Shiwa Ngandu
Shiwa Ngandu
4
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
31 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
10
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Mohnomishe
Lusaka, Zambia334 contributions
Oct 2020
This is a very long distance from Lusaka so a visit requires careful planning. Most often it is combined with a stay at the nearby Kapishya hot springs. Knowing some of the history of the Shiwa estate will be helpful but not really necessary, since a very knowledgeable member of the Harvey family will be your guide through the sightseeing tour of the premises. We got to enjoy the expertise of mistress Jo, who very vividly related the life and the vision of family patriarch Sir Stewart Gore-Browne. All in all a most interesting visit to place that played a great role in the history of Zambia, both before and after independence. And they will happily receive your entrance fee for the never-ending renovations required at this 100 year old building.
Written January 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zambialover
Melbourne, Australia127 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
I heard of Shiwa Ngandu many many years ago and its builder Sir Stewart Gore-Browne. My wife has indulged me for decades in my desire to visit this estate and after many many visits to Zambia I finally got there. No photo or description can fully prepare you for what you find in the heart of rural Zambia. The dream of one man makes for quite a lot of thought when the location is considered and the climatic variations from the yearly wet season and the following hot and dry season. Why did he come here so many kilometres from what was then civilisation? There were no roads to transport the building materials so all was built onsite. Quite astonishing. As a collector of stamps I had always wanted to visit the Post Office where letters had been franked and sent on their way. It is still there and it is almost impossible to visualise it as a functioning post office now where it sits surrounded by enormous gum trees. Many others have described the house so I will spare you any detail but it is worth the visit. I had tears running down my face after we left as the emotional wave of awe overtook me.
Written June 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pat W
Johannesburg, South Africa125 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
This house was built by a British aristocrat over a period of spanning the early 1920's to mid 1930's. It has been in the same family for almost 100 years now. The current owners are very friendly and knowledgeable about the home. We stayed one night and had an excellent dinner and light lunch. Breakfast before departure was very tasty as well. Most of the food served is produced on the farm. The opportunities for birding enthusiasts is wonderful as both east and Southern African birds can be seen here. Around 400 species have been recorded on this working farm. We had the privilege of staying in the room occupied by the original owner in the latter years of his life. The Decor is suited of the history of the home. The owners give you very personal attention and if you are interested in history, Mrs Harvey has a wealth of knowledge about Stewart Gore-Brown. She also know the birds at the lake and in the indigenous forests on the farm. The constitution of Zambia was written here
Written November 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SabineSAM
Solwezi, Zambia52 contributions
Nov 2016 • Friends
I heard so many things about this place and thought I cannot leave Zambia without seeing Shiwa N'gandu. So I booked the self-catering farmhouse for me and my three long time friends who came all the way from Europe. This farmhouse is literally falling apart. The bathroom was constantly flooded, the kitchen equipment leaves much to desire... and then the price is 200 USD pp.!? When we complained about the state of the self-catering place we met a very annoyed, rude owner who was busy dealing with the Bank and "just don't wanna argue with you, forget about it and just leave."
Which we did. Instantly.
If you don't have the capacity to run a hospitality business and do some whatever other business with the bank then make your choice.
Which we did. Instantly.
If you don't have the capacity to run a hospitality business and do some whatever other business with the bank then make your choice.
Written January 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lizzy@Thesen
Knysna, South Africa61 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
Shiwa N'gandu is no longer the grand English-style country house it used to be in the era prior to 1980. Behind its facade, this country manor has slipped into disrepair and the interiors are old and crumbling and in dire need of repair and major renovation. The photos posted on their website do not reflect what is actually the "real" picture which is misleading and false advertising. We paid exorbitant rates to stay in what must have previously been an old converted barn or servants quarters attached to the left of the main house with dry-walling between the two rooms and dilapidated interiors and bathrooms and bedding which should have been binned a long time ago., No hot water on arrival, no toiletries in the bathrooms and broken towel rails and thread bare towels. Food was not 4 star and even the garden furniture was of a poor standard. Would have checked out immediately after seeing our rooms had we (2 couples) not paid the full amount upfront!! Disappointing and totally disgusted that they could charge the rate they did for what we considered to be 2 star accommodation !! History and old world charm from the book "Africa House" did not make up for your lack of attention to detail in all respects of hospitality !
Written January 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Twivwe S
3 contributions
Dec 2018 • Friends
My family and I decided to visit Shiwa for a day trip from Kasama which is a good 200 km away. We were a party of five local Zambians. We visited Kapisha hot springs lodge and then the outside of the Africa House. It seems for all intents and purposes the two are separate entities although they didn't tell us this when we called in. We called ahead and from the response we got from the phone we should have known that we were not really welcome there. The service was bad. Really bad. What was clearly communicated to us was that we did not belong there so why had we come. Without being overly dramatic we picked up a racist undertone. Information about the charges was not clear, the food was over priced and of low quality. The hot springs and landscaping is beautiful but not very well maintained. There is only one tour for the house from 08:30 - 09:30. We called ahead indicating that we would be coming from afar and we were a party of 5 people could they consider doing a tour for us. The response was rude and unhelpful. For a place that is such a rich source of history and tells an amazing story that is so intrinsic to the story of Zambia this was all extremely disappointing.
Written December 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rhys_Watkins
Entebbe, Uganda7 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
Shiwa's prestige does not disappoint. Entering the estate I had butterflies in my stomach as to what lay ahead and after winding through game filled woodland, past workers cottages, traction engines and avenues of enormous trees you are met by the first glimpse of this remarkable house.
After paying a small entry fee towards to upkeep of the estate we were given a tour of the house and grounds. Houses like these are common in the UK, but its location and vision in Zambia are ground braking (even with its 80 year history!) We were fortunate enough to meet the current owner and her pack of friendly ridgebacks and jack russels. Her insight into the history of the place was fascinating and although not part of the standard tour was a highlight for us! You must see it for yourself!
Don't miss out on taking a walk or drive up to the graves which overlook the lake at Shiwa...he categorically has one of the most beautiful views of any grave in the world. Moving, fascinating and alluring!
After paying a small entry fee towards to upkeep of the estate we were given a tour of the house and grounds. Houses like these are common in the UK, but its location and vision in Zambia are ground braking (even with its 80 year history!) We were fortunate enough to meet the current owner and her pack of friendly ridgebacks and jack russels. Her insight into the history of the place was fascinating and although not part of the standard tour was a highlight for us! You must see it for yourself!
Don't miss out on taking a walk or drive up to the graves which overlook the lake at Shiwa...he categorically has one of the most beautiful views of any grave in the world. Moving, fascinating and alluring!
Written November 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GnT
Malaysia563 contributions
Apr 2018
Having read the book Africa House we were super keen to visit. The first impression as one walks up to the house is breathtaking. Our guide was very difficult to understand although knowledgeable on the facts. It was a pity guests may not go into the tower and take in the views. The rooms one did visit were fascinating. Exiting, on closer scrutiny we noticed the gardens were quite neglected.
Written April 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julia Z
68 contributions
Sep 2016
Never seen a governor's house anywhere else in Africa. Private residence preserved as a museum. Needs some renovation/conservation to meet more guests. Wonderful park and museum.
Written July 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Penny P
Johannesburg13 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
A facinating story accompanies this grand old house, one that should be researched before visiting here. What an amazing story. This was the highlight of my trip to Zambia. Thank you Jo for your interesting tour. Highly recommended.
Written September 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello. Am wanting to visit the Africa House. You mention a tour. What tour was this?
Written February 11, 2019
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