Read 12 traveller reviews of Lunga River Lodge

The Lunga River is one of the main perennial rivers that feed the Kafue. In a secluded spot beside this river, Lunga River Lodge is set along the bank, under lush, green woodland. We first visited Lunga in about 1997 – when it was owned by the inimitable 'Ed Smythe'.

Now owned by Wilderness safaris, Lunga River Lodge still feels different to the tented safari camps found elsewhere in Kafue National Park. It reminds some of us of a 'smarter' version of some of the older camps in Zimbabwe and Zambia – it's built squarely and solidly, using chalets of brick and glass to keep the 'bush' at bay. Lunga is a very comfortable camp, but lacks the architectural flare of more modern camps, which are usually designed to incorporate the bush rather than exclude it.

Lunga is a smart little camp that has six stylish chalets, each with en-suite showers and toilets. Chalets #1 and #2 can be used as triple rooms whilst chalets #3 and #4 have twin beds. Chalets #5 and #6 are honeymoon suites, each with a bath set into a cantilevered private deck built over the river.

The interior of the chalets at Lunga River Lodge have been decorated in rich natural colours such as deep greens, sienna browns and dull golds. Combine this with four poster beds (hung with mosquito nets), dark wood furniture and heavy quilted materials and you'd be forgiven for imagining yourself as part of a royal safari party in a bygone era.

Much of the front of each chalet is made up of glass windows to make the most of river views. Each window is small but lets through a lovely cooling breeze during the day. Unfortunately, when these windows are closed at night the rooms, which can feel quite small, can quickly become hot and stuffy, especially during the hotter months of October and November. During our last visit we were told that they were planning to install fans over the beds, and mosquito netting over the windows (so that they could comfortably be left open during the night).

At one end of Lunga River Lodge, a thatched bar and lounge has a sun-deck built over the river. Comfortable loungers here are great to relax in overlooking the water whilst enjoying a good book or watching mischievous tree hyrax play in the branches nearby. Spotting scopes are available for searching out some of the bird-life that this area is famous for. Lunga River Lodge also has a thatched dining area, breakfast deck, small pool and a 'termite mound-top' viewing point.

Activities from the lodge include day and night game drives through the miombo woodlands, and dambos (open, grassy areas) along the Lunga River and around several natural springs found in this area. Highly recommended are Lunga's boat trips that explore this beautiful river system or the walking trails through the lovely riverine forest surrounding the lodge.

Boat excursions on the river regularly offer up sightings of hippo, crocodile, monitor lizards and various birds, in particular the sought-after Ross's turaco or African finfoot. Impala, puku and wildebeest are common whilst leopard and lion are present. On our last visit we found the elephants much more relaxed here than in other areas of the Kafue, where the memory of poaching has lingered longer. During our stay – which was only for a night – we also saw a stunning herd of sable antelope, and had a particularly good leopard sighting during a night drive.

In conclusion – at first sight, Lunga River Lodge may seem like the poor relation of beautifully-designed sister-camps like Shumba and Kapinga. It's built in an older style, in a less spectacular location. However ... on our last visit, we found the staff friendly, the welcome warm, and riverine location cool (even in October). Life at the camp was full of lovely surprises: a superb river trip; a glorious breakfast on the wooden deck; a great spotting-scope; and the intimacy of a very small group chatting around the bar.

So despite the lack of design – Lunga River Lodge remains a lovely little camp in our view; it's the perfect spot for a night or two at the start or end of a trip to the camps on the Busanga Plains.

Lodge overview

Lodge type: Safari

No. of bedrooms: 6 Chalets

Season: June to November

Ideal length of stay: We recommend a 2-night stay at Lunga River Lodge, usually at the start or end of the Kafue section of a trip. It's best combined with one of its sister-camps on the Busanga Plains: Busanga Bush Camp, Shumba Camp or Kapinga Camp.

Central facilities: Lunga River Lodge has a thatched bar and lounge with a sun-deck built over the river. At the centre of the camp, surrounded by a well-tended lawn, is a small pool. Sun loungers and umbrellas are scattered around this small garden area. The breakfast deck has tables shaded by umbrellas which can be used for reading and writing through out the day. At the back of the camp a 'termite mound-top' viewing point overlooks an open area often visited by various antelope. On our last visit, we were told that a small waterhole was planned for this area in the future.

Geographics

Location: Kafue National Park, Zambia

Directions: Approximately a 100-minute flight from Lusaka or 105 minutes from Livingstone. The airstrip is situated about 10 minutes' drive from Lunga River Lodge.

Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Key personnel

Owner: Wilderness Safaris

Staff: Managers: Rob & Inge Guides: Brian and Sam On our last visit to Lunga, Brian was our guide and we rated him highly. Although his english was heavily accented it is worth taking the time to listen as he has a vast knowledge of the bush and especially this area of which he has fourteen years guiding experience.

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Food quality: Whilst Lunga River Lodges food is not fancy or gourmet the meals produced here are tasty and varied. The day will often begin with a light breakfast buffet including cereals, toast, fruit salad and porridge with tea and coffee. A large brunch is usually served upon returning from your morning activity. A buffet of salads, quiches, pasta and freshly baked breads is usually laid out by the river or on the breakfast deck. There is also the option of eggs, sausages, tomatoes, beans and bacon made to order. If you arrive at camp after brunch on your first day you will usually be offered a light lunch instead. A 3-course dinner is eaten either in the dining room or in the camp's boma under the stars. Often beginning with soup or light starter and a freshly baked bread roll, it's followed by a main and desert. When we visited we began with a smoked salmon wrap on a bed of rocket and herbs, followed by roast chicken, aubergine bake, green beans, pumpkin and polenta. Desert was crème brûlée.

Dining style: Group Meals

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Room service: Coffee or tea with the morning wake up call.

Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included

Drinks included: Most drinks are included including local spirits and beers. Premium brands such as champagne and many whiskies are not included.

Special interests

Birdwatching: The river system around Lunga River Lodge has a particularly rich variety of bird life – including the usually-elusive Ross's and Schalow's turacos, which are seen here regularly. Zambia's only endemic, Chaplin's barbet, is occasionally spotted; summer visitors like broad-billed rollers are around, and the riverside vegetation often shelter finfoots. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for birdwatching in Zambia

Wildlife: A very remote spot with some first-rate wildlife nearby - See more of our suggestions of the best places for wildlife in Zambia

Children

Attitude towards children: Children over the age of 8 are welcome.

Age restrictions: Families with children between the ages of 8 and 12 are required to book private activities which are likely to carry an additional cost.

Notes: As the camp is unfenced and in a wildlife reserve, children will need to be supervised by their parents at all times.

Central communications

Power supply: Generator

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Medical care: All the guides are trained in first aid. Air transfer to Lusaka for more serious injuries.

Dangerous animals: High Risk

Fire safety: Each room has a fire extinguisher which is regularly serviced.

Extras

Disabled access: On Request

Laundry facilities: A laundry service is included at Lunga River Lodge. A coal iron is used for pressing, so it's not recommended for anything delicate.

Accepted payment: American Dollars, Pounds sterling, Euro, South African Rand and Zambian Kwatcha are all accepted forms of cash. Visa and Mastercard are also accepted.

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