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
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"Kaingo Camp review"
We were also fortunate to have Derek Shenton as our guide for the last couple of drives, a true master !
The camp staff were excellent - special thanks to Gail who looked extremely well after us and everybody." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
"Good camp especially for photographers"
The cabins were excellent, very private, and the outside bath was much appreciated for relaxation and cooling off!
We felt the atmosphere was slightly more divisive than at other camps because some clients were playing for private guiding and had their own vehicles and that may have caused the scouting shortage.
There was a good variety of landscape - with the river and the beautiful ebony groves. We enjoyed the hippo hide and Retif's explanations." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia
"Photographer's paradise at Kaingo Camp"
The hides were great for photographers and the site right on the river meant there was always something to watch." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
"Excellent guides, location & huts"
The game viewing was well organised and Mwila was an excellent guide, positive, helpful and knowledgeable.
The food was good but no as good as at Kuyenda." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia
"Kaingo Camp still great"
The improvements to The huts with the inclusion of an outside Bath is a great enhancement.
It a very peaceful site, excluding the animal noises, being set on the river bank." See all these reviews: 16n in Zambia
"Fantastic camp, fabulous game, lovely people"
The camp is in a lovely location and is simply, but elegantly appointed, with great river views. The staff, both domestic and guides were welcoming, helpful and knowledgeable. The wildlife was abundant and varied and the camp's hides provided an interesting alternative to the usual drives.
A particular highlight of the stay was spending a night in the elephant hide, half-way up a tree, with nothing but a mosquito net and some branches between us and the stars. Fabulous!" See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
"Kaingo Camp - great walking and night drives"
It's possible to walk and the guides are extraordinarily knowledgeable. Animals and birds galore. Perhaps too much food (early breakfast, breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner) but it's very good and who's complaining about that?
Amongst many other things we saw lions at very close quarters." See all these reviews: 15n in Zambia
"Kaingo Camp review"
The game at South Luangua, both here and at Kaingo was amazing - just so many lions and leopards, we couldn't believe it! Also, far more variety of animals that at Lower Zambeze. We had a really fantastic guide, who stayed with us throughout our stay, including at the Bush Camp. This continuity worked well, compared to the previous camps we stayed at.
The camp was well located, but not as picturesque as on Lower Zambeze, hence good not excellent. The staff were all delightful, although the manageress maybe lacked some confidence and could have been more proactive in being a 'hostess'.
We preferred the timing and arrangement of meals at the previous camps - the late breakfast and lunch meant there was little 'downtime' and we ate far too much at the Shenton camps. Breakfast could be speeded up with more self-service eg for tea/coffee - if you are getting up at the crack of dawn, you want to get on with it!" See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 3n in Malawi
"Another good lodge"
Kaingo and Mwamba are also nicely positioned nicely away from the crowds." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia
"Kaingo Camp review"
There was a contrast, however, with the distinctive "family" atmosphere of our previous camp, Tafika. The owners of Kaingo - though very pleasant from our limited contact with them - were pretty much absent. Our room - although very comfortably furnished indeed - was not cleaned once in three days - which I found rather surprising.
These criticisms though are minor points that did not detract from what was a superb overall experience." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
We passed these comments to Juliet and Derek Shenton, who own and run Kaingo. Juliet replied, and apologised for the lack of room servicing during their stay. She observed that whilst these travellers were at Kaingo, a room attendant was on leave. Apparently this left only one person to service all the rooms in camp. To stop something like this happening again, she has now implemented a new system, whereby a senior member of staff checks each room after the morning cleaning service. We hope that this will stop such an issue reoccurring.
In terms of the owners not being present … the truth is that Jules and Derek now have a three-month old baby. The baby, Saphire, has taken up a lot more of Jules’ time than she had expected. Thus, both her and Derek are concentrating on keeping the camp running to a high standard… but they’re not ‘hosting’ their guests as much as they used to. Jules expects this to be a relatively temporary arrangement, and within the year she’s hoping to get back the time that she used to spend with guests – as it’s very important to her.
"Senior Africa Specialist | East & Southern Africa"
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Other lodges in South Luangwa National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
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.
Nkwali
On the banks of the Luangwa River, with its own access to the national park, the intimate Nkwali is open year round.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Flatdogs Camp
A relatively big safari camp, Flatdogs offers value for money with great guiding and good food in a comfortable, relaxed setting.
Kapani Lodge
Kapani Lodge is now the main office base for Norman Carr Safaris, one of the Luangwa's oldest safari operations.
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.
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.
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.
Kafunta River Lodge
Kafunta is a laid-back, friendly and good-value lodge on the outskirts of South Luangwa National Park.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kuyenda Bushcamp
Kuyenda Bushcamp is a classic bushcamp with particularly delightful hosts and offers top-class walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chinzombo
Opened in early June 2013, Chinzombo offers luxurious and stylish accommodation with very high levels of service and excellent guiding.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Zungulila
Zungulila is a small, comfortable tented bushcamp with an emphasis on walking safaris, in the remote southern section of the South Luangwa.
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.
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.
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.
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.
