Reviews of Hakusembe Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
91 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Hakusembe Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Sep-2018, 11 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Hakusembe Lodge.

Hippo
27% success
Mr & Mrs G
Cottenham
"1 night stopover between Etosha and Botswana"
1 night Arrived 4 Dec 2022
"This lodge was booked as a stopover for us on the edge of the Caprivi strip, before we crossed the border into Botswana. We arrived at around 3pm, as we had heard good things about the sunset boat trip. Unfortunately the water levels in the river were too low, so the boat trips could not take place. Instead we checked in at a more leisurely pace, and also enjoyed walking around the gardens viewing the birdlife.
The african hoopoe mentioned in an earlier review still had its young in a nest located in a trunk of a tree just by the car park. There were also many other species including our favourite, the lilac breasted roller.
We enjoyed drinks on the main lodge view deck over the river, and watched the local villagers on the Angolan side go about their evening chores on the opposite river bank. There were also several shoals of tigerfish close to the river bank below the viewing deck.
Food here was good. Like other Gondwana Collection lodges, the meals are all self service buffets, with a large variety of dishes to choose from. Springbok steak, quiche, salad, soup, chips / potato wedges, vegetables and more. Breakfast was similar, with plenty of the usual cooked options to choose from, as well as yoghurts, 'continental' meats and cheeses, pastries, toast etc.
The staff were all very friendly and attentive, and we enjoyed our stay here." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia; 4n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
The african hoopoe mentioned in an earlier review still had its young in a nest located in a trunk of a tree just by the car park. There were also many other species including our favourite, the lilac breasted roller.
We enjoyed drinks on the main lodge view deck over the river, and watched the local villagers on the Angolan side go about their evening chores on the opposite river bank. There were also several shoals of tigerfish close to the river bank below the viewing deck.
Food here was good. Like other Gondwana Collection lodges, the meals are all self service buffets, with a large variety of dishes to choose from. Springbok steak, quiche, salad, soup, chips / potato wedges, vegetables and more. Breakfast was similar, with plenty of the usual cooked options to choose from, as well as yoghurts, 'continental' meats and cheeses, pastries, toast etc.
The staff were all very friendly and attentive, and we enjoyed our stay here." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia; 4n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Rob and Gin
Australia
"Hakusembe River Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 27 Nov 2022
"Nice camp and surrounds."
See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Food:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Boghall birder
Roslin
"Hakusembe River Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 14 Nov 2022
"Excellent. Great location by the river with great food and friendly staff.
The birding in the grounds was really good too (white faced scops owl roosting in the trees in the garden and African hoopoe nesting in a hole in a tree beside the car park)." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
The birding in the grounds was really good too (white faced scops owl roosting in the trees in the garden and African hoopoe nesting in a hole in a tree beside the car park)." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Dr D & Dr U
UK
"Hakusembe River Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 11 May 2022
"Fabulous setting and food.
Very nice staff, bit on the large side but perfect for an overnight stay." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia; 1n in Botswana
Very nice staff, bit on the large side but perfect for an overnight stay." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia; 1n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Sightings Report

Hippo
Multiple sightings
safari lovers
UK
"Hakusembe River Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 7 Apr 2022
"Loved this very spacious quite large camp for its gardens and location on the river. Accommodation well spread out - individual large and comfortable rooms.
An excellent one night stop at the western end of the Capriviv strip.
We did the evening sundowner cruise - the guide was not available so the assistant camp manager took us . He knew nothing about the wildlife . The setting sun made for some lovely photos.
Food was self service buffet. Big choice and very tasty." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana
An excellent one night stop at the western end of the Capriviv strip.
We did the evening sundowner cruise - the guide was not available so the assistant camp manager took us . He knew nothing about the wildlife . The setting sun made for some lovely photos.
Food was self service buffet. Big choice and very tasty." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Hippo
4 sightings
Mrs CH
Wimbledon
"Hakusembe River Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 27 Mar 2022
"Lovely chalet overlooking the river. Extremely comfortable and well fitted out.
This is not a place to holiday but an excellent stopping off point on the way to the Caprivi. The gardens are particularly lovely and there are walks behind the lodge which makes a real change from being confined to the car on safari." See all these reviews: 18n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana
This is not a place to holiday but an excellent stopping off point on the way to the Caprivi. The gardens are particularly lovely and there are walks behind the lodge which makes a real change from being confined to the car on safari." See all these reviews: 18n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Average
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Good
Mr J
Coventry
"Good for an overnight stay."
1 night Arrived 27 Jan 2020
"Only stayed one night."
See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Mr L
Leicestershire
"Excellent"
1 night Arrived 26 Sep 2019
"Had a great house here could have slept 7 but we had it all to ourselves.
Had a nice relaxing stay." See all these reviews: 22n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
Had a nice relaxing stay." See all these reviews: 22n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Hippo
1 sighting
Mrs B - family
UK
"A perfect stay at Hakusembe River Lodge"
1 night Arrived 24 Jul 2019
"We had one night here after a long drive from Etosha. It had ... We were too late to do the sunset cruise but the lodge was a great place for relaxing.
The food was excellent - it was buffet style, and this lodge showed that buffets can be very good. It was high quality with plenty of choices at both breakfast and dinner." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
The food was excellent - it was buffet style, and this lodge showed that buffets can be very good. It was high quality with plenty of choices at both breakfast and dinner." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Ts
Gloucestershire
"Hakusembe River Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 12 Jan 2019
"Lovely room right on the river.
We went on the sunset boat trip which was brilliant with an excellent guide.
Staff here were very attentive and made us feel very special on our honeymoon!" See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
We went on the sunset boat trip which was brilliant with an excellent guide.
Staff here were very attentive and made us feel very special on our honeymoon!" See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
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