Reviews of Kaingo Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
221 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Kaingo Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
98% success
98% success
53% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
95% success
80% success
15% success
7% success
2% success
0% success
0% success
"Kaingo Camp review"
We actually had an elephant rest his trunk on the top of our outside viewing platform and fall asleep for 10 minutes!
Exquisite food from the chef Catherine and her team. We had a surprise bush breakfast one morning which was excellent.
Our guide found the wild dogs moving their very young pups and taking them down to drink which was very interesting.
We visited the carmine bee eaters hide. Stunning to see them up close. Unfortunately the Hippo's didn't want to put a show on for us whilst in the Hippo Hide.
We were also lucky to see a huge pride of 12 lions with a buffalo kill. Reasonable leopard sightings.
On a negative issue we certainly did not have a good experience with our night at the Elephant Hide Sleep Out.
Firstly we didn't pay for this as we stayed a total of 7 nights at both camps so it was offered complimentary but is quite costly to book on their website.
We were taken after dinner at 9.15pm hence it is pitch black and you can't see anything. You have to climb a lot of stairs to get to the bed. The bed is covered in a thick mosquito netting hence you cannot see the stars. To use the drop toilet facility you have to navigate with a torch up and down the steep stairs. They bring coffee and muffins to you at 5.30am and then pick you up at 6am (so barely light) to join the game drive. No animals are in the river at this early time hence you see nothing.
The photo they have on website showing someone sitting on the bed in daylight with elephants crossing the river is very misleading. The only time elephants cross here is late afternoon around 3.30pm which we watched from camp.
We were also covered from head to toe in fine dust from the bark of the tree above us. It was everywhere in the bed and in our ears not very pleasant that could be due to the time of the year though.
We really cannot see the point in sleeping here overnight in the pitch black and can't even see the stars.
They would be better to offer this as a late afternoon viewing with a sundowner." See all these reviews: 17n in Zambia; 3n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana
"Kaingo Camp review"
This area of south Luangwa is very special, with something to see round every bend, and few other safari vehicles. Our only caveat is that the rooms are very hot. If the wall mounted fans could be replaced with the new ceiling fans as at Mwamba, it would make a difference to sleep quality.
Chappie was our guide for the whole of our stay at Kaingo and Mwamba. As with all the Shenton's guides, he was highly knowledgeable, personable and we developed a great rapport. We were educated and entertained in equal measure." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
"Kaingo Camp review"
The room and facilities were first rate and it has a wonderful location by the river.
All of the management and staff were very friendly and helpful" See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia
"Kaingo Camp review"
The chalets are very attractive and have their own viewing deck above the river. Chef Catherine is very creative with her offerings and makes absolutely delicious food with produce from their farm in Mfuwe. The guiding is absolutely top notch. Staff is friendly and helpful.
I've been to this camp eleven times and will return next year." See all these reviews: 19n in Zambia; 1n in South Africa
"Kaingo Camp review"
The camp was very well appointed and comfortable. Having a bath was lovely but the ladies in chalet 2 were reluctant to use it due to the total lack of privacy from guests walking to adjacent chalets.
It was great to meet Christine, the Executive Chef responsible for the lovely food produced here and at Mwamba. The picnic lunch she organised for us under a sausage tree was a really special and unexpected treat." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia
"Kaingo Camp review"
Kaingo is set on the banks of the Luangwa river which is literally the life blood of the valley. The camp is very comfortable with individual rooms overlooking the river with private decks and good facilities. As at Mwamba, the team were excellent as was the food with a bush brunch overlooking the river on one morning a particular highlight.
We were lucky to be on our own with our guide, Elias, while we were at Kaingo so we decided to concentrate on Leopard and Hyena almost to the exclusion of anything else which may have skewed our sightings on this part of the trip. However, we still saw a wide range of mammals and birds in an area which a superb range of different habitats.
A great stay and we will be back." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia
"Kaingo Camp review"
The tastefully appointed chalet and sit out at the water’s edge was lovely, as was our night in the Elephant Hide sleepout. We saw incredible flora (the ebony grove, flowering wild gardenias, sweet smelling wild jasmines and varied habitats), fauna and birds in our three days and the most leopards of our trip, including some special and intimate moments with Chisomo and Mwezi. We also enjoyed the Hippo hide (saw 10 carmines on a tree branch) and Wild Dog Lagoon hide (lots of bird life including several love birds on a tree).
We were lucky to have the vehicle to ourselves for all game drives and saw few other vehicles during our time there." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
"The Sound of Hippos"
As always the hospitality was excellent and I enjoyed catching up with Catherine, Joseph and the team. Cally was an amenable host and the food was, as always at Kaingo, outstanding. I particularly enjoyed eating a 'surprise' brunch in the bush overlooking the river.
This was an unusually dry year in South Luangwa, and the lagoons, which are normally covered with vivid green Egyptian cabbage weed in June, were almost dry resulting in conditions which were similar to July or August. While colour was reduced this was compensated by outstanding game viewing with large numbers of leopard sightings.
Sly was my guide throughout this trip to Mwamba and Kaingo and at Kaingo we enjoyed chasing wild dogs, watching leopards fight and lions drinking under the moonlight. As always Sly put us in the perfect position for photography. Thanks for some indelible memories Sly." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
"Wonderful Kaingo "
It felt like an upmarket bush camp but not over the top ! Everyone so friendly and engaging.
Location superb with great views of the river from our room ( and the outside bath)
I must comment on the food here - Cath has been the executive chef for 9 years and the menus she creates are really delicious and fresh .
Shenton Safaris have their own veg plot in Mfuwe so have ready access to fresh veg , herbs etc. This was a real treat and much appreciated. Mwamba also benefits from the plot .
We loved combining this camp with Mwamba - and walking between the two was quite special ." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
"Kaingo Camp review"
Game viewing was superb especially for leopards, hygena and lion cubs, the hides are a great additional - a good place to sit quietly and watch.
A truly superb camp we hope to return ." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia
Holiday styles & special interests in Zambia
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Zambia.
Other lodges in South Luangwa National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.