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At Wildlife Camp we offer a much-needed niche for the traveler, providing affordable rustic en-suite chalets, a secluded en-suite tented camp, a bushcamp (Jun-Oct) for overnight walking safaris and a beautiful campsite, all situated on the banks of the stunning Luangwa River.
The camp is located directly on the Luangwa River and some campsites have a direct view of the river where there is an insane sunset every day. The campsites have two Ablution blocks with 3 toilets and showers each for women and men. However, this campsite also accommodates large groups and then the supply is very scarce. Otherwise there is a swimming pool, a bar for the campsite, which is rarely occupied, and a restaurant that belongs to the camp and where you can order food as a camper (but probably not allowed to eat - seems to be only for the lodge visitors). The gate of South Luangwa Park is about 9km / 20min. Wildlife, however, already begins in the camp, where elephants pass by almost daily or lions are spotted nearby. Hippos and monkeys are also part of it, but the latter are already a plague (as almost everywhere in Zambia) and show little shyness towards humans. If you're not careful, something gets stibitten - especially when cooking. Tent and car should always be closed. But that's not the worst: Campsites 8 and 10 are not recommended at all, because on these campsites are the "sleeping trees" of the monkeys and in the morning the trees take care of the morning "monkey toilet". It rains every morning body excretions of any kind!
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Date of stay: July 2024
Value
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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.
This is still a favourite of ours, and we will certainly be back next year. If you book their all inclusive package, which will includes accommodation, three meals a day, two game drives a day, and airport pick.up and drop off, then it is great value for money. We stayed in a chalet this time, but their static tents are even better value for money. Great location, right on the Luangwa River, and just minutes from the park entrance. Food is good, and plentiful. The swimming pool is an added bonus. Our guide Lemis was superb.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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.
Amazing 4 night stay at Wildlife camp. The staff were very friendly and all our meals were delicious. Our guide Salim was incredible. We had unforgettable animal spottings every single safari ride and insane leopard spottings. We felt very lucky but most of it was down to his skill as a safari guide. The camp has a breathtaking setting where you are watch baboons, warthogs and impala with your evening drink. We even had elephants walk through the camp which was unbelievable to film them next to our lodges. We always felt safe and would highly recommend as a place to stay.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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.
As many people already wrote; the location is beautiful. And campfees are very reasonable. What needs to be improved? The quality of the water in the swimmingpool. And defenitely the food they serve in the restaurant. That really is below standards. Apart from that the campsite is popular and pretty crowded. You need some luck with the people around you. We had a group of Italians next to us and there went our luck.
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Date of stay: October 2022
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.
We stayed 4 days at Wildlife Camp and had a wonderful overall experience. The staff was super friendly and incredibly service-oriented. We had gourmet meals, different every night, and wonderful service. Two games drives a day yielded some lifetime sightings, thanks to Joel and George. I would highly recommend Wildlife Camp, especially if you enjoy animals coming though your lodge!
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Date of stay: July 2022
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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.
wildlife camp 22-24 may http://www.wildlifecamp-zambia.com/generalinformation.htm
patsy and herman are running a wonderful, friendly and relaxed camp here and we experienced a very warm welcome from the whole team. special thanks to new managers miriam and oscar for their unstinting hospitality..... way beyond the call of duty! all staff very friendly at all times. we felt very much at home. we had our very best and most exciting here game viewing experience here of the trip ...more later. recommend taking the excellent value complete package here. would have loved to stay longer which is hardly surprising with the standard of guiding we experienced here in addition to the great atmosphere. can´t wait to return to enjoy the walking camps etc.
gorgeous setting along the river (virtually next door to nkwali)
chalets attractive and simple, but more than adequate and very good value!! set in pleasant garden with river views. good standards of housekeeping. new ensuite tents in the seperate camping area a few hundred meters along the river looked lovely....maybe next time?
delicious and quite extensive menu in the restaurant and what a relief to be able to choose what + when we ate again! in particular great breakfasts! thanx.....
excellent pool with glorious sunset bar (nicest setting of the trip!!!)......quiet on our visit and no doubt loads of fun when the campers and overlanders roll in
very good briefing re safety issues and with the luxury of being able to stroll around this huge camp during daylight hours....heaven!
activites are a real priority here and were just superb. thank goodness meals etc planned around them rather than the reverse. nyambe our guide was equal to joseph at flatdogs (all south luangwa guides are trained to the same standards. one wonders whether the guides at more upmarket camps are not resting rather too much on their laurels???) we had some wonderful game viewing and particular care was taken to accommodate our special interests. real attention to detail and very interesting cultural background information in particular on the use of herbs and plants. vehicles were new and comfortable, standard of driving and safety excellent. great care taken to position vehicle for best photo light. the vehicles can accommodate quite large parties, but we had a private vehicle + guide (lucky us!!) for most of our visit.
don´t even know where to start with the highlights.......maybe best to just stick one....
