Kaingo Camp is an excellent camp overlooking the Luangwa River from beneath an old grove of ebony trees. It is one of the few owner-run camps remaining in South Luangwa, and Derek and Jules Shenton and their wonderful team will make you feel incredibly welcome and go out of their way to give you the safari of your dreams. On a recent stay at Kaingo and Mwamba (its sister camp,) some very well travelled guests mentioned to us that Shenton Safaris is by far the best safari they've experienced. We tend to agree!
There are six simple chalets at Kaingo, all of which have uninterrupted river views and are decorated in earthy tones, creams and African print fabrics. Five of the chalets are brick with thatched roofs, and one of them is reed-and-thatch.
The chalets have slate floors, sturdy wooden furniture, stable doors, mesh windows (to keep the mosquitoes and insects out) solar power lanterns, African print dressing gowns and a wooden box to lock away your valuables. Each chalet very comfortable beds – either twin, queen or king sized, with mosquito nets customized by Jules, and an en-suite bathroom with a shower and flushing toilet. They also have an outdoor bath under shady trees and a private deck which looks out over the river. Both are ideal places to while away the afternoon!
Out of Kaingo Camp's six chalets, two of these are referred to as their 'honeymoon suites'. The main difference between the honeymoon suites and standard chalets is the suites each have a skylight above the bed to watch the stars.
Suite #6 is a round chalet with the bedroom and bathroom in the same room, but they're separated by a low wall. Suite #5 is at the opposite end of the camp and is a reed-and-thatch chalet. It has a separate private en-suite bathroom; the same as the standard chalets.
Kaingo's chitenge (main lounge and dining area) has open sides with an airy and cool feel to it. There's also an amazing bar made from the huge trunk of a leadwood tree – which has been in the camp since we first visited it, in 1995.
Since 2007, the owners of Kaingo, Derek and Jules, have been working in collaboration with Mrs Hilda Hampondo on the Hananda Project. This is to help orphans and vulnerable children in the Mfuwe area and has resulted in the completion of a pre-school where it is hoped that the further development of a vegetable garden with supply these children with one good meal a day. More recently in 2009, Kaingo banded together with other like minded lodges to form Project Luangwa. This is to try and ensure that the people of the Luangwa Valley gain the full benefit from tourism, by investing in education and business development. Project Luangwa is funded by a conservation and community levy charged by the participating lodges, and oversees various community projects including Hananda.
Activities at Kaingo Camp include game drives (day and night) and walking safaris, all run by excellent guides. Not only is there a high density of game and bird life in the Kaingo area, you can enjoy the wildlife in comfort as Shenton Safaris have some of the most comfortable 4WD vehicles we've been in. Derek has also personally graded the roads in their area, so they're in a very good condition which makes for a smoother ride than usual on game drives. As extra touches, Kaingo provide bean bags and camera dust covers on the vehicles for keen photographers and they never take more than 2 guests per row of seats; so you're guaranteed a “window” seat.
Expect to see loads of elephants, giraffe, waterbuck, bushbuck, leopards (which were 'falling' out of the trees on one of our earlier visits in the dry season) lions (the Hollywood or Mwamba pride) buffalo, puku, impala and kudu. There is never a dull moment in this area of South Luangwa National Park!
Kaingo Camp also has quite a number (6 at last count) of stunning photographic hides; including the carmine hide (best in September & October), which is a boat moored off a carmine colony; the hippo hide, which is a two tiered hide inside the riverbank beside a deep hippo-filled pool; and the elephant hide, which is a platform up a tall, riverside tree – where elephants often cross the river. These help to make Kaingo a really good choice for photographers.
These hides are frequented by the BBC, National Geographic, Discovery Channel and many independent film makers and photographers, including Frans Lanting and Andy Rouse. The BBC spent the last 10 days of the 2007 season in their hippo hide – the camera man said it was the best hide he'd ever used in all his filming.
The elephant hide is also used for sleep outs. A magical experience – and one we'll never forget! It's a wooden platform high in the trees overlooking the Luangwa River. Lie in bed, under your mosquito net, listening to the whooping hyena, chorus of cicadas and elephants munching. Then wake in the morning to the ground hornbills “banging their drums.” Speak to us if you'd like to include this experience in your visit.
Unlike most other safari camps, Kaingo usually operates on the basis of three activities per day.
