve visits I have seen elephants come through camp, and pesky baboons scavenge ebony fruits from the tree by chalet #1. Many mornings I have seen leopard tracks under my chalet deck or at the morning breakfast area."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Elephant
Many sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Hippo
Many sightings
Leopard
2 sightings
Spotted Hyena
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
Mfuwe Lodge
"Mfuwe Lodge review"
1 night
Arrived
17 Aug 2024
"The Lodge is a great place to start or finish a visit to SLNP. It's in the game-rich central part of the park, just minutes from the entrance gate, but in a highly trafficked area. The chalets are nicely decorated with comfortable beds, full bathrooms, electricity, and even A/C, and each has a viewing deck overlooking either a mostly dried up lagoon or a hippo pond frequented by all kinds of game, mongooses, birds and sometimes predators.
Staff and guides are wonderful. Internet access is available and there is a bar and spa.
I prefer smaller camps but always stay a night or two at the Lodge because the staff is so nice."
Staff and guides are wonderful. Internet access is available and there is a bar and spa.
I prefer smaller camps but always stay a night or two at the Lodge because the staff is so nice."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Elephant
Many sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Hippo
Many sightings
Leopard
Many sightings
Lion
Many sightings
Spotted Hyena
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
Chongwe River Camp
"Chongwe River Camp review"
4 nights
Arrived
18 Aug 2024
"Chongwe River Camp is in one of the beautiful locations I've ever seen. Set on the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi Rivers, the camp's tents are comfortable and nicely appointed with attached bathrooms with hot and cold running water. The staff couldn't be nicer. Activities include game drives, canoeing and fishing. I really enjoy the birds and elephants that come to visit the camp. Guiding is excellent."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
Many sightings
Elephant
Many sightings
Hippo
Many sightings
Lion
1 sighting
Spotted Hyena
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
My Aug 2021 trip
Zambia between 9 Aug 2021 and 28 Aug 2021
"I had the most wonderful time! It was a time of total de-stressing, relaxation, wonder and renewal of old friendships. All staff at the camps were vaccinated, and all guests that I spent any time with were too. Of course everything was outdoors, so I really didn't worry about covid very much.
Sightings were varied from camp to camp. I usually visit Zambia in June so I was particularly interested to see the carmine bee-eaters and other migrants as well as so many flowering trees.
This was my ninth visit to South Luangwa. I will continue to return to this fabulous park and all the friends I have made with guides and staff during that time. It is a magical place!"
Sightings were varied from camp to camp. I usually visit Zambia in June so I was particularly interested to see the carmine bee-eaters and other migrants as well as so many flowering trees.
This was my ninth visit to South Luangwa. I will continue to return to this fabulous park and all the friends I have made with guides and staff during that time. It is a magical place!"
Arranged By Lucy Copson
Chongwe River Camp
"Chongwe River Camp review"
4 nights
Arrived
9 Aug 2021
"This was my fifth visit Chongwe River Camp, and each visit is better than the last. The staff and guides are friendly, knowledgeable and just wonderful people. The camp's location, set at the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi Rivers, is truly beautiful. I particularly enjoy the view from Tent #4 as one can view both the Chongwe River and escarpment to the north and the Zambezi to the south. Activities include not only game drives and walks but also boating and fishing activities. Food is very good too. Elephants and impala were frequently wandering in camp, searching for winterthorn pods which had begun to fall. There is always some kind of wildlife to watch right from the tents."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
2 sightings
Elephant
10+ sightings
Hippo
10+ sightings
Lion
3 sightings
Spotted Hyena
3 sightings
Zebra
2 sightings
Kaingo Camp
"Spectacular camp and wildlife sightings"
5 nights
Arrived
13 Aug 2021
"My eighth trip to Kaingo is a testament to how much I love this place. The camp itself overlooks the Luangwa River and each chalet has it's own viewing deck above the river. The remodeled chalets are tastefully decorated and very comfortable. Wildlife sightings and guiding here are just the best! Multiple sightings of various predators in one day are not uncommon. Food prepared by Chef Catherine and her staff is unusual, inventive, varied, and delicious. The guides know the behaviours of many individual leopards and lion prides and put you at the right place at the right time to optimize your viewing and photography."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
9 sightings
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
2 sightings
Hippo
10+ sightings
Leopard
6 sightings
Lion
9 sightings
Spotted Hyena
5 sightings
Zebra
8 sightings
Mfuwe Lodge
"Mfuwe Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
18 Aug 2021
"(I was actually at Mfuwe Lodge for one night 18 August instead of two at this point in my trip.)
I always enjoy staying at the Lodge at some point during my visit to SLNP because the staff are wonderful and the wildlife viewing right from the chalets is great. Wildlife sightings in this area of the park are abundant and varied. Unfortunately this is the busiest part of the park due to its proximity to the main gate, but Mfuwe Lodge guides do their best at staying away from busy areas if you ask them to. The Lodge offers luxury in the bush - AC, limited WIFI, a gift shop, outdoor exercise area and spa. The recently refurbished chalets are bright and well appointed. The staff pay careful attention to covid protocols but still manage to put guests at ease."
I always enjoy staying at the Lodge at some point during my visit to SLNP because the staff are wonderful and the wildlife viewing right from the chalets is great. Wildlife sightings in this area of the park are abundant and varied. Unfortunately this is the busiest part of the park due to its proximity to the main gate, but Mfuwe Lodge guides do their best at staying away from busy areas if you ask them to. The Lodge offers luxury in the bush - AC, limited WIFI, a gift shop, outdoor exercise area and spa. The recently refurbished chalets are bright and well appointed. The staff pay careful attention to covid protocols but still manage to put guests at ease."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Elephant
3 sightings
Giraffe
2 sightings
Hippo
2 sightings
Leopard
2 sightings
Lion
2 sightings
Zebra
2 sightings
Kuyenda Bushcamp
"Kuyenda Bushcamp 3 nights (19 Aug - 22 Aug)"
2 nights
Arrived
20 Aug 2021
"Unlike the other camps I visited on this trip, Kuyenda is on a sand river rather than next to water. The four new chalets and common area are very attractive and tastefully done without any frills but just what one needs. The thatched rondavels have roofless bathrooms attached, providing running hot and cold water, WC and shower with a view. I love their simplicity. Staff and guiding, as at all Bushcamp properties, are friendly and excellent."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
10+ sightings
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
6 sightings
Hippo
10+ sightings
Leopard
3 sightings
Lion
7 sightings
Spotted Hyena
3 sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
Chindeni
"Chindeni 3 nights 22 Aug to 25 Aug"
4 nights
Arrived
22 Aug 2021
"Chindeni's setting and tents couldn't be more beautiful! The tents are spacious and attractive with viewing decks overlooking the lagoon. There was a lot more water in the lagoon this August than I have ever seen in June visits and wildlife sights there were fewer, but game drives provided lots of sightings in varied terrains. The highlight during this visit was sundowners sitting in camp chairs in the Kapamba River. What luxury!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
4 sightings
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
5 sightings
Hippo
10+ sightings
Leopard
2 sightings
Spotted Hyena
3 sightings
Zebra
2 sightings