Reviews of Mwaleshi Camp

"Mwaleshi Camp is in an extremely beautiful and remote part of North Luangwa. If you are happy to be in a very remote and unspoiled wilderness and in adequate but basic accommodation then you will enjoy the peace and tranquility of this beautiful place. However, we would say it is not for the faint hearted as you need to be prepared for paddling across the river, animals coming through the camp and plenty of insects.

We absolutely loved it and were fortunate enough to have the place to ourselves - but we don't think it would be for everyone. We understand that at the time of our visit we were the only two visitors in the whole of North Luangwa National Park - which was just amazing to have this pristine wilderness all to ourselves.

The food prepared by Brightwell in nothing more than a hole in the ground was the best food we have ever eaten in an African camp and the guiding team of Alex and Special were first class. We were hosted at the camp by Karen and family and they made our stay very special.

We will certainly return to Mwaleshi on our next trip." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia

"Mwaleshi was truly magical and we loved every minute of it. It was just the sort of remote and intimate camp that we had hoped for. The team there always seemed to be able to pull off a surprise, whether it was setting up a sun downer in the river or setting up the kitchen in the bush to serve brunch at the end of a long walk.

Karen was a superb host and the guiding from Alex was as excellent as it was fun. Given the facilities, the cooking from Brightwell was truly astonishing and to be honest we thought that the food at Mwaleshi surpassed that at Tafika although probably best not to tell them that ;-).

The game viewing here was still very good, even on foot and we managed to get very close to some lions. We could easily imagine returning here at some point in the future." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia

"Excellent as expected .The very real bush feeling. On arriving, we had to wade the Mwaleshi to reach the chalets overlooking the river. This brought us right into the informal, welcoming, friendly atmosphere of the bushcamp.

The food was superb, and we enjoyed every walk with Alex as our guide. we left after 4 days, knowing that we would return.

The transfert to ( from Mfuwe) and from Mwaleshi ( to Jeki ) was perfectly organised." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia

"Mwaleshi is truly stunning. The sense of being away from it all is felt deeply at this camp, and yet your needs are taken care of to the very highest standards. Like all the Remote Africa camps, Mwaleshi is rebuilt each season from grasses and reeds, simply done but incredibly chic!

Like all the other camps, the food was superb. Cleverly, fresh greens and herbs are taken from the large vegetable garden at Tafika with their root balls intact, transported with you and your luggage by plane to Mwaleshi, then re-planted in the small vegetable garden at the camp, ensuring fresh salads each day for the duration of your stay.

Like Tafika, the camp is right on the river, but unlike Tafika, you can walk across this river, or even better, sit in it and cool down after your morning walk. Again, we were so fortunate to have Alex as our guide, together with James, the scout and Special, the tea bearer. Our sightings were wonderful, big and small. If you are looking for a superb spot for walking, you would be hard pressed to find somewhere nicer than Mwaleshi." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia

"Once again, on our 5th visit, this is a wonderful and remote camp. We could sit all day and watch the river action, but it is better to go on a walk of about 4 1/2 hours - upstream or downstream, across the river or down to the Confluence with the Luangwa. But our favourite is through the Winterthorn Forest to the Luangwa Dead Lagoon. Elephants everywhere and consistently beautiful with stacks of mammals. we love this place." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia

"We had a great time at Mwaleshi walking up to 8 hours a day. We did not always intend to walk for so long, but if there is a large herd of buffalo always getting between you and the camp, then you have to take diversions.

We saw lion every day and watched 6 adults on a wildebeest kill. We thought we had crept up on them unnoticed, but we were wrong as when we peeked out from behind a tree there were six pairs of eyes looking at us. The animals were all more skittish and aggressive than in South Luangwa but it made seeing them more rewarding. We saw lots of game from small snakes to large pythons, from squirrels to elephants and a couple of aardvarks!!

the camp was friendly and well run by our hosts David and Karen. The food was great from bush lunches, sundowners on the river and an excellant barbecue. Our room had a great view over the river and was comfortable. We slept well possibly helped by the sundowners and long walks. It was hot during the day but you could cool off in the river. At night it cooled down. All the staff and scouts were pleasant and very good at what they did" See all these reviews: 16n in Zambia

"Mwaleshi was the highlight of our whole trip. What a stunning location, with wonderful hosts and outstanding guiding.

Karen, David and family, well supported by a superb backroom team, and our guide, Alex, ensured a memorable experience. A bonus was lovely, knowledgeable fellow travellers who whetted our appetite to learn more about birds!" See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia; 4n in Malawi

"....... returning to camp with hot feet was so refreshing.

Light aircraft transfer (from airstrip near to Tafika) only took 30 mins and was so smooth, thanks to our pilot Gareth. Then another pleasant walk to camp. On the way encountering Cookson's Wildebeest and a large lone Hippo, who had many wounds and looked to be on his last legs.

Mwaleshi is in another stunning setting with wildlife all around. With it's remoteness you certainly feel to be in the 'wilds' of Africa. It is truly wonderful.

The same excellent standards of the other Remote Africa camps and such tasty meals from the kitchen. Amazed at the bread and cakes produced from an oven in the ground.

We had mainly walks here, but also used the 4x4 a few times. With our guide Brent explaining the relationships between the landscape, flora and fauna and Special constantly on the look-out. We experienced wonderful encounters as a result of their knowledge and expertise. Mwaleshi camp gave us our most moving 'African' bush experiences of the trip." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia

"Mwaleshi is a very remote camp, usually reached by small plane. As at Chikoko, the rooms and facilities are a bit more rustic than at Tafika, but we still rate the rooms and facilities as excellent considering where they are. The morning hot water, for example, is delivered in a tin jug, through a hatch. Hot water for the shower is provided in the evening, after your walk. Food and friendly service were also excellent here. You certainly won't be losing weight on these trips!

Most trips are on foot, but with a limited number of drives. It the truck was used, it was usually to deliver the party to a remote location from which we walked. We did manage to have a night drive with spotting light - this gave our second view of wild dogs and was one of the highlights of the trip. The animals in North Luangwa are much more nervous than in the south, and here we had a couple of interesting interactions with them. Out for an evening walk, we came across an elephant who was not going to let us pass. After several retreats we made a final about turn. Once the elephant realised this he trumpeted in delight! Although exciting, we did feel perfectly safe - the guiding (as at all three of our camps) was very good and operated with safety in mind.

On another walk we encountered a herd of buffalo wanting to cross our path, we had to stand back and allow this. They seem so much larger and more intimidating when on foot that from the jeeps. Also out on a walk, we saw vultures circling; this led us to a tree with a leopard in it. Thanks to the excellent spotting by Special; we would certainly have missed it. If you are considering these walking camps - do it! You will not regret it." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia; 4n in Malawi

"We dream of this place when we are away. It is so isolated, beautiful and satisfying with lots to see - especially if you look for little things and not just the main mammals. However this year we saw a lot of lions while walking with Greg & Special. A pride eating about 100 yards away; a large male sitting 30 yards away while he watched buffallo, then joining 11 others including 2 cubs.

Then we watched a kill 100 yards away on the river opposite the camp - lioness chased a Cookson (shame!) onto the opposite bank and into the waiting pride, which included 2 cubs. The short drive before walking 1 hour to the Mufa Lagoon is worthwhile as it is stunning - plenty of water and loads of elephants, hippo and other life. A grand place to sit for tea break.

The camp is simple but the food is good and the staff exceptionally friendly. It remains our favorite place in The Luangwa valley." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia