Zikomo Safari Camp
- Located In:
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Member Of:
- ZTB, SLSA & NWCF
- Tour Types:
- Mid-range tours that, when possible, use accommodations owned and operated by them
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $360 to $490 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Dave Raulstone | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Five star game environment and country hospitality at competitive prices
Every cottage and camp site has a river view. The restaurant food is good and the lounge / pub / entertainment area is spacious and comfortable, always with a view of the river. We had elephant munching the tree next to us at night. Game drives both day and night are available. Zikomo Safari Camp is away from other lodges so the safari bush experience is enhanced.
FI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The friendliest camp in Africa!
Zikomo Safari is on a beautiful stretch of the South Luangwa river in the Nsefu sector of the park. The chalets, campsite, restaurant (serving delicious food) and pool all have fantastic views over the floodplain and it's wildlife. The Nsefu sector sees much less traffic than South Luangwa proper, and has just as much wildlife. Seems the camp has everything going for it but for us the winning attribute was the friendliness. As self driving campers we are usually sidelined, but Zikomo welcomed us like part of their family. Nothing was too much of a bother for them and they went above and beyond to ensure we had the best possible experience. I have visited 3 camps in the area - If I am in the area again there is absolutely no contest as to where I will choose to stay at - Zikomo!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Zikomo provides a prime S Luangwa wilderness experience in a comfortable camp at reasonable rates
Bordering on the S Luangwa NP on 2 sides and far from other resorts Zikomo is as wild as it can get without being in the park itself. This brings Luangwa within the budget of southern Africans. Coupled with Demian Wallace 's knowledge of the local area and the people he knows makes Zikomo a prime place to visit. The restaurant lounge and swimming pool overlook the river. Demian offers day, evening and night game drives. I strongly recommend Zikomo for a wilderness experience.
Email James Leung Photographer | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The National Geographic / BBC Wildlife experience with quality home comforts
Zikomo is family run (Hawaiian natives) with 25 staff. The site itself is their home and they treat all their staff and visitors like extended family.
We sit down together to with our guide for lunch, was introduced to the safari experience, and was asked what we wanted out from the trip.
They exceeded my expectations:
Communication: Quick replies Victora and Zick answered all my questions via phone, SMS, and email.
Food: Their cooks’ culinary skills are excellent. They can make a several types of cuisines using produce they grow in their land. Dishes have a very home cooked taste. They make their own bread and muffins, which are always fresh out of the oven.
They chlorinate and filtered the water.
What we sampled:
Fish cakes - handmade from fresh fish.
Green Thai Curry – prefect cooked rice with authentic curry.
Vegetable quiche – Filled with lots of veggies.
Lodging: comfortable beds, roomy chalets with double and single beds, they fumigate and clean out the bugs. There are electric outlets and usable Wifi.
Safari Guide: The main event, our guide, Masumba, is extremely knowledgeable with the area and the wildlife. He knows how to track animals. At the end of our 2 day safari we saw around 30 different species of animals, learned about their genetic origins, behaviors, tracking techniques, and funny local stories. Masumba can spot leopards hiding in the trees, and the tiniest shrewd. Ultimately we had a real life National Geographic / BBC Wildlife experience. The BBC did film in the locations we visited. In the middle of the safari there is a picnic.
Safety: In the dark they escort you to the chalet
Customer service: Very prompt.
Tips:
Bug spray – For the occasional bug that creep in.
Raised Chalets have indoor bathrooms. Ground Chalets have open bathrooms (no roof)
If you love dogs, bring a dog chew toy, their two dogs are very welcoming and playful. Wished I brought a tug-a-rope toy for them.
Directions from Mfuwe Airport
Driving down 6 km before Mfuwe Bridge is a Zikomo Safari Camp sign post reading 19.4 km to the camp/ turn right and go through 2 river sand beds with villages on sides/ drive towards Milyoti gate
Directions From Chipata
Take the signpost to South Luangwa National Park/coming from Malawi/ as you go under the arch at the end of Chipata town turn right (into M12). Follow the road (M12 becomes D104) for approximately 2-3 hours /114.6k/ to signpost pointing to your right stating 26 km to Zikomo Safari Camp. Drive over two bridges /4X4 car recommended/while passing through villages. Before you reach Milyoti gate, there is a sign post for 3.5km to Zikomo Safari Camp
Overall thoroughly enjoyable at a very realistic price!!
Communications excellent.
Service great.
Location superb. Not overcrowded with lodges and vehicles.
Game ranger excellent -- Ephriam.
Game drive vehicle a bit tired though!!
