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5.0
#8 of 24 lodges in South Luangwa National Park
Location
5.0
Cleanliness
5.0
Service
5.0
Value
4.8
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Enjoy a luxury safari experience in untouched wilderness set along the iconic Luangwa River. Chikunto Safari Lodge is located less than an hour's drive from the South Luangwa National Park's Mfuwe gate. Flanked by rolling plains, plateaus, river banks and miombo vegetation our lodge is located in an area of distinctive natural beauty.
This is a small lodge (only 5 rooms) on the Luangwa river that provides exceptional service. We knew that we would have a great time on safari, seeing the animals in their natural habitat. But, the staff at Chikunto made it more that we ever expected. Benjamin and Irene waited on us hand and foot, serving us the gourmet food and always ready to top up our drinks. And they always did it with a smile and good humor. We had two guides over our 7 days, Rogers and Robert. They were the best. And, they know everything about everything: the animals, the trees, the river, the birds, the plants, and even the bugs!! A typical day at Chikunto was to wake up at 5am, have a continental breakfast out on their deck with a fire to keep you warm. Then, you head out for a morning game drive of about 4 hours depending on what you see. You do stop for snacks and to stretch your legs. When you get back to the game lodge, you are greeted with a clean, cold towel to wipe your hands and face (nice). You tell them when you want your gourmet 3 course lunch and you can rest or go to the pool. Then, you head out again between 3:30-4pm for an evening game drive. You do stop and do sunset and cocktails somewhere in the park, always with a nice view. Then, you do a night drive back to the lodge. Another gourmet 3 course meal and you are off to bed. It really is magical and you don't want it to end. Thank you Chikunto!!
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Date of stay: September 2021
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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.
Response from Jens Kant, Inhaber at Chikunto Safari Lodge
Responded Nov 11, 2021
Dear Teresa, dear Nathaniel, thank you very much for visiting our little peace of heaven and thank you for sharing your experiences with us here on TripAdvisor with such a wonderful review. I am very proud of my team, my african family :-), how they master the challenges of daily life on the one hand and the commitment and enthusiasm with which they approach their lodge and our guests on the other. I couldn't wish for better. I wish you all the best, stay healthy and one thing is for sure, should you plan to travel to Africa again, you will not be able to avoid another stay with us. We all are looking forward to it. :-) Warmest greetings Jens
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My husband and I were amazed at the variety of wildlife and the sightings we had! Being situated right in the park is fantastic. Our guide had over 20 years experience of being in the bush and was fantastic at reading animals and tracks. All of the staff made us feel so welcome and looked after. The chef's meals are a pleasure to the eye and the taste buds! The lodge is beautiful, we were impressed that it runs purely on solar power and the impressive water filtering system means you can safely drink the tap water. All round it was a fabulous bush break and I would highly recommend it.
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Date of stay: September 2020
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.
Response from Jens Kant, Inhaber at Chikunto Safari Lodge
Responded Oct 10, 2020
Dear Tanya, many thanks for taking time to write such a lovely review. The whole Chikunto family was happy to have you in Camp and we all are looking forward to your next stay with us. Warmest regards from Josephat, Gregory and Ireen our kitchen queen and of course all the other staff member + myself! :-) Jens
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Carol and I stayed at Chikunto for 6 nights. Having been to the South Luangwa for many years and stayed at various lodges situated both in and outside of the park, Chikunto's location makes for quick access to either north or south areas of the park. The abundance and variety of wildlife that is presented to you immediately starting the game drive are awesome! A big shout out to the staff, incredibly friendly and welcoming. It took a few hours before we felt like part of the family! Meals created by Irene in the kitchen are inspiring - the chilled soups at lunch were probably my favorite given the temperature was 47 degrees C. The tented suites are extremely comfortable with plenty of room and height. Josephat, our jovial guide has over 20 years of experience and is incredibly knowledgeable, our game drives were epic and inspirational. I must not forget to mention Harry our spotter on the night drives - here is a young man with a sense of humor and quick wit that we will remember until our return. What makes for a sublime and intimate experience - Attention to detail and remarkable people, Chikunto has this in Spades! All run on solar power! Counting the days for our return. Daniel & Carol Banister.
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Date of stay: October 2020
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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.
