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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"Leopard Haven"
Activites included visits to game hides to view Carmine Bee-eaters, Hippos or elephants as well as game drives by day and night. Our guide, Yoram, was excellent and, as a photographer himself, ensured we had the best sightings of all the animals and birds. I could not have asked for better.
Unfortunately, just prior to leaving, I became unwell - it turned out to be Malarone- rather than food-related - which was to curtail my subsequent activities for a while." See all these reviews: 16n in Zambia
"excellent range of game"
The site of the camp was also appreciated on the banks of the river, with the hides providing an interesting focus.
Again if visited one must be prepared for photographers, as for understandable reasons the camp is promoted to this section of the market. They do not really get in the way." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia
"Kaingo Camp Review"
The redesigned chalets were lovely and very comfortable. The staff were very competent and friendly. Special thanks to Gerard and Agita for getting our guide situation worked out as quickly as they could. The food was fantastic; chef Catherine took great care in tending to my husband’s lactose intolerance.
Our guide, Patrick, was absolutely wonderful. We were fortunate to have him for the remainder of our stay at both camps and couldn’t have been happier. We had many wonderful sightings of the Mwamba-Kaingo lion pride, including the aftermath of a buffalo kill, several amorous couples, and an “initiation ceremony” to introduce a lion cub to several members of the tribe. In other words, we saw lions in action, not just lolling around. We also had numerous sightings of the various leopards that live in the area and 2 wild dog sightings. Two of our group are birding enthusiasts, and Patrick’s birding knowledge kept them informed and excited about all the sightings. I could go on, but won’t. Suffice to say, we loved our stay at Kaingo.
Advise on which chalets to stay in: not #1 which is close to the kitchen and dining area and can get noisy in the early morning." See all these reviews: 17n in Zambia
"Great Introduction to South Luangwa at Kaingo"
The Rondavels were spacious and comfortable, the huge bed especially so. The outside bath was very invigorating and had a good view of the river bank opposite! I could not fault the accommodation in any way.
The managers Gerrard and Lorraine were very nice and couldn't have been more helpful. Gerrard has long experience in the bush , having trained guides and also been a bush pilot in the past . He proved to be quite a raconteur! The food was fabulous , and of top quality and portion sizes were just right. Everything was fresh and all the snacks and pastries were also top quality.
The main reason I was there was for the Safari activities and these certainly did not disappoint. The sheer abundance of wildlife was incredible. This applied particularly to Predators. There are no less than three large prides of Lion in the area, and while I was at Kaingo, we came upon three Buffalo kills , including one having been recently made and at night, which added an extra dimension. We were very close to 15 hungry lions enjoying supper!
We had no less than 6 leopard sightings. All fairly close up and for a good time and in daylight, including one with a bushbuck kill in a tree. There were many other excellent sightings , including a Martial eagle taking a guinea fowl and obliging us by perching fairly low down on a tree branch to devour it.
The hides were another bonus , particularly the Carmine hide which gave a prime view of hundreds of these dazzlingly coloured birds nesting in the river bank. The canoe trip across the river to get to the hide watched by hippos was an adventure in itself! There are tame bushbuck in camp which you can almost touch , they are so unafraid.
If I have one regret it is that I did not meet Derek Shenton who was in camp on a brief visit." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia; 6n in Malawi
"Kaingo -A family run camp in a lovely setting"
Our guide, Yoram, was excellent. His knowledge and tracking skills were amazing. We saw Lions and Leopard every day of our 4 day sojourn and it was great learning more about the Mwamba-Kaingo, Mwamba-Kapanda and Hollywood prides (made famous on recent TV Programme.) With the spotlight on the night drives, it was great seeing things like Civet, Genet, Porcupine, Honey Badger, Owls and even a chameleon, which he also found in daylight.
