KAINGU SAFARI LODGE – KAFUE NATIONAL PARK

Set in an area of pristine wilderness in the Kafue Natinal Park, KaingU Safari Lodge offers a wonderful safari experience in the heart of the African bush. The owner run lodge has comfortable accommodation perfectly in balance with the surroundings.

The Lodge has just 6 comfortably furnished tents with ensuite facilities and outdoor showers all with views of the Kafue River. There is also a safari house for families with two bedooms each with its own bathroom.

There are lots of activities to choose from at KaingU – from game drives and canoeing to a sleepout in the Tonga Treebasket. Constructed of local Muchinga, the treebaskets are set in trees at stunning river locations. Alone on a secluded riverbank you will feel as cosy as a weaverbird in his nest!

LOCATION

KaingU is located in the Namwala Game Management Area (GMA) on a spectacular and remote stretch of the Kafue River, approximately 400 km north of Livingstone. The lodge is accessible both by air (Chunga Airstrip) and by road the whole season except for January and February when the camp is closed

LODGE

The six tents comprise custom designed meru style tents which have stone built bathrooms and an outdoor shower under the stars. The tents have a thatched roof to reduce the heat, a spacious deck with easy chairs and a small hammock and all enjoy great views of the Kafue River.

For families or two couples the house “Finfoot” is perfect. A large deck to socialise on with a BBQ and simple gas stove makes the house even more private. Each Bedroom has an ensuite bathroom.

All accommodation has gauze screen doors and windows and mosquito netting over the beds. The two bedside lights and bathroom light are solar powered as are the other lodge facilities. Plugs can be found in the central area of the lodge for the charging of electronic devices. Water is heated by individual wood boilers / solar geysers. A flask with filtered drinking water is provided and filtered water is always available. Bottled water is also available from the bar, but for ecological reasons we encourage the use of reusable bottles and filtration.

The focal point of the lodge is the thatched central area – or Boma – with a lounge, dining area and bar. Attached to it is a redwood deck built over the river and under the forest canopy. This area provides guests with a beautiful and serene setting for dining, sundowners or just relaxing with a book and has an all-day tea and coffee station. At night a fire is lit in the purpose-built pit on the deck. Solar-lit paths provide easy access between the chalets and the central area.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE

The Kafue National Park is just opposite the lodge and only a 10 minute boat trip away. The park offers superb game viewing from the lodge’s comfortable open game drive vehicles. The Kafue River, with all its myriad of channels, rapids and islands lends itself to a range of exciting river based activities which include boat cruises, fishing, birding, canoeing and river trails. From the top of one of the large granite boulders in the Namwala GMA you will get a fabulous 360° view of the park around you!

Situated on a plateau 1030 meters above sea level, KaingU enjoys a year round moderate climate (coldest in July, hottest in October).

Game Drives – most of the game drives are conducted in the National Park which is a ten minute boat ride from the lodge to the car park where the open vehicles are stationed. KaingU vehicles are comfortable, 9 seat open game viewers with a canopy roof. Lodge policy is for six passengers per vehicle so that everyone has a ‘window’ seat. Drives on the lodge side of the river in the Game Management Area are usually short evening drives, often after a walk.

Boat Cruises – one of KaingU’s biggest draws is the incredibly scenic river. Strewn with rocks and flowing into numerous channels it is without a doubt one of the prettiest stretch of the Kafue river. The KaingU boats are six seat aluminium boats with quiet 4 stroke motors and swivel seats which are great for birding, photography and fishing.

Canoeing at KaingU – the trips can be as long or as short as desired and can be as placid or as rapid as you like. Overnight island sleep-outs can be part of the experience. The lodge has four custom made inflatable canoes which are perfect for exploring still and rocky channels or shooting the rapids.

Walking safaris – are mostly conducted in the Game Management Area around the lodge and can be as demanding or relaxing as you like. Many of the walks take advantage of the various granite hills to take advantage of sweeping views and perhaps a sundowner at the end of the walk.

Visit the KaingU Community School and village (GMA) – KaingU village is the home of most of the lodge’s staff members. Expect real African villages which are still quite traditional. The Community School was built by the KaingU Trust to which every guest contributes by staying at the lodge $10 per person. The drive to Itumbi School takes about one and a half hours and the whole trip will be about four hours.

Young Adventurers (GMA) – children’s activities include tracking, spoor identification, bow and arrow making, archery, stargazing, fishing, entomology, bread making, rope making, seed jewellery making and bush skills

Sleep Out – add an overnight sleep out, on an island or on Mpamba Rock, to your stay at KaingU. Sit by the fire and listen to the nocturnal creatures with the stars so close you feel you can almost touch them. The facilities and menu are kept simple to reflect the experience but are comfortable and the food delicious. Wake up to a spectacular sunrise and the early morning chorus of birdsong.

Out of camp dining – while strictly maybe not always defined as an activity Kaingu offer dining in beautiful and remote locations. You can enjoy simple meals on an island sleep-out, an Island Breakfast or a 3 course Rapids Dinner on a sandy beach below the river rapids.

KAINGU LODGE IS CLOSED DURING JANUARY AND FEBRUARY EVERY YEAR

THE LODGE WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGED 7 YEARS AND OLDER