Kaingo or Mchenja
 

Which lodge would you choose? And why?

Kaingo - The hides make the choice easy.

I've stayed in the Kaingo area at Lion Camp, and the Mchenja vehicles all seemed to be doing their drives up that way so on that basis I'd go for Kaingo. Although I'd prefer the more rustic style of Mwamba (Kaingo's bushcamp)- you'd still get the benefit of the hides if that interests you.

Thanks - I am "into" photography - so Kaingo's hides look great. I check out Mwamba.

How long are you going for?

Personally, I would split my time between Tafika and Shenton Safaris. Through doing so, you would also get access to the Tafika Microlight.

In Zambia - Victoria Falls - not sure where to stay for two nights. 3 or 4 nights Chiawa and 3 or 4 nights probably Kainga. I hope to have the courage to do the microlight over the Falls.

If you're into photography, then definitely Kaingo. I was at Mwamba this past June, and their guides are definitely photographer-sensitive, much more so than the Norman Carr camps I stayed at. You're also more likely to run into like-minded safari guests at Kaingo (e.g. photographers).

Mwamba only has the 1-2 hides, and the one I tried wasn't that great in mid-June - in fact, it was dead quiet. They also do a trip out to a lagoon to hang out and see what shows up as a noon activity. However, just sitting out in the dining area you'll see plenty of resident wildlife - a troop of baboons, elephants, puku, zebra, etc. Mwamba is a great camp.

I did 4 nights at Old Mondoro on a stay 3, get 4 deal. I loved Old Mondoro - great bush camp, but depending on time of year, I might be tempted to drop one night from the Lower Zambezi and spend it on S. Luangwa instead. In late June, the game density wasn't great on the Lower Zambezi, but maybe that's just my bad luck. The animals did seem rather more skittish than S. Luangwa. We heard shots being fired in the hunting concession on the Zimbabwe side on a couple of mornings.

I stayed on the Zimbabwe side at Victoria Falls. The rates are rather cheap for accommodations near the falls (Ilala Lodge), and it's fairly quiet, but safe on that side.

We are looking at four nights Kaingo and three nights Chiawa. I hope we are lucky with lots of game in June.