Reviews of Old Mondoro Bushcamp
(99%) From 77 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Great stay at a traditional luxury bush camp
Our room was not particularly spacious and maybe looking a little 'tired' in its furnishings but generally it was on a par with ones we have stayed in within the South Luangwa and still luxurious considering its location in the bush. The spacious and well equipped veranda overlooked a lagoon rather than the river and provided a constant panorama of wildlife. Elephants walked past daily within touching distance (although obviously we stepped well back for safety reasons!) The provision of an exterior stone bath as well as a shower seemed superfluous initially - until we returned from an evening game drive on our last night to find it lit by candles and filled with hot water and bubbles as part of a surprise 45th wedding anniversary celebration provided by the camp! A truly magical and thoughtful experience which made us feel very pampered.
Meals were eaten communally, including a traditional breakfast and pre-evening drinks around the campfire. There was a degree of inflexibility over meal times such that freshening up after activities was sometimes very rushed. Meals were of a very high standard, even by 'normal luxury camp standards. On our last night a table was set up on our veranda and the meal served privately as part of the surprise anniversary celebration.
We were able to do 4 morning walks with the same guide (James) who was excellent and instructional as well as having a good sense of humour. Evening game drives were provided using a number of different guides but always with a spotter and using red headlights to avoid upsetting the wildlife, which seemed like a good improvement. Game viewing was very good, including watching a leopard stalk and pounce (unsuccessfully) on a warthog! There was never any problem in providing a scout to accompany us and the guide on walks, as had been the case at Amanzi, and neither were we crowded into vehicles with other guests. Being further away from any other camp meant we only met another vehicle once over our 5 day stay, which made it feel more remote.
The canoe trip down the Discovery Channel was excellent, with a high adrenalin level due to the proximity of hippos! We also did a river cruise.
Old Mondoro Bushcamp review
In Mondoro you really feel to be a part of the "Bush".
The atmosphere is overwhelming.
The guides were excellent.
We liked very much the flexible organizitation of the game drives.
I love this place
More animals wander through here than most bush camps. I had an elephant come to breakfast one morning.
However, the rooms are permanent tents, that they leave open. (For some reason the Baboons don't go inside and destroy the place.) I find this somewhat disturbing, but there was no problem with any wildlife.
The canoe trip on a channel of the Zambezi is especially memorable.
Superb stay
We spent 2 nights here at Old Mondoro after having spent 3 nights at the sister camp Chiawa. While not nearly as luxurious as Chiawa, Old Mondoro has its own special charm that makes for a very enjoyable experience.
Lynette did a canoe trip both here and at Chiawa and still raves about the experience. Jonathan and Karen - the managers - were great hosts and fun to spend time with. James and Sebastien were the guides and worked hard to find plentiful game on our drives. I spent a couple of hours on the river with Ruben fishing for the elusive tiger fish.
All in all a wonderful experience with a great (and fun) team at Old Mondoro.
Saved The Best for Last!
I "discovered" Old Mondoro Bushcamp last year, and believe it to be the best-run safari camp in Zambia. It is truly a special place; small and intimate, beautifully-situated and -designed, comfortable and friendly, with professional and efficient staff that go out of their way to make your holiday magical.
As with sister camp Chiawa, Old Mondoro is located on the banks of the Zambezi, with gorgeous views over the river channels and many islands. If it weren't for the outstanding wildlife on tap, I could imagine visiting and just chilling for days on end, staring at the gorgeous view! However, this would be losing out on the camp's location near spectacular, game-rich areas!
The rooms at O.M. face the river (or, a small lagoon off the river in the case of cabin #4) and are fantastic. The tent/cabins consist of reed walls on three sides; the front facing the river has a reed, three foot high divider on the bottom but is open from the top of this divider to the roof. There are canvas and fly sidings that can be closed at night for those guests who don't care to be so close to open nature. The open air shower and bathtub -- with stunning view of the Zambezi! -- are delightful.
The service, as I've alluded to in the first paragraph, is top-notch, and I honestly don't see how it could possibly be improved. I've stayed in hundreds of hotels, guest houses, inns and camps over the years, and this is one of the very few that truly made me feel both "special," and "at home." Bravo!
The food served at Old Mondoro was hands-down the best of the trip, and probably the best I've had at any safari camp in Africa. Lunch is served buffet style, and was always fresh, interesting and varied. Dinners were plated and were truly something to look forward to every night.
As with Chiawa, there are numerous activities to choose from. The safari drives were excellent, with great sightings of everything (with the exception of the elusive serval and pangolin, which I have now gone twenty years worth of safaris without seeing!). I love the fact that at both Chiawa and O.M. vehicles are usually limited to four guests each, which of course is excellent for those of us who are photographers. The canoe trip through Discovery Channel was a very memorable afternoon, and I also enjoyed going out on the river a couple of times via boat.
Overall, Old Mondoro remains my favorite camp in Zambia, if not all of Africa. I'm hoping to make it back very soon!
Old Mondoro Bushcamp review
This was just a fabulous experience. The chalets are great, the food really good, the activities great and varied and the guides really knowledgeable.
We had elephants wading across the lagoon in front of our chalet and then around our chalet - all the wildlife you could want without stepping outside your door.
The range of animals - leopards every drive, honey badgers, porcupines, civets and serval - was outstanding. I can't wait to return.
Wonderful Safari at Old Modoro
A truly wonderful experience ,a leopard on the journey in and one when we left
Game drives and walk,s excellent guides very knowledgeable.
Sundowner,s drifting down the river unforgetable
Old Mondoro - return after 11 years
We ended our holiday with 4 nights at Old Mondoro where we spent 2 magical nights in 2005. We were not disappointed by our return trip. Although it does not feel quite as 'remote' as before (because of updated facilities) the location remains stunning. The rooms and catering are excellent.
Our game viewing started in spectacular style on the transfer in from the airstrip when James spotted a female leopard lounging on a branch. When we thought she was going to leave she simply turned around and presented us with her other side. Later during our visit we were treated to a similar sighting of a very relaxed male leopard.
As well as walks and game drives we took a river trip and had great views of elephants crossing and playing in the water. There is much to be seen while in the camp with animals and birds passing through and enjoying the lagoon.
Old Mondoro is still a very special place to stay.
Elephants at Old Mondoro
This is a wonderful, intimate, bush camp with just four tents. We stayed in the same tent that we stayed in five years ago.
The pods of the acacia tree overhanging the tent are an irresistible attraction for elephants, so we experienced some splendid close encounters. Old Mondoro has excellent guides and, like Chiawa, offers a wide range of land and water-based activities. Drifting down the Zambezi at sunset is idyllic.
Compared to Chiawa, there are more open plains which make spotting easier in some respects.
Old Mondoro Bushcamp review
The best of the four camps we stayed in. Incredible opportunity to get close to wild elephants with the two 'residents' Cheeky and Midget regularly two or three feet from the main terrace or the front of the chalet where we were standing. On the last day we had 8/10 elephants in the centre of the camp including a huge bull shaking the Winterthorn trees to bring down the pods they were eating.
Made very welcome by the managers Pam and Ryan and their team. Good food, good guiding and a wide range of activities, all very well organised.
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.
