Zikomo Safari is built on the banks of the Luangwa River directly across from the world famous wildlife park; South Luangwa National Park. This peaceful bush lodge and campsite is the perfect setting for your African Photo Safari. Whether you choose a game drive, an exciting bush walk, a visit to the local village, a visit to the hot springs, or time out simply relaxing in a hammock, your visit will amaze you. Only a forty-five (45) minute drive from Mfuwe International Airport, in an area away from other safari lodges, Zikomo Safari is spread under a canopy of ancient shade trees on the banks of the Luangwa River. It is in the Nsefu sector. This sector is one of the least crowded and richest in wildlife areas in the world. Accommodations Our eight hand crafted chalets are well furnished with en-suite bathrooms and private decks from which to view the Luangwa River and wildlife. Each room has a fan, mosquito nets, a sitting area, large screened windows and has enough area around it to maintain privacy. Four of the chalets are raised a meter off the ground and four are ground level with open air bathrooms, so you can shower under the stars. The two family chalets are each different and unique. Chalet #1 or the Lion chalet (lion cubs were born behind this chalet in 2014) sleeps 4 easily. It is a ground level African style chalet with a large mahogany tree in the center of the bathroom giving beauty and shade to the chalet. It features two bedrooms, each with their own bathroom entrance and a porch outside from which you can view the hippos in the river. Chalet #2 is a raised chalet that can sleep 6. It has a king size bed, a recessed curtained off room with a double bed, a single bed, and a loft where 2 single beds can be placed. It has 2 bathrooms; one with a shower, sink and toilet, the other with a full bathtub (and shower) a toilet, and a sink. This chalet is closest to the river and the view is wonderful. Carmine Bee Eaters are prevalent here during September, October, and November so we call it the "Bee Eater". The remaining 3 raised chalets (#s 3, 4 and 5) all sleep 2 to 3 persons and have viewing decks, large bathrooms and large screened windows. The remaining 3 ground level chalets (#s 6, 7 and 8) sleep 2 persons, have open air bathrooms, porches that look over the floodplain and chalet #6 is outfitted for disabled persons with a double wide entrance door and bathroom door, plenty of room around the bed to maneuver a wheel chair and wheelchair friendly bathtub and toilet. . In order to ensure an intimate experience, our maximum capacity is 22 guests. Zikomo Safari is owned and operated by an American family who oversee proficient Zambian managers and staff. Top guides, guides with over fifteen (15) years experience in the Luangwa Valley, work here. Many activities begin and end at the comfortable main lodge, bar and dining room. We offer day and night game drives, walking safaris and a variety of tours. Tours to: • Chichele hot springs, • the local village, • the local animal rescue center, • shopping at Tribal Textiles, • the adjacent island • the main part of the park • the neighboring escarpment to look for sable. When you come to Zikomo Safari we want you to feel at home, because this is our home. Prepare to be amazed, as the Best of Africa awaits you at Zikomo Safari.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Mid-range
Quaint
Location
Plot # 24623 M Nsefu Sector, South Luangwa National Park 0110 Zambia
I came here not knowing what to expect, and Zikomo was AMAZING. The owners Victoria and David are great hosts and treat you like family. They have truly gone above and beyond to think of everything that would make your stay comfortable, safe, and memorable. And their GS puppy Apollo was adorable and fun to play with.
The staff is stellar. Elliott and his crew were so attentive and they have an amazing chef (think fresh organic vegetables straight from their own garden), warm freshly baked bread, and very delicious dishes. I ate mostly vegetarian because the veggies were that good. The soups were so out of this world (carrot, brocolli, etc.) I wanted to lick the bowl clean.
Nicole is a sweetheart and kept everything running smoothly. I appreciated her ability to keep everything coordinated so well and her warm smile.
Housekeeping does your laundry daily and makes the beds (I never saw them but want to thank them for their wonderful service). Whatever they washed the clothes in smelled so good, and they even folded your undies.
Security guards escort you back and forth from your chalet in the dark to make sure you are safe from the critters, and my guy made sure I didn't trip and fall down after a wonderful meal, dessert, and glass of Pinotage every night.
