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
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"Wonderful laidback camp in South Luangwa"
Very relaxed camp with comfortable chalets and deck area opposite overlooking the river where lunch served each day. Meals excellent, animals in camp make life more exciting! All staff very welcoming and we felt very much at home - no pretentiousness here! Guiding top notch, special mention to Ian, Patrick and Kennedy. Fantastic game viewing, not only our first ever leopards (more than one) but an aardvark too!
Loved our night in the elephant hide and also hippo and carmine bee eaters hides - this place is a photographer's dream.
Could not ask for a better place to start our safari." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia
"Kaingo Camp review"
Derek, Issy, Lisa and the staff were extremely welcoming and always willing to help out. And Patrick is truly one of the best guides in Zambia - quietly unassuming and reassuring, with a deep knowledge and passion for the bush, even if his comment on a night drive that generally hyenas only scavenge in the South Luangwa was proved somewhat inaccurate two minutes later by an impala kill by two "scavenging" hyena right next to our vehicle! Nature at its most raw but one of the harsh realities of wildlife.
Thank you Derek, Jules and all the staff - both Mwamba and Kaingo remain on our "must visit again" list - and we will. Highly reommended." See all these reviews: 16n in Zambia
"Kaingo = can do"
Highlights were lion cubs playing while the adults were sleeping off their 'supper'; watching hundreds of buffalo come down to the river to drink and counting over 70 vultures waiting for the lions to vacate a buffalo kill. And that is not to mention the 'action' at the hippo hide. and the wonderful spectacle of myriad carmine bee eaters seen from the hide in the early morning light - pure magic!
All the guides are amazingly knowledgable, and eager to pass on that knowledge to their guests in a lighthearted but informative manner - the sign of true professionals. Every question was answered - however complex or simple it may have been. Their enthusiasm was plain to see.
Life in Kaingo was extremely comfortable, with all the staff being so attentive. Three activities a day made for a busy schedule, and lunch on our own deck watching the continuous parade of wildlife on the river provided some wonderful relaxation." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
"Ver good start to the holiday"
All our guides were excellent, very knowledgeable and friendly - especially enjoyed the game drives with Ian. The effort the camp put in grading the roads made the driving noticeably less bumpy and was much appreciated. We had a sleep out at the elephant hide which was great fun - although we should have set our alarm clock to get up earlier and enjoy our early morning tea.
The only "problem" was that I wish we had had 4 nights there as there was a lot to see and the first day was all taken up with travelling in from Jo'burg." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia; 5n in South Africa
"Kaingo Camp review"
The animal viewing in this area was superb. We saw many lions, civet, gennets. Lions were everywhere and we saw a short fight between 2 males, lions mating, and a lion kill. The kill was amazing, 5 lionesses chasing antelope in all directions around our vehicle. We also saw elephants chasing hippos out of the pool at the hippo hide.
Kaingo is a very well run camp with excellent food. We especially anjoyed lunch sitting on our deck over the river. A number of guides work out of this camp and they were all excellent. We had great walks an drives." See all these reviews: 22n in Zambia
"Kaingo Camp review"
The same could be said of Lion Plain - having two large resident lion prides around always makes for exciting trips out into the bush.
The unique set of photograpic hides set up every season by Kaingo were fantastic, everything we were hoping for and more - a photographer's dreas. Also on activities, one clearly notices the guides' awareness and experience with photographers.
Being located further away from the gate and the many lodges in that area, staying at Kaingo provides a great safari experience in diverse, game-rich landscapes with few other vehicles around." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia; 5n in Malawi
"Leopards, hippos and more, oh my"
The food was excellent and the staff was delightful." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia; 6n in Botswana
"Kaingo Camp review"
The game viewing was wonderful and we were fortunate to have three good leopard sightings over the three nights, plus very special sightings of Pels Fishing Owls and an Aardvark.
All-in-all the two Shenton camps complement one another wonderfully. The guiding was consistently good and able to flex to meet the knowledge / wishes of the different guests." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia
"Great hides"
We had an excellent guide, young British guy, Ian (born in Malawi) who was doing what he loved, and he was very good at it. He could actually pass on his love of the environment birds-animals-trees etc to us. And we had a "peeping Tom" experience with a lion couple mating.
Food was of good quality but a bit international/british.
Breakfast before the morning drive/walk was very light, tea only. Not much to walk on. Brunch when we came back. The walk was "a transport" of one guest to the bush camp. We were told 6 km in 2,5 h. No time to stop - look - listen etc. We brought it up with the guide and asked him to slow, which he eventually did.
Hides were of course super." See all these reviews: 17n in Zambia
"Kaingo Camp review"
It feels wild and remote , and we saw an amazing amount of wildlife, including some ferocious hippo fights. Being able to watch hippos from the hide was incredible - though be prepared to duck if they are spraying! The night drives were spectacular, with our guides spotting a camouflaged and motionless leopard , and somehow seeing even the smallest things like elephant shrews. The walking safari was great (and followed by a surprise which I won't spoil!).
Three activities each day means you are busier than in other camps, with a bit less siesta time, but having lunch privately on your own verandah makes up for it!" See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
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