US
Email Jamie | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unbelievably Incredible
I am not quite sure what I expected, it was our first safari and we brought our children, age 9 and 11. I was worried about it and them. Looking back now it all seems silly, not only was there no reason to worry, it was one of the most amazing trips of our life. Obviously the animals are amazing and that's why people go, but the things you don't expect are what make Zikomo a trip of a lifetime. The Lodge with a pool table and a bar and a pool and loungers and hammocks and badminton is so much fun. Willie and Eliot and Sargent who not only make it fun but are so respectful and kind and helpful, going so far as to entertain and interact with the children, absolutely above and beyond. The chefs, Wilson, I think, that not only serve you a three or four course meal while dining at the lodge but if you go on an all-day safari you have the option of a full meal at a fully set table with every convenience of home and food that is incredible delicious. No convenience spared. Not travel food, that's for sure. To Aman that walked us to and from our Chalet to make sure the children were safe and nothing scared them, who was kind and even relocated a little critter to elsewhere so my little girl good get by, and explained every sound or grunt made by an animal that my children asked about on the way. Our Chalet that went way above what we expected, I thought we would kind of be roughing it, well large bathrooms with plenty of hot water on demand, enough for a family of four, plus some, comfy beds, beautifully furnished with one of a kind bedding locally made, which I thought was so wonderful that they supported the local villages and schools, was not roughing it, not even kind of. Our Safari guide not only impressed me, a knowledgeable animal lover but also my 11 year old son who was determined to stump Geoffrey our guide, as he knew the answers to every questions asked, the dozens of different birds, why the elephant was dancing at us, literally bending down, bowing, trumpeting and spinning, why the crocodiles don't bother the Hippos, and how thatch stops rain, you get the idea. To the grounds which were so perfectly located that each and every of 9 days there showed us an unbelievable sunset and an animal interaction to write a story about, whether baboons racing across our lanai, to Cheeky the elephant helping to reduce the tree droppings across the grass, or the lion roar that invoked shivers and trembles down my spine it sounded so close. The proximity to the park and the access to at least a hundred different animals is almost unbelievably perfect. I am in awe of what Zikomo and Zambia can offer someone who travels to see it. I can’t imagine staying anywhere else whether we brings the children or not next time as I can’t believe anything could be better and I am afraid anywhere else would just pale in comparison. Victory thank you for enriching our lives and our memories with something so unforgettable, we can’t wait to get back.
IL
Email Anatoly & Ludmila Berman | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing camp and wonderful safari
My wife and I stayed in Zikomo Safari camp for 3 nights. This was our last stop in our 21-day tour of Zambia. Both - camping and safaris that we were here may have been the best during our entire trip to Zambia. The main advantage of the camp is its excellent location in the Nsefu sector of the South Luangwa Park. You are in the park day and night, you feel, see and hear the wild life of amazing inhabitants of the park.
They not only around the campsite, but sometimes they visit the camp. Excellent security service in the camp provides constant accompaniment of guests of the camp..
I would especially like to thank the wonderful guide Moses. Thanks to his rich experience of many years as a guide, knowledge and an excellent driver, he perfectly conducts a safari. Every trip with him is an exciting safari, searching and finding for animals that are not easy to see. With him we saw many lions and wild dogs , several leopards .
Absolutely magnificent kitchen and the cook, with very tasty, delicacy food.
Behind all this there is a fine person Victory Wallace - one of the directors of the Zikomo Safari Camp.From the firsts your steps in camp she meets you, introduces the camp and park, and constantly during your stay is interested, how passes your rest, safari and simply, with your impressions from camp.
If we return to Zambia, we will definitely stay for a few days at this wonderful camp Zikomo
Email Charlie | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent time wished I could have stayed longer
Recently stayed at Zikomo for two nights, completed 4 game drives, had a great time expertly guided and hoping to come back for a longer stay soon. Viewing included leopards, lions, wild dog hunting, giraffes, elephants and so much more. In camp well cared and catered for, thank you.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Poor organisation cold food guide got lost guests had to walk back in the dark
Would avoid this camp all others visited were great.
Reply from Zikomo Safari Camp
Posted on Oct 13, 2013Dear Alan,
I noticed from your review that you stayed with us for 2 days in September 2012. I am surprised you waited over a year to write a review. We are not the same camp we were a year ago. We have new management, a new chef, new guides and have received nothing but excellent reviews.
1. Food: We have since employed an excellent chef and have received great reviews for his cooking.
2. Guide: Although the guide is no longer working with us, he has been a guide in South Luangwa for 15 years and has never been "lost".
3. We did have one guest who did not want to go down a ravine, as she felt it was too steep and insisted that she wanted to walk back to the camp. She was walked back by 2 security guides, with flash lights, as well as her partner. No one else has ever "walked" back to the camp and she was at the edge of the camp when she decided to walk.
We try and treat every guest that comes as a new friend and do everything we can to make their stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. I apologized that the food was not up to par, but we have fixed that issue.
If you get time, please read the reviews that we have received from this year and you will see that what I am telling you about the camp is true.
Regards,
Victoria Wallace
Owner/Manager
Zikomo Safari Camp
Email L. R. | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Set in one of earth’s few remaining wildernesses. Guide exceptional. Welcome fanastic.
Family holiday - 3 generations. Owners and camp staff couldn’t have looked after us better. Accommodation and food excellent.
Guide one of the best I have ever been with - superb birder, excellent on trees, knows the stars by name and uses spotlight for indicating. What he doesn’t now about mammals is probably “not worth knowing “.
Zikomo, set in the Nsefu area, is in a quiet area of S. Luangwa - there is but one other camp in the area. When you are watching lions, leopards, etc you will not be sharing the experience with lots of other people in their vehicles! The holiday couldn’t have been better..
Zikomo sponsors Chabwera school. A visit there was humbling.