Travel reviews by Scrub hares from London

"This was our second visit to Kapani, and we loved it as much as the first time. It's location seems even finer after the rains, when the lagoon is full, than later in the year.

Our guides - Brian and Innocent - made the most of all the opportunities for game and bird viewing, and we were very pleasantly surprised that we saw so much game at this time of the year. Of course, the birds, mostly in their breeding plummage, were fantastic

The food was excellent - we were again astonished by the range and quality - and the service generally very good (although there were a couple of slips, one when requests we made weren't followed up and one when heavy rain denuded the restaurant area of management!)."

"Also our second visit. Literally everything about our stay at Kakuli was wonderful, starting with the welcome party led by Aubrey and Priya waiting on the riverbank for our boat. The location is superb, and recent work to the accommodation has made the rooms/tents even more comfortable.

Like Kapani, the food was delicious and we were again astonished at how so much is achieved in this remote location. Our guides Aubrey and Laurence were superb, and delivered surprising and thrilling game trips: we will never forget being within a couple of metres from two lionesses hiding from us in the bushes!

We hadn't realised we would be able to do so much walking in the bush at this time of year: the balance between boating and walking was perfect. We simply love everything about Kakuli and its staff."

"Nothing to add here; see previous comments [Ed: See the review below!]"

"This was our first camp, and a perfect place to start. The boat trip from airstrip to the lodge quickly dispelled my (Elaine) slight water-phobia, even with the hippos and crocs, and the welcome we received on arrival from Rob, Ingrid and Jackie was very friendly. A surprise lunch waiting for us on the riverbank after a morning's walking safari the next day was an exceptional touch.

We are very glad we took your advice about the cold mornings and evenings, and the hot water bottles were very welcome. We liked the accommodation very much, and the ambience of the whole place was exceptional.

Sam, our guide at Lunga, was possibly the most enthusiastic of our trip, and gave us a wonderful introduction to the flora and fauna of Zambia."

"A beautiful camp in a stunning position. Very special to arrive by helicopter, flying low over the hippos and antilope. We found it amazing to enjoy such luxury so far from anywhere. The staff were very anxious to make our stay a good one, and our guide - Lex - tried very hard to find us some big cats to see. Despite not doing so, we loved the variety of game and birds to be seen here, and the boat trip on the water hole to see hippos and crocs close-up was memorable.

But we were even more glad we took Expert Africa's advice about warm clothing here: the nightime temperatures must have been close to freezing-point.

Andrew, Shannon and Mwami were excellent hosts."

"Despite being the largest lodge of our trip, there was a real family feel at Kapani. The guides were excellent and ensured we made the best use of our shortish time here: Innocent took us for a wonderful walk during which we met our first giraffe, and Rose (Zambia's first and only woman guide) introduced us to our first pride of lions.

The accommodation is older at Kapani, but totally charming, and the location magical. The swimming pool is a lovely bonus (though a bit cold for us in the Zambian winter!). In addition to Innocent and Rose, we were very well looked-after by Diane, a visiting manager from New Zealand."

"Lovely accommodation in thatched rondavels on raised platforms, and the first of our open-air bathrooms (wathc out in the night!).

Shadi, the manager and guide, was extremely knowledgeable and made our visit very special. Monika, and then Diane fom Kapani, looked after us very well and were super companions at mealtimes. A splendid brunch (freshly-cooked 'full English'!) on the dry bed of the River Lewi with clients transferring from Lewi Camp was only one of the ways we were spoiled by the staff during our visit. And that evening, oil lamps illuminated the river bed and our dining table, as elephants walked past (at a safe-ish distance!). The beds were so comfy that buffalo munching outside our hut barely disturbed our night.

It was great to be joined at Nsolo by both Christina Carr and, later, David the Norman Carr bushcamps manager.
Our stay at Nsolo culminated with our transfer to Kakuli on foot, about 12 kilometres, led by JJ from Kilkuli, Benson the ZAWA scout and Ruben, expertly guiding us through the bush and awaiting elephants, zebra and warthogs."

"Our memories of Kakuli will always be coloured by the wonderful sightings we had here of lions and a leopard. JJ, our guide, delivered these on our last night in South Luangwa, like a virtuoso delivering a cadenza. Being so close to the lions was an overwhelming experience. But one shouldn't forget the literally hundreds of hippos that gathered around as we enjoyed our sundowner on the river bank, or the dozens of crocs too.

Kakuli has a beautiful location, and great accommodation too. We specially enjoyed our open-air bathroom and our throne-like toilet below the termite mound!

JJ, Aubrey and Lucinda made us very welcome. The atmosphere and service here was outstanding"

"A great end to our trip, after the exertions of the bush. Tongabezi offers a different kind of experience from the safari camps and lodges we visited previously. The accommodation is larger and even more luxurious, the food excellent, service just as good if a bit less personal (because there are many more staff, to look after many more visitors - and perhaps the fact that one doesn't get to mingle with the management in the same way.

We took a game drive and were able to see the remaining white rhino on foot, but the Vic Falls Park lacks the wilderness atmosphere of S Luangwa and Kafue. Our first visit to the Vic Falls was another overwhelming experience. A shame that they make a charge for the game drive."