A day at Kaingo usually starts by waking early for tea/coffee and biscuits around the fire, before setting off on an early-morning 4WD or walking safari. You return to a large breakfast, eaten at leisure.
After this, around the midday, there's the opportunity to head out on a 'hide' activity – and spend a few hours watching the wildlife. Then you return to camp for lunch overlooking the river, perhaps followed by a short rest.
In the late-afternoon tea and cakes are served, before an afternoon/evening activity; this is usually a walking safari - or possibly a 4WD safari followed by a night drive. Pre-dinner drinks and snacks are then served by bar, before a tasty three course dinner.
The Kaingo Camp team are very flexible about what activity you do. When – and if you have a particular hide that you want to visit, or activity that you want to do, then it is important that you make this clear to the managers when you arrive … and chat with them about when this can be arranged.
Note that Kaingo combines naturally with its sister-camp, Mwamba Bushcamp, which is only a morning's walk or game drive away.
When we last visited Kaingo in June 2010, we found it to still be the welcoming family run camp it has always been. The service was personal, the guides are engaging and the activities are well organized. It certainly lived up to its excellent reputation.
Ideal length of stay: We recommend a minimum of 3 nights, although 5 – 8 nights would be ideal for a combined stay of Kaingo and the sister camp Mwamba Bushcamp.
Central facilities: Kaingo's lounge and dining area is known as their chitenge. This is a stone and thatch building with open sides with a cool and airy feel to it. Here you will find a small lounge with wooden benches and chairs and a coffee table with some wildlife books and magazines.
The chitenge's main feature is the leadwood bar where pre-dinner drinks are served and guests discuss their sightings of the day, usually quite animatedly. The dining area is to the side of the lounge and is lit by lanterns at night.
Kaingo Camp's fire is usually the gathering spot for early morning tea & coffee or afternoon tea. We enjoyed jammy dodger biscuits, moist cakes and iced rooibos tea in the comfy camp chairs here on our last visit.
Kaingo also has their main outside deck, which extends over the river. It's perfect for relaxing and lunch is occasionally served here. Though when we were last at Kaingo in June 2010 they served a private lunch on peoples own individual decks. There's also a telescope for a closer look at the birds and any animals on the opposite bank of the Luangwa River.
Directions: Fly to Mfuwe and transfer to camp. It's an approximate 2-hour drive from Mfuwe to Kaingo (part through villages, part safari).
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer
Key personnel
Owner: Derek & Jules Shenton
Staff: Camp/Lodge Manager: Derek & Jules Shenton
Guides: Derek Shenton, Meyam and Patrick Njobvu.
Guides: Ian has passed his guiding exams in record time and with flying colours, and is currently gaining experience with Derek. Muluta Gondwe has been a guide for three years and at Kaingo since 2009 - he is currently gaining in experience from his mentor Patrick Njobvu.
Chef: Shenton Safaris have an experienced team of chefs.
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Full Board
Food quality: We've visited Kaingo Camp a few times and each time their meals could not be faulted. We particularly liked the fact that they grow most of their own food in Mfuwe, which means it is delivered fresh to the camp on a regular basis.
Meal times with Shenton Safaris operate a little differently to most camps in the Luangwa Valley. Kaingo and Mwamba focus a lot of time on their hide trips which are usually done between breakfast and lunch.
Tea, coffee and biscuits are served around the camp fire before your early morning activity.
After your morning game drive or walk, usually around 10:00, return to camp for a hearty breakfast. This is usually a choice of cereals, yoghurt and porridge. They'll also take your order for a full cooked English breakfast of bacon, eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes etc.
After breakfast you have the option of going to one of Kaingo's renowned hides; usually between 12:00 – 13:30. Then it's back to camp for a light lunch. A more casual affair, lunch is served alfresco on your rooms own private deck. We had a delicious cottage pie with salad and freshly baked bread when we were last here. The time before we had a chicken creaser salad, pasta salad and freshly baked bread, followed by fruit salad, tea & coffee.
Afternoon tea & cake are served at 15:45 on the river deck before heading out on your evening game activity. Stay out for sundowner drinks & snacks then continue on a night drive using a spotlight to find the nocturnal animals.