Response from Jens Kant, Owner at Chikunto Safari Lodge
Responded Oct 21, 2020
Dear Carol and Daniel, It was an absolute pleasure for us to be able to accommodate you in our lodge. My team and I are very proud of our project in South Luangwa, especially when we see how our idea and the way we have implemented it meets or even exceeds the expectations of our guests in terms of comfort and service quality. Daniel, I am particularly happy that your expectations of wilderness and wildlife were obviously met and that you were able to take some wonderful photos. I remember our email exchange about this before your arrival. :-) Please share them with us if possible! I think it goes without saying that we would all be very happy to see you again soon. Kindest regards Jens and the team
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We recently stayed and can honestly say it was one of the best travel experiences of my life. Everything about the facility is well thought out: the water is fully potable (drinkable), there is hot water in the room, there is a pop out usb connector in the room, etc. The food made by chef Jeff was absolutely top notch and the drives feel very exclusive having seen at most 6 other jeeps on the road at any time. Robert our driver and guide was incredibly knowledgeable. Staff overall is very friendly and helpful.
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Date of stay: May 2023
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Definitely do the optional Mfuwe Town tour. It’s an eye opening experience.
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.
Response from Jens Kant, Inhaber at Chikunto Safari Lodge
Responded May 21, 2023
Hello, It was a real pleasure to meet you both while I also happened to be there for a few days. Thank you for your great feedback and the praise for our little paradise in the middle of nowhere! We all look forward to seeing you again soon. :-) Warm regards Jens
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Chikunto Safari Lodge is definitely a gem in South Luangwa Park. Wonderfully comfortable accommodations, Michelin-worthy meals, a welcoming friendly staff, and some of the best bush guides I've ever met. I have stayed at other safari lodges in Africa at nearly triple the cost and Chikunto easily met those standards. My room was extremely clean and comfortable, the showers were wonderful with ample pressure and really hot water, the hot water bottle for keeping the bed warm actually stayed warm all night, and same day laundry service. I had failed to bring the correct electrical adapter, which might have been a bit of a disaster, but the lodge loaned me two adapters for my room. WiFi is bush wifi, but certainly good enough to keep in touch and make internet calls. Meals were beautifully plated, well-proportioned and absolutely delicious. Irene and the entire Chikunto staff could not have done a better job to make me comfortable and feel absolutely welcome. It was a joy to interact with each of them.
But I was there for photography and Chikunto exceeded my needs and expectations. They kindly catered to the early morning/late night game drives, all the time being flexible with times during the day to allow us to take the opportunity of good wildlife sightings. The seats in the jeep were very comfortable: a bit important given how much time you spend in the jeep. They include a nice warm poncho for the cold mornings of the dry season. However, most importantly was the outstanding quality of the guides. I had Rodgers and he was amazing in both his passion for his job, his knowledge of animal behavior, and his understanding of the development of the Zambian landscape. He knew exactly how to find the wild dogs, lions and leopards. He spotted the tiniest of birds. He tirelessly repositioned the vehicle to get us into the best lighting positions. Talking with him provided another level of understanding from subjects on conservation efforts, the development of the S. Luangwa ecosystems, to what the animals are likely thinking. And this was all delivered with a touch of humor.
Chikunto provided an excellent safari experience. I definitely hope to return and experience another safari with them again.
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Date of stay: June 2024
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Trip type: Traveled solo
Room Tip:For the best sightings, definitely take advantage of arranging early morning game drives before...
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.
Response from Jens Kant, Owner at Chikunto Safari Lodge
Responded Jun 27, 2024
Dear Amy, Thank you so much for your stay with us and your wonderful and detailed feedback. I have read it at least 5 times and can only be happy again and again that we were able to offer you an unforgettable time in our little bush oasis. The entire Chikunto family is looking forward to your next visit in the hopefully not too distant future. :-) Warmest regards Jens
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We stayed 7 nights at Chikunto Lodge in Mid Sept. 2021. I cried when saying goodbye to all the wonderful staff! They took care of us in such a personalized manner…it was beyond amazing. Stay at Chikunto lodge and you will have lifetime great memories! All the Chalet rooms are very spacious and private. We had a beautiful spacious chalet with a deck and a nice bathroom area overlooking the Luanga river. You could hear the wildlife all day and night… in a good way :). I fell in love with the hippo calls. We went on 2 game drives per day (AM and PM) with our guide allowing us to see every animal on our wish list. Our guide was Rodgers and he was so knowledgable and new how to track the animals so we would be able to experience them in their element. It was magical sitting in the landrover and watching the lions and cubs interacting as well as a leopard eating his kill (Impala) up in a tree, elephants taking mud baths and the ever funny wart hogs )reminded me of Puumba in the Lion King. We had sunset stops on the PM game drive and Rodgers and Benjamin would always find a breathtaking view for us to get out, enjoy some wine/beer and snacks and get great sunset photos. It was so much fun every day and Rodgers helped make it fun with his great laugh and sense of humor. We had amazing connections with all the staff! The meals were 4 course meals served beautifully! It was a gourmet experience at every lunch and dinner and they really went beyond setting up our table in different spots each night where we could enjoy the outdoors and sounds of the animals as they crossed the river at night. This was the most memorable trip we’ve ever taken because of the genuine loving care and attention to detail at Chikunto Safari Lodge. Thank you Chikunto!!
