Reviews of Nsefu
Wildlife sightings and reviews
191 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Nsefu and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
89% success
88% success
69% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
95% success
91% success
89% success
37% success
17% success
8% success
8% success
2% success
0% success
"Nsefu review"
The rondavels were smaller than other accommodations I had stayed in, but they were sufficient – certainly enough for me, and the bathrooms were more than adequate. Like the other camps, hot water was from on-demand water heaters and took a few minutes to heat up. I was cautioned to not use the tap water for drinking purposes, though it was fine for brushing one's teeth. There was a flush toilet, sink, and the usual amenities. A nice touch was the provision of Kikoys in the room to use on game drives or around camp. I used mine as a dust cover for my camera during the game drives, though I saw others around camp using them in more traditional roles as shawls or sun protection.
The beds were comfortable and the bedding sufficient for the temperature. There was a front porch with a couple of chairs and small table that looked out on the river. One very nice bonus was that the camp provided a selection of post cards (around 6) in the room and at the bar area, and they were happy to provide the postage and mail them free of charge. This is a very nice perk.
In addition to a covered dining area, there were a number of places to sit around camp with a view of the river, as well as, the bar/lounge area where we took afternoon tea. There was a spotting scope, comfortable furniture, books, the bar, and the charging station for any electronic devices. The generator ran for a few hours in the morning and evening which was when you could get things charged. There was a power strip with universal plugs.
Food was very good – especially the cakes for afternoon tea. Hosting was excellent. Lucy is very personable and diligent about looking after the comfort of the guests. She's also very good about anticipating the needs of the guests and trying to accommodate them as much as possible. For example, she noted my impatience with some of the guests I was sharing the game drive vehicle with as they tended to be 20-30 minutes late for every game drive. Since the camp wasn't full, Lucy was able to arrange a private game drive for me so that I didn't have to wait and had me join another vehicle on a different occasion when it looked like I was going to get another delayed start. She ran a pretty good dinner table, as well.
Guiding was excellent – there was a team of 3 guides at Nsefu, and they all seemed to work well together, and each was quite experienced and good trackers. They were quite amusing as well, as they told tales of guiding and the pranks they play on the caterers.
Game drive vehicles were the best out of the lodges I stayed at in S. Luangwa in my opinion. They use Landcruisers, but mostly in a configuration with only 2 rows of seats. This gives you quite a bit of room to maneuver on game drives. They also have the shelf instead of pockets in front of each seat, and provide bean bags." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia; 2n in Zimbabwe
"Magic in the Bush"
Regretabbly the hostess Lucy did not seem to have the gravitas that her position demanded. She lacked professionalism and was on occassions discourteous. We had a real issue with our visit to the African village and hopefully we will be able to discuss this with you Ellie.
(Watch out for the new marketing in the RobinPope brouchure published in August!!!)" See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
In regards to the village visit, the problem seems to have been a miscommunication. They asked Lucy if they should take anything to donate to Kawaza Village. She said, ‘no, just go and enjoy the experience’. However, they felt rude and guilty departing without leaving any donation or gift.
Until our conversation, they didn’t realise that when Kawaza Village takes in guests – the cost automatically includes a donation which partly goes to Kawaza, and partly to Project Luangwa. This is a far-reaching project which helps many villages, including Kawaza, and is supported by many of the Luangwa’s safari operators. (And, in addition to this, Expert Africa always refunds all of its commission on Kawaza bookings to Kawaza’s school fund at the end of the year.)
Nor were they told that RPS recommends that any donations are given to Project Luangwa – so the benefit can be spread amongst many local villages. Lucy and the RPS team have now discussed how they can make this clearer for future travellers. We’re sure that if this had been explained properly, these travellers wouldn’t have felt uncomfortable. Expert Africa, and the RPS team including Lucy, will try to do this much more clearly in future.
To read more about Project Luangwa click here.
