This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more

Skip to main content

Talk to an expert 1-800-242-2434 Lines now closed

User menu
Flatdogs Camp
Flatdogs Camp
Flatdogs Camp
Flatdogs Camp
Flatdogs Camp
Flatdogs Camp
Flatdogs Camp
Flatdogs Camp
Flatdogs Camp
Flatdogs Camp
Flatdogs Camp
Flatdogs Camp
Flatdogs Camp
Flatdogs Camp
Flatdogs Camp
Flatdogs Camp
Flatdogs Camp
Flatdogs Camp
Flatdogs Camp
Flatdogs Camp
Flatdogs Camp
Flatdogs Camp

Reviews of Flatdogs Camp

Wildlife sightings and reviews

78 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Flatdogs Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa

Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in May-2018, 30 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Flatdogs Camp.
Lion

97% success

Leopard

83% success

Wild dog

63% success

Elephant

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Spotted Hyena

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Giraffe

97% success

Buffalo

90% success

Wildebeest

40% success

Eland

21% success

Aardvark

5% success

Sable antelope

5% success

Roan antelope

5% success

Pangolin

4% success

Showing 41-50 of 78
Duration
Arrival date
Keith & Rachael
UK

"Brilliant stay at Flatdogs"

2 nights Arrived 9 Nov 2016
"The welcome, service, food and accommodation at Flatdogs were all excellent. Really enjoyed it.

For the most part the guiding was too, and clearly the guides we had were well trained, knowledgeable and friendly, but on a couple of occasions we felt we got a bit too close than was necessary to some of the animals we were viewing, causing them undue stress. Keen to say this was the exception to the norm of what we experienced but wanted to still let you know." See all these reviews: 4n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr C
Harvest

"This place came highly recommended"

4 nights Arrived 4 Nov 2016
"And, it lived up to its promise. This is number one for this area for a reason -- value.

For one thing, you can order just about any food you like. This is important to me because I am diabetic. Watch out for the Baboons -- they are destructive and will get into your tent, if they can. Hippos and elephants also wander about. The name flat dogs is a south African euphemism for a crocodile.

The original location for the camp (it has moved a bit) was originally a crocodile farm." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs H
Newark

"Fabulous time at Flatdogs"

3 nights Arrived 3 Nov 2016
"We had wanted to visit Flatdogs for many years and it really lived up to our very high expectations. We enjoyed the friendly, relaxed nature of the camp and loved being able to eat at any time of day, with numerous options on the menu and daily specials board.

We received a really warm but not overbearing welcome from all of the staff and always felt very comfortable. Adie and Jess are great hosts and Geoffrey, our guide, was really knowledgeable and it was a pleasure to spend time with him. We loved our three nights in the tent, hearing the whistles of the puku and the munching of the hippos right outside.

Thoroughly enjoyed all of our game drives - although the full day drive we did was very tiring in 40° heat and an open vehicle! Geoffrey was very responsive to everyone's needs and took care to position the vehicle where everyone could see and take photos of the birds and wildlife.

Hope to return in the not too distant future." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
The C Family
Ireland

"First night in Zambia"

2 nights Arrived 27 Oct 2016
"We were the lucky people who on our first morning drive with Kennedy saw a lion kill. And on the very same evening we experienced a leopard kill an impala followed by a frightening 2 minutes where we were in the middle of three lions, 2 male and 1 female as they consumed the poor puku the female had just brought down. Kennedy is a great guide, full of interesting facts and great fun.

We would very much recommend Flatdogs particularly as a first step between our fully wired lives and the isolated bush camps with which we followed it. The hippos do ensure you get no sleep but that is all part of the experience." See all these reviews: 6n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs K
UK

"Flatdogs Camp was great in October"

3 nights Arrived 4 Oct 2016
"This was our first camp on the trip and the diversity and density of wildlife were extra-ordinary. Over two days we almost all the species we had hoped for. Seeing three different leopards in one evening was particularly exciting. Kwalia was our guide and he was really knowledgeable and friendly, making for some excellent drives.

Its so convenient that this camp is very close to the National Park gate, meaning the wildlife is all around - elephants and hippos behind the tent were a real treat to see.

We really liked the way the restaurant was flexible and 'a la carte' so you could eat whatever you wanted, whenever you wanted and with whoever you wanted - which can be more relaxing than fixed social dinners at some of the other camps.

We stayed in one of the smallest standard tents - but it was just fine - no need to upgrade at all - it had plenty of space, and a waterhole behind providing plenty of interest.

Staff were great and, being one of the only places with a little shop, its an ideal opportunity to stock up on curios to take home..although not sure the postcards we posted from here ever got home!

