Reviews of Pioneer Camp
(79%) From 98 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Relaxing day at Pioneer Camp
A warm welcome from Sophie and a very comfortable and relaxing place to spend our last day in Africa. Good birdwatching.
(NB. 14 kms in pitch darkness on the worst road we saw anywhere would be a disconcerting arrival in Africa for someone who had just landed at Lusaka from the UK. Forewarned is forearmed.)
Pioneer Camp review
This was our third stay at Pioneer Camp.
The driver and vehicle from the camp was there to greet us at the airport. The transfer was fine and we were quickly settled in our chalet.
Chalet was clean with hot water on tap. We enjoyed our evening meal choosing the local dish of nsima and vegetables.
We really appreciated the fact that we were able to get a very early breakfast before we were transferred to the airport in good time for our 7.30 flight.
We would stay there again.
Great introduction and recovery from flights.
Lovely spot and a real introduction to Zambia outside the city.
Our night was a much appreciated stop-over before transfer to Nkwali and gave us time to recover from the flights in from the UK and Dubai. Very courteous and friendly staff and one of the best steaks I have ever had, cooked over an open fire.
Excellent overnight stop before safari
They even arranged an extra-early breakfast before our Proflight.
Read more about the whole tripGreat friendly stoppover
It was great to see Paul again and meet Sophie, and hear about their latest ventures.
As ever, Pioneer is a friendly, relaxed and convenient stoppover, and it's nice to be in a more peaceful location than a city hotel.
Good for a stopover before going on to Luanga
We were met, as promised, and taken to the Camp to be greeted and installed.
A quick hot shower and we were set for what turned out to be an excellent evening meal. Breakfast the next day and off tot he airport.
A great way to take a break after long flights before going on to Luangwa.
Ideal stopover near airport
There was a large party of Americans staying at the camp but this was well managed and we were able to have meals at the agreed time.
We felt welcomed and well looked after. Would be happy to stay there again.
Unfortunate timing
The camp itself is laid out as a typical safari location which it is not. Although the chalet was adequate it was unfortunate we arrived, some 35 minutes from Lusaka airport, during a power outage which, apart from only 30 minutes it came back on during our overnight stay, continued. With no mains electricity there was a very limited dinner menu; basically steak only.
Battery lights (very limited illumination) were provided in our room which were not fully charged so we had to ask for replacements. Added to all this we discovered in the morning there was no hot water available to our chalet. After an early breakfast we departed for the airport. Due to low levels of water in the dams there are, or were, daily outages which were only supposed too be for no more than, I believe, 4 hours which affects the whole of the area including the city of Lusaka.
In future we would opt to stay at a hotel in Lusaka which would have adequate power back-up and probably be closer to the airport.
Pioneer Camp review
We spent only one night in Pioneer Camp between flights in and out of Lusaka so we arrived late at night and left early the following morning. It is very good - rooms ok though a bit rustic and the food is good.
Read more about the whole tripPioneer Camp review
A great place to recover from the long journey, start the holiday and get into the African spirit!
Friendly and helpful staff, lovely rooms and delicious food.
Good bird-spotting around the camp.
There for one-night stopover.
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.