"Wonderful time at nsefu"
The staff worled very hard to look after us and I was very touched by the pride with which Isaac presented our food every day." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
"Many different leopards"
Excellent drives ( hunting lions, following a leopard for an hour in day time, hippos, crocos ( in and out the river ).
Many nocturnal animals we haven't seen before." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
"Return to Nsefu - long awaited!"
The camp location by the river is idyllic, with also a mud pool that attracts big elephant herds on a daily basis close to the bar area. A new experience was the very early morning excursion to the hot springs with a bush breakfast - worth getting up at 4am for this!
All the camp staff were superb and the food was probably the best we have had in all the four camps that we visited. The accommodation in the original rondavels is very good, but they are a little on the small side compared to rooms at other camps." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia
"Nsefu review"
Change of terrain.
We enjoyed the change from camp to camp." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia
"Nsefu review"
Also, breakfast by the waterside was indeed magical, but it was totally spoilt by the wasps around the jam pots etc and so had to be eaten at speed whilst fending off the wasps. Maybe another system could be found to eliminate this problem." See all these reviews: 5n in Zambia; 4n in Malawi
"return to colonial days at Nsefu"
Irene worked hard to ensure everything went well and our guide Braston was knoweldgeable and very personable. He did a good job at gauging our interests." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia
"Nsefu with a perfect location."
It was great to see things had not changed and we had a happy welcome from old friends.T
he guiding is first class and we had our usual Leopard fix." See all these reviews: 17n in Zambia
"Nsefu Camp"
One small problem with the room is a lack of bedside tables (balancing things on the back bed board means items aren't within easy reach); and no bedside lights, having therefore to climb out of bed to turn off the lights. A difficulty with the area is the need to turn left out of the camp and drive down the same road each time before other options open out.
However, the camp itself is lovely and a highlight was watching a group of ellies of all ages cross over the river one afternoon. As was watching Hazel the leopard giving us a stunning performance of a big cat playing like a small cat one early evening." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia
Holiday styles & special interests in Zambia
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Zambia.
Other lodges in South Luangwa National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Tafika
One of the best camps in Zambia, Tafika is naturally built, combining excellent service and food with top guiding skills for a superb wildlife experience.
Nkwali
On the banks of the Luangwa River, with its own access to the national park, the intimate Nkwali is open year round.
Kaingo Camp
Small and owner-run, the riverside Kaingo occupies a a quiet but excellent game area, with a series of wildlife hides and a focus on photography.
Tena Tena
One of the Luangwa's best camps, in a beautiful, remote bush location, Tena Tena is very small, exceedingly well-run and has top-rate guiding.
Mwamba Bushcamp
Small, remote and owner-run, Mwamba offers first-class walking, 4WD safari drives and superb hides, with excellent guides and a real bush feel.
Chikoko Tree Camp
Chikoko Tree Camp is an excellent small, rustic bushcamp that concentrates on walking safaris, and is run by a top-quality operation.
Big Lagoon Camp
Big Lagoon Camp is a great little rustic bushcamp built to high standards that focuses on excellent walking safaris, with the emphasis on top wildlife guides.
Kapani Lodge
Kapani Lodge is now the main office base for Norman Carr Safaris, one of the Luangwa's oldest safari operations.
Flatdogs Camp
A relatively big safari camp, Flatdogs offers value for money with great guiding and good food in a comfortable, relaxed setting.
Luangwa River Camp
Luangwa River Lodge is a small and consciously stylish lodge in the Mfuwe area, overlooking the Luangwa River and the South Luangwa National Park beyond – an area renowned for great game.
Mchenja Bushcamp
Set in a shady ebony grove on the banks of the Luangwa, Mchenja is a smart tented bushcamp. It combines well with Kakuli and Nsolo – its sister camps with a focus on walking safaris.
Kakuli Bushcamp
Beside the Luangwa River, Kakuli is a comfortable tented bushcamp offering 4WD safaris and walking safaris – the best of which are camp-to-camp walks linking Kakuli with its nearby sister camps.
