Reviews of Pioneer Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
145 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Pioneer Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Western
Alberta
"Pioneer Camp review"
1 night Arrived 19 Sep 2021
"This is a small, informal, relaxed place to stay in a quiet rural area just outside of the city, and yet still close (30 min drive, the last part along a very bumpy road) to the airport. There are several chalets, as well as space for self-drive campers.
There is a nice main building area with reception, bar, and patio dining. There is wifi in the main building area. I stayed here overnight on my international arrival in country, and then the next day back to the airport and on to Mfuwe and SLNP.
Tip - enroute to Pioneer you pass by the Waterfall Mall, which is handy for currency exchange office, and for SIM card purchase at the MTN shop, if things are closed at the airport, as they were for me during the transition from old terminal to new terminal in fall 2021.
Pickup on arrival was waiting and efficient, as was the return trip to the airport the next day. Staff were friendly and helpful. My stay was Sept 2021 during COVID, and things were pretty quiet. I was the only guest in the chalets, and there was an interesting German couple doing a self-drive in the camp area.
It's a total contrast to popular modern and upscale Latitude 15 Degrees, which is looks to be a great as well, but they are very different place to stay, and also at different price points. My rating factors that in. Latitude 15 is likely better located if you are trying to coordinate PCR testing for departure." See all these reviews: 6n in Zambia
There is a nice main building area with reception, bar, and patio dining. There is wifi in the main building area. I stayed here overnight on my international arrival in country, and then the next day back to the airport and on to Mfuwe and SLNP.
Tip - enroute to Pioneer you pass by the Waterfall Mall, which is handy for currency exchange office, and for SIM card purchase at the MTN shop, if things are closed at the airport, as they were for me during the transition from old terminal to new terminal in fall 2021.
Pickup on arrival was waiting and efficient, as was the return trip to the airport the next day. Staff were friendly and helpful. My stay was Sept 2021 during COVID, and things were pretty quiet. I was the only guest in the chalets, and there was an interesting German couple doing a self-drive in the camp area.
It's a total contrast to popular modern and upscale Latitude 15 Degrees, which is looks to be a great as well, but they are very different place to stay, and also at different price points. My rating factors that in. Latitude 15 is likely better located if you are trying to coordinate PCR testing for departure." See all these reviews: 6n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Chris
sint genesius r
"Pioneer Camp review"
1 night Arrived 25 Jun 2021
"Nice staff. Great to have been alone as I could get the best room. Which was great.
Camp needs a bit care. Some plastic waste in the camp hidden in the tracks for birding. Fantastic potential though for birds.
Feel sorry for them that they had so little tourists." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
Camp needs a bit care. Some plastic waste in the camp hidden in the tracks for birding. Fantastic potential though for birds.
Feel sorry for them that they had so little tourists." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mrs J.
Gulf Shores
"Pioneer Camp review"
1 night Arrived 18 Jun 2021
"Drivers from Pioneer Camp were waiting for us at Lusaka Airport. About a 40 minute drive to camp. Our room was basic but we were not lacking for anything. Dinner was homestyle local food and good. Good camp for start of our trip."
See all these reviews: 16n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Average
Service:
Good
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Average
Ms G
Florida
"Pioneer Camp review"
1 night Arrived 25 Oct 2020
"Pioneer camp is located on the outskirts of Lusaka. It is about 20-30 minutes from the Airport. At some point, you leave the paved road and enter a remote area. This can be a bit daunting at night. The property is a combination of campsites and one room chalet style cabins. The rooms are somewhat shabby with few amenities.
What the property lacked in "creature comforts" was more than made up for by the kindness and hospitality of the staff. I was concerned that I could not leave the country without a Covid-19 test. Reception called the airline, airport and interceded to assure me that I would be able to board my flights unimpeded. Transfers were on time and efficiently managed." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
What the property lacked in "creature comforts" was more than made up for by the kindness and hospitality of the staff. I was concerned that I could not leave the country without a Covid-19 test. Reception called the airline, airport and interceded to assure me that I would be able to board my flights unimpeded. Transfers were on time and efficiently managed." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Average
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Average
Mr J
Coventry
"Good place for one nights stay"
1 night Arrived 22 Oct 2020
"A perfect place for a one nights stay before or after a flight to or from Livingstone as it is relatively close to the airport."
See all these reviews: 20n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Doctors
Sheffield
"Pioneer Camp review"
1 night Arrived 15 Nov 2019
"Slightly tired but excellent location close to airport.
Serves function very well" See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
Serves function very well" See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs S
Oxon
"Pioneer Camp review"
1 night Arrived 18 Sep 2019
"This was our fifth stay at the camp. Airport pick up and drop off went well.
Delicious vegetarian option. Hot water available in the evening and morning.
Staff were helpful." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
Delicious vegetarian option. Hot water available in the evening and morning.
Staff were helpful." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Mr RVM
Sintra
"Pioneer Camp - the arrival to Zambia"
1 night Arrived 6 Sep 2019
"After a reasonably long trip (Lisbon - Dubai - Lusaka), a driver from Pioneer Camp was waiting for us and it was nice to have a short drive between the airport and the camp. Staying overnight in the Pioneer Camp proved to be a great decision.
We had a very friendly and warm welcome and after settling in we took a relaxing aperitif while waiting for dinner. The food was excellent.
Next morning, after the breakfast and punctually at the agreed time, the same driver took us back to the airport where we've met a Skytrails representative." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
We had a very friendly and warm welcome and after settling in we took a relaxing aperitif while waiting for dinner. The food was excellent.
Next morning, after the breakfast and punctually at the agreed time, the same driver took us back to the airport where we've met a Skytrails representative." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
D & S
NZ
"Convenient finale"
1 night Arrived 22 Jul 2019
"We stayed a final night at Pioneer before our flight from Lusaka airport. It was convenient and appropriate.
The staff was pleasant, the shower and food were fine, we caught up on wi-fi - all the necessaries in a pleasant low-key environment.
Transport to and from the airport was seamless." See all these reviews: 19n in Zambia
The staff was pleasant, the shower and food were fine, we caught up on wi-fi - all the necessaries in a pleasant low-key environment.
Transport to and from the airport was seamless." See all these reviews: 19n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
D & S
NZ
"Pioneer Camp review"
1 night Arrived 3 Jul 2019
"We were only there for about 3 hours (~3-6am) between flights, trying to sleep, so nothing relevant to write.
Phegan, who picked us up and dropped us back at the airport, was friendly and helpful." See all these reviews: 19n in Zambia
Phegan, who picked us up and dropped us back at the airport, was friendly and helpful." See all these reviews: 19n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
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