We have rated the activities excellent because the game drives were excellent, and there was a hide and swimming pool to use in the middle of the day; but this camp does have fewer options than some of the others as there are no walking options or water-based options." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs H
Ottershaw

"Fantastic!"

4 nights Arrived 5 Sep 2016
"Our experience at Flatdogs Camp was nothing short of fantastic. Not only did the accommodation, meals and surroundings of the camp exceed our expectations but the animal sightings both in the camp and within the National Park were wonderful. There are so many elephants to enjoy watching and so much game to look at, not only in the Park but also around the camp. One day we saw 21 lions in a single morning's drive!

The management, staff and guides should be justifiably proud of the incredibly high level of service and personal attention to detail they provide for their guests. We have never felt so welcome at any accommodation we have stayed at in the past and genuinely believe that nothing you could ask for would be too much trouble for them.

The relaxed style of dining at Flatdogs with a huge menu, including a daily specials board, is a real bonus. It is lovely to be able to eat what you like, whenever you like, served in such a wonderful atmosphere and surroundings. The food offered at Flatdogs is so good your waistline will suffer!

Finally ... Bwaliya, our guide. He was amazing and through his knowledge we have learnt so much about the animals within the Park. He provided a truly unforgettable experience for us.

A huge thank you to Jess, Ade, Wendy, Jamie, Paulo and Lidia and everyone else at Flatdogs for giving us such happy memories." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr C
Boston

"Flatdogs Camp review"

3 nights Arrived 10 Aug 2016
"We had heard that Flatdogs was located outside the park, and that is was a former backpackers hangout. Well...it's located just outside the park entrance (with many lodges located outside the park even farther away from the entrance), and the game viewing is simply terrific. It's right on the river, and the animals come right through camp.

The tents are very nice, and the Croc Nest competes with the finest safari tents in Africa. This is a luxury lodge, just not over the top, the way some safari lodges make it. Great vibe with roughly 40 at maximum capacity. Jess, Aidan, Jamie, Wendy, and Pablo do a great job managing the experience. It's top notch with top guides, and a great place to stay.

Puku was a terrific experience, but we would choose Flatdogs again in the future because it's so convenient, and there is a little more activity when not on safari. Food was terrific." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia; 3n in Rwanda
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Ms F & Ms K
USA

"Great experience at Flatdogs Camp"

3 nights Arrived 11 Jul 2016
"We knew of Flatdogs from a friend, who had stayed there a couple of years ago. Our experience at Flatdogs lived up to her enthusiastic endorsement in every aspect.

Our guide was Yotam, who we found to be knowledgeable, thorough, and engaging. Flatdogs is located just outside the park gate. This is considered to be a more congested area of the park (we visited other camps after Flatdogs and it is true that there were less vehicles the further one is from the Mfuwe gate) but Yotam did a good job avoiding vehicles and finding animals. Highlights were seeing lions mating and a lion springing up on the back of a buffalo trying to bring it down.

The camp never seemed crowded (despite its larger number of guests) and the attention from staff and guides was genuine and personal. We stayed in a safari tent and found the amenities, location and view of the river to be wonderful. The food was delicious.

We were particularly impressed by the attention Flatdogs paid to the comments sent on ahead by our booking agent. In our case it was a note saying neither of us drink alcohol and one enjoys hot chocolate instead of coffee or tea. The first morning we arrived for breakfast to find a pot of hot chocolate and hot chocolate was also sent on each morning game drive. We were told that the requests were noted on a board in the kitchen and it certainly seemed that every person working at Flatdogs had read the board. Small details like that make a huge impression - thank you!" See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia; 4n in Seychelles; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Ms A
Dorchester

"Great Safari at Flatdogs"

1 night Arrived 15 Jul 2015
"The camp was beautiful and the safari tent was lovely!" See all these reviews: 1n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr D & Ms C
Canada

"Flatdogs is the best"

4 nights Arrived 2 Jun 2015
"We loved this place. Hippos and elephants in camp, great staff and brilliant guides. Jonathan and Bwayla both were excellent. Guides as well as personable people. Paolo Jess Ade and Iain were all great hosts and we met many fantastic guests.

The walking safari lived up to what I wanted and is now a must on every itinerary. We saw loads of leopards and got our first wild dogs as well.

The wife had tears in here eyes as we checked out so it must be great right?" See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia; 7n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Showing 41-50 of 78
98%
78 reviews of Flatdogs Camp by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
69
9
0
0
0
Filter by month

Holiday styles & special interests in Zambia

From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Zambia.


Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Diverse habitats, discreet hides and superb guiding.

Cultural experiences

Cultural experiences

Get an insight into Africa's cultures and history.

Family holidays

Family holidays

Hand-picked camps for an incredible family safari.

Honeymoons

Honeymoons

Romantic safaris and castaway island retreats.

