Reviews of Kaingo Camp
(95%) From 140 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Another excellent trip to Kaingo
When we last visited Kaingo in 2010 we vowed that if we were to return to Zambia, Kaingo would definitely be on our list of camps to revisit. I'm glad to say that we were not disappointed during our most recent stay.
Since our last visit the rooms have been considerably extended with new fixtures and fittings. The additional space and improved lighting was much appreciated. The camp is run on a very friendly and informal basis and the whole team went out of their way to make this second trip as memorable as the first. The food is of the highest standard and we were constantly amazed at the quality of food that was produced given the somewhat limited resources at the team's disposal. Sometimes three meals a day is almost too much, but that's not a criticism, just an observation.
The guiding was excellent with Patrick finding us a lion kill on our second night and Noelle tracking a leopard in daylight the following morning. There were many other sightings over the period we were at Kaingo, especially the elephant which decided that he liked a specific tree outside our room which delayed our lunch for some 45 mins!!. There are some things you can't legislate for, it is Africa after all !!
This is an excellent camp, with a truly dedicated team who go out of their way to try and meet your expectations.
We would go back tomorrow !!
Brilliant
I spent three nights at Kaingo, followed by another three at Mwamba. All round, it was undoubtedly the best safari experience I have had.
Kaingo's location, perched on the river Luangwa, is stunning - and, crucially, the camp is far away from the park's busy main gate so that you seldom come across another car (and if you do, it's likely to be from Mwamba). The newly-decorated rooms are airy, spacious and charmingly decorated, and the private deck, where lunch is served, is the perfect place to while away a couple of hours before the afternoon game drive. Toiletries, including mosquito repellent, are provided, and don't miss the lovely robes!
The food was superb - I believe Honore, the Congolese chef, is a new addition to the staff, and I was very impressed by the variety and the quality of the meals produced (much of the produce coming from Shenton's own vegetable garden in Mfuwe). Izzy, Rob and Derek Shenton all contributed to the warm, friendly service.
The game viewing, meanwhile, is superb: loads of leopard and lions, heaps of hippos and hyenas, as well as huge herds of buffalo and various antelope. What really stood out, though, was the standards of the guides (Patrick was mine at Kaingo, while Mayem gave me an impromptu game drive on the way from the airport), confirming Zambia's reputation for having some of the best in the business. I think I learnt more during my week there than in all my previous safari experiences combined. Also, do go for a walk and don't miss the wonderful hippo hide for an up-close-and-personal experiences.
Highly, highly recommended. I can't wait to go back.
Kaingo the friendly Camp
This was our fourth visit to Kaingo which really speaks for itself. Our old friendly guides were still there and some new ones. The standards remain high our only very minor sadness was that the cats had decided this would be their holiday as well!
Lunch being served on our own deck was new to us and a welcome addition until the monkeys had our lunch on our last day. Which would prove to be their only free lunch.
A perfect combination with Mwamba Bushcamp
We found this camp to be a superb complement to our stay at Mwamba. We walked between the two which we would highly recommend.
The location by the river gives a very different perspective on the area. The hippo, elephant and carmine bee-eater hides were a wonderful opportunity to take good photographs.
Guiding was very good - as in the sister camp - and again we got very close to the animals. So much so that we had elephants joining us for breakfast one morning !
The private deck is a great place to have a quiet lunch overlooking the river Luangua and watch the world go by.
We hope to come back one day !
Kaingo, wonderful expereance.
Staff & organization of activities was very good, presantation of the camp as a whole was excellent, game viewing as good as any we have encountered, bonus was seeing two kills, the second a pride of Lions twenty strong from taking their siesta, identifying their quarry, the hunt and the kill.
Perhaps if there is one small critisism the vehecles were rather worn and after a period of time could become uncomfortabble.
Superb safari at Kaingo
This is where the game gets close and intimate. Closer than you even knew you wanted! The whole experience was superlative, and difficult to know where to start.
The day revolves around game drives and eating! One is guided by extremely knowledgeable trackers and guides. There is a heavy emphasis on seeing big cats with other game being encountered on the way.
The river setting is magnificent, and we lunched on our private deck to the sound and sight of hippo grunting, and elephant munching the vegetation below our deck! The camp is small which encourages everyone to socialise and share their experiences of the day. Clearly appeals to the photographic fraternity - the hippo hide provided a spectacular subject for photos.
Huts magnificently rustic if not entirely waterproof!
Wonderful laidback camp in South Luangwa
See previous comments [Ed: see below]
Read more about the whole safariWonderful laidback camp in South Luangwa
[Ed: see below for comments - they spent this night in the elephant hide!]
Read more about the whole safariWonderful laidback camp in South Luangwa
Spent four nights here at the beginning of our Zambian adventure (including one night sleeping in the Elephant Hide) - wonderful camp in the South Luangwa park, excellent guides (special mention to Ian and Patrick), nice relaxed atmosphere. Very comfortable chalets with deck overlooking the river where lunch was served, outdoor bathtub fun, meals excellent and all staff most welcoming and attentive to every need. Particularly enjoyed the hides (hippo and carmine bee eaters). Felt we were really part of the bush and as close as possible to nature, cannot fault it.
Very relaxed camp with comfortable chalets and deck area opposite overlooking the river where lunch served each day. Meals excellent, animals in camp make life more exciting! All staff very welcoming and we felt very much at home - no pretentiousness here! Guiding top notch, special mention to Ian, Patrick and Kennedy. Fantastic game viewing, not only our first ever leopards (more than one) but an aardvark too!
Loved our night in the elephant hide and also hippo and carmine bee eaters hides - this place is a photographer's dream.
Could not ask for a better place to start our safari.
Kaingo Camp review
A great camp overlooking the Luangwa river. Always lots going on - three activities a day (don't miss the hippo hide - one of us stayed there for nearly four hours one day), and the newly positioned carmine bee-eater hide. Plus, all sorts wander through camp, and there's always something going on on the river. Lunch served on your personal deck overlooking the river is a great idea.
Derek, Issy, Lisa and the staff were extremely welcoming and always willing to help out. And Patrick is truly one of the best guides in Zambia - quietly unassuming and reassuring, with a deep knowledge and passion for the bush, even if his comment on a night drive that generally hyenas only scavenge in the South Luangwa was proved somewhat inaccurate two minutes later by an impala kill by two "scavenging" hyena right next to our vehicle! Nature at its most raw but one of the harsh realities of wildlife.
Thank you Derek, Jules and all the staff - both Mwamba and Kaingo remain on our "must visit again" list - and we will. Highly reommended.
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.