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Date of stay: September 2021
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Room Tip:All the chalets are private and spacious.
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.
Response from Jens Kant, Inhaber at Chikunto Safari Lodge
Responded Oct 28, 2021
Wow everyone, thank you very much for this overwhelming feedback. I am very pleased that we were able to offer you unforgettable days with your stay with us! I have passed on your praise directly to our team and Rodgers, Benjamin, Mwansa and the entire team are looking forward to hopefully welcoming you again soon. :-) Thanks again, take care and stay healthy! Kindest regards Jens
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We, a family of three, stayed at Chikunto for 4 days. We were amazed by the natural beauty of South luangwa as well as the exquisite taste to decorate Chikunto. All areas in chikunto are kept tidy and in excellent conditions. The food was amazing, Irene did a fantastic job in supporting us in anything we needed. Josephat and Robert were amazing guides. We loved every single game drive. We tried as well the services of Fatuma that helped me out with a very bad back pain, highly recommended the hot stone massage. All staff were friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Highlights of our stay were definitely the 4 different leopards we saw. Beside leopards we saw multiple elephants, wild dogs, buffaloes, hyenas, thornicraft giraffes, hippos, velvet monkeys, baboons, bush backs, pukus, zebras, squirrels, honey badgers, and so many other animals and birds :) We are looking forward to go back right after the rainy season to see the difference. All in all we highly recommend Chikunto ❤️ A plus in these times of covid, all staff at Chikunto got their vaccine. The only problem we faced is how to manage to stay longer ;)
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Traveled with family
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.
Response from Jens Kant, Owner at Chikunto Safari Lodge
Responded Jun 21, 2021
Dear Patricia, thank you very much for your fantastic feedback after your visit to our lodge. The whole team was happy to be there for you and to make your stay as eventful and pleasant as possible. I am very happy when that succeeded! :-) A visit in the rainy season is definitely worth it. Completely different, adventurous to explore the Luangwa river by boat, clear, fresh air, fantastic sunsets - I personally love this time of the year and can only recommend it. We look forward to seeing you again as soon as possible. Best regards Jens
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Had the most amazing stay At Chikunto Safari Lodge. The location within South Luangwa National Park was incredible. We could see the river, hear hippos every day and had elephants close by as well as other animals right near the lodge entrance. Each cabin was very nice with top of the line water filtration and very comfortable beds.
The staff at Chikunto was outstanding. We had such a great time with Mwansa, Irene, John, Cephas, Benjamin, and all the security staff were so attentive and helpful and just a joy to spend time with. The massage therapists, Sarah and Eveling were wonderful as well. Additionally, chef Jeffery and the kitchen staff provided the most delicious food and snacks. Can’t say enough about this crew. Very special group!
And then, we had the best Safari guide in the park if not all of Zambia in Rogers! He was incredible in finding every animal from lions, leopards, elephants, giraffe, hippo, wildebeest, wild dogs, hyena, zebra, impala, puka, warthogs, the list is huge, along with the smaller mammals and birds. On the evening safari, we had Sam as our spotter and light keeper who was great and he with Rogers together were amazing. We spent 7 days at Chikunto and if this were all we had visited in Africa, we would have been more than fulfilled by our safari. We saw SO MUCH!
With an outstanding team, wonderful location, and Safari guides, Chikunto Safari Lodge is not to be missed!
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Date of stay: July 2022
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Room Tip:All cabins were wonderful! For a special treat, try the room with the under the stars open air loft.
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.
Response from Jens Kant, Owner at Chikunto Safari Lodge
Responded Jul 24, 2022
Dear 836gaylew, Thank you very much for visiting our lodge and for this wonderful review! What you have described is exactly what we want to offer our guests, many of whom may only visit Africa once or twice in their lifetime. With our team consisting exclusively of local residents, we try to make the stay for our guests and the experience of Africa as authentic as possible at a high level. Thank you again for sharing your experience with other travelers around the world. We hope you will have the opportunity to visit us again in the not too distant future. Warmest greetings from your Chikunto family! :-) Gareth, Jens and our african team
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Great staff, except for manager and owners. Great game drives.
