Reviews of safaris to South Luangwa National Park
896 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include South Luangwa.
Mrs H
Surrey
"My Jul 2018 trip"
I visited Zambia between 31 Jul 2018 and 10 Aug 2018
"Great trip. Really enjoyed all 3 of the camps. I agree that it would have been a little better to visit in a different order (as Expert Africa recommended, it was availability that forced us to do it in a different order) but it wasnt a big deal. Really enjoyed lack of wifi - a real treat."
Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs E
Glos.
"An enjoyable farwell to Zambia."
I visited Zambia between 23 Jul 2018 and 9 Aug 2018
"This is more than likely to have been our last safari to Africa.
It was therefor a safari of mixed emotions one of some sadness, being a goodbye, but on the other hand another of great experiences and memories which will last for years not only of the wildlife and environment but of the many people we have met over the years whose whole outlook was to look after you and maximise your enjoyment.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Over the many years we have had the pleasure of dealing with Expert Africa we have always received the most friendly advice and assistance.
We cannot make any suggestions for improvement and can only give them our most grateful thanks." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Zambia safari
It was therefor a safari of mixed emotions one of some sadness, being a goodbye, but on the other hand another of great experiences and memories which will last for years not only of the wildlife and environment but of the many people we have met over the years whose whole outlook was to look after you and maximise your enjoyment.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Over the many years we have had the pleasure of dealing with Expert Africa we have always received the most friendly advice and assistance.
We cannot make any suggestions for improvement and can only give them our most grateful thanks." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr S
Maidstone
"South Luangwa Safari July 18"
I visited Zambia between 21 Jul 2018 and 30 Jul 2018
"This trip replicated one I did on my own two years ago - I raved about it so much this time I persuaded my partner and some friends to come along too. A superb place to have a safari holiday - great animal sightings and lovely camps to stay in.
I've not been there other than in July so cannot comment on timings in comparison with other times in the year, other than to say the early morning drives start a bit chilly so warm clothing and a hat essential - but the days 'hotted' up as soon as the sun was up, but never to the extent that it was uncomfortable or made sleep difficult.
Outside of the park there are recommendations to stop at Tribal Textiles and the South Luangwa Project before returning home. We found Tribal Textiles a bit of a disappointment - we understood that the proceeds went to the local community, but the prices were very high to the extent that we felt extortionate.
On the other hand the South Luangwa Project shop was much better, and although we realised we were paying more than a 'local' price, were happy to do that to help the local economy, and those the Project was supporting. If we ever manage to get back to the South Luangwa we would stop at the Project shop on the way in - they will take measurements and make you up clothing to collect on the way home - that would be a great reminder of the holiday." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
I've not been there other than in July so cannot comment on timings in comparison with other times in the year, other than to say the early morning drives start a bit chilly so warm clothing and a hat essential - but the days 'hotted' up as soon as the sun was up, but never to the extent that it was uncomfortable or made sleep difficult.
Outside of the park there are recommendations to stop at Tribal Textiles and the South Luangwa Project before returning home. We found Tribal Textiles a bit of a disappointment - we understood that the proceeds went to the local community, but the prices were very high to the extent that we felt extortionate.
On the other hand the South Luangwa Project shop was much better, and although we realised we were paying more than a 'local' price, were happy to do that to help the local economy, and those the Project was supporting. If we ever manage to get back to the South Luangwa we would stop at the Project shop on the way in - they will take measurements and make you up clothing to collect on the way home - that would be a great reminder of the holiday." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr D & Ms G
London
"Zambia July 2018"
I visited Zambia between 20 Jul 2018 and 31 Jul 2018
"Once the problem of our missed connection was dealt with most efficiently and good naturedly on a Saturday morning by Richard, Freddie and Chris, everything went smoothly.
No changes of plan and no further hiccoughs meant that we had a wonderful holiday in south Luangwa. This was our 2nd trip and we enjoyed it even more than the first.
Our 3 camps were in a similar area, being on either side of the river, but as each game drive is different and covers different areas around each camp, the similar location didn’t matter at all. In fact we were thrilled to finally see a wild dog pack whilst at our 3rd camp, although the dogs were very close to our 1st camp but we hadn’t managed to find them there. As always on safari, expect the unexpected!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
No changes of plan and no further hiccoughs meant that we had a wonderful holiday in south Luangwa. This was our 2nd trip and we enjoyed it even more than the first.
Our 3 camps were in a similar area, being on either side of the river, but as each game drive is different and covers different areas around each camp, the similar location didn’t matter at all. In fact we were thrilled to finally see a wild dog pack whilst at our 3rd camp, although the dogs were very close to our 1st camp but we hadn’t managed to find them there. As always on safari, expect the unexpected!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs P
Wiltshire
"Our Zambia 2018 trip"
I visited Zambia between 20 Jul 2018 and 2 Aug 2018
"We have done several safaris before in different countries.
Having visited South Luangwa twice before we decided to try a mixture of 4 camps - 2 new ones to us, one totally refurbished and one familiar, with a mixture of results
Lion camp still has a wonderful location with excellent game viewing and guides although the new decor and food regime was not to our taste and if the price goes up appreciably in the future it will cease being our "go to" choice in South Luangwa
Tafika we had not visited before but were very impressed with most aspects of our visit.
