Kaingo Camp by Shenton Safaris is one of the last family-owned camps in South Luangwa. Derek and Jules Shenton have invested an immense amount of energy managing this camp (since 1992) and the more intimate Mwamba Bush Camp. Six red stone chalets sit perched on a high embankment at the very edge of the South Luangwa River. The rooms are tastefully appointed, each with a large double bed, rich wooden furniture, en-suite bathroom, a comfortable sofa and open-air bathtub.

Every room has a covered deck built out over the water with two chairs, a small table and spectacular river views. The camp is solar powered. The dining tent and lounge are airy and open-plan with a small library, and a bar is carved out of a 1000-year-old tree trunk. Further down on the riverbank, to the front of the main building, is a deck stretching out into the river - perfect for eating breakfast and watching the wildlife.

The camp has its own hides: The Hippo Hide located down by the river, the Elephant Hide built in an ebony tree, the Bee-Eater Hide down by the river with views of the embankment and the carmine bee-eater bird colony, and a mobile hide, which is forever changing location. These hides can be visited during lunchtime or as part of a game drive. The Elephant Hide is located close to the camp; guests are informed when elephants are crossing the river and those who wish to see them are driven to the hide.

- Images of Kaingo Elephant Hide
- Images of Kaingo Hippo Hide
- Images of Kaingo Carmine Hide

Kaingo Camp is situated on the very edge of the Luangwa River in the northern part of South Luangwa National Park. Vehicle transfer time from Mfuwe Airport is approximately 2 hrs 40 mins.

The area between Kaingo Camp and Mwamba Camp is spectacularly beautiful with a highly varied terrain that supports a huge variety of wildlife. Animals can be seen at the river, in the lagoons (Fish Eagle and Pelican lagoons being the largest), on the dry, sweeping plains (Lion Plain, for example) and in the ebony and mopane woodlands. Derek Shenton's father was a park ranger here and he has passed on a rich wealth of knowledge to his son.

Crocodile, hippo, elephant and a myriad of smaller animals can be seen from the comfort of the rooms' private verandas, which project out over the water. The game drive area covers the Fish Eagle Lagoon, a huge ebony forest, the largest open plain in the national park and, of course, the banks of the Luangwa River - such a highly varied terrain obviously supports a corresponding variety of wildlife. Together with hyena, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, kudu, impala and even the odd wild dog, two large lion prides and some ten leopard also make this region their home. South Luangwa is a birdwatchers paradise.

Large colonies of bee-eaters can be photographed on the banks of the Luangwa River throughout September and October.

Thornicroft's giraffe, Cookson's wildebeest and Crawshay's zebra are unique to South Luangwa National Park.

The camp offers three activities per day: a game drive in an open 4x4 vehicle, a walk with an armed ranger and a night drive. Those who still have the energy can be driven out to one of the hides at midday and brought back to camp for lunch at about 13:30.

Guests may also wish to spend the night sleeping out on the elephant hide. The fearless are driven out to the hide after dinner at Kiango before the real adventure begins!

Transfer to Mwamba Camp can be made on foot. As alternatives, guests may either choose from a 20-minute vehicle journey or incorporate the trip into a game drive. The walk takes around 3 hours (steady pace) and is tackled early due to the heat, particularly in October when temperatures soar. Luggage is taken on ahead by vehicle. The walk offers guests the possibility of encountering lion, elephant, hippo and buffalo.

Kaingo Camp was built by Derek Shenton. His father, Barry Shenton, played a huge role in Zambia, particularly in the founding of South Luangwa and Kafue National Parks.

SwissAfrican Travel Service
Dammstrasse 27
8702 Zollikon
Zurich, Switzerland


Telephone: +41 (0)44 451 40 51