Accommodation is poor, rooms are hot, impossible to be comfortable in the afternoon during rest period.
Food is average and sparse. Don't think to ask for seconds.
Wifi is all but non existent. Manager refused to allow me to talk with the owner about problems. I feel cheated here.
Totally overpriced. Been to three other properties around Africa on the same trip, each was better, none cost more than 15 percent of the price of Chikunto.
Would love to write more, but have no idea why my original more detailed review was deleted?
Find a better property, don't patronize this place.
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Date of stay: July 2022
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Rooms
Service
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.
Response from Jens Kant, Inhaber at Chikunto Safari Lodge
Responded Jul 26, 2022
Dear RTWtraveler213 Thank you for your positive feedback about the staff and the game drives at Chikunto. In terms of your original review, we drew a number of factual inaccuracies to the attention of the TripAdvisor team, and it was their decision to remove your review. It is not something that we have had cause to do in the past and we welcome all honest and balanced feedback, with the whole Chikunto Team being very much committed to a process of continuous improvement. Based on your comments, I am sorry that your expectations do not seem to have been met. We are a boutique Safari Lodge / Camp, in an ideal location for animal viewing, in the middle of the remote Zambian bush with a reputation for delivering a warm, personable service and consistently excellent food – as highlighted in most other reviews. Unlike many other properties in the area, we do provide access to WiFi, though it would be fair to describe it as ‘bush WiFi’ with occasional temporary connection issues rather than high-speed broadband. We do not pretend to be anything else, and we are not trying to emulate the ‘all you can eat buffet / limitless alcohol’ that can be found in some popular fully-inclusive holiday resorts elsewhere in the world. I am sorry that you did not find our tented Suites to your liking. You are correct that our remote location means there is no air-conditioning – there are large central fans in each tented Suite. Out of interest for July in the South Luangwa there is an average temperature low of 61°F and high of 81°F. I am sorry that you did not find this comfortable. Our highly experienced manager at the lodge was initially trying to look after you and to minimise the impact your behaviour was having on our other guests. When I did try and make contact with you by telephone you would not take my calls. At that stage one of the options we were preparing to discuss with you was removing you from the property as your behaviour was having a negative impact on some of our other guests. This did not come to pass as the situation seemed to improve when the WiFi came back on stream. Perhaps it is a shame that this discussion never took place. Your comment about being over-priced is quite amusing. You visited 3 other properties that included all game drives, park fees, all meals and drinks (including alcohol…) and airport transfers for less than 15% of what you paid for your stay at Chikunto. I will say no more. I am genuinely sorry that your stay did not match your expectations, though I take some comfort in the fact that the vast majority of our guests seem to have had a different experience to your own. Kind regards Jens
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We spent 1 week at this great lodge with 9 family members. We had a great time. We were amazed with the amount of animals we saw everyday. Our guide Manny was so knowledgeable and we could tell he loved being in the bush and teaching us all he knew. Chef Jeff and his staff were wonderful and did a great job accommodating our dietary needs. Can't wait for his cookbook to be published. Irene was so kind and did a wonderful job making our stay a comfortable one. The lodge did a great job with our large group. The extra lunches and sundowners they did for us were fantastic. Our "tents" were very comfortable and housekeeping did a great job with our laundry. All in all we were very pleased with our whole experience and would recommend this lodge to anyone. If you get the chance while you are there go visit the school that the lodge sponsors. Those kids will melt your ❤.
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Date of stay: September 2022
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Room Tip:Visit this lodge in the dry season. There were no bugs at all! Mid September was the perfect time.
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.
Response from Jens Kant, Inhaber at Chikunto Safari Lodge
Responded Nov 1, 2022
Dear Sue Ellen, Thank you very much for your visit and the time to write such a wonderful review. My team remembers your group very well and how much they enjoyed being there for you. Many regards to the whole group from your friends at Chikunto like Irene, Jeff, Mwansa, Ben and Manni and everyone else! Take care and all the best! Kindest regards from me as well! :-) Jens
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There are more places to choose from in the South Luangwa National Park area.
PRICE RANGE
$1,328 - $1,650 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
ZambiaSouth Luangwa National Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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