It was unfortunate for us that they could not arrange a 2 hour walk. It was always going to be tomorrow, but tomorrow never came. However we enjoyed going to the Hippo hide and the Carmen Bee-Eater hides, which were particularly good for photographs
Kaingo and Mwamba are family run and it was nice to see their big Garden in Mfuwe, providing work for locals. where the vegetables for all our wonderful meals are sourced .
Note to Expert Africa: The inside of the chalets are much the same as your current pictures, but the outside is very different, although it still has a thatch roof. The outside bath is also different and very special." See all these reviews: 15n in Zambia
"Our return to a new look Kaingo"
We really appreciated the newly extended family chalet, with its private outside bath and shower (there is an inside shower too!), and very spacious sitting room.
It was good to see familiar faces among the guides, including Andrew and Patrick who recognised that we had been to Kaingo previously. The management staff were all fresh faces to us - Gerard and Agata in particular were very friendly and helpful.
This time our guide was Yoram whose skills as a guide really made our stay at Kaingo. He has an amazing ability to find wildlife of all sorts. We saw a huge range of species, many of which we had not seen before. Yoram knew exactly where to take us for the best views of leopards. We saw leopard and/or lion each time we went out. We still don't know how he managed to spot a tiny Scops owl perched fully camouflaged in a track-side tree." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia
"Kaingo Camp Review"
Kaingo is a well-run bush camp. Agatha and Gerard run the daily operation and are extremely welcoming. Catherine the chef prepared us excellent meals every day. We were served delicious breakfasts, tea time snacks, and dinners. One morning we were surprised with a breakfast on the banks of the Luangwa. While we ate, an elephant appeared and wandered down to the river to cross right in front of us. The culinary excellence of the camp was an added bonus to our safari experience. Also, I had neglected to mention that my daughter was vegetarian but once the staff learned of this, they went out of their way to have a vegetarian dish on the menu. The wait staff were all very friendly and enjoyed teaching the children some of the local language. Zikomo Joseph, Misa, and Loban!
Patrick was our guide for the entire week that we spent in South Luangwa National Park. The first four days Patrick guided our two families. He did an excellent job with all eight of us, keeping everyone fully engaged on the drives and walk ins. Patrick is not only extremely knowledgeable about the animals found in the park but also knowledgeable about the birds and plants. He has an amazing ability to transfer his enthusiasm and love for the wild life to the people he guides. The children thoroughly enjoyed learning from Patrick. With each drive or walking safari, there were new things to see. It almost seemed that Patrick could summon animals and birds that we previously had not seen. After a week, we saw lions, leopards, wild dogs, elephants, giraffe, zebras, and countless impala and puku among other animals.
On our last night Patrick took us to the Mopani forest. He told us previously that we would probably not see that many animals but it turned out to be one of the most memorable drives of the trip. It was beautiful to be among the trees with the setting sun in the background. We were truly blessed to have Patrick as our guide, there was never a dull moment." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia; 1n in South Africa
"All we could wish for"
"Kaingo, a dream realized "
Any lodge can access the glory and beauty of South Luangwa NP, and the animals are spectacular regardless of the name on the jeep, but the factors listed above made Kaingo feel that we were getting about as authentic and natural a safari as we possibly could, short of actually moving to Africa and living in a tent. We had no idea one could develop such an intense fondness for a place and its people in only 4 days." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia; 1n in South Africa
"A really wonderful experience"
The high points of our visit were the rides with Patrick whose knowledge of the wild life was a joy to share .Patrick's ability to get us close to the animals and birds really was wonderful and his understanding of leopard behaviours exceptional.
Our room was spacious and well appointed, our private viewing platform ideally positioned to enjoy the comings and goings of animals along the river bank and in the pools and using our outdoor bath filled with sun warmed water was the perfect way to relax during the hot afternoon.
Everything about this segment of our holiday was perfect, even the drives from the airport to the camp and the return trip were experiences that we relished." See all these reviews: 5n in Zambia
Holiday styles & special interests in Zambia
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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.
