Reviews of Puku Ridge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
17 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Puku Ridge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa

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"Puku Ridge review"
We could have breakfast, lunch or dinner when it suited us best. Compared to the lodges with fixed times, this was a big plus." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia

Buffalo
10 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
10 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Leopard
3 sightings

Lion
5 sightings

Spotted Hyena
6 sightings

Wildebeest
Multiple sightings

Zebra
10 sightings
"Puku Ridge review"
We had a enthusiastic greeting by the management and staff who welcomed us with singing as we arrived. After a brief chat about the lodge layout and daily schedule from Grant, lodge manager, we were taken to our room by a lovely lady called Beauty who showed us around, including the star bed upstairs.
Our room was very comfortable, spacious and well appointed with fans and aircon, if needed. There was a seating area, mini-bar (replenished daily, if required), tea and coffee making facilities, en-suite bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers. The outside deck and plunge pool overlooked a wide open plain where we spotted animals, such as, elephants, buffalos, puku, baboons, giraffes, and on one occasion, lions roaming through. The lodge and our room was literally on a ridge so we were looking down on a vast open plain with great views. The gravel path from the main deck to our room had several steps, up and down hill. Just a warning, particularly for elderly travellers - we found it a bit tiring at times.
The main lodge and large deck area was beautiful with lots of seating, a library area, dining areas, open fire (boma type) area, all looking over a waterhole and the grassy plains beyond. A stunning location.
The management team, Grant and Annemie and staff were efficient, polite and also great fun. The food was delicious and there was a choice on both the lunch and dinner menus.
Our guide, Abel found a number of good sightings hence there was lots to see on game drives including elephants, giraffes, herds of buffalo, leopards, prides of lion, hyenas, puku, baboons, hippos, ground hornbills, African fish eagles and white-backed vultures. We stopped one day for a surprise bush lunch which was amazing. Unusually, we had a wonderful stir fry cooked in front of us by Grant, the lodge manager.
We would definitely recommend this lodge for its location, game drives, food and such friendly and efficient staff." See all these reviews: 19n in Zambia

Buffalo
3 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
4 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Leopard
2 sightings

Lion
6 sightings

Spotted Hyena
4 sightings

Wild dog
3 sightings

Zebra
3 sightings
"Puku Ridge review June 2022"
The food was excellent. One day on a morning drive we turned a corner on the track and found a dining table had been set up in the bush by Grant and his team and were welcomed to a stir fry cooked on gas. That was a nice touch. Andrew my guide was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable and a keen photographer so would give me tips. We managed a full day game drive to the north where we managed to watch two separate lion prides.
We managed to watch Wild dogs hunting again and they caught an Puku. It could not be viewed as in thicket.
Special thanks to Grant, Amilee, Andrew, Mabel trainee guide, Moses and Masaki." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia

Buffalo
3 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
8 sightings

Hippo
7 sightings

Leopard
3 sightings

Lion
2 sightings

Spotted Hyena
4 sightings

Wild dog
3 sightings

Wildebeest
2 sightings

Zebra
3 sightings
"Puku Ridge review"
Everything is highest quality from rooms (stunning - some of the best I have seen) to the vehicles (bucket seats, usb and power points, large storage boxes for cameras etc) right down to the water bottles (double walled and insulated). Very minor points but indicative of their total attention to detail.
Food is next level." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia

Buffalo
Multiple sightings

Elephant
Multiple sightings

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Hippo
Multiple sightings

Leopard
Multiple sightings

Lion
Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings

Wild dog
Multiple sightings

Wildebeest
Multiple sightings

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Puku Ridge review"
Starbed is pretty fun. Plunge pool was amazing and I think they have a circulation system because the water is constantly maintained at a cool temperature.
The wide plains/waterhole in front of the camp is not as game-rich as I expected. It is quite a distance for the animals to walk to it from the tree-line. There is a hide looking out to the waterhole too where you are more on the eye level with the animal.
They also organized a cook out for 4 of us in the bush one day which was a pleasant surprise. It is Asian stir fry and tastes amazing. One of the camp managers (Grant), who used to be a chef at Sanctuary Chief's Camp, made the lunch for us." See all these reviews: 16n in Zambia

