Reviews of Pioneer Camp

"Very noisy, but not the hippos/elephants/hyenas/lions this time. Dogs barking! Cockerels crowing." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia

"We complained about this camp after our first visit and the path to the huts has been improved but the lighting of the paths is worse and there are no sign posts or hut numbers, so after dark it is very difficult. The owner of the camp is extremely charming and does his best and in fact he offered to do our BA check-in online for us which we had not thought about.

His main assistant, Alfred, is incredible and seems to do 3 or 4 different jobs. But in the morning, when it was still pitch black, there was no electricity in the hut until 5.30 and the portable lamp to be used as a standby worked when it felt like. Even in the evening when the lights were on they were poor.

There is an absence of anywhere to put anything in the bathroom. The road to the camp is even worse than 2 years ago which is why we have put the location as poor and we are unlikely to want to stay there again." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia

"A good place for the last night.

Nice and comfortable rooms but the restaurant service was minimal/non existent.

The management did very well in booking us online with BA, the person who picked us from the airport and took us back the following morning was reliable and whereas spending a night in Lusaka waiting for a morning flight is not the most fantastic thing, Pioneer Camp certainly manages to make it a comfortable and stress-free experience." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia

"Efficient and friendly 'front of house', especially the man who organised getting everyone to the airport. But the food was not very good and the service in the restaurant was distinctly average eg when we arrived we were offered tea but there was no milk and none appeared when requested, there was no tea or coffee after the evening meal, which came with veg instead of salad, various choices at breakfast had run out etc.

Overall as a stopover it was convenient and reasonably priced, and the room was comfortable if a little characterless, but I can not imagine wanting to stay there except to get to the airport." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia

"This was awful and not really our first choice for our last night in Lusaka before flying out the next morning. Your Expert Africa representative advised us to stay there because of its proximity to the airport. However, that should not be the guiding factor in helping a client select accomodation.

We were out in the middle of nowhere and didn't have access to Lusaka as information provided suggested, so instead of getting a late afternoon in Lusaka for shopping, we were left with nothing to do. The room was very basic -- holes in the mosquito netting, hard to get hot water, even with every light on, the room was poorly lit. And Expert Africa should not put people out there in the middle of a Zambian winter as the windows only have screens, so as the temps dropped to 5-6 degrees, we froze. There were blankets which we used despite their musty-damp smell.

I would have preferred getting up earlier and leaving from Lusaka rather than suffering a poor night's sleep at Pioneer Camp. This really let you down." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia

"It was very nice to go to another camp rather than a hotel in Lusaka and the owner and food were very good.

However, the room we were given was very dark and curtains would not draw. Also the bedside lampshade was burnt at the top. It just needed a bit of cosmetic tender loving care!" See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia

"We had been undoubtedly spoilt with the four previous accomodations, and the Pioneer Camp was a bit of a disappointment. The "luxury" chalets are in need of renovation and refurbishment (damaged blinds, scruffy bedding and towels). Paul the manager was helpful in doing our BA check-in.

The evening meal was more pub than restaurant. It was a bit of a disappointment all round at the end of an otherwise perfect holiday. In its favour it was nearer the airport than the hotels of Lusaka. It is a campsite and looks like one." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia

"The last night is always a difficult one and we've tried Taj Pamodzi and Chaminuka before. It's hard for us to judge because we arrived after dark and had to leave very early in the morning.

One thing we didn't appreciate was being dumped late at night with our bags and then trying to find our way back to the dining area in the dark. Turns out there was a portable light in the room, but we didn't recognise it as such.

The owner was friendly and realising our tiredness began cooking our dinner order whilst we were being taken to the chalet so that we could just eat and go to bed." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia

"pick up[ service from airport was good, accomodation was to a high standard and very quiet. Evening meals were good and chef can do veggie specials upon request" See all these reviews: 17n in Zambia

"The camp was very accomodating for us. The food was good.

The matresses in the room were quite old and used - we got a lot of insect bites from the mattresses??
The rest of the facility was good.

It was quite far from the city of Lusaka, so visitors have to be aware that a taxi ride to anywhere will cost more than 150,000 kwacha ($30) one way." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia