Kaingo

Overlooking the Luangwa River deep within the prime area of the South Luangwa National Park, Kaingo’s relaxed, personal and friendly atmosphere offers its guests fantastic game-viewing opportunities within an area of incredible beauty and varied terrain.

Built and run by Derek Shenton, son of Barry Shenton – former ranger in Luangwa and warden of Kafue National Park – Kaingo has many attributes from the Shenton family ranging from the camps stylish design and practical layout to the local farm produce. The large centrally located open-sided sitting room includes a dining area, library and Kaingo’s renowned thousand year old lead-wood bar.

Game-viewing from one of the custom built, open 4WD vehicles is a real pleasure. Comfortable, high seats allow superb all-round vision and easy photography. The vehicles have been modified to assist photographers with camera rests, shelves and bean bags. The qualified and experienced guides will take you to game-rich areas deep within the Park which are not commonly visited by other vehicles. Game drives normally last approximately 3.5 hours and are offered morning and afternoon. The evening game drive departs after afternoon tea - usually your guide will stop for a sundowner around sunset time, and the drive will continue into the night to observe the nocturnal animals. A third activity is run at midday - usually a visit to a hide, a lagoon or ebony forest.

The unique photographic hides are a special feature. These hides are guaranteed to get you close enough to the wildlife to take a whole host of stunning photos.

Nestled discretely apart on the banks of the river, Kaingo’s chalets were designed with the sole purpose of transporting you safely into the world of the Luangwa without a single distraction.

There are 5 Standard Chalets and one Deluxe Chalet. Each Standard Chalet has a romantic outdoor bathtub tucked under the ebony trees as well as its own patio with a day bed and seating area plus a private deck overhanging the banks of the Luangwa River offering great views of the animals coming down to drink. The Deluxe Chalet is ideal for couples wanting extra luxury but can also sleep up to 6 people comfortably therefore is also ideal for families or groups.  The Deluxe Chalet includes the use of a private vehicle and private butler too if you would like to have your meals in the chalet.

Rates Include

All meals; drinks; a laundry service; all game viewing activities (3 x activities per day including walking safaris, game drives, night drives and trips to photographic hides); Park fees; and transfers to/from Mfuwe Airport are included.

Children Policy

Children aged 10 years and older are welcome. Rates available on request.

Bush Walks / Walking Safaris

Children under the age of 12 years are not permitted on walking safaris. The final decision on whether a guest can join a walking safari remains with the guide and camp manager.

Children receive a kaingo kid’s booklet upon arrival. This interactive booklet is designed to keep children engaged with the guides and to ask them questions about the African Bush. There are colouring segments and crosswords for them to enjoy during their downtime.

General Information For Guests

All rooms have a balcony/deck, a lounge area, a fan, a room safe, mosquito nets, and an en-suite bathroom.

The main area consists of an open-sided sitting room along with a dining area, library and Kaingo's renowned thousand-year old Leadwood bar. Dining is generally communal-so everyone sits together at one long table.

The photographic hides include a hippo hide, an elephant hide, a wild dog lagoon hide, a carmine bee-eater hide (seasonal), and a mobile hide.

For the more adventurous, the camp offers sleep outs at the elephant hide, as well as fly-camping under the stars with an expert guide. These must be pre-booked.

The drive from Mfuwe Airstrip to the camp is approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes, most of which is game-viewing through some very pretty areas of the Park.

Bush Walks / Walking Safaris

Children under the age of 12 years are not permitted on walking safaris. The final decision on whether a guest can join a walking safari remains with the guide and camp manager.

Popular Alternatives to Kaingo

These are the top properties booked by people who considered staying at Kaingo, but for one reason or another booked a different property. It may have been that Kaingo was not available on the nights they wanted to stay, or they decided that somewhere else was better suited to their budget or itinerary.

If you're not sure which place might be best for your own trip then either give us a call or get in touch via the website, and we'd be delighted to run through the options with you.