Reviews of Kaingo Camp
(95%) From 89 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Brilliant
I spent three nights at Kaingo, followed by another three at Mwamba. All round, it was undoubtedly the best safari experience I have had.
Kaingo's location, perched on the river Luangwa, is stunning - and, crucially, the camp is far away from the park's busy main gate so that you seldom come across another car (and if you do, it's likely to be from Mwamba). The newly-decorated rooms are airy, spacious and charmingly decorated, and the private deck, where lunch is served, is the perfect place to while away a couple of hours before the afternoon game drive. Toiletries, including mosquito repellent, are provided, and don't miss the lovely robes!
The food was superb - I believe Honore, the Congolese chef, is a new addition to the staff, and I was very impressed by the variety and the quality of the meals produced (much of the produce coming from Shenton's own vegetable garden in Mfuwe). Izzy, Rob and Derek Shenton all contributed to the warm, friendly service.
The game viewing, meanwhile, is superb: loads of leopard and lions, heaps of hippos and hyenas, as well as huge herds of buffalo and various antelope. What really stood out, though, was the standards of the guides (Patrick was mine at Kaingo, while Mayem gave me an impromptu game drive on the way from the airport), confirming Zambia's reputation for having some of the best in the business. I think I learnt more during my week there than in all my previous safari experiences combined. Also, do go for a walk and don't miss the wonderful hippo hide for an up-close-and-personal experiences.
Highly, highly recommended. I can't wait to go back.
Kaingo the friendly Camp
This was our fourth visit to Kaingo which really speaks for itself. Our old friendly guides were still there and some new ones. The standards remain high our only very minor sadness was that the cats had decided this would be their holiday as well!
Lunch being served on our own deck was new to us and a welcome addition until the monkeys had our lunch on our last day. Which would prove to be their only free lunch.
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 area. The hippo, elephant and carmine bee-eater hides were a wonderful opportunity to take good photographs.
Guiding was very good - as in the sister camp - and again we got very close to the animals. So much so that we had elephants joining us for breakfast one morning !
The private deck is a great place to have a quiet lunch overlooking the river Luangua and watch the world go by.
We hope to come back one day !
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 Lions twenty strong from taking their siesta, identifying their quarry, the hunt and the kill.
Perhaps if there is one small critisism the vehecles were rather worn and after a period of time could become uncomfortabble.
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 and eating! One is guided by extremely knowledgeable trackers and guides. There is a heavy emphasis on seeing big cats with other game being encountered on the way.
The river setting is magnificent, and we lunched on our private deck to the sound and sight of hippo grunting, and elephant munching the vegetation below our deck! The camp is small which encourages everyone to socialise and share their experiences of the day. Clearly appeals to the photographic fraternity - the hippo hide provided a spectacular subject for photos.
Huts magnificently rustic if not entirely waterproof!
Wonderful laidback camp in South Luangwa
See previous comments [Ed: see below]
Read more about the whole safariWonderful laidback camp in South Luangwa
[Ed: see below for comments - they spent this night in the elephant hide!]
Read more about the whole safariWonderful laidback camp in South Luangwa
Spent four nights here at the beginning of our Zambian adventure (including one night sleeping in the Elephant Hide) - wonderful camp in the South Luangwa park, excellent guides (special mention to Ian and Patrick), nice relaxed atmosphere. Very comfortable chalets with deck overlooking the river where lunch was served, outdoor bathtub fun, meals excellent and all staff most welcoming and attentive to every need. Particularly enjoyed the hides (hippo and carmine bee eaters). Felt we were really part of the bush and as close as possible to nature, cannot fault it.
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.
Kaingo Camp review
A great camp overlooking the Luangwa river. Always lots going on - three activities a day (don't miss the hippo hide - one of us stayed there for nearly four hours one day), and the newly positioned carmine bee-eater hide. Plus, all sorts wander through camp, and there's always something going on on the river. Lunch served on your personal deck overlooking the river is a great idea.
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.
Kaingo = can do
Our arrival by canoe, crossing the Luangwa (avoiding the hippos and crocs!), was a fitting start to a fantastic few days. We loved the variety of habitats - the plains, the forests, the river - supporting such a wealth of game and birds.
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.
We have always believed that acting responsibly is the only way to approach tourism and we're one of
the few companies to hold AITO's original coveted 5-star status for responsible tourism. It's a lead
that others are now following.
