Reviews of Flatdogs Camp
(98%) From 60 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
| 
Excellent game drive base camp
We stayed for three nights at Flatdogs Camp which is conveniently located just outside the main entrance to South Luangwa National Park. The camp is extremely well staffed with pleasantly helpful staff. Our vehicle driver, Kennedy, was an excellent guide who also took good care of our meal requirements before each game drive. Animals within the National Park were not abundant but there were always some excellent animal encounters and leopard viewings.
Our spacious solid construction lodges were “rustic” with dated interiors but they perfectly suited our needs. We experienced numerous encounters with elephants outside our lodge and around the camp which was unexpected and enjoyable.
The kitchen offered a full day menu with a wide variety of food choices on both the regular menu and with daily specials.
Flatdogs Camp was an excellent game drive base and offers a considerably better value package than any of the camps we visited at South Luangwa National Park.
It is our first choice of safari camps within the area.
Flatdogs Camp
Flatdogs was an excellent introduction to our safari! It has a very relaxed atmosphere, and we enjoyed spending time each midday by the pool. Our guide, Joffrey, was fantastic, and really made an effort to tailor our game drives to our interests. The food was delicious, and we had no issues with our dietary restrictions (vegetarian and severe allergies).
We stayed in the Luxury Safari Tent, which was huge and provided every amenity we could have asked for. We were thrilled to be able to sit on our porch and watch herd of about 15 elephants bathe and graze right behind our tent one afternoon!
Given the size of the camp, there were several families with young children staying there, which did cause some louder poolside afternoons, however we had no other complaints or issues about our stay!
Brief but fantastic stay at Flatdogs
I had a fantastic two days of safari at Flatdogs.
The location is amazing–the tents are neatly tucked into the denser riverside canopy, and the area was full of noisy animal life. The way the tents are integrated into the landscape felt unobtrusive. The tents and bathrooms were very comfortable; they seemed to have thought of every detail to make it so.
The animals were plentiful and not put off by humans. We saw a huge range of species in just our first morning drive. We didn't have to share them with too many other outfitters.
The guides were extremely knowledgable, showing us different things with each trip and answering all questions capably. The walking safari was an excellent way to get more out of the area.
The food was the best we'd had in Zambia, and surprisingly, was a highlight of the time at Flatdogs. It was great having a menu from which to choose, at an hour of our choosing.
The staff were extremely accommodating, indulging our questions, and ensuring that we were able to go on a walking safari.
Flatdogs Camp review
The previous reviews (Expert Africa and TripAdvisor) had me expecting slow service for food/meals and iffy Wi-Fi. Both turned out to be true, but honestly: I didn't care. The WiFi is nearly nonexistent, and you wait for food. But who cares?
We found this place to be special and enjoyable in every other way. We would stay there again and recommend it to any/all (unless you want to be working and emailing from a bushcamp).
Great guiding. There's nothing else to do there but go on game drives. That's why we came and Flatdogs delivered, along with friendly service and good food and great vibes.
Long weekend at Flatdogs
Spent a long weekend at Flatdogs in September 2017 as a solo traveller. Overall, it was a fantastic experience
Location - It's right by the main gate but outside the park, not much more than 30 min drive from Mfuwe airport. Being near the main gate brings you a bit more traffic - but on the other hand it also allows you to piggy back on other vehicles' sightings. We took a drive into the more remote part of the park one day and didn't see as much, as you only see what you spot yourself.
Accommodation - The tents are perfectly nice, though in September it is warm and although the fan in the room helps, sleeping can be difficult.
Food - Unlike nearly every other lodge I've been to, they have a full-size restaurant menu, rather than 1 or 2 options per night. Makes a big difference to the experience to be able to choose from so many things.
Wildlife - South Luwangwa in September is incredible. The combination of low number of tourists relative to other places, not much vegetation, lots of leopards and ability to do night drives makes it one of my all time favourite places to do safari.
Service - The team at Flatdogs were really helpful - a lot of places have a fixed 'programme' for guests and that's what you have to do. At Flatdogs we had a discussion every night about what we wanted to do tomorrow. In the end I paid extra to have a private vehicle as being in the truck with half a dozen others felt more like being on an open-top bus tour than enjoying a special moment with nature. It wasn't cheap, but well worth it. My guide was fantastic - in terms of spotting, his knowledge but also listening to what we were interested in rather than going through the motions. Will definitely go back next year.
Flatdogs Camp review
Felt like Nat Geo live! Elephants mud bathing in front of my tent. Consistent leopard spotting in every game drive and lots of lions with cubs. When in camp I enjoyed very delicious food, plenty of choice and a lovely Asian touch to many dishes. Management tremendously supported me when my luggage was 5 days delayed. Will never forget the shopping tour in the nearby village. Highly recommended camp!
