You recommended Zambia and we were not disappointed - indeed blown away
- Guest Post
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Here is feedback from David and his family from their trip to Zambia, South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi...
Hi Jamie
As per WattsApp, some thoughts on the trip just ended
First of all thanks to you for putting together such an excellent schedule.
You recommended Zambia and we were not disappointed - indeed blown away. The animals and scenery were amazing, the lodges different in their own ways but overall all high standard and the people were just the best - so friendly, attentive but also full of fun and also very highly qualified and informative.
We were discussing in the airport just now and we all agreed that the way the trip was constructed worked very well. Sunset House and that part of the South Luangwe Park were a great combination. That accommodation is off the charts in terms of privacy, luxury and also views and location. We met Anke, owner, who was impressive and she runs a really great team and operation there.
As was the first safari for the boys and for us for some time we were just excited to be there. When we look back if we had finished there after the Three Rivers and particularly Amanzi, we might have been a bit disappointed- for one reason only which is that a lot of the wildlife is concentrated (or perceived to be) around the main Gate area which was a 30 mins drive to (wasn't an issue at all but then Amanzi and Three Rivers spoil you as you are right there from minute one) - and the main thing we learned was that around Main Gate it was very busy with vehicles - felt like a charge around after the big sightings -and as an example we had an amazing viewing of a buffalo kill being eaten by a lion pride but 8-10 vehicles all crowding around. We actually found that going over on the Kafunte pontoon was much more relaxing, got you into the heart of the Park and that area still had great wildlife and was way more relaxed.
Our guide - Chilumba - was both excellent but being with us for the full 5 days Inc driving us to and back to Three Rivers was inspired. We formed a real bond with him - he was there as our knowledge built so it really was educational as well as made it really fun - we got on really well personally which was nice
Three Rivers was a nice change from Sunset House - as advertised the area around the camp is actually teaming with life and I would say was actually on our trip better that the park proper itself. The under the stars beds are amazing and everyone loved them. It felt really isolated (even though we knew that there is a village not too far away ) and the team were amazing. Really pulled together and under John who runs it they did a truly excellent job.
Even the connection back to the airport Inc a stop back at kafunte was a safari - wild dog etc - and on the service level they provided us a full cooked breakfast on arrival again, Anke was there and we then went off to the airport. Nice touch I thought
Amanzi - we were all blown away totally by Amanzi on every level. The landing at Jeti with elephant below, the fact that you are in the park from the minute you land, the welcome, the trip to the camp - and then the camp itself is stunning. The people were incredible, the food a real level up (although the chef at Sunset - Stanley - was fantastic and they had some nice touches Inc a surprise brunch at a place they have away from the lodge and in the bush)
The wildlife and different landscape from S Luangwe was noticeable and again really great. Access to the river on the boat as well as the safaris was a really nice option - clearly volume of water in the Zambezi allow that so won't criticise S Luangwe as that is so dry!
Our guide - head guy - Robert was absolutely the best I have ever encountered. A real character but his 30 plus years experience really shows and he was phenomenal at finding the animals, the moment and position. Always with tales, jokes but actually imparting masses of knowledge.
As I said - Amanzi last was the icing on the cake and the right way round in our view.
The wildlife experiences were at the end of the day what we came for and the abundance was superb. If you want big 4 - we saw lions or leopards or both every day bar one ... elephants every day and in masses of numbers and buffalo most days. But the variety of animal life, the bird life and the plant life was staggering. The walking tours were really loved by all of us. The landscape only added to the breathtaking nature of the experience.
Lots of superlatives but I wrote a diary every day and realised after day 3 that most of what I was writing sounded like "too good to be true" versions of reality but in actual fact it was all exactly as described and I think we may have been to some degree lucky with our experiences but it only carried on and if anything the bar kept going up and being beaten day after day
Happy punters
I had your name on file for 10 years and so glad I did. Thank you so very much from the 5 of us for such a great holiday.
We will be back and we will of course be making (more) recommendations as a result of actually experiencing the product!
David and family.
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