Reviews of Old Mondoro Bushcamp

"Wonderful camp----very remote and just what we love

Staff were wonderful, as were the guides

Room 4 was wonderful---thank you, Freddie for suggesting that we request this room----the best, and superb for photography---it was like our own personal Watering Hole!

Michel and Roen were great hosts, and gave us a private dinner on our own verandah on one night----such a wonderful surprise

All meals were great and the food was very good

We loved the camp fire at breakfast, + at pre dinner for drinks and after dinner for drinks---if one wanted to stay up a bit: this was great for chatting to fellow guests and getting to know them and to experience activities of the day

We loved the very smart "dinner party" table, beautifully laid and completely outside----magical

Cannot think of anything to improve this camp----except for one very small thing---could they please provide tea and coffee in the rooms at wake-up time---as Chiawa did, and many other camps do

ONE BIG REQUEST: please do not let them get any larger----small is very definitely beautiful!!!" See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia

"This was our 13th safari to Southern Africa, but our first camp after a 10 year break. Our hopes were high, but our expectations for Old Mondoro were surpassed.
The rooms were rustic in look but showed a great attention to detail in the layout and contents. Plus the bath with a view was the icing on the cake.
The location is excellent with the main area looking out onto the Zambezi and the rooms on to a creek off the main river. This creek is full of activity. One day we counted 34 elephants drinking, having mud baths or just socialising. There were also visits from baboons, warthogs, impala and waterbuck. It was much too interesting to have a siesta.
We arrived by plane at Jeki airport and the game drive started there - we were immediately greeted by 3 rollers performing and our drive to camp included a lioness and a leopard in a tree. During our stay we had 3 more daylight sightings of leopards. the activities are varied and we particularly enjoyed our walk with James and a spot of fishing on the Zambezi. A small downside on the drives is that some of the roads are corrugated and can be a bit uncomfortable if driving fast.
We loved our stay and if we go on another safari this would be on the list to visit again" See all these reviews: 15n in Zambia

"Our room was not particularly spacious and maybe looking a little 'tired' in its furnishings but generally it was on a par with ones we have stayed in within the South Luangwa and still luxurious considering its location in the bush. The spacious and well equipped veranda overlooked a lagoon rather than the river and provided a constant panorama of wildlife. Elephants walked past daily within touching distance (although obviously we stepped well back for safety reasons!) The provision of an exterior stone bath as well as a shower seemed superfluous initially - until we returned from an evening game drive on our last night to find it lit by candles and filled with hot water and bubbles as part of a surprise 45th wedding anniversary celebration provided by the camp! A truly magical and thoughtful experience which made us feel very pampered.

Meals were eaten communally, including a traditional breakfast and pre-evening drinks around the campfire. There was a degree of inflexibility over meal times such that freshening up after activities was sometimes very rushed. Meals were of a very high standard, even by 'normal luxury camp standards. On our last night a table was set up on our veranda and the meal served privately as part of the surprise anniversary celebration.

We were able to do 4 morning walks with the same guide (James) who was excellent and instructional as well as having a good sense of humour. Evening game drives were provided using a number of different guides but always with a spotter and using red headlights to avoid upsetting the wildlife, which seemed like a good improvement. Game viewing was very good, including watching a leopard stalk and pounce (unsuccessfully) on a warthog! There was never any problem in providing a scout to accompany us and the guide on walks, as had been the case at Amanzi, and neither were we crowded into vehicles with other guests. Being further away from any other camp meant we only met another vehicle once over our 5 day stay, which made it feel more remote.

The canoe trip down the Discovery Channel was excellent, with a high adrenalin level due to the proximity of hippos! We also did a river cruise." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia

"In Mondoro you really feel to be a part of the "Bush".

The atmosphere is overwhelming.

The guides were excellent.

We liked very much the flexible organizitation of the game drives." See all these reviews: 5n in Zambia

"More animals wander through here than most bush camps. I had an elephant come to breakfast one morning.

However, the rooms are permanent tents, that they leave open. (For some reason the Baboons don't go inside and destroy the place.) I find this somewhat disturbing, but there was no problem with any wildlife.

