KaingU Safari Lodge

The tented safari chalets at KaingU Safari Lodge come as either a twin or a double room, perfect for couples or friends. The tents are built in a traditional Meru style and feature thatch roofs which add character to the look of the chalet and opens up the space adding depth to the inside of the tent. The tents are spacious and filled with bright, natural light from the wide gauze windows which line the side of the tents. Cosy beds sit in the middle of the room and are draped in mosquito netting so guests can sleep comfortably.

The colour palette is inspired by light earth tones and shifts the focus of the guests to what lies outside the tent, and the luscious green trees in which the chalet is nestled. Ensuite bathrooms include unique outdoor showers and each chalet comes with their own decking area, complete with deck chairs where guests can wind down and marvel at the beautiful view of the Kafue River flowing in front of them.

The family chalet at KaingU Safari Lodge consists of 2 bedrooms, one queen bedroom and one double bedroom, making it perfect for a small family. The chalet is built to blend into the environment, with stone walls and floors making the space feel authentic, and high thatched ceilings add character and dimension to the rooms. The chalet is furnished with African inspired wall art, rugs and cushions, and a lounge area comes complete with wicker armchairs and sofas.

The beds are covered in crisp white bed linen and are swathed in mosquito netting and each bedroom comes with their own ensuite bathroom. Wide windows throughout the chalet fill the space with natural light and help to bring the outside in. Guests of this chalet can enjoy dinner on their decking, which comes complete with a dining table and chairs. Another feature of this chalet is an outdoor shower, where guests can shower surrounded by luscious trees. At night the chalet in lit with a soft glow by solar powered lanterns.

For a more adventurous experience then three private campsites can be booked for up to six people each at KaingU Safari Lodge. Operating completely separately from the lodge this is the perfect experience for guests who want to experience a unique camping trip in the heart of nature. An ablution block includes hot and cold running water, fire pits for cooking and a sink. Each campsite also has a thatched area which provides shelter from sunshine and the occasional rainfall. Guests can immerse themselves in nature, and the exploration of the surroundings starts as soon as you poke your head out of your tent in the morning. The facilities of the main lodge are not available to campsite guests however laundry, meals and activities can be arranged through the lodge.

Acting as the central hub of the lodge, the main thatched area is comprised of a lounge, dining area, bar and a decking area which comes complete with a fire pit. Meals vary depending on the season but what doesn’t vary is the quality or taste. Experienced chefs Wina and Lizzy create delicious meals with organic and local ingredients which can be enjoyed with a refreshing drink from the bar. After dinner relax around the fireplace under the wide starry sky and swap tales of your day with your fellow lodge guests.

Dinner can be arranged to be eaten on the sandy banks of the Kafue River, just below the rapids. Enjoy a freshly prepared, delicious meal with the feel of sand between your toes and watching the colours of the sunset reflect off the calm waters, merging the sky and water, with the area softly lit by lanterns.

After a ten minute boat ride, guests will find themselves in the Kafue National Park where game drives can be enjoyed. This is a traditional safari experience and guests can relax in the comfort of a 4×4 vehicle and see animals such as antelope, buffalo, zebra and lion, in their natural habitat. Guests can chose from a morning drive, and afternoon drive or a full day drive.

Located at one of the most beautiful sections of the Kafue River, guests are ideally located to explore the waters and all the wildlife it holds. Glide along the river in comfort and take in the wonders of the river, the huge boulders, luscious grassy banks, areas of intense rapids and islands. This is a great activity for birding, and if guests look to the waters they may see hippos, crocodiles or elephants on the river bank, having a drink. For an exploration of more hidden areas guests can chose to go canoeing with a guide. With a chance to seem more pods of hippos and thirsty elephants can be seen, and the pace of the trip can be tailored to suit individual needs.

