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
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"Kaingo"
That said we really enjoyed ourselves as the food, guiding and accommodation was excellent. Visits from the elephants whilst on our veranda overlooking the river was one of the highlights.
Having to put up with a diet low in sugar I usually have to forgo the sweets. However Kaingo were very pro-active and made up some very tasty fruit salads for myself. Many thanks." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia
"Kaingo Camp review"
Personally 3-31/2 hours with time to relax before dinner with a drink at the lovely bar would have been nice.
All staff very friendly & attentive, food very good. Breakfast in the Ebony forest was great." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
"Kaingo Camp - disappointing"
Both guides had a severe case of what I call "Big Cat-itis" where they focus on lions/leopards to the exclusion of everything else. This is such a shame as you miss so much on a game drive by ignoring the smaller things. It also contrasted badly to the two previous camps we were in - Mwamba and Takifa.
We kept being taken back to the same group of lions on every game drive. However, most of the time they were asleep - and lions lazing under a tree get a bit dull after a while. I'd much rather watch a group of baboons for an hour than a group of lions. However, I wasn't given the choice. We just sped straight past things like baboons.
The night drives here were also disappointing compared to the other camps that we visited. All the animals we saw were much further away and more skittish.
The hides were also a bit of a disappointment. We went to the hippo hide twice, but the hippos were a considerable distance from the hide so you don't get an up close and personal view like I was hoping for. The elephant hide was nicely positioned up in a tree at a point where the elephants cross the river. However, on the day we were due to go to the elephant hide we had been told to meet in reception at 12:30 which we did. We waited around for about 15 minutes for someone to appear and eventually they did and we were asked "Why aren't you at the hide?". Apparently the elephants had crossed early and the other guests had gone over at 12:00 but no-one came to get us so we didn't know. By the time we got to the hide the elephants were half way across the river and travelling away from us (so not great for the photos). It would have been lovely had we seen the whole thing but the best bits happened before we got there - which was frustrating. Once the elephants had finished crossing we were told "that's it - we're going now" without being given any option to stay longer - despite only having been there for about 20 minutes. At no stage was there any apology for messing us around.
It wasn't all bad. We saw lions, hyenas, a leopard up a tree with a kill (actually very close to Mwamba bushcamp and found by Patrick - the Mwamba guide), it just wasn't as good as it could have been, which was deeply frustrating. There are very tame bushbucks and vervet monkeys in the surrounding bush. We were nearly joined by a vervet monkey in the bath on one day.
The rooms are ok - although they don't let much breeze in so they get VERY hot. The outside bathtub is a nice touch and lovely in the hot weather. The food is mostly average - although we did get the occasional really nice dish. But there is no choice - you just get what you are given." See all these reviews: 21n in Zambia
Derek and Jules have clearly taken these comments seriously and have already acted on some of the points raised.
Looking at all the travellers comments below, we don't believe that generally Kaingo is a place run for the convenience of the managers rather than the pleasure of the guests. That said, we don't doubt that this was the experience that these travellers had at the end of October 2012.
( We do note that they stayed just a few days before the camp closed for the year, which shouldn't make a difference at all but we wouldn't be surprised if the team were tired at the end of a long season. )
Firstly, this feedback reminds us to re-emphasize to all of our travellers that if they ever experience problems whilst in a camp, then its really important to voice these very clearly at the time, as theres a good chance that they can be rectified there and then. We are powerless to help travellers after they have left the camp, as are the camps owners and managers.
Investigating the specifics, were told by Jules that one of the guides who guided these travellers was released at the end of last season; he is no longer working at Kaingo. We are sorry that these travellers experienced him.
We also understand that the camp has taken seriously the confusion about the visit to the Elephant Hide; clearly it shouldn't have happened, and measures are now in place to try to avoid it happening again. For 2013, Kaingo have also replaced their safari manager, which we hope will help the activities to run as well in the future as weve always been used to them running in the past.
So whilst we are really glad that the rest of the trip that these travellers had was enjoyable, and were sorry that they had such a negative experience of Kaingo, which our travellers normally find to be a very good camp.
"Senior Africa Specialist | East & Southern Africa"
"Balcony on the Luangwa"
The 3 hides (hippo, elephant and carmine bee eater) are a fantastic idea and very cleverly designed - all safari camps should have them! Whether you are into photography or not, you can easily spend a few hours there, it is fascinating being able to watch the wildlife so closely and be right in the middle of the action!
Great guiding, great service, can't fault anything.
This camp is primarily a photographer's dream but also perfect for all wild life lovers." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia
"Delightful camp, great guiding at Kaingo"
The Shenton camps have their own plot near the airport which keeps the kitchen well stocked with fresh veg and provides local jobs. We particularly wanted a Zambian owned camp, small and in a quiet part of the park also it was important to me that the owners were fully engaged with and supportive of the local communities, economy and environment. All that came through to me very clearly here and I feel we made the right choice.
There is an abundantly clear commitment at Kaingo to ensuring that guests are well looked after in every respect from the comfort of the chalets, through delicious and well prepared food to having a good number of simply exceptional guides and spotters many of whom have been there for years. This combination ensured we had a fabulous safari filled with adventure and other amazing experiences which will always be with us. The driving loops are really well maintained and well positioned. Really enjoyed the night time drives which followed the sundowners which were taken at a different place each evening. You will find bean bags and dust sheets for cameras in the jeeps - much appreciated.
The landscape is fantastic and very varied. The range of wildlife in front of you is amazing and you can learn so much from the guides – who are not only superbly skilled with a huge amount of knowledge that they are keen to share but are adept at positioning the vehicles and understanding the light to give you a chance to get great photos. The 3 activities per day certainly resulted in a really satisfying experience, the hides are such a great for getting up close. We also stayed overnight in the elephant hide – a really special and unique experience." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia
"Great Safaris at Kaingo"
Issy was the perfect host and the staff were always happy and helpful.
The only criticisms we had were :-
That, although adequate, the food was not of the quality we expected from a five star camp.
The absence of fans in the bedroom made sleeping somewhat uncomfortable although we do appreciate the
limits of electrical power in the camp." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
"Kaingo Camp review"
The drives were excellent viewing guide full of knowledge.the walk was excellent and I still learnt new things
Everyone was friendly kind and helpful" See all these reviews: 15n in Zambia
"Good for animals"
More time should have been given to prepare for meal after evening activity. Guides where first class." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia
"Best drummer at Kaingo camp"
We had the pleasure of being guided by Mayem,whose knowledge and expertease never failed to amaze us.In all our trips to Africa we have never met a more proficient guide!
Unfortunately,my wife suffered a severe illness here,which prolonged our stay.However,she was treated and cared for by all the staff in such a fashion that we will remember the experience for all the right reasons.Although ill,Gillian refused to miss the opportunity of sleeping in the Elephant Hide.With a recent lion kill only yards away,excited hyena cackled and laughed and lions roared in the distance.We will definitely return and do it again.
I spent five days here and it still wasn't long enough.
Thank you Noel for all your help and kind advice!" See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
"Hide Heaven"
Lots of photographic opportunities, especially in the hides at mid-day where one could get close to hippos and towards the end of our stay, to Carmine Bee Eaters where we were the first occupants of the season.
The night game drives were particularly good as there was a driver and a spotter - an extra pair of trained eyes made a huge difference in spotting game. We were lucky to see a lioness and her two small cubs in the dark and then later that evening glimpses of a male and female leopard.
We could have stayed longer at Kaingo." See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe; 3n in Zambia
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