Kafunta (twice before) has increased in size, with more families with pre-teenage children and a move away from communal dining to separate tables. In the past the pontoon shortcut into the park has always been working - when it is unavailable it does take quite a time out of game drives to access the park and return. The guide was disappointing and unfortunately stayed with us for 2 days here and 3 more at 3 Rivers (Kafunta's bush camp)
Three Rivers, new to us was a small nicely arranged camp with only 5 well designed chalets with good views over the bush (or the Luangwa river) and upper viewing platform with "star beds". These had mosquito nets so you could sleep out at night with a view of the African star lit sky. The camp was best suited to walking safaris and bird watching. There were more tsetse flies here than elsewhere. The staff here were all excellent with a nice relaxed but professional attitude to their guests, especially TJ who was the epitome of an ideal camp manager prepared to give us the benefit of his experience and knowledge over sundowners ." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari
Having visited South Luangwa twice before we decided to try a mixture of 4 camps - 2 new ones to us, one totally refurbished and one familiar, with a mixture of results
Lion camp still has a wonderful location with excellent game viewing and guides although the new decor and food regime was not to our taste and if the price goes up appreciably in the future it will cease being our "go to" choice in South Luangwa
Tafika we had not visited before but were very impressed with most aspects of our visit.
Kafunta (twice before) has increased in size, with more families with pre-teenage children and a move away from communal dining to separate tables. In the past the pontoon shortcut into the park has always been working - when it is unavailable it does take quite a time out of game drives to access the park and return. The guide was disappointing and unfortunately stayed with us for 2 days here and 3 more at 3 Rivers (Kafunta's bush camp)
Three Rivers, new to us was a small nicely arranged camp with only 5 well designed chalets with good views over the bush (or the Luangwa river) and upper viewing platform with "star beds". These had mosquito nets so you could sleep out at night with a view of the African star lit sky. The camp was best suited to walking safaris and bird watching. There were more tsetse flies here than elsewhere. The staff here were all excellent with a nice relaxed but professional attitude to their guests, especially TJ who was the epitome of an ideal camp manager prepared to give us the benefit of his experience and knowledge over sundowners ." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Good
Miss P
London
"Tafika was the highlight"
I visited Zambia between 12 Jul 2018 and 29 Jul 2018
"This trip was not quite as successful as previous trips to South Luangwa. The choice of camps was entirely mine and I take full responsibility for this.
In my own defence, there had been some surprise changes in camps I thought I knew and had visited previously - such as no communal dining at Kafunta and a management change at Lion Camp leading to the introduction of new dining arrangements and a new activity/meal schedule. This changed the whole experience of the camp, rather than just the cosmetic refurbishment I had been expecting.
A last minute switch to include Tafika in the itinerary really rescued the trip. Tafika is a class act. It's a comfortable, welcoming, characterful safari camp run by people who understand what's most important about the safari experience. It remains one of my favourite camps in Africa." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Zambia safari
In my own defence, there had been some surprise changes in camps I thought I knew and had visited previously - such as no communal dining at Kafunta and a management change at Lion Camp leading to the introduction of new dining arrangements and a new activity/meal schedule. This changed the whole experience of the camp, rather than just the cosmetic refurbishment I had been expecting.
A last minute switch to include Tafika in the itinerary really rescued the trip. Tafika is a class act. It's a comfortable, welcoming, characterful safari camp run by people who understand what's most important about the safari experience. It remains one of my favourite camps in Africa." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Good
Mr A
Marford
"Senior Young report"
I visited Zambia and 1 other country between 10 Jul 2018 and 22 Jul 2018
"We were delighted with our first trip to Zambia.
The people were all very helpful, open and friendly
The wilderness was immense and very impressive" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari
The people were all very helpful, open and friendly
The wilderness was immense and very impressive" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
The Golds
UK
"Nature Found "
I visited Zambia between 8 Jul 2018 and 20 Jul 2018
"A natural wonder. in the top three greatest family holiday experiences of our lives to date!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We found Lucy to be an excellent support, she is clearly a really lovely person who is so knowlegable and worked so hard to refine our itinerary! She is a real professional too!
I would much prefer the detailed feedback we give to be over the phone or face to face rather than on a feedback form.
With this we will also ring Lucy for a chat with our feedback.
Thank you for all that you do, you we find you to be an excellent organisation with first class knowledge and a clear great passion for Africa.
Thank you so much for all you have done for us x" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We found Lucy to be an excellent support, she is clearly a really lovely person who is so knowlegable and worked so hard to refine our itinerary! She is a real professional too!
I would much prefer the detailed feedback we give to be over the phone or face to face rather than on a feedback form.
With this we will also ring Lucy for a chat with our feedback.
Thank you for all that you do, you we find you to be an excellent organisation with first class knowledge and a clear great passion for Africa.
Thank you so much for all you have done for us x" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr M
Jacksonville
"Safari trip of a lifetime"
I visited Zambia between 7 Jul 2018 and 17 Jul 2018
"I believe this was as close to a perfect vacation as you can possibly have.
Every detail Freddie put together was amazing from the fishing to the helicopter tour to the hotels and safari camps. The accommodations were just amazing and the game drives were beyond all our expectations. Robin Pope Safaris clearly knows what they are doing and it shows in every detail of their camps and game drives.
The bar has been set so high for us that I don't expect any African vacation to ever surpass this one.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I honestly can't think of anything that could have been better.
Keep up your amazing work and THANK YOU!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
Every detail Freddie put together was amazing from the fishing to the helicopter tour to the hotels and safari camps. The accommodations were just amazing and the game drives were beyond all our expectations. Robin Pope Safaris clearly knows what they are doing and it shows in every detail of their camps and game drives.
The bar has been set so high for us that I don't expect any African vacation to ever surpass this one.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I honestly can't think of anything that could have been better.
Keep up your amazing work and THANK YOU!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs S
NZ
"My Jul 2018 trip"
I visited Zambia between 3 Jul 2018 and 12 Jul 2018
"A great learning experience. Non expert Africa was volunteering in Madagascar and Livingstone. A different experience from safari."
Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
896
reviews of South Luangwa by travellers since August 2007
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