Reviews of Pioneer Camp

"The second half of the journey from the airport is on a fairly rough unmade road and the location is quite remote, which makes for an apprehensive arrival, but once at the camp the general ambience, the setting of the grounds and very friendly staff boosted my overall assessment. It is not luxurious but it makes a great overnight first or last stop - a real feeling of having arrived in Africa.

The collection from the airport (twice - at the beginning and end of our trip) worked well as did the transfers to the airport. The terrace in the half shade of the trees was greating for relaxing with a beer and for eating our meals." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia

"We first had a family chalet for the six of us. This isn't luxurious but ok, and has a big advantage: It is spacious. As the first week in Zambia we flew to Mfuwe and the second week we camped on our own we had to repack and leave the camping stuff in Lusaka. Pioneer Camp was very helpful and we could leave all the stuff for the second week in a closed container. The luxury chalets where we stayed the second time are very nice indeed with a veranda to sit outside. The last night we stayed at the quite basic standard chalets. These are OK but not more. It would make the standard chalet already better if the light was a bit brighter.

The food is quite good but for repeated stays the menu is definitively too small and lacks choice. The breakfast is good and we appreciated the kettles in the chalets and the always available tea and coffee.

Pioneer lodge is a warm welcome to Zambia: not far from Lusaka and the airport but remote enough to be quiet and give an African feel. Can be recommended!" See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia

"Paul is an experienced guide taking 2 or 3 guests in the closed Land Cruiser. He was very helpful about Kafue camps. Steady changes to the Camp and the food was much better. The pickups to/from Airport work well and it is only 30 mins away, and the local road may be surfaced next year??" See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia

"We stayed at Pioneer Camp on our last night in Zambia, prior to an early flight back to the UK. The transfers, both in and out, were efficient.

Paul, our host, was most welcoming, and volunteered to do our on-line check-in for our homeward flight, even asking us for our seating preferences." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia

"Pioneer was the best possible way to spend the essential last night In Lusaka prior to the flight early the following morning.

Paul was an enormous help on arrival regarding flight check in and telling us the info we needed re supper/breks/bar. Also Alfred was great too.

We were really pleased we hadn't gone to an 'international' hotel or somewhere less in keeping with our previous 8 nights! A good choice." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia

"We used this camp as a stopover before flying home, so can't give a conclusive review. It was fine for our purposes, their driver picked us up from the airport and took us straight to the camp. As we checked in we ordered for dinner (spaghetti bolognaise!) and after dinner one of the reception team checked us in for our flights (including our onward flight from Heathrow) and booked our seats.

So all in all. A nice camp with excellent helpful staff ideal for the purpose we used it for." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia

"Bit of a come down after the wonderful Robin Pope Lodges, Everything comfortable but a lot more basic, including the food.

Very accommodating and offered to check in the BA flight which was very helpful." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia

"The camp was quite some way from the airport and you certainly felt like a pioneer just getting there!. It was mostly rough and dusty road, not how I imagined it, but was a fun drive. Arriving at night we happened to see 2 Duikers on the road . The camp is safe as theres a fence round it so you could walk back to the main bit at nght OK. The room was huge and there was a kettle to make tea etc." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia

"We arrived after dark before an early flight home.

Its a slightly odd place - no atmosphere and quiet with a number of chalets and a camp site. The chalet was large and quite bare and functional, although efforts had been made to make it more homely, with vases and candles etc. The beds were comfortable. The bathroom was a bit tired with rusty pipes and water. The food is basic and simple. Apart from the manager, the service was not very friendly. The catering staff didn't speak to or acknowledge us either at dinner or breakfast.

Apart from this, although they took details of when we needed to leave, this wasn't communicated properly. So after waiting, we lugged our bags up to reception where luckily there was someone around who could help. We were told that our bags should have been collected while we were having breakfast. We left 15 minutes late, but our driver still managed to get us there on time. As the majority of their custom must be from people catching early flights, this is something they should always get right." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia

"Pionee.rr is out in the middle of nowhere and you don't get to see Lusaka is you stay here for a night. The tap water wasn't drinkable and they charged for bottled water.

On the positive side we felt safe there." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia; 3n in Zanzibar; 1n in Tanzania