Reviews of Muchenje Safari Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
168 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Muchenje Safari Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa

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"Great lodge just over the Ngoma Bridge"
The staff were all welcoming and friendly. Breakfasts and lunches were informal with group seating allowing to meet and interact with other guests. At dinner, the starter and dessert was brought out to you at the tables, with the main being self service. The food was tasty, with a variety of options to choose from at each mealtime.
We arranged to be out on game drives first thing in the mornings and in the afternoons, and also opted for the after breakfast boat trip on the waters near Sedudu Island (an hour away at Kasane). This included lunch on the boat. The afternoon game drive started from there, slowly wending our way back to the lodge by sunset. For all activities we were with a group of other guests (5 of us in the vehicle). Philly was our guide, who was very knowledgeable and good company. He and other members of staff invited us to watch the England vs France world cup match with them, which was god fun.
We enjoyed our stay." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia; 4n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe

Buffalo
7 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
10 sightings

Hippo
6 sightings

Lion
1 sighting

Spotted Hyena
1 sighting

Zebra
8 sightings
"Muchenje Safari Lodge review"
More game vehicles here than in Okavango Delta but we were expecting that and it wasn't a problem.
Beautiful view from Safari lodge.
Particularly nice swimming pool.
Lovely staff.
Communal dining and good food.
The owners were very present at the lodge and talked to the guests at mealtimes.
Again excellent guiding.
We watched lionesses stalking 2 warthogs though they didn't make a kill.
The vast herds of buffalo were particularly spectacular and elephants playing in the mud was also a memorable sight.
We went on a boat trip along the Chobe river which made for excellent wildlife viewing and was very relaxing.
Lodge owners arranged for Covid tests for children which were seamlessly added to the days programme and only took approx 20 mins and they took us back later in the day again without any major deviation so we could physically pick up the results.
The driver who took us to the crossing into Zimbabwe was very helpful and made sure we got in the correct queues etc." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe

Buffalo
4 sightings

Elephant
3 sightings

Giraffe
5 sightings

Hippo
2 sightings

Lion
2 sightings

Spotted Hyena
1 sighting

Wildebeest
3 sightings

Zebra
5 sightings
"A beautiful lodge with excellent guiding"
There were only a few people staying when we were there, so we had a safari vehicle to ourselves for the morning and evening game drives. Our guide Rambo was brilliant; we saw lions, a leopard and a huge number of other animals and birds. A highlight of the trip was the boat ride from Kasane followed by a game drive; we were out from 10 am until 19.30 and ate our lunch on the boat with hundreds of elephants on the bank nearby. The walk from the lodge was also very enjoyable.
We were made very welcome by all the staff who could not have been more helpful and friendly. Vegetarian food was readily available and delicious. A private candle lit dinner was organised for us as it was a special wedding anniversary celebration. Overall, an excellent place to stay." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia; 3n in Botswana

Buffalo
10 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
10 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Leopard
1 sighting

Lion
1 sighting

Roan antelope
5 sightings

Spotted Hyena
1 sighting

Zebra
10 sightings
"Muchenje Safari Lodge review"
Great guide.
Be prepared for the fact that a visit here is fairly full on if you want to do all of the activities, mainly because it is about 1hours drive to the place where you can go on the boat trips.
This in no way impacted on our enjoyment of the visit, but some might find it a lot to fit in." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe

Buffalo
3 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
6 sightings

Hippo
4 sightings

Leopard
2 sightings

Lion
4 sightings

Roan antelope
2 sightings

Sitatunga
2 sightings

Zebra
10 sightings
"Muchenje Safari Lodge review"
Experienced some excellent game viewing (lions attempting a kill; jackals scavenging on a recent lion kill; elephant, hippo and buffalo in abundance), although our guides were not as knowledgeable as at other camps visited. Food was good and buffet style so one could self-manage portions. Rooms were very comfortable and the showers were brilliant - an absolute delight on return from dusty game drives!
However, we felt the management focused too much on the 'hospitality' and not on the overall management at the lodge. Little effort seemed to be made to sort out the absence of wi-fi at the lodge until it returned on our last morning (thankfully to make our onward fight confirmations).
Also, the night drive was poorly organised; delayed until after dinner meaning it was curtailed, and unfair to expert the guide to drive, use the radio and operate the light at the same time - there should be a separate 'spotter' in the vehicle operating the spotlight." See all these reviews: 13n in Botswana

Buffalo
10 sightings

Eland
5 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
10 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Lion
10 sightings