Nsolo Bushcamp
Nsolo is a small, comfortable bushcamp overlooking one or two pools in the usually dry Luwi riverbed. It concentrates on walking safaris in an interesting and diverse area, led by a knowledgeable guide.
Kafunta River Lodge
Kafunta is a laid-back, friendly and good-value lodge on the outskirts of South Luangwa National Park.
Luwi Bushcamp
In a remote part of the South Luangwa National Park, Luwi is a rustic bushcamp whose emphasis is on walking safaris with great guiding and a chance of seeing some rarely seen and elusive antelope.
Lion Camp
Lion Camp is an established and comfortable camp with a swimming pool, located near to the game-rich Lion Plain in the northern part of South Luangwa National Park.
Robin Pope mobile
RPS mobile safari camps are at the heart of their set-itinerary walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park, which start and finish at a permanent camp.
Puku Ridge
Puku Ridge is a luxurious designer camp set in a stunning location, high on a hill overlooking a floodplain within South Luangwa. Explore from here on 4WD safaris and walks.
Kapamba Bushcamp
In the remote far south of South Luangwa National Park, Kapamba is a small and very comfortable bushcamp offering good walks and game drives.
Mfuwe Lodge
In a game-rich area close to the South Luangwa’s main Mfuwe Gate, Mfuwe Lodge is relatively large by park standards, but it’s stylish, modern and family friendly.
Kuyenda Bushcamp
Kuyenda Bushcamp is a classic bushcamp with particularly delightful hosts and offers top-class walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park.
Luangwa Safari House
Luangwa Safari House is a vast and very smart four-bedroom house specifically designed for families and small groups, and offering an exclusive and flexible safari experience.
Three Rivers Camp
In the remote far south of South Luangwa National Park, Three Rivers Lodge sits at the confluence of three of the valleys rivers.
Island Bush Camp
Island Bushcamp is a good-value, rustic, walking-only camp, in arguably one of the most remote parts of the South Luangwa, well away from all other camps.
Chinzombo
Opened in early June 2013, Chinzombo offers luxurious and stylish accommodation with very high levels of service and excellent guiding.
Bilimungwe Bushcamp
A smart bushcamp with four very spacious chalets, Bilimungwe offers interesting walking safaris in pretty riverine woodland, as well as day and night safari drives.
Chindeni
Chindeni Bushcamp is a very modern and minimalist camp, which is a far cry from your traditional bushcamp and unlike most of the other camps in South Luangwa.
Robin's House
With your own expert guide, private vehicle, chef and valet, the two-bedroom Robin's House offers an exclusive, flexible safari experience – and is open year round.
Kawaza Village
Kawaza Village – beside the South Luangwa National Park, offers guests the rare opportunity to appreciate local village life. Visit for a few hours or stay overnight.
Chamilandu Bushcamp
A comfortable little bushcamp, Chamilandu has a picturesque setting by the Luangwa River, in an area with a range of habitats to explore on foot and by 4WD.
Mwamba Camp-out
The Mwamba-Camp Out allows you to have an incredibly adventurous night in the bush, sleeping under mosquito nets with activities led by some of the best guides in Zambia.
Zungulila
Zungulila is a small, comfortable tented bushcamp with an emphasis on walking safaris, in the remote southern section of the South Luangwa.
Shawa Luangwa
Opened in June 2021, Shawa Luangwa Camp is a small, intimate and rustic camp, with a good location in a remote section of the South Luangwa National Park.
Chichele Lodge
Currently undergoing renovations, Chichele Presidential Lodge stands high within the park, with superb views, and is due to reopen in late 2022.
Luwi Riverbed Sleepout
For an adventurous night in South Luangwa National Park, come and sleep out in the bush, around a campfire, with an experienced guide and game scout.
Mapazi Camp
Mapazi Camp is a basic safari camp in the far north of the South Luangwa, with walking safaris led by renowned guide Deb Tittle.
Chikunto
Chikunto Safari Lodge is a more traditional property in the South Luangwa National Park, sitting on a peninsula of land created by the meandering Luangwa River.