Pre-dinner drinks are had at the leadwood bar then dinner is served at around 20:30. During our various stays here we have had brown onion soup for starters and bream for main course. Or fish cakes on a bed of spinach for starters, followed by a full roast; fillet, Yorkshire puddings, cauliflower & cheese and roast potatoes. Desert was chocolate moose – which was so good, we managed to squeeze it in!
Dining style: Group Meals
Dining locations: Indoor Dining
Room service: No.
Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included
Drinks included: Drinks are included at Kaingo Camp.
Special interests
Birdwatching: A deck built over the Luangwa River is a great spot from which to view some of the many bird species found around Kaingo Camp. Also of particular interest here is the carmine bee-eater hide, a boat moored below a river bank where these colourful birds nest in their thousands between September & October.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for birdwatching in Zambia
Photographic: Kaingo Camp has about 6 different hides offering the chance for close and magical wildlife encounters. These are particularly suited for photography and are frequently used by the BBC, National Geographic, Discovery Channel and independent film makers and photographers. In addition, each of Kaingo's vehicles are kitted out with bean bags, camera covers and extra camera rests.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for photographic in Zambia
Walking safaris: The area surrounding Kaingo Camp is well suited to safari walks and the guides here are some of the most experienced in the valley. Guests who combine a stay at Kaingo and it's sister camp Mwamba Bushcamp usually walk between the two.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for walking safaris in Zambia
Wildlife safaris: Kaingo Camp has a high density of game and bird life in their area of Luangwa National Park. As well as a variety of herbivores, the endemic Crawshay's zebra, Cookson's wildebeest and Thornicroft giraffe occur here. There are also a high number of predators with two large lion prides (the Mwamba and the Hollywood pride) and regular leopard sightings.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for wildlife safaris in Zambia
Children
Attitude towards children: Kaingo are happy to take children – but not babies. So sensible, well-behaved children over the age of 5 years should be fine – bearing in mind that they will need to be constantly supervised by their parents. In addition, families with children between the ages of 5 – 10 years will be required to book their own private vehicle. This can make Kaingo Camp an expensive option for a family of just three or four.
Age restrictions: Kaingo Camp prefer children over 5 years of age who are well-behaved. Children under 12 years are not able to join walking safaris.
Activities: None.
Equipment: One extra bed can be put in the parents room for a child to share. This will be a bit of a squash as the rooms are not huge.
Generally recommended for children: No – not for children under 6 or 7 years.
Notes: Parents need to be aware that this is the bush! The camp is on the edge of the Luangwa River and is not fenced in; so animals do roam freely through the camp. (On previous visits we have had a leopard with a bushbuck kill in the tree outside our chalet!)
Central communications
Power supply: Solar Power
Communications: Kaingo has a phone and the internet for office use only, but this can be used by guests in an emergency. There is no cell phone reception here. This is a bush camp so you should consider yourself out of communication for the duration of your stay.
TV & radio: There are no radios or TV's here.
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: The closest doctor is in Mfuwe (1¼ hours fast drive away). For emergencies Kaingo have links to flying doctors.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Security measures: Guests are escorted to their chalets at night, and are not allowed to walk around alone after dark.
Fire safety: There are two fire extinguishers in the main area and one in the kitchen. They are also behind each room.
Extras
Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: A complimentary laundry service is included, except for underwear, for which washing powder is provided in the bathrooms.
Money: No exchange facilities offered.
Accepted payment: Cash only – US$, Pounds and Euros.
A perfect combination with Mwamba Bushcamp
We found this camp to be a superb complement to our stay at Mwamba. We walked between the two which we would highly recommend.
The location by the river gives a very different perspective on the a...
Kaingo, wonderful expereance.
Staff & organization of activities was very good, presantation of the camp as a whole was excellent, game viewing as good as any we have encountered, bonus was seeing two kills, the second a pride of ...
Superb safari at Kaingo
This is where the game gets close and intimate. Closer than you even knew you wanted! The whole experience was superlative, and difficult to know where to start.
The day revolves around game drives...
Click on the links below to read sections from the Bradt guidebook which are related to Kaingo Camp.
Kaingo Put Kaingo Camp into context – read more about it in the Bradt travel guide to Zambia.
Useful links...
We want you to understand more about Kaingo Camp. We're also confident that a trip there with us cost you the same or less than booking it any other way, even directly. So follow the links below.
Kaingo Click here to link to the Kaingo website which has a few pictures and some information.
Kaingo