Luxury

Luxury

First-class service, scenic vistas and unparalleled comfort await you during these carefully selected luxury holidays. 

Photography holidays

Photography holidays

Great holidays to suit the keen photographer.

Private villas & houses

Private villas & houses

Enjoy Africa with just your friends & family

Riding holidays

Riding holidays

Explore Africa's wilderness on horseback.

Solo Travel

Solo Travel

Trip ideas ideally suited for a solo traveller.

Walking

Walking

Explore Africa's most scenic trails on foot.

Walking safaris

Walking safaris

Explore Africa's untouched wildernesses on foot.

Wellbeing

Wellbeing

Wellness escapes in stunning locations

Wildlife safaris

Wildlife safaris

These trips include hard-hitting game and fascinatingly elusive species alike, as well as superb guiding and a variety of diverse ecosystems.

Other lodges in South Luangwa National Park

Alternative places to stay in this same area.


Tafika

Tafika

One of the best camps in Zambia, Tafika is naturally built, combining excellent service and food with top guiding skills for a superb wildlife experience.


98% (340 reviews)
Nkwali

Nkwali

On the banks of the Luangwa River, with its own access to the national park, the intimate Nkwali is open year round.


97% (252 reviews)
Kaingo Camp

Kaingo Camp

Small and owner-run, the riverside Kaingo occupies a a quiet but excellent game area, with a series of wildlife hides and a focus on photography.


97% (221 reviews)
Nsefu

Nsefu

One of the Luangwa's oldest camps, Nsefu is a great safari camp in a remote, beautiful and game-rich location with top-rate guiding.


98% (203 reviews)
Mwamba Bushcamp

Mwamba Bushcamp

Small, remote and owner-run, Mwamba offers first-class walking, 4WD safari drives and superb hides, with excellent guides and a real bush feel.


99% (160 reviews)
Tena Tena

Tena Tena

One of the Luangwa's best camps, in a beautiful, remote bush location, Tena Tena is very small, exceedingly well-run and has top-rate guiding.


95% (160 reviews)
Chikoko Tree Camp

Chikoko Tree Camp

Chikoko Tree Camp is an excellent small, rustic bushcamp that concentrates on walking safaris, and is run by a top-quality operation.


99% (126 reviews)
Big Lagoon Camp

Big Lagoon Camp

Big Lagoon Camp is a great little rustic bushcamp built to high standards that focuses on excellent walking safaris, with the emphasis on top wildlife guides.


98% (101 reviews)
Luangwa River Camp

Luangwa River Camp

Luangwa River Lodge is a small and consciously stylish lodge in the Mfuwe area, overlooking the Luangwa River and the South Luangwa National Park beyond – an area renowned for great game.


97% (82 reviews)
Kapani Lodge

Kapani Lodge

Kapani Lodge is now the main office base for Norman Carr Safaris, one of the Luangwa's oldest safari operations.


95% (78 reviews)
Mchenja Bushcamp

Mchenja Bushcamp

Set in a shady ebony grove on the banks of the Luangwa, Mchenja is a smart tented bushcamp. It combines well with Kakuli and Nsolo – its sister camps with a focus on walking safaris.


98% (71 reviews)
Kakuli Bushcamp

Kakuli Bushcamp

Beside the Luangwa River, Kakuli is a comfortable tented bushcamp offering 4WD safaris and walking safaris – the best of which are camp-to-camp walks linking Kakuli with its nearby sister camps.


97% (66 reviews)
Nsolo Bushcamp

Nsolo Bushcamp

Nsolo is a small, comfortable bushcamp overlooking one or two pools in the usually dry Luwi riverbed. It concentrates on walking safaris in an interesting and diverse area, led by a knowledgeable guide.


97% (55 reviews)
Kafunta River Lodge

Kafunta River Lodge

Kafunta is a laid-back, friendly and good-value lodge on the outskirts of South Luangwa National Park.


96% (45 reviews)
Luwi Bushcamp

Luwi Bushcamp

In a remote part of the South Luangwa National Park, Luwi is a rustic bushcamp whose emphasis is on walking safaris with great guiding and a chance of seeing some rarely seen and elusive antelope.


93% (39 reviews)
Robin Pope Safaris bush-camp

Robin Pope bush-camp

RPS bushcamping in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia


99% (30 reviews)
Lion Camp

Lion Camp

Lion Camp is an established and comfortable camp with a swimming pool, located near to the game-rich Lion Plain in the northern part of South Luangwa National Park.


95% (30 reviews)
Robin Pope Safaris Mobile Safari Camp

Robin Pope mobile

RPS mobile safari camps are at the heart of their set-itinerary walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park, which start and finish at a permanent camp.