Finally the drivers. My main driver was Ernest and this man is magical. He has some kind of connection with the animals that is amazing to watch. We would roll right up next to them, they would look at us, and keep going about their business (eating, sleeping, walking along, playing). Plus he knows about every animal and bird out there. I learned more about them in one week than in all of my 50+ trips to the local zoo.
The one down side to my trip is that I only stayed for a week. If you want to unplug from the world, find your place in nature with the magnificent animals, and reset your body, mind, and soul, come and stay here. I will definitely be back!
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Date of stay: July 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:The weather can fluctuate from morning to night. Bring a warm jacket for the night rides and...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from David Wallace, Owner at Zikomo Safari Camp
Responded 06 Aug 2024
We thank you, that you noticed everything and appreciated even the staff you didn’t see, for doing their jobs well. We wanted this place to be the best of the camps that we went to as tourists. We try to help our guests feel unplugged from the stresses of life and at home. We are so glad you felt we succeeded. Thank you for coming and taking the time to write such a lovely review. We sincerely hope to see you again.
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We had booked to camp at Zikomo. They only offer 3 camping spots and we took up all 3. The camp is situated away from the lodge and is slightly elevated on the edge of the Luangwa river with breathtaking views. We could sit and watch the puku grazing on the plains and listen to the hippo grunting nearby as well as enjoy the magnificent sunsets. Each site had it's own reed open air ablution facility with a separate shower and toilet. It was very clean and beautifully set out with a donkey nearby which was lit in the morning and evening for hot showers. There was also a washing up facility but there is no power. We booked an afternoon/evening game drive into the park which was absolutely outstanding. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and went out of his way to make this one of the best game drives we have ever been on. We were extremely lucky to come across a pride of lion feasting on a recent buffalo kill. It was also nice to be able to access the national park directly from the lodge. I highly recommend this unique experience of camping wild with no fences. We will definitely go back and stay at the lodge. The facilities are subtly exquisite with a pool right in front of the view of the passing game.
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Date of stay: July 2023
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:A definite plus is being able to access the national park from the lodge. This saves time and money.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from David Wallace, Owner at Zikomo Safari Camp
Responded 19 Aug 2023
Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review for us! We are pleased that you enjoyed our camp and had a wonderful time and thank you for letting us know how much you liked the game drive. Being a remote bush camp, it is always nice to hear feedback from our guests that appreciate what the wild offers.
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My wife and I stayed for 8 delightful days during during October 2024, It was our third visit to Zikomo, and the managers, David and Victoria welcomed us like family. As it was in past visits, our chalet was spacious and comfortable, with continuous electricity, a rarity in Zambia, where load-sharing blackouts are common. The food was first-rate and made use of fresh vegetables grown on the premises,
Zikomo is located on the border of the Nsefu Sector, an extension of of South Luangwa National Park on the East bank of the river. This is an area with plentiful game but only a few lodges, so wildlife encounters were often private. The species distribution is also different in Nsefu, including Eiland, which are almost never seen West of the River. The lodge caters to photographers, and our guide for the week was Lamek, who is highly experienced and careful to position the vehicle for the optimum photographic light. Touring with him was an absolute pleasure.
Among the noteworthy encounters (see pictures ) we had was watching the Nsefu lion pride ( 14 members including cubs) feasting on two buffalo they had killed in the bottom of the steep-sided "Croc River" bed. The river had stopped flowing but preserved some pools that were essential water sources during the late dry season. As the lions munched away, an enormous buffalo herd approached, not knowing of their presence. When the buffalo discovered the lions they continued coming, but the lions did not give ground and a stand-off ensued. With the whole buffalo herd lined up on the lip of the gully, some of the cubs climbed up the walls of the gully and teased the buffalo by sticking their heads above the lip playing a strange version of "whack-a -mole". Eventually the buffalo moved 1/2 km downriver to a different water-hole. Other sightings were a Martial Eagle eating a crocodile, and numerous encounters with leopards.
Zikomo continues to provide excellent accommodations and superb game-viewing. It remains the best value-for-money lodge in South Luangwa National Park.