The canoe trip on a channel of the Zambezi is especially memorable." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia

"We spent 2 nights here at Old Mondoro after having spent 3 nights at the sister camp Chiawa. While not nearly as luxurious as Chiawa, Old Mondoro has its own special charm that makes for a very enjoyable experience.

Lynette did a canoe trip both here and at Chiawa and still raves about the experience. Jonathan and Karen - the managers - were great hosts and fun to spend time with. James and Sebastien were the guides and worked hard to find plentiful game on our drives. I spent a couple of hours on the river with Ruben fishing for the elusive tiger fish.

All in all a wonderful experience with a great (and fun) team at Old Mondoro." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia

"I "discovered" Old Mondoro Bushcamp last year, and believe it to be the best-run safari camp in Zambia. It is truly a special place; small and intimate, beautifully-situated and -designed, comfortable and friendly, with professional and efficient staff that go out of their way to make your holiday magical.

As with sister camp Chiawa, Old Mondoro is located on the banks of the Zambezi, with gorgeous views over the river channels and many islands. If it weren't for the outstanding wildlife on tap, I could imagine visiting and just chilling for days on end, staring at the gorgeous view! However, this would be losing out on the camp's location near spectacular, game-rich areas!

The rooms at O.M. face the river (or, a small lagoon off the river in the case of cabin #4) and are fantastic. The tent/cabins consist of reed walls on three sides; the front facing the river has a reed, three foot high divider on the bottom but is open from the top of this divider to the roof. There are canvas and fly sidings that can be closed at night for those guests who don't care to be so close to open nature. The open air shower and bathtub -- with stunning view of the Zambezi! -- are delightful.

The service, as I've alluded to in the first paragraph, is top-notch, and I honestly don't see how it could possibly be improved. I've stayed in hundreds of hotels, guest houses, inns and camps over the years, and this is one of the very few that truly made me feel both "special," and "at home." Bravo!

The food served at Old Mondoro was hands-down the best of the trip, and probably the best I've had at any safari camp in Africa. Lunch is served buffet style, and was always fresh, interesting and varied. Dinners were plated and were truly something to look forward to every night.

As with Chiawa, there are numerous activities to choose from. The safari drives were excellent, with great sightings of everything (with the exception of the elusive serval and pangolin, which I have now gone twenty years worth of safaris without seeing!). I love the fact that at both Chiawa and O.M. vehicles are usually limited to four guests each, which of course is excellent for those of us who are photographers. The canoe trip through Discovery Channel was a very memorable afternoon, and I also enjoyed going out on the river a couple of times via boat.

Overall, Old Mondoro remains my favorite camp in Zambia, if not all of Africa. I'm hoping to make it back very soon!" See all these reviews: 16n in Zambia

"This was just a fabulous experience. The chalets are great, the food really good, the activities great and varied and the guides really knowledgeable.

We had elephants wading across the lagoon in front of our chalet and then around our chalet - all the wildlife you could want without stepping outside your door.

The range of animals - leopards every drive, honey badgers, porcupines, civets and serval - was outstanding. I can't wait to return." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia

"A truly wonderful experience ,a leopard on the journey in and one when we left

Game drives and walk,s excellent guides very knowledgeable.

Sundowner,s drifting down the river unforgetable" See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia

"We ended our holiday with 4 nights at Old Mondoro where we spent 2 magical nights in 2005. We were not disappointed by our return trip. Although it does not feel quite as 'remote' as before (because of updated facilities) the location remains stunning. The rooms and catering are excellent.

Our game viewing started in spectacular style on the transfer in from the airstrip when James spotted a female leopard lounging on a branch. When we thought she was going to leave she simply turned around and presented us with her other side. Later during our visit we were treated to a similar sighting of a very relaxed male leopard.

As well as walks and game drives we took a river trip and had great views of elephants crossing and playing in the water. There is much to be seen while in the camp with animals and birds passing through and enjoying the lagoon.

Old Mondoro is still a very special place to stay." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia