Reviews of safaris to Kafue National Park
72 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Kafue.
NH
Rickmansworth
"Kafue, end to end"
I visited Zambia between 8 Oct 2019 and 20 Oct 2019
"I thoroughly enjoyed my trip. Everyday that I spend in the bush is a wonder and I loved every moment that I was in Kafue. I would not hesitate to recommend my trip: starting in Livingstone and finishing in Lusaka, or vice versa and travelling the length of the park. I would have liked to have stayed longer at each property, but that would have been greedy.
All four lodges offered something very special and I believe that Nanzhila Plains was equal to the other properties that I stayed at. I believe that it would be a worthwhile addition to your portfolio and especially if anyone wants to experience the full extent of the park.
Kafue did not disappoint, it is a true wilderness with an incredible variety of species that is so far removed from some of the artificial game parks. Every sighting is very special as the experience of being there.
I did suffer from Tsetse fly bites, more so in Ntemwa Busanga Camp and KaingU Lodge, but nothing disrupted my enjoyment.
To conclude my trip exceeded my expectation, I loved every moment, from the tours I arranged myself in Johannesburg to the exceptional arrangements that yo made for me. Thank you.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Please keep doing what you are doing. I will recommend you to anyone who will listen and I can not wait to travel with you again." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
All four lodges offered something very special and I believe that Nanzhila Plains was equal to the other properties that I stayed at. I believe that it would be a worthwhile addition to your portfolio and especially if anyone wants to experience the full extent of the park.
Kafue did not disappoint, it is a true wilderness with an incredible variety of species that is so far removed from some of the artificial game parks. Every sighting is very special as the experience of being there.
I did suffer from Tsetse fly bites, more so in Ntemwa Busanga Camp and KaingU Lodge, but nothing disrupted my enjoyment.
To conclude my trip exceeded my expectation, I loved every moment, from the tours I arranged myself in Johannesburg to the exceptional arrangements that yo made for me. Thank you.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Please keep doing what you are doing. I will recommend you to anyone who will listen and I can not wait to travel with you again." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs K.
Middlesex
"30th wedding anniversary safari"
I visited Zambia and 1 other country between 6 Oct 2019 and 22 Oct 2019
"We had been saving for this trip for 5yrs and booked it almost a year ago so the anticipation was palpable. The trip to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary was truly wonderful. Everywhere you go, you feel looked after and even the blip in the service level at Mkulumadzi lodge was quickly sorted out.
We met lots of lovely people and saw loads of animals - 164 species recorded in my notebook! Our guides were all extremely eagle eyed and did their utmost to get you in the best position for taking photos. In 3 of the 4 camps, we were lucky enough to not have to share a jeep which really helps build up a good relationship with your guide.
We only put on 3lb in weight each which is astonishing when all the camps feed you every 2-3hrs with tempting food. Each park we stayed in offered different scenery and new animals and birds to see. Whilst some animals such as cheetahs and rhino remained elusive, we have some amazing memories and photos to remind of us this fabulous trip. Roll on the next safari!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not really - Lucy was incredibly helpful and patient with my endless questions.
Occasionally there was a bit of a delay getting a response but it was never a major issue." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
We met lots of lovely people and saw loads of animals - 164 species recorded in my notebook! Our guides were all extremely eagle eyed and did their utmost to get you in the best position for taking photos. In 3 of the 4 camps, we were lucky enough to not have to share a jeep which really helps build up a good relationship with your guide.
We only put on 3lb in weight each which is astonishing when all the camps feed you every 2-3hrs with tempting food. Each park we stayed in offered different scenery and new animals and birds to see. Whilst some animals such as cheetahs and rhino remained elusive, we have some amazing memories and photos to remind of us this fabulous trip. Roll on the next safari!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not really - Lucy was incredibly helpful and patient with my endless questions.
Occasionally there was a bit of a delay getting a response but it was never a major issue." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs G
Dartmouth
"Zam Zim and RSA 2019"
I visited Zambia and 2 other countries between 25 Aug 2019 and 12 Sep 2019
"Overall we enjoyed our holiday, especially the "off piste" section we organised in the Cape before returning via JNB.
Less game and far less variety than we expected. Dissappointed to find night drives not allowed in Zimbabwe. Expert Africa should provide more details of the flight operators for the bush flights and there needs to be tighter communication when informing guests and checking their documents and itineraries." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari
Less game and far less variety than we expected. Dissappointed to find night drives not allowed in Zimbabwe. Expert Africa should provide more details of the flight operators for the bush flights and there needs to be tighter communication when informing guests and checking their documents and itineraries." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Good
Mr & Mrs VV-G
Belgium
"Kafue and North Luangwa : an advisable recipe"
I visited Zambia between 16 Jul 2019 and 28 Jul 2019
"Mixing Kafue with North Luangwa creates a diversity , making the te trip very entertaining.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Give Kafue a chance …." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Give Kafue a chance …." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
D & S
NZ
"Safari in Zambia"
I visited Zambia between 3 Jul 2019 and 23 Jul 2019
"Our entire time in Zambia was on safaris, walking as much as possible. We were very happy with the choice of camps , and we had a brilliant time.
We particularly enjoyed the small camps, especially when their atmosphere is informal. We were very happy at Kutali to see Luke speaking Nyanja with the staff.
We are uncomfortable with the post-colonial formality and unnecessary sophistication of food and lodging in wilderness situations; to us they feel like a perpetuation of psychological exploitation. But we love the skill and enthusiasm of the guides and the observation of all features of the environment.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I used the website and Bradt books a great deal in research." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 19 on a Zambia safari
We particularly enjoyed the small camps, especially when their atmosphere is informal. We were very happy at Kutali to see Luke speaking Nyanja with the staff.
We are uncomfortable with the post-colonial formality and unnecessary sophistication of food and lodging in wilderness situations; to us they feel like a perpetuation of psychological exploitation. But we love the skill and enthusiasm of the guides and the observation of all features of the environment.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I used the website and Bradt books a great deal in research." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 19 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs N
Hampshire
"Our 7th visit to Zambia"
I visited Zambia between 16 Jun 2019 and 28 Jun 2019
"Any trip to Zambia is always going to be amazing and, despite being a little disappointed with our game viewing experience at Kafue, overall we still had another amazing time.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
On the info provided with the itinerary it might be useful to add a few details about the procedures at the relevant airports. For example, at Lusaka you need to understand that check in only happens after you have gone through the baggage check.
Also that you need to retain your check in stubs (and not stuff them into the airplane seat pocket as I often do!) as these were asked for both by Emirates and Proflight." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
On the info provided with the itinerary it might be useful to add a few details about the procedures at the relevant airports. For example, at Lusaka you need to understand that check in only happens after you have gone through the baggage check.
Also that you need to retain your check in stubs (and not stuff them into the airplane seat pocket as I often do!) as these were asked for both by Emirates and Proflight." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr M.
London
"Surgical safari"
I visited Zambia between 8 Jun 2019 and 14 Jun 2019
"The whole trip could not have gone better-in preparation, a huge thanks to Amanda who produced an amazing itinerary in the limited time we had-all arrangements went like clockwork and we had a fruitful and very positive time at Kitwe Teaching hospital where we trained 20 young surgeons in safe surgical techniques which was well received-we will return!"
Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 1 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr M & Ms T
Ongar
"My May 2019 trip"
I visited Zambia and 2 other countries between 31 May 2019 and 12 Jun 2019
"We enjoyed the whole trip very much although the travel days were very long. Transiting in and out of Mozambique was like something out of a Graham Green novel. Dirt roads, run down buildings but very friendly people"
Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Carol M
Illinois
"Unbeatable Itinerary Even With the Road Trips"
I visited Zimbabwe and 2 other countries between 23 Oct 2018 and 30 Nov 2018
"This was my third African safari adventure and – aside from the fact that I still have not crossed the Aardvark, Pangolin or Pel's Fishing Owl off my "must see" list – the trip exceeded my expectations in many ways. I liked the wide range and variety of camps and the mixture of air and road transfers, even if two of the latter were, to put it mildly, arduous. I don't regret having experienced the long drive from Amalinda to Somalisa or the one from Mkulumadzi to Pumulani, but I wouldn't want to do either of them again.
I'm happy I returned to Zimbabwe and Zambia – two outstanding wildlife countries with exceptionally skilled guides – and I very much enjoyed my introduction to Malawi. The Majete Wildlife Reserve is still in its infancy but holds great promise, and I found Lake Malawi breathtaking to look at and fascinating to explore.
Working with the Expert Africa team – and particularly with Freddie Sutton – to plan my month-long itinerary was great fun and very rewarding. Freddie is experienced, knowledgeable, patient and, above all, flexible. He responded quickly to all of my requests for changes and updates, and he always found an attractive alternative where one was needed. Even when a slight glitch arose during my time away, he immediately resolved it and all went well." Read full review: 38 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari
I'm happy I returned to Zimbabwe and Zambia – two outstanding wildlife countries with exceptionally skilled guides – and I very much enjoyed my introduction to Malawi. The Majete Wildlife Reserve is still in its infancy but holds great promise, and I found Lake Malawi breathtaking to look at and fascinating to explore.
Working with the Expert Africa team – and particularly with Freddie Sutton – to plan my month-long itinerary was great fun and very rewarding. Freddie is experienced, knowledgeable, patient and, above all, flexible. He responded quickly to all of my requests for changes and updates, and he always found an attractive alternative where one was needed. Even when a slight glitch arose during my time away, he immediately resolved it and all went well." Read full review: 38 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms P
London
"Zambia never disappoints"
I visited Zambia between 5 Oct 2018 and 20 Oct 2018
"Another wonderful holiday to my favourite safari destination in Africa.
Kafue and the Luangwa valley was an excellent combination due to the diversity of landscapes, animals and birds that it provided." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari
Kafue and the Luangwa valley was an excellent combination due to the diversity of landscapes, animals and birds that it provided." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
72
reviews of Kafue by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
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Where to stay in Kafue
Our suggestions for safari camps in Kafue National Park
Musekese Camp
Musekese is a small owner-run tented camp, offering great guiding and a high degree of personal service in a stunning wilderness area, with modest game.
Busanga Bushcamp
Busanga Bushcamp is a small but comfortable tented bushcamp (max 8 guests) which makes a great base for a wildlife safari to the Busanga Plains.
KaingU Lodge
KaingU Lodge, in the centre of the southern part of Zambia's vast Kafue National Park, is in a great location for exploring this section of the Kafue River
Shumba Camp
Shumba is a high-spec camp built on a tree island in the magical Busanga Plains. It opens in May, when the birdlife is particularly amazing; as the dry season progresses, the game can become remarkable.
Ntemwa Busanga Camp
Ntemwa Busanga Camp is a simple but comfortable camp on the southern tip of the Busanga Plains which combines well with its sister camp, Musekese.
Chisa Busanga
Opened in mid 2021, Chisa Busanga Camp is a beautifully designed, small, intimate and rustic camp.
Mukambi Safari Lodge
Mukambi Safari Lodge is a solidly built, comfortable property just off the main road from Lusaka, making it one of the most convenient camps in Kafue.
Mukambi Plains Camp
Mukambi Plains Camp is a rustic, tented property located in the middle of the vast Busanga Plains in Kafue National Park.
Fig Tree Camp
Fig Tree camp is in the centre of Kafue National Park, and in addition to having a stunning location is well placed to start or end your trip in the park.
Ila Safari Lodge
Ila Safari Lodge is a comfortable lodge just outside Kafue National Park, with convenient access from Lusaka.