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Date of stay: October 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:The pool is great on a hot October day!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WOW! What a week. David and Victoria have built themselves an icredible camp on the banks of the Luangwa River in Zambia. It's the perfect blend of comfort and bush living. The food was excellent, with a lot of it coming from their own organic garden. The breads and pasteries were baked fresh onsite daily. The staff was very attentive, always making sure we had everything we needed. I especially enjoyed the local Mosi beer after a game drive. The fun began the moment we arrived as we were greeted by scores of baboons on the grass infront of our river view chalet. Also there to greet us were a number of pukus and in the distance were hippos and an elephant. This was all before we even unloaded our bags from the truck. That evening we went for a night game drive. We started out before sunset and immediately we saw giraffes, zebras, elephants, various kinds of antilopes and many,many other animals. After stopping for a "sundowner", ( a truly unique African experience, the sunsets are breathtaking) We headed out in our safari truck with our guide, Ernest, and his spotter. As the spotlight pierced into the darkness, we could see the eyes of the various animals looking back at us. That night, we encountered a couple of leopards, one of which had chased a baboon up a tree. We also saw hyenas, hippos, elephants, and other animals large and small. We even witnessed a standoff between a mongoose and a sptting cobra. My wifes favorite animal was the tiny elephant shrew. As our time passed at Zikomo, it seemed like enery drive was better than the last. There were always new things to see on every drive. The groups favorite was watching the local pride of lions with their newborn cubs... U could not believe how knowledgeable our guide Ernest was. There was no question he couldn't answer, (and we asked a lot of questions). We also enjoyed his stories of folk ledgends, ancecotal information of the animals and the area, and his great sense of humor. This camp is a little more isolated than a lot of other safari camps, so we rarely saw another truck during our drives. when we did, it turned out to be people filming for National Geographic or the BBC. A pleasant surprise was the amount and variety of birds in the area. I enjoyed the bird sightings just as much as the animals. For a truly authentic African Safari experience, Zikomo should be at the top of your list. We hope to return soon.
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Date of stay: June 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:i think the chalets near the river are best.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from David Wallace, Owner at Zikomo Safari Camp
Responded 09 Jul 2024
Zikomo, zikomo, zikomo (as you learned, zikomo means thank you) for writing such a lovely review! We totally understand that once you get home it is easy to get busy and like homework to have to sit down and write and review. We really appreciate it! We are so happy you had a great time and that you and your group felt the incredible gift that Africa gives. We feel Africa opens a persons eyes and heart to the wonder of nature and obviously you received it. It was a pleasure having you here and we hope to see you again one day! Victoria + David + the Zikomo team
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This was my second visit to Zikomo Safari Camp. It was again fantastic. Zikomo's location is perfect, right across the Luangwa River from a quiet and beautiful part of South Luangwa National Park, where wildlife abounds. The chalet was comfortable and spotless, with a terrace facing the river. Food was plentiful and tasty, accommodating my vegetarian diet with no problem. My guide Lameck, with his extensive knowledge and quiet sense of humour, made every trip into the park special. The hospitality of owners Victoria and David and their staff is true to the name Zikomo, which means thank you. Zikomo.
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from David Wallace, Owner at Zikomo Safari Camp
Responded 19 Nov 2022
Zikomo Jane! One of the reasons we wanted to have a camp (first of course to provide a safe zone for wildlife) was to meet interesting people from around the world and bring them to the amazing destination that is the Nsefu sector. One of the best wildlife areas in the world. Can’t wait to have you here for a third visit!
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We love this place and planning on coming back. We stayed at the campsite for 4 nights and we booked a ”all inclusive” day with 2 game drives and meals from morning to late evening. Victoria and Davide are wonderful hosts and we felt very welcomed. Ernest Njobvu our safari guide gave us a fantastic day with the most amazing experiences the we will remember for the rest of our lifes. Just an amazing place to visit. Rosita & Stefan from Sweden
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from David Wallace, Owner at Zikomo Safari Camp
Responded 06 Aug 2024
Hi Rosita and Stefan, It was a pleasure having you with us. The campground is great but having guests come for meals and game drives gives them much more of a feel for Zikomo. Looking forward to seeing you again. All the best Victoria, David and the Zikomo crew
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Amazing place in Zambias South Luangwa. I am highly recommending Zikomo Safari Camp to anyone travelling solo, as a group or family and want to experience the real African Bush .It's authentic, real and warmly welcoming their guests.
Safaris: Excellent sightings (Lion, Leopards, Wild Dogs, Buffalos, Elephants, Hyenas, Hippos, Thornicraft Giraffes,...). Guides with great passion, knowledge about wildlife, flora & fauna, patient and happy to answer any question.
The food: Breakfast served at a traditional Boma - fantastic, Lunch & Dinner at the Deck. Every meal more than enough and super delicious.
Rooms: Rooms are clean, some even have a outdoor shower. Laundry service was done in less than 24 hrs.
Pool always available & clean
I really enjoyed my stay and will definitely come back. Their latest addition, The Kauluzi house is phenomenal and a must book next time I am travelling with friends & family.
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Date of stay: September 2022
Value
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Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Friends , Families & Groups should definitely book The Kauluzi House
It's on olf the last real...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from David Wallace, Owner at Zikomo Safari Camp
Responded 09 Dec 2022
Thank you for taking the time and effort to review us! We try to give a warm hospitality to our guests in an African style setting with the emphasis on the wildlife amid a comfortable, clean and safe environment. We hope to see you again!
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I stayed at Zikomo for a total of 23 nights as this was a long stay. I was alone. I always felt safe while staying at Zikomo. Victoria and David Wallace are very welcoming and made sure I was very confortable in my chalet.
The Zambian employees made a real difference during my stay. They were courteous, always smiling and in good mood, trying to please and /or understand my requests.
The cleaniness of my chalet was extraordinary. Selina and David make sure everyday, they cleaned, made the bed and or change the sheets and sweep the whole place.
Being one with Nature, while sleeping is a real plus for Zikomo.
Hearing an elephant or a hippo outside your chalet, or hearing the sounds of the bush at night, was something I absolutely wanted to hear. I certainly got my wish.
The guides are very friendly on game drives and/or on a walking safari. They were patient, with many of my questions and always smiling, wanting to give you what you really want to see on each outing. I'm forever grateful to Josephine, Lameck, Julius and David.
I especially loved the food being from an organic garden as this resonates with my own values. Victor, the gardener, works really hard to deliver fresh vegetables and yes, lemons....
The reservation manager, Tyson, went out of his way from planning my trip, answering my many questions, to following up during my stay; he made sure my stay at Zikomo was memorable.
I'm grateful for my stay. Thank you !
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Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from David Wallace, Owner at Zikomo Safari Camp
Responded 28 Aug 2023
Hi Suzanne Thank you for taking the time to review us. We are glad you felt safe and enjoyed yourself! Best regards
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I am spoiled for choice when it comes to getting into the Luangwa Valley bush experience but always choose to go back to Zikomo in South Luangwa National Parks Nsefu Sector. This is a special camp that combines luxurious accomodation and dining with affordable first class camping facilities. It's a perfect location with panoramic views of the river and its wildlife that offers rich sightings from its viewing decks and an abundance of exotic visitors right in the camp! The staff led by manager Emmanuel are special, you are always made to feel welcome and they go out of their way to ensure your comfort and safety. I truly adore Zikomo and will keep on going back when ever I can.
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Date of stay: May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from David Wallace, Owner at Zikomo Safari Camp
Responded 03 Oct 2021
Hi Phillip! Thank you taking time out of your busy life to write a review. It is always a pleasure having you with us and the whole team sends a big thank you! I have to say we can’t wait to see you again. Victoria + David
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Fantastic experience in an excellent secluded location! The Zikomo Lodge not only impresses with its great location, but also with its very attractive chalets, the extremely good food and the inviting atmosphere that makes you feel at home. All the staff are very attentive and courteous. The game drives were spectacular, this part of the national park can really be described as an insider tip! We felt completely comfortable and welcome. This is exactly how we imagined our trip to Africa. We will definitely come back!!!
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
There are more places to choose from in the South Luangwa National Park area.
LOCATION
ZambiaSouth Luangwa National Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
8
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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