Thanks to all of you for your help from previous posts. We have decided on Zambia for our first safari and I am narrowing down the camps and number of days in each.

I think we will go with Chiawa so we have a lower Zambezi camp as well as two S. Luangwa camps. I see only great comments on Luangwa River Lodge so that will probably be one of the SL camps and I am debating on the third-Puku Ridge, Tafika, or Kaingo.

I am sure everyone is going to have a different favorite but I am looking for the best wildlife, guiding and camp experience. I am also wondering how many days in each place, we have 8 days so 3,3,and 2 in some combination.

Thanks so much for all advice!

Debbie

Hi Debbie - this isn't going to help you much. All of the camps you have listed are A-1, fabulous camps with great locations and great guides. Maybe you should flip a coin!

I can personally vouch for Luangwa River Lodge, Chiawa and Tafika. I would (and WILL) return to any of these. I would love to visit Kaingo. Kaingo has great hides; Tafika has the microlight. Tough choices!

But are you looking at eight days total or at each park? Eight days total isn't a lot. Now this is just me but I would probably stick to one park if that is the case. Good luck - I'm sure more folks will post.

Hi Debbie. I am new to Zambia. You mentioned 'Chiawa' . Is this a travel agent/safari provider. Your trip sounds fantastic. Can you kindly let me how much this costs , say starting from Lusaka or Mfuwe . Many thanks.

Not sure when you are going, but we are headed to Chiawa 2 nights, Sausage Tree 2 nights (split up), Old Mondoro 2 nights, and LRL 6 nights leaving Sept. 21.

Rocco put it together for us. Really getting excited about it, and, if not too late for you, can give you full report when we get back.

I agree with cooncat, they are all great camps. I'd do LRL and Tafika or Kaingo. Though Puku Ridge is an excellent camp and I enjoyed staying there, the other two are in different parts of the park from LRL and Puku Ridge so you'd get more variety.

Steeliejim - you are in for a treat.

Ulinda - Chiawa is a camp. www.chiawa.com

With only 8 nights, I would suggest that you stick to two camps/lodges rather than forcing in a third property.

For Lower Zambezi, you cannot go wrong with Chiawa as your choice.

For South Luangwa, Luangwa River Lodge would be an excellent choice.

However, I do suggest you do Luangwa River Lodge first followed by Chiawa. I just think the Zambezi River is so wonderful that you will be best saving this for last.

Both Luangwa River Lodge and Chiawa are owner operated luxury properties that have received nothing but the highest of praise from Fodorites who have visited.

However, if you are absolutely committed to doing two South Luangwa camps, I would recommend the following:

Luangwa River Lodge (2)
Kaingo (3)
Chiawa (3)

Although Kaingo is not as luxurious as Puku Ridge, I do prefer their activities and the fact that it is an owner operated camp.

Just so that you are sure to get fair pricing, the nightly rates are as follows for high season 2007:

Luangwa River Lodge = $500 pp
Kaingo = $525 pp + $50 (one time) road transfer fee
Chiawa = $695 pp or $795 pp for their ultraluxurious Superior Safari Tent

You will love Zambia and if there is any way that you may spare a little more time, you would open yourself up to some very good long stay discounts. Example:

Luangwa River Lodge (6 nights) $2500 pp (1 night free)

Chiawa (6 nights) $3475 pp (1 night free)

Right now you are willing to pay for 8 nights but for only 2 more paid nights you could potentially spend 4 more nights and at the finest properties.

You will love Zambia.

Has anyone been to the above camps AND the Robin Pope camps and can compare them?
regards - tom

I'd agree with Cooncat and Roccco and say that if you only have 8 days then consider using them in just one area, or if you really want to see both Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa then perhaps just do 1 camp in each.

We've stayed at Chiawa (5 nights), Nkwali (4 nights), Tafika (5 nights) and Mwaleshi (4 nights) over 2 seperate visits and would say that Chiawa offers the most variety of activites - canoeing, boating, walking and drives and had the 'best' food and accomodation (I've put quotes around the 'best' because it is personal but the 3 and 4 course meals were exceptional). It's a tented camp but if you look at Chiawa's website you'll see that it brings a whole new meaning to camping ;-) Pure heaven.

