Reviews of Nsefu
Wildlife sightings and reviews
191 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Nsefu and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Our favourite camp"
The accommodation is in rondavels. They are spotlessly clean but not spacious. However there is adequate shelving and hooks in the attached bathroom.
During our stay the camp was being managed by Kanga, hosted by Marcos and our guide was Julius. What a great team! Julius is a very experienced guide and entertained us with his tales of the bush and his imitations of the birds and animals. Once again we were delighted that Fanton was our super-spotter - he never ceases to astound us.
This year amongst the innumerable genets and elephant shrews he found us leopard cubs and a Pel's Fishing Owl." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
"Nsefu review"
Due to the regular manager having to take leave for personal reasons, Kanga was acting manager whilst we were there. He gave us an exemplary introduction to the camp, including outlining the history of the camp.
My friends, with whom I travelled, had visited the camp three times before and so knew the camp and the staff well. They had asked if it was possible for Julius to be our guide and Fanton the night spotter whilst we were at Nsefu. Yet again, our request was granted, as were our requests for further walks. It really felt that the staff would do all that they could to accommodate our wishes.
Julius was an exceptional guide, phenomenally knowledgeable and a delight to spend time with. He has a sparkling wit and is great fun. He and Fanton made a brilliant team. I was constantly stunned by how they could show us the most wonderful things using their incredible visual skills, amazingly acute hearing and, of course, their knowledge of animal behaviour. The night drives were wonderfully informative and also huge fun.
The time at the camp, when we were not on the drives, was wonderful. It doesn't get much better than waking to have porridge cooked on an open fire by the river for breakfast, with the sun rising, whilst watching elephants on the other side of the river. The decking outside the rooms provided an idyllic place to sit and watch the various goings on in and by the river. All the staff were a delight - Marcos is a great host who is very interesting to talk to, all the other guides and staff are friendly, welcoming and very helpful and Kanga is just an amazing person with great interpersonal skills and untold depths of knowledge. Meal times were most enjoyable. The surprise bush brunch and shared sundowner were nice touches. (We had also had a surprise bush brunch whilst we were staying at Nkwali).
When it came to leave, Julius took us on a short game drive before it was time to take us to the airport which i really appreciated. He also made sure that, as with all other transfers, the drive to the airport was informative and fun. The staff had provided us with packed lunches for the journey which was thoughtful." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
"Nsefu"
The walking and boating is great for birding and taking in the scenery and enjoying being the only people in this area at this time of year. A unique experience." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
"Idyllic Nsefu on the Luangwa"
In this Emerald Season, activities involved exploring the river and its myriad tributaries and side channels (fun to boat along channels that we have crossed by vehicle in the dry season). Chris selected a safe place for the boat to be moored, then we got out and started tracking lions, wildebeest, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes etc. Watching the animals from a safe distance on foot is a unique experience. The river level was so high that on one day Braston and Chris were able to take us by boat all the way to the famous stork colony, where we gazed up at the multitude of yellow-billed storks and herons nesting in the ebony trees completely surrounded by water.
Sundowners by the river are always special. Returning in the boat just before sundown on our last evening, Chris skilfully tied to the boat to a dead tree emerging from a sandbank in the river. A pod of hippos was just in front of us, displaying their dentistry at frequent intervals. With the low light from the 'golden hour' behind us illuminating the hippos, it was a photographer's dream setting. And we had a glass of chilled sauvignon blanc beside us as well!
Our dinners at Nsefu were memorable. We dined at a table in the bar area, with Braston and Sebastian. We also know Sebastian well, and so it was almost a family affair. The quality of the food was a exceptional, and we note that it had to be carried some distance from the kitchen area to where we were seated.
On our previous visit to Nsefu in September 2016, we were concerned at the high level of lighting in the camp at night time. We were very pleased to note that the African night had returned." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia
"Nsefu"
"Nsefu review"
We were spoilt. And the game continued in bucket loads." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia
"a trip of a lifetime in Nsefu Zambia"
Staff were fantastic, could not do enough for you, always very accommodating, rooms were adorable, and had everything you required, and made you feel so part of the camp.
Breakfast was a wonderful experience as was the Dinner. The camp was not too busy when we were there as it was right at the end of the season, rain was expected, but we were very lucky, beautiful weather, and saw lots of wild animals, our driver/guide was also fantastic, and had a wonderful sense of humour.
We would very much like to go back again, to see the difference before the rains and after the rains, I can still hear the hippo's snorting their morning song.
A very wonderful, awe inspiring trip.
Thank you to all the staff at Expert Africa who made this experience possible, and gave us so much pleasure.." See all these reviews: 3n in Zambia
"Exploring the Nsefu area"
"Great place to stay."
"Our first ever safari at Nsefu"
We were incredibly lucky to see a huge variety of wildlife both close to the river and in the bush, no doubt down to the skills of our wonderful guide Pius.
We also experienced the amazing sight and sound of elephants walking around the camp at night eating the leaves in front of us as we sat in the dark on the veranda in front of our room." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
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