One of the best ways to explore the area is on foot. There is no better way to gain perspective of how large and wild the surroundings are than by walking through the vastness of Zambian wilds. Adventure around the area and see the micro-ecosystems at work and marvel at the smaller things which you may miss on a game drive. For a perfect sunset spot hike to Mpamba Rock, or chose a walk down and along the river or take the short boat ride into the Kafue National Park for even more walks, and stunning landscapes, to chose from.

KaingU Safari Lodge sponsors the local school, and guests can spend the day visiting the school and community. This trip leads to a better understanding of the local community and the struggles they have to face. At the end of the excursion there will be an opportunity to sponsor some of the schools needs yourself.

Guests can arrange to spend the night spent under the stars on one of the many river islands or Mpamba Rock. Spend time under the wide sky, stargazing whilst being kept warm by the heat of the campfire, and wake up in the morning to the sound of birdsong, feeling refreshed and reconnected to nature.

KaingU Safari Lodge is acutely aware of the social responsibility they have to the local environment and communities and so ‘The Community Trust’ was founded by the same founders of KaingU Lodge, to help benefit and support the local community. A levy of “$10 per lodging guest plus $3 per camping guest” is paid towards the trust. The lodge and trust decide together how the money is best spent, and applies it to projects and programmes which “benefit the local community and also the Park itself.”

One project the Community Trust supports is the local Itumbi Community School. Seeing that the local school was poorly built, guests of KaingU Safari Lodge created their own foundation to raise funds to build another. A “new school with three classrooms” was built and currently provides education for 480 local children, a huge increase from the original 150 students. Three teachers salaries are paid by KaingU Safari Lodge, with another teacher soon to join, and books, pens, and school staples are donated by guests of the lodge.

Another school that is supported by KaingU Safari Lodge is Keela School. Also a local school, through six months of hard work a borehole was sunk and two classrooms were built. The teacher who started the school – Vintage – now has her salary paid by KaingU.

Wherever possible local labour is hired for KaingU Safari Lodge. The lodge also provides them with “the necessary training” which will benefit them throughout their whole careers. Also sourced from the local community are building materials such as poles, thatch and materials to aid road maintenance, all these materials are paid for accordingly “in an effort to recognise the value of these resources.”

Not just materials are sourced locally, KaingU tries as much as is possible to purchase food products which are “organically and sustainably grown in Zambia” and in partnership with the ‘IT’S WILD’ organisation. By purchasing food this way the lodge is “supporting small scale conservation-based agriculture in the rural areas of Zambia” and are helping to protect and conserve the wildlife “while reducing poverty and hunger.”

A large problem in Kafue National Park to this day is poaching. Due to its expansive size and “limited resources” it is hard to conduct thorough anti-poaching research and studies. KaingU Safari Lodge supports both Game Rangers International and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife whose aims are to protect the environment and animals. Two research organisations – Zambia Carnivore Programme and Panthera – are also supported. Zambia Carnivore Programme is dedicated to supporting and protecting the carnivores found in Zambia, as well as the ecosystems they reside in.

With a deep understanding of the surrounding environment and the need to protect it KaingU Safari Lodge has been built in the best efforts to “minimise the impact on the local environment.” Not only is the lodge built with local and sustainable materials but it also makes use of existing features of the land, such as “existing trees, rocky outcrops and topographical features” to be able to disguise itself into the natural surroundings and not stand out.

Harnessing the natural and renewable rays of the sun, KaingU Safari Lodge is “entirely powered by solar energy.” This lowers their carbon footprint substantially as they are not reliant on burning fossil fuels for their energy requirements. All appliances at the lodge have been designed to be as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible, with specially purchased fridges which are “designed for rural Africa with thicker than normal insulation and highly efficient compressors.” The guest boats are also eco-friendly too, with “modern four stroke engines” which are quiet, for minimum disturbance of the surroundings.

All KaingU Safari Lodge’s waste is disposed of in as enviornmentally as possible way. All their organic waste is “composted and used for the Lodge’s vegetable garden.” All other waste is recycled as much as possible but of any waste can not be recycled it is not left in the rural surroundings of the camp but is sent to Lusaka to be disposed of.