Read more about the whole safariA Magical Experience
This was our first (and certainly won't be our last) trip to Africa for safari. We spent a lot of time researching our options and our final choice of Flatdogs was amazing in every way. It was a wrench leaving this place. All the staff are wonderful, warm and welcoming and always happy to hear our tales from the game drives each day. Our fantastic guide Byron was a gift - able to answer the most ridiculous questions posed to him by out 2 boys, aged 10 and 13, and with his extensive knowledge, he was able to share information that we wouldn't have ever dreamed of asking - especially about birds. It was truly magical going over the South Luangwa bridge each morning into that wilderness. Those memories will stay with us always - we were very lucky that the park gave us so much. Awesome.
We chose to stay in the chalet rather than the tents. It was gorgeous! More than enough room and beautifully appointed throughout - the bedrooms especially lovely- the comfiest bed ever. Listening to the hippo's through the night was fabulous, and the monkeys jumping around our roof entertained the boys even further! The layout of the camp was perfect - we were a short stroll from the central meeting/ dining area as well as the pool. This was a fantastic bonus for our boys, so while we had a midday siesta or a read following our 'second' breakfast on our return from the morning drive, they were happy splashing about and watching the beautiful elephants roam through the camp. What a treat!
Being able to eat at any time too was a real bonus rather than set meal times - although we didn't require this flexibility as we ate every time we came back from a drive - when we weren't looking through binoculars, or sleeping, they fed us!
We took advantage of Wendy's guided visit to the local school and the conservation centre, both of which Flatdogs are heavily involved with. This was a humbling experience and one that I would strongly advise visitors do - especially with children. My eldest son and husband also took advantage of the world renowned walking safari's with Yotam which they found amazing - a totally different view of the park - and now my 13 year old is a poo expert!
All in all, I would recommend Flatdogs - and South Luangwa - to everybody - but I'm scared that it becomes too popular and the hoards arrive! As it was, we felt that the park was just ours at times, and the 'homecoming' to this wonderful camp every day was just as special as the game drives.
Flat dogs review
Chongwe was a hard act to follow but we all enjoyed ourselves at Flatdogs. Guides were very knowledgable but didn't adapt their offering to suit the children,without prompting. The Crocs Nest excellent.
The only problem was that although I'd asked for the children to be with their respective parents, Crocs nest could only sleep 6- Owain and myself, plus 4, and because they couldn't move backwards and forwards between Crocs Nest and Chalet 4, where the rest of the family were, this resulted with an adult sleeping on the sofa or children a bit adrift.
Perfect Safari Experience
Wonderful attention to detail - personalized service. Excellent guides and facilities. Delicious food and potable water! Unique location on river, unique tents and pool, close to S Luangwa park. Camping in style!!
Read more about the whole safariFlatdogs Camp review
It was a definite advantage to be so close to the camp entrance, for travel time was minimal, and we did not notice any extra noise from being so close to the gate. The managers gave personal attention to the guests and were always present and actively involved in making sure the guests had and did everything they wanted to. For example, our daughter wanted to visit the Mfuwe clinic, and Wendy made arrangements for this to happen, freed up a driver, and didn't charge us a penny (although we tipped the driver). On another day, between safaris, I expressed interest in visiting the boarding school in Mfuwe that's being expanded, as well as the Luangwa conservation project, and a visit was scheduled. Flatdogs' management was very accommodating, helpful, and friendly. Our rooms were clean, the food was well prepared, the menu was extensive, and the proportions were generous (unfortunately, I didn't learn until the last day that half-portions were available). We had heard so much about the walking safaris in Luangwa and looked forward to taking some, so it was a bit of a disappointment that our personal guide at Flatdogs was not licensed to do a walking safari, and we sensed he wanted us to stick with him, so we didn't pursue a walking safari as we enjoyed going out with him. However, he did make clear that if we really wanted a walking safari, it could be arranged so it was definitely our choice and I don't intend this as criticism, just as FYI. Perhaps other guides were licensed for both driving and walking safaris, I didn't check. The sunsets at Flatdogs are spectacular, and I don't regret my decision to skip one evening safari and sit on the river bank, watching the sun set and the stars appear. Only later did I realize the night guard had been standing watch nearby--he said the hippos had walked right by me as they left the river to forage for food. I still can't figure out if he was serious or not, for I didn't hear a sound, yet know those huge animals can be deceptively stealthy.
Read more about the whole safari