.....on what turned out to be the best night drive of our lives we had been having our sundowner watching four lionesses in the failing light....they were at quite a distance and there were several other vehicles nearer to them. as darkness fell we saw them melt away into the long grass . ......the other vehicles drove on in convoy and started combing the trees for leopards......we could see the spot lights in a row along the track. guide nyambe grinned and asked if we wanted to watch the lions hunting. what else....sure! that smart guy took a long loop out and around the back of where the lions had headed. noone followed. to cut a long story short.....we arrived just in time to hear the frenzied warning calls of a herd of puku.....in our headlights we could see the four lionesses stalking, 2 left, 2 right...scissor action....headlights out, infrared on .......bated breath.....an explosion power, a blur of honeyed lightening as the snarling lionesses take down a puku a few meters in front of us. the puku screams its last and it´s a fast clean kill. we see light in the puku´s eyes fade as they began to feed - voraciously as always...... the show isn´t over..... out of the shadows we see a hyena begin to circle... yelping excitedly...she´s joined by a second and a third. they gain confidence as they´re joined by 4 more of their kind....they ´re ambitious enough now to try to steal the kill.....can´t begin the describe the noise of th screams, snarls, roars and howls as the eight hyenas and four lionesses war over the remains of the kill...shivers down the spine,every hair stands on end....both sides are wounded, the lionesses win the day....but still it isn´t over. from the lagoon we see a huge crocodile approach - surely not?? yupp.....we´d now got three predators on one kill! talk about an attenborough moment!! we´d been watching this for about twenty minutes by now when finally a second vehicle showed up.....we laughed to see that it was our friend joseph from flatdogs - obviously about great minds think alike......i suspect that if i live to be a hundred i´ll never experience anything quite so amazing ever again. incredibly on the way back to camp we spotted two young male lions stalking impala on the side of the track. we sat for a few minutes but we were running behind time and had to admit that it was more than time to leave to park and the animals for their few hours of peace. we did have lots more great sightings - necking giraffes, young ele bulls testing their strength and our nerves, a huge python crossing the track, some excellent sightings of shy bushbuck...so close that we were able to get a few photo´s....and as always those wonderful birds
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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.
I stayed at the for 2 night during an overland tour through East Africa. The scenery is just breath taking as described and even better. It is a very good place for campers sine that is the only way I can see the guests getting exactly what they pay for and enjoy the amazing view at the park.
The permanent tent I was appointed was just disgusting, the tent had holes allover so vermin and other crawlers had free access to my sleeping are. Which is unacceptable in my opinion, since a regular tent was a lot cleaner and safer than this place. When I witnessed a gecko taking a dump on my bed, I decided i just could not sleep in that room and one of the lovely girls in my tour group let me share tent with her.
When I politely raised this issue to the hotel manager the next morning, he just could not hide his 'couldn't care less' attitude. He said that Gecko's were let in the permanent tents deliberately because they eat the mosquito's.... But honestly who would care for any crawler going to the bathroom on his bed???? Which reminds me that there was a swarm of mosquito's in the room because of the numrous holes and not even a mosquito net present to protect you from it. It would take an army of gecko's to get through half of the mosquito's in that room.
I am sure the manager will reply to my comment in a conceited way like he usually does, but I couldn't be bothered. Don't care about his opinion at all, cause having the nerve to excuse bad management and carelessness to it all being Africa is just laughing at your guests. I wish he would be as strict about his customer service as he is about his Wifi access rules.