Buffalo
Multiple sightings

Elephant
Multiple sightings

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Hippo
Multiple sightings

Leopard
Multiple sightings

Lion
Multiple sightings

Wild dog
Multiple sightings

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Puku Ridge review"
The additions to the camp are amazing:
A secret hide to watch over the waterhole in front of the lodge is exciting for observing elephants, giraffes, warthogs, buffalos, pukus, impalas, zebras, kudos, baboons, birds including owls who regularly flock by.
A small pool is added on the veranda of each room. This came in very handy as the October heat exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in the Luangwa. Rooms are also equipped with A/C which makes the heat much more bearable. Of coz you can chose to switch it off and enjoy the breeze but that probably works in other months better.
The bungalows are now two-story. The upper floor not only gives you an elevated, even more amazing view of the plains, but it also features a bed so you can sleep under stars. Of coz it comes with a mosquito net so you don't need to worry about insects at night.
The most outstanding additions are the bush surprises...thanks Puku Team for these experiences. Very cool!!!
Meals are very tasty and of high variety. It was often difficult to chose from the options. They were all great.
Management and all staff are impeccable. There is really nothing that I feel could have been done better.
I highly recommend this camp. And spend a morning or evening in camp, and just enjoy the action that takes place around the veranda of your bungalow. It's Bush TV all the time.
Also, if your time permits, do a bush walk, the team is very experienced and does not take any risks. When we saw elephants, we detoured to give them ample space, same with hippos. Seeing hundreds of hippos from the riverbanks of the Luangwa River on foot is just cool.
Would always come back if opportunity arises." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia

Buffalo
10 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
10 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Leopard
2 sightings

Lion
2 sightings

Spotted Hyena
2 sightings

Wild dog
2 sightings

Zebra
10 sightings
"Puku Ridge review"
Puku Ridge is stunning. The tents, sitting on a hillside with a panoramic view of the plain, are new, spacious and attractive. A waterhole in front of the Lodge attracts many animals and birds in addition to those that feed and travel by on the plain.
Each tent has all of the amenities of a modern hotel room plus the sky bed for stargazing.
Grant, Annemie and the Puku Staff are awesome – talented, sincere people who by word and deed demonstrate that they truly care about their guests, employees and nature. The camaraderie and positive attitudes displayed by the group is inspiring.
Grant has 25 years of international experience as an executive chef. He has trained his kitchen staff and his influence is evident in the quality of food served at Puku – the best that we had anywhere during our entire trip.
Our guide Pius and spotter John (guide in training) were top notch. Pius has years of experience – some at Nsefu – and combines that with his knowledge and gift of storytelling to provide both an entertaining and educational presentation. He has an uncanny sense of his client’s interests as well as an ability to recognize great photo opportunities and put a photographer in the right place with the right lighting to get great photos.
By the time we reached camp on the first day, we had seen elephants, giraffe, impala, buffalo, fish eagle, monitor lizard, baboons and ground hornbill. While there we saw one Cookson’s wildebeest and several Crawshay’s zebra and Thorncroft giraffes. More species were observed here then at either Nsefu or Sausage Tree. A comprehensive mammal and bird list was available in our room." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia

Buffalo
Multiple sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
10 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Leopard
Multiple sightings

Lion
9 sightings

Spotted Hyena
10 sightings

Wild dog
4 sightings

Wildebeest
1 sighting

Zebra
10 sightings
"Luxurious Puku Ridge"
Some of our most exciting sightings were right in camp. We were just heading of for siesta when we heard, Lions in camp!, jumped into the vehicle and off to meet 2 male lions just behind the rooms. The last night there we excitedly followed a large pack of wild dogs through the property. Finishing the evening with a last gennet sighting, like the whipped cream on the sundae.
Speaking of whipped cream, a special mention for the food here. Wow. we enjoyed both the irresistible veggie and non veggie option at each meal. Except the last candle lit supper on our deck where we both had to have the beef fillet. As in all the camps the Zambia beef is outstanding.The food here was fresh, creative,gourmet, but not in a heavy way. (Not that we did not return home a little heavier ourselves)" See all these reviews: 16n in Zambia

Buffalo
4 sightings

Eland
1 sighting

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
10 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Lion
4 sightings

Spotted Hyena
3 sightings

Wild dog
1 sighting

Zebra
10 sightings
"Puku Ridge review"
"Wonderful, intimate place"
The view over the flood plain was a highlight, with so many animals to see just from our dining table or private deck off our room/tent! The food was delicious and so special mention of the chef, William, who always checked in after every meal to see if it had been to our liking and who went out of his way to share a copy of a soup recipe I particularly liked.
We were given two special experiences while here - first, one evening our guide brought us to the top of a ridge where other staff had set up chairs and a bar and were waiting to serve us champagne as the sun went down (we had sundowners with the guide on other evenings but this one was "white tablecloth" level).
Second, on our final night, our guide brought us to a site where other staff had set up a BBQ and fire pit and lanterns. Here we shared a meal of Zambian food with the other guests staying at the camp. The surprise element of both these experiences and the care that went into executing them made them very special. This care and attention to detail characterized everything at Puku Ridge." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
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