Lion Camp South Luangwa
 

Has anyone ever stayed here or have any experience of this camp?

I know the location of the camp and it's a great area but I'm not sure what the guiding or camp management is like.

I've read old posts on this forum that seem to be negative re the design of the lodge but I'm wondering whether the location, rates and good guiding could be mitigating factors and allow me to return to Zambia!

Hi Lynneb - We stayed at Kaingo and Mwamba (Shenton's Safaris)at South Luangwa NP in August this year - saw the Lion Camp vehicles but cannot comment on Lion Camp per se - hope you don't mind me commenting anyway!).

Can highly reccommend Shenton's http://www.kaingo.com/ lodging, staff, guiding, location - all excellent. Wildlife and locations were truly spectacular.

Hi Thembi
Thanks. I've stayed at Kaingo too which is why I know where the camp is located.

I'm trying to find something a little cheaper and I can't figure out why Lion Camp is never mentioned and wouldn't want to stay there without some sort of recommendation.

Lynneb,

Have a look at this....

http://www.patrickbentley.com/news6270.html

and check out Patrick's blog too.

I cannot speak personally of Lion Camp but like you I know the area well.

Geoff.

Lynneb, RE rates at Lion Camp, I don't know what they are but I was in the area last month, drove by the camp, and spent some time "in the neighborhood" (from my drive through the area it seemed, indeed, a very nice neighborhood for wildlife viewing -- still water and green areas at the tail end of October, lots of general game, and a pair of male Lions). From the comments our guide was making about the place, I had the distinct impression that it was very high priced.

I found one operator offering these rates:

25MAY2009/15JUL2009 : US$ 420
16JUL2009/14SEP2009 : US$ 490
15SEP2009/31OCT2009 : US$ 420

Good value for the area but it's difficult not knowing the quality of the guiding.

Agree that it seems good value for the area. I found an OLD pricing reference from 2002 at $386 pppn which, if you bring it forward to the 2009 price you mentioned, is about 5% year-on-year increase. Seems modest by most standards. Not sure why my guide had the impression of very high price, as what you mention is easily $200 less than Kaingo / Mwamba, I believe...

Hi Lynneb

I'm another one that has also stayed at Kaingo (8 nights) last year. They do have a nice location set on a lovely lagoon and the large Mwamba pride are never far away. Our only encounter with the guides and vehicles was one night we shared a Leopard stalking an Impala, and their guides were none too careful when it came to shining the spotlight carelessly on the Leopard!

Cheers
Marc

I hate (still) that you can't edit!!
I was obviously talking about Lion Camp and NOT Kaingo, sorry for the confusion.