Guests of Kafunta Safaris

Kerry and John Holmes, Southwold, England - August 2009

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We were sad to leave after such a wonderful second stay at Kafunta. So many highlights, protracted views of Leopards, Wild Dogs, 25 lions and Honey Badger to mention a few.

What you all do at Kafunta River Lodge and the Bushcamp is very special and allowed us to have a real connection to and understanding of the land and animals. Unforgetable.

We hope to be back before too long, best wishes to all.

Christiane and Michael, Greifswald, Germany

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Our first visit in the Luangwa Valley, Zambia was in 2004. For 13 days we enjoyed the hospitality of Anke and Ron. For that reason we came back in 2005. Both times we experienced the South Luangwa National Park in the dry season.

That’s why we were curious to see the green season. It was really fascinating to see how the nature has nearly completely changed.

Antelopes, buffalos, zebras and a lot of colourful birds were shining in the rich green of the grass and the trees. The air was clear and so the sunsets were as spectacular as in the wintertime.

But we had sceptical thoughts whether we could see so much animals as well. These fears were groundless. Never before we had seen so many elephants inside and outside of the park frontiers!

We want to thank Meyam and Martin for the impressive rides.

Tracy, Bryan and all employers made our stay to an unforgettable time.

We will come back for sure.

Julie Croucher

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Having always had a fascination for dogs in general and spent years working in the zoology field I always followed the progress of conservation projects for wild dogs in Africa. During 6 years of working all over Africa these endangered carnivores just went out of their way to prove that they did not exist (or constantly hid behind the nearest bush when I came near!). Having worked in areas where there are good populations of dogs including South Luangwa, Zambia, Southern Tanzania and Botswana, I had by last year all but given up hope of ever seeing them. Finally, last June in the Selous Game Reserve, I got my first ever glimpse of a pack of 15 – strangely from the balcony of our room at a lodge on the edge of the reserve, we were resting after a 3 day journey to get there which had involved a broken down train! There they were in the middle of the afternoon walking on a dried up stream out of the forest below us…… I managed to get one photo from the distance and watched them as they quickly trotted out of sight. I still had yet to get up close to a wild dog.

At Kafunta in early June this year I was telling this story to Josephat, Kafunta’s very knowledgeable and long standing guide. He was driving me through the park on a game drive in the morning and we were almost back at the main Mfuwe road towards the bridge when we passed the entrance to the Lupunga spur. There was a large pile of dark shadows in the road in the distance which at first glance I thought were some buffalo. Josphat just grinned at me and said “There are your wild dogs!” I didn’t dare to believe him until we got right up on top of them and indeed, there they were – a beautiful lazy group of dogs who then moved across the road and sat dotted around in the shade of the trees and across the track while I happily took about a 100 photos! Eventually we had to move on, though I would have rather spent all day with them. Later that afternoon I set of again to find them and watched them waking from their long siesta and greeting each other before setting off on a hunt. A wonderful experience and I do now believe that they exist in Luangwa and hope to be back to see them again!

Mary Duncan, Cape Town, South Africa

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My trip to Kafunta was absolutely fabulous. The team at the lodge were welcoming, relaxed and professional, and I thought the camp had been beautifully designed. I must make special mention of Meyam, who made special effort to point out birds and tell us interesting things about the wildlife.

We had incredible sightings including a pack of 18 wild dogs, mating lions, all the babies and 100 bird species, including Pel's Fishing Owl. And after some very strong rains, the 'ferry' the guides rigged up across a swollen river near camp added to the adventure!

Many thanks, I can't recommend Kafunta enough, to any visitor to Luangwa, Zambia.

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Charles Kinsey, Bristol, UK

Many thanks to all at Kafunta for giving us such a wonderful time; the whole of our group was delighted with the visit. The game viewing was magnificent and, as a veteran of many safari holidays in South and East Africa, I can say that this was the best. Seeing the lion cubs playing around in the river on our last morning game drive was the icing on the cake.

From the Guestbook

This place is Africa's Eden. Beautiful setting, a great African wilderness. We thank the friendly staff and especially Charles our guide who made our safaris VERY special indeed!

Family Huijbregts & Sarah Dachos - Gabon, Malawi and The Netherlands

A great place to spend the New Year. We enjoyed the drives with your excellent guides and the flexibility to accomodate all the various needs of the children. We will most definitely return!

Pauline & Joost van Ettro - Lusaka, Zambia

My previous visit in 2001 was great, but this has been even better. Wonderful wildlife - 3 sightings of wild dogs, 2 of leopard and even an aardvark!!

Harriet Every - Devon, England

Thank you for a wonderful holiday which was also our first safari and trip to Africa – it completely lived up to expectations and more, great food, guides and staff and a great group to share our holiday with.

Matthew Williamson & Lindsay Pearson - Guisborough, England

We came as strangers but we are leaving feeling as though we are part of a family. The wildlife is great, the food fantastic and the staff wonderful. We loved every minute of it and can’t wait to come back.

Steve Eager and Sarah Kennedy - Hampshire, England

Enjoyable - brilliant - excellent game drives, saw lots of animals, lovely food friendly staff. Perfect.

Jane Starmore

Compliments to the chef! The only thing I didn’t get enough of was sleep. Great holiday thanks lads. Loved the pennant-winged nightjar flying around in the dinning area... And the fight between the two prides of lions illuminated by sheet lighting at night. Three cheers to Josephat! He drove into the thick of it.

Jules & Paul Hale - Liverpool, UK

Fantastic! Great food saw lots of animals and birds. Guides very informative. Staff very friendly and helpful arranged trips as per our request and tracked animals of interest. Walking tour - very educational. Chalet was lovely. Beautiful scenery, wish I could live here!

Diane Nicholls – Mebden Bridge, Yorks, UK

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