Reviews of Kawaza Village
(93%) From 9 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Kawaza Village review
The village overnight was such a wonderful part of our trip. The experience really made us feel a connection to Zambia that we never would have felt had we not stayed at the village.
We spent time at the school, medical clinic, traditional healer, and a church service. The church members sang for us and greeted us individually. I still think about the children who have so little but always had a smile on their faces!
Kawaza Village review
We have a mixed review for this stop on our trip. As an overnight experience, I found the "genuine traditional village experience" to be a bit staged.
Our hosts wanted to make sure we did a few things on the list of activities they offered, which included a must visit to the "traditional healer" (who had converted to Christianity for healing guidance), and sleeping on a rank foam pad with very dirty sheets and eating day old (or three) re-hydrated chicken and pumpkin leaves.
After much insistence I was allowed to visit the school and share some poster art and supplies with the kids, but it's not on their list of activities so it was going a bit against the grain. The villagers were very friendly and the kids allowed us to join their soccer match. Like I mentioned, it was a mixed-bag. One last note, it was the only place on the trip where something personal went missing.
Fascinating insight into local village life
Greeted by our host Constantino, we were made to feel welcome from the moment we arrived, plunged in straight away with helping with the meal and washing up, spent the rest of the afternoon chatting to our hosts, visited Kawaza School where we met the girl we have begun sponsoring and were surrounded by very excited children desperate to have their photos taken! Dancing laid on in the evening (no light after dark apart from the fire so take torches!)
Loved the interaction with our hosts, spent a surprisingly restful night in our mud hut (apart from the cockerel starting his day at 2.15am!) and were taken to meet other villagers before we left after our breakfast of noodles and sauce.
Staying overnight is probably not for everyone but we are very glad we did, it gave us a real taste of what village life is like and we spent a long time discussing the future of the village and particularly of the younger generation.
Thoroughly recommended.
Kawaza Village review
Kawaza is not a place where the emphasis is on the tourist - it is unspoilt and provides a true insight into village life. This was a wonderful addition to our trip and a great way to learn a little about the real Zambia. Half a day is for those who simply want to tick the box - stay overnight to really complete the experience.
The 'grading' given below is clearly not a comparison with any of the safari lodges. This is a no frills experience and for 'simple living' the standard is very good indeed.
Good insight of the daily village life
Very difficult to rate, as we have nothing to compare with, apart from a few hours in Chiawa community at Tsika Island. The vey short stay took us around several villages, where we came upon different activities as pounding seeds, making gin and us giving medical advice.
We had the opportunity to visit the clinic and its only permanent staff, the laboratory assistant. We got a short but rather comprehensive picture of the conditions they work under, and also a glimpse of the main deceases.
Back in the village, evening dance and singing. Dinner, chima and chicken, and riddles, early to bed.
Morning, breakfast - rice - and of to the school. It was very impressing to see what they were able to do with the very minimal resources they have. The commitment of the staff was outstanding.
The visit gave us a very good understanding of the social structure in a Kunda village.
To conclude our impression is that the standard of room, the food etc was very good, far above what they normally would have for them selves. They sleep on the floor - we had mattrasses.
We very much enjoyed the stay,
Fantastic visit to Kawaza Village!
Our stay at Kawaza Village was a real highlight of our trip. Constantino and Constance were excellent hosts and showed us around the village and introduced us to many friendly people. What we enjoyed the most about this visit was that it provided a real glimpse of rural Zambian village life. Nothing was contrived or touristy about our stay. We ate what they ate, and slept in a small thatched hut similar to what they live in. Nothing fancy, no electricity, no running water, but definitely adequate.
Village women and girls entertained us that evening with traditional dances by the campfire, and many locals joined us in the celebration. The people we met seemed genuinely happy to see us there.
Any visit to South Luangwa would not be complete without a night's stay at Kawaza Village! Great people and a real experience!
Kawaza Village review
Overnight visit was cancelled due to DSM illness on recommendation of doctor but we made a morning visit which was very interesting.
We found the visit to the village, the school and the local clinic of great interest. We were well looked after by Lawrence.
Because of cancellation overnight we were returned to Nkwali and given accommodtion there. Melissa welcomed us back and we had another good night in Nkwali. As the aspects below do not apply I have just completed the 'good' column.
Kawaza - informative and great evening 'show'
A really worthwhile trip. We visited villagers homes, met the headmaster of the local school, attended a church service, talked to a traditional healer, shopped at the local shop, fetched water from the well,..... In the evening they put on a show for us where the whole village seemed to show up. Drumming, singing and dancing with 'audience participation'! Ate 'local' meals, drank homemade brandy and wine - tasted pretty good!
Read more about the whole tripKawaza Village review
Kawaza was everything we had hoped for and more. Very relaxed on both sides leading to great interaction with the local population. We have given an excellent score for everything because everything was done to make us feel as comfortable as possible.
On the school visit it helped to take along a few pictures from our life in the UK - everyone was so interested in how we live as well! A very humbling experience and a must for anyone who wants a real feel of Africa as well as looking at animals.
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.