For SL, a lot depends on what you want to do. Tafika was superb with the option of microlighting but I have no doubt that the other camps you mention would also be excellent. We saw Leopard and Lion while walking from Tafika (as well as on game drives) and it's very relaxing with open air bathrooms and real high quality guiding. If you really wanted to get away from it all and enjoy some real bush adventure then combining South and North Luangwa and staying at Mwaleshi for 3 or 4 nights would be exceptional but it is very rustic and very open to the elements and animals. We saw a pride of 12 lions a couple of hundred yards from us across open plain on one walk and it's a sight I won't forget easily. Also lots of buffalo. But it's not for everyone (one hot shower a day and a bowl for washing) - Old Mondoro in Lower Zambezi might be more appropriate for a first safari.

If there is one camp I wouldn't return to it would be Nkwali (Robin Pope) - we saw wild dog and had a great time on an all day 'picnic' but the atmosphere was very different to Tafika and Chiawa and the worse for it. Iron bars over the bedroom windows at night, lower quality guiding (the drivers tended to try and get too close to the animals) and much lower quality food (may be we were unlucky) - but it just didn't have the atmosphere of the other camps we've stayed at.

The other thing to consider is when are you planning on going?

Have Fun

Graham

As an addition - I'm putting our pictures up on our website but as a sample feel free to have a look at the ones I've done so far for Chiawa, Nkwali and Tafika. Many more to process (including Mwaleshi) ;-)

http://www.agnt.co.uk/gallery_29855.html

Graham - some nice shots! Thanks for finally posting.
Looking forward to Mwaleshi - but no pressure. ;-)
Sharon

Thanks to all. My original plan was to also do Victoria Falls for rest after our flights and finish with Cape Town after the Safari so that is why we had only 7-8 nights Safari. I am starting to question that as we may have too much travel time.

I have traveled quite a bit and I am not one to settle in to one location for very long so in terms of staying 4-5 nights in one camp, it seems too long for me. Maybe Safari is different but I would hate to be in one place wishing I was exploring more. It is possible to cut down our safari nights and only do two locations though if you think there is too much travel between camps.

It sounds like Tafika or Kaingo is a better choice than Puku Ridge if we opt to go with three.

Debbie

Debbie - I am like you - when I travel I want to see it all and I like to be on the go. But it is different with safaris. The activities are pretty much the same no matter where you go. You will be walking and doing game drives, and maybe canoeing if in Lower Zamb. I think 3 nights at a camp is a minimum, but there are others on this board who like to move around more. I just don't see the point, given the short number of days you'll be there!

Personally, I would omit Vic Falls (I did) and spend more time in the bush. But again it depends on what you really want to do and see. Guess I'm still not helping much - but moving around a lot on safari doesn't guarantee you'll see more.

Best~ Sharon

Hi Daviesg

Love your photos, especially "paws for thought".
What sort of camera gear are you using?
We're looking forward to our Zambia 12 night trip Sept '07.
Cheers
Marc

We loved Kaingo -- it is my husband's favorite camp. Go on their web site and check out the newsletters -- there has been so much going on there this year. The lion pride is huge -- 20 I think. Last year we watched the 7 week old cubs for hours -- I would expect more of the same as it has grown so much!
http://www.kaingo.com/newsletter.asp

Thanks Sharon, Maybe I could take out VF. I saw it as a good opportunity to rest after the long flight and start to get a taste of Africa but maybe it just complicates things.
I can understand that the activities are the same in each camp but don't you like a change of scenery, different roads,guiding, view from your room, dinner in a different place? I would love to see Kaingo to compare and that takes me back to either my 3,3,2 or 4 nights Chiawa, 3 LRL.

Thanks again

Debbie

Hi Debbie - Yes, I do like changes in scenery, guides, etc. What I was getting at is that you have so little time, it may not be worth it or as relaxing. In the final analysis you have to go with what you're most comfortable with and then NEXT TIME (there will be a next time!) you'll have a feel for how you want to do it. No matter what, you are going to have a great time in Zambia!

You are right, it may be that I will look back thinking I wish I had stayed longer or wishing I had moved on sooner. But I always believe in leaving wanting more as opposed to the alternative.

Well - whatever you decide, please let us know what you end up with! We like to live vicariously on this forum!