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Date of stay: October 2014Trip type: Traveled solo
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 Wildlifecamp, Manager at Wildlife Camp
Responded Apr 2, 2015
Dear Hayat_Aziz. I'd like to thank you for taking the time to review Wildlife Camp on Trip Advisor and for the positive comments about the scenery in the Luangwa Valley. I would like to point out that Wildlife Camp is set in one of wildest places left on this beautiful continent and that animals like geckos are part and parcel of being here. We feel that, even though we do conduct pest control to a certain extend, it would be an absolute shame to destroy the wildlife that we are here to protect and show to our guests, no matter how big or small the animals might be. And if not killing every gecko in camp means that Wildlife Camp is a run on a "This is Africa" basis then we are very proud to carry that tag with us. You'll be happy to hear that we have installed brand-new mosquito nets into our en-suite tents. I do feel that the last sentence of our review is what you are really complaining about and you said as much here in camp when we asked you to adhere to the rules set out for our wi-fi access. We open up our wi-fi network to our guests free of charge between 12:00 and 14:00 each afternoon. Partly because "This is Africa" and partly because we are in the middle of nowhere the connection tends to be slower than what you would be used to in Brussels. Also, with the amazing view that you rightly referred to in your review, we ask guests to use the wi-fi for the bare essentials and to rather enjoy the view than sitting on the network for hours upon end (even after being asked to get off the network). I hope my response here makes you feel better about your time here in Zambia. If you have any further questions or comment, please feel free to contact us at any time. Warm Regards Conrad
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Went there a week ago and left a day early to another place. We went there cause there website states that they have a lot of wildlife around the camp and you can do a good nature walk outside the park. What they don't tell you is that even though it says on there site that activities are from 6-10:30 it includes 15 minutes outside the park in every direction, 10 minutes waiting at the gate and about 3 hours more inside the park. When we politly discussed it with the manager without asking for anything but to help them please there well paying customer we were told that they know better then us. Since we are polite people we accepeted that and went to register for the next activity with the right expactations. When we asked when will we be back to get ready for making dinner the bigger boss started shouting at us that this is Africa and there are no set times and that he heard we are making trouble complaining. The hours were of course written in the site by them and not by us and shouting at my girlfriend if she even understands English (she does but was speachless) disrepecting both of us only to be replied by me that i don't understand why he needs to be rude to paying customers. Overall there are places closer to the park with similar offers and great safaris. So why go to a place that maybe understands safari as well as the others understand but doesn't understand that making a good business means satisfied customers?
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Date of stay: May 2013
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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 Wildlifecamp, Manager at Wildlife Camp
Responded May 29, 2013
Dear LeoraGilden. Thank you for your review on TripAdvisor – I appreciate that TripAdvisor has a response section because we feel that the information given in your review is subjective and in stark contracts to other guests that were here at the same time, and that some of it is outright false. I shall address the issues one by one. Firstly, as I explained to you while here in camp, the GMA-section of our game-drives are filled with animals and I have confirmation from guests and another independent guide that went out the same morning as you did, that you stopped for a whole herd of elephants as well as numerous antelopes between here and the park-gate – surely that already counts as game-drive time? In fact, our guests this morning saw a leopard just outside camp. Secondly, you did not wait 10 minutes at the gate – I confirmed that with both the Zambian Wildlife Authority and the guide. Thirdly, I overheard the whole conversation between yourselves and Herman Miles, who is Wildlife Camp’s director. At no point in time did any Wildlife Camp staff shout, or even raised their voices at you. You wanted to register for a walking safari, and Herman, having done walking safaris for the better part of two decades, explained that it is virtually impossible to time a walking safari to be exactly 4 hours - as that was what you asked the receptionist. I would like to point out that our previous reviewer, Ueli S, visited Wildlife Camp the same time as you did – in fact, he was on the same game-drive that you were on, and I would urge TripAdvisor readers to read that review. I would also like to point out that, after you came off the safari, some of our other customer cancelled their planned night safari, because they did not want to be in your company anymore, because you complained the whole time. Food for thought. Kind Regards Conrad
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We decided to visit South Luangwa for the third time, on our way to Uganda....simply because the game viewing is second to none. Our first choice accommodation was not available, so we settled for Wildlife Camp very late in the day. BUT we loved our two night stay there! The camp, and the chalets, are unfussy, but the views of the river are magnificent. In many of the most expensive camps, you return after a day in the 4x4, and are carefully cocooned from the world outside until your next game drive. At Wildlife Camp, you are IN AFRICA throughout your stay. If you want to be looked after but not spoiled, this is the camp for you.....if you want to see a wide range of cats, rather than a wide range of cocktails look no firther!
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Date of stay: October 2012
Value
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Just make sure you have a full river view.