Roan antelope
1 sighting

Spotted Hyena
2 sightings

Wildebeest
5 sightings

Zebra
10 sightings
"Muchenje Safari Lodge review"
You have your own individual little lodge with lovely views and seating area to enjoy. Inside was spacious with a well appointed bathroom. Bed very comfortable with a mosquito net. Tea & coffee available. There was both a ceiling fan & air conditioning depending on what you prefer. A safe to keep your valuables. The staff were absolutely friendly and professional and always on hand to help. The swimming pool area was very inviting although quite cold.
The food was amazing, the evening meal was announced by the chef each night. Some of the lodge staff and guides joined us at each meal, it was a group event which meant you got to meet and enjoy the rest of the guests. The guide tours were well organised & our guide Philly was great, we had a lot of fun with him & he had a wealth of knowledge.
During dark you are unable to walk to your own lodge as potentially unsafe as wild animals are around the area. There were security guards who escorted you. They would also collect you in the morning at 05.30 for the morning safari tour. The only downside side we found was, if you were in your own lodge and decided you wanted to go back to the main lodge, you couldn't as there was no way of getting in touch with the main lodge or the security guards.
The water safari was excellent, watching the elephants swimming across the river was magical as we eat our lunch. The whole experience of the safari was excellent and we saw many animals and birds in their natural surrounding at close quarters. The one outstanding moment of our trip was seeing a leopard on two consecutive days which was rare, according to one of the guides who has been there for 16 years had never seen one before. We would definitely recommend." See all these reviews: 4n in South Africa; 3n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe

Buffalo
Multiple sightings

Eland
Multiple sightings

Elephant
Multiple sightings

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Hippo
Multiple sightings

Leopard
Multiple sightings

Lion
Multiple sightings

Sable antelope
Multiple sightings

Sitatunga
Multiple sightings

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Muchenje Safari Lodge review"

Buffalo
Multiple sightings

Elephant
Multiple sightings

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Hippo
Multiple sightings

Leopard
Multiple sightings

Lion
Multiple sightings

Sable antelope
Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Muchenje Safari Lodge review"
The service is excellent, a perfect combination of luxury and friendliness. The views over the plains towards Namibia is outstanding.
Highly recommend the whole day safari, including a boat trip on the Chobe River. Also the night drive near the lodge is a good addition to your stay. The volume of wildlife next to the river is very high.
Enjoyed the expertise of a knowledge, experienced guide." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 3n in South Africa; 3n in Zimbabwe

Buffalo
10 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
10 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Lion
2 sightings

Zebra
10 sightings
"Muchenje Safari Lodge review"
It is very well run by Kiddy who is friendly and welcoming, always present and running a very efficient lodge. The staff were delightful and seemed genuinely pleased to welcome one back each time we went out on a drive. Our guide, KB was incredibly knowledgable as well as an amusing companion and a good driver. It was freezing on the early morning and evening drives and the lodge provided ponchos, although not hot water bottles.
The rooms were beautifully clean, well decorated and very attractive with every facility one could want, with large bathrooms. There was good electric power and we were able to charge batteries and phones as well as using hairdryers. A full clothes washing facility was available. There was a small but pretty pool and viewing decks at various levels overlooking the river, set in the attractive gardens.
During the hours of darkness we were guided to and from our lodge from the dining room. The food was excellent and the large dining tables where everyone ate together, with the guides and Kiddy sitting with us, led to an informal, fun and very friendly atmosphere. The Muchenje Choir (made up of the staff) singing for us before dinner one night was a particular highlight and illustrated how well the staff get on together and how happy they appear to be, working in this lovely lodge." See all these reviews: 11n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe

Buffalo
2 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
10 sightings

Hippo
1 sighting

Lion
1 sighting

Spotted Hyena
1 sighting

Zebra
10 sightings
"Muchenje Safari Lodge review"
Our bungalow was also right next to a baobab tree which was beautiful!!! Kiddy and Toff were incredible hosts!!!! Our guides were so helpful and gave us so much information.
We not only saw lions, elephants, Cape buffalo and giraffes and we saw them in huge numbers, such a treat!!!!
Thankfully they provided 2 dinner entree options each evening. I can't do curry so I always chose the other option. The first night we had to kill 2 spiders in our room, not fun! The also provided warm lined ponchos for the morning and night game drives, awesome!!!
There was heat available in our room as well which really helped as all 3 nights were very cold." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 3n in South Africa; 2n in Zambia

Brown Hyena
1 sighting

Buffalo
10 sightings

Eland
1 sighting

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
10 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Lion
1 sighting

Roan antelope
1 sighting

Wildebeest
1 sighting

Zebra
10 sightings
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