98% (25 reviews)
Puku Ridge

Puku Ridge

Puku Ridge is a luxurious designer camp set in a stunning location, high on a hill overlooking a floodplain within South Luangwa. Explore from here on 4WD safaris and walks.


96% (23 reviews)
Kapamba Bushcamp

Kapamba Bushcamp

In the remote far south of South Luangwa National Park, Kapamba is a small and very comfortable bushcamp offering good walks and game drives.


95% (20 reviews)
Mfuwe Lodge

Mfuwe Lodge

In a game-rich area close to the South Luangwa’s main Mfuwe Gate, Mfuwe Lodge is relatively large by park standards, but it’s stylish, modern and family friendly.


95% (19 reviews)
Kuyenda Bushcamp

Kuyenda Bushcamp

Kuyenda Bushcamp is a classic bushcamp with particularly delightful hosts and offers top-class walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park.


99% (16 reviews)
Luangwa Safari House

Luangwa Safari House

Luangwa Safari House is a vast and very smart four-bedroom house specifically designed for families and small groups, and offering an exclusive and flexible safari experience.


100% (14 reviews)
Three Rivers Camp

Three Rivers Camp

In the remote far south of South Luangwa National Park, Three Rivers Lodge sits at the confluence of three of the valleys rivers.


95% (13 reviews)
Island Bush Camp

Island Bush Camp

Island Bushcamp is a good-value, rustic, walking-only camp, in arguably one of the most remote parts of the South Luangwa, well away from all other camps.


100% (13 reviews)
Bilimungwe Bushcamp

Bilimungwe Bushcamp

A smart bushcamp with four very spacious chalets, Bilimungwe offers interesting walking safaris in pretty riverine woodland, as well as day and night safari drives.


95% (13 reviews)
Chinzombo

Chinzombo

Opened in early June 2013, Chinzombo offers luxurious and stylish accommodation with very high levels of service and excellent guiding.


98% (13 reviews)
Chindeni

Chindeni

Chindeni Bushcamp is a very modern and minimalist camp, which is a far cry from your traditional bushcamp and unlike most of the other camps in South Luangwa.


97% (12 reviews)
Robin's House

Robin's House

With your own expert guide, private vehicle, chef and valet, the two-bedroom Robin's House offers an exclusive, flexible safari experience – and is open year round.


95% (11 reviews)
Kawaza Village

Kawaza Village

Kawaza Village – beside the South Luangwa National Park, offers guests the rare opportunity to appreciate local village life. Visit for a few hours or stay overnight.


95% (11 reviews)
Chamilandu Bushcamp

Chamilandu Bushcamp

A comfortable little bushcamp, Chamilandu has a picturesque setting by the Luangwa River, in an area with a range of habitats to explore on foot and by 4WD.


100% (6 reviews)
Mwamba Camp-out

Mwamba Camp-out

The Mwamba-Camp Out allows you to have an incredibly adventurous night in the bush, sleeping under mosquito nets with activities led by some of the best guides in Zambia.


92% (5 reviews)
Zungulila

Zungulila

Zungulila is a small, comfortable tented bushcamp with an emphasis on walking safaris, in the remote southern section of the South Luangwa.


93% (3 reviews)
Shawa Luangwa Camp

Shawa Luangwa

Opened in June 2021, Shawa Luangwa Camp is a small, intimate and rustic camp, with a good location in a remote section of the South Luangwa National Park.


93% (3 reviews)
Luwi Riverbed Sleepout

Luwi Riverbed Sleepout

For an adventurous night in South Luangwa National Park, come and sleep out in the bush, around a campfire, with an experienced guide and game scout.


100% (2 reviews)
Chichele Presidential Lodge

Chichele Lodge

Currently in the final stages of an extensive rebuild, Chichele Presidential Lodge stands high within the park, with superb views, and is due to reopen in early 2025.


100% (1 review)
Chikunto Safari Lodge

Chikunto

Chikunto Safari Lodge is a more traditional property in the South Luangwa National Park, sitting on a peninsula of land created by the meandering Luangwa River.


No reviews yet

Login to Expert Africa

Sign in with password

Sign in with email link


New to Expert Africa? Create an account

Forgotten your details?

It's free & quick to set up

  • Save your wish-list
  • Send us an enquiry
  • Pay online for your trip
  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Give us feedback on your trip
  • Full site benefits of the site

Need some help? Talk to our team

Newsletter background

Stay in the know with Expert Africa

Join our newsletter. Get the latest on new camps and lodges, insights from our team, uplifting conservation stories and more...

A few more details and you're subscribed

Thanks!

Almost there! We've sent you an email to confirm your subscription. Just click on the link and you'll soon be receiving our newsletter in your inbox.

In the meantime, take a look at our previous Bush Telegraph newsletters.
Africa