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 Wildlifecamp, Manager at Wildlife Camp
Responded Feb 6, 2013
Dear Cricketmann. We'd like to thank you for your kind words here on TripAdvisor. Wildlife Camp has never tried to deliver a luxury experience. Rather, we want our guests to feel that they are in the bush and we are very happy that we could give you that experience. Please let us know when you are the Luangwa Valley again. You'll always be welcome here in camp! Kind Regards Conrad
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I was first recommended to stay here in the last Century but it did not happen so I made a decision to correct that this visit. I know the valley well but had not been for 10 years. Booking via eMail was straightforward and easy and payments made by Transfer. We were met at Mfuwe airport by Ivan who was doubling his job as Chef with transfer drives. The drive from the airport to camp was like a trip down memory lane after my absence and our eagerness increased as we drove the last 6km on the track towards the camp where we would spend the next 8 nights over the Christmas holidays. The welcome was very warm and friendly. It was like I had been before. the briefing was straightforward and we were shown t our chalets. These were set away from the main area in a quiet section of the grounds and linked by a footpath which must NOT be used after dark when a car will be sent. We had been allocated two cottages for our party, one a standard double and the other having two bedrooms which was ideal for the two single males. Our cottage was the usual layout with a small porch with chairs and table outside leading to the main room with double bed and storage racks and writing desk. the rear was a nice clean Bathroom with shower, vanitory unit and wash basin and flush WC. The hot water was the best of the three week tour. Valuables can be stored in an electronic Safe The view outside was over the floodplain of the Laungwa river where many animals could be seen. Do NOT feed the wildlife and don't keep fresh fruit in your chalet or tent.
Back at the main building was the restaurant and bar area for socialising and food. Meals were excellent. Elsewhere were a WiFi hotspot for those that need such things. David Livingstone managed without so why not us? At the adjacent camping ground was swimming pool. The daily routine was to rise at 05.00 and take a car to the restaurant where light breakfast of cereals and toast was served, prior to the start of the game drive into the National Park with the Gate some 10 km away. Return to camp was around 10.30 when a hot single course brunch, often pasta based, was served before siesta time or other small tasks. At around 15.30 tea and biscuits/cake were served prior to embarking again for the Park where a sundowner was served as authorised cars can remain until 20.00 and total dark so that we can observe nocturnal wildlife seldom seen as well as leopards for which South Luangwa is justly famous. We also saw 4 species of Owl. Then back to camp for a wash before being seated for an excellent 3 course dinner, if you could make room for them all. If there was a down side to the National Park it was the bad and rude behaviour of some driver/guides at wildlife sightings and this was particularly bad at night with leopards. On one occasion a leopard narrowly escaped being run over by an aggressive driver, from an upmarket lodge, whom should have known better. This saddened us and we soon left such sightings to seek our own in peace and quiet. We found it much more enjoyable to have a cat or dog to ourselves for a time than engage in a circus. We did not suffer and our count of leopard sightings for the 7 nights was well into double figures with four excellent encounters on Christmas Day alone. The pack of Wild dogs were frequently encountered in daylight hours which was a good plus. Lots of Elephant too as the herd sizes have recovered from the poaching of the earlier years. A good tip is to bring a Trail Camera for use in camp so you can continue seeking wildlife while while sleeping in bed. In this way I got film of a mother Porcupine and tiny 'cub' or is it piglet? All to soon our time was up and we had to leave but we will be back. Too invidious to name all the friendly staff so thank you Herman and all the team for a memorable visit.
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Date of stay: December 2019
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Room Tip:Â If seeking quiet take a chalet away from the campground and main building.
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.
Thank you for the questions Qazwdc123.
Emirates, Ethiopian, Kenya, and KLM are all good airlines that I have used myself. Upon landing in Lusaka, you will then take Proflight Zambia (the only option) from Lusaka to Mfuwe Airport. (They can also be booked online.)
Antimalarias and yellow fever certificate are not required. It is a personal preference as to whether or not to take the medicines. I live here without the antimalarias, there are others who do take them. (I prefer to take the risk of malaria over the risk of medicine side effects.)
Walking Safaris are available June - October. The cost is $55 per person per walk inside the Park and $45 pppw outside. (This does not include Park Fees.)
All the best,
Camiel
Hi there friendly Italians. We certanly do have space for camping at that time. Best is to have a look at our website wildlifezambia and send us an email.
Best
Dawie
Amsterdam, The Netherlands304 contributions102 helpful votes
"The swimming pool is at the campsite, a short walk from the area where the reception and the chalets are. There is also a small bar at the campsite area. "
There are more places to choose from in the South Luangwa National Park area.
LOCATION
ZambiaSouth Luangwa National Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
20
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