Set in an area of pristine wilderness, KaingU Safari Lodge offers a magnificent safari experience in the heart of the African bush. KaingU offers a unique stay for travellers wishing to get closer to the unspoilt wilderness of the ‘real’ Africa, experience the warm and welcoming people of Zambia and enjoy wildlife and scenery undisturbed.
It is a place to unwind, enjoy our chefs’ cuisine and be spoiled with an abundance of activities or, if you prefer, just relax and feel the heartbeat of Africa. The lodge was built with a lot of patience, good taste and an extraordinary sense for detail. Our personal attention to each and every guest makes you feel at home instantly.
Kaingu is situated in the central part of the park (on the East bank of the Kafue river), basically on the border between the Northern and Southern management areas and one and a half hours south of the main road. Easily accessible from Lusaka by road (five hours on good roads) or by air (Chunga airstrip is one hour away). Kaingu is one of the few lodges to combine easy access with what is still a true wilderness experience. Other lodges will give you the wilderness aspect but be difficult to reach or even require private air charters. Other lodges will give you the ease of access but then you will have more visitor pressure, other neighbouring lodges and even road noise. Kaingu is one of the few lodges that gives you the best of both worlds.
The lodge is located on an absolutely stunning section of the Kafue river where the broad meander, which has run for hundreds of kilometres as a wide contiguous river, suddenly fans out into a myriad of rocky channels and islands. The section of river has been likened to the Matobo hills of Zambia being dropped into the Kafue. It is simply beautiful. Located right on the river on the Eastern bank, the lodge is in a private and secluded spot amid lush riverine vegetation.
The lodge itself nestles into nature and consists of 6 tented chalets and a family safari house. Here you will not find angular edges or contemporary design. You will find the feel of a traditional and simple bush camp mixed with a slightly more luxurious lodge. Traditional thatched roofs keep the tents cool and blend into the bush, while hardwood decks all look to the river. All accommodation features river front decks, indoor and outdoor showers and every comfort that you could wish for.
The public areas consist of a large open thatched main area with lounge areas and a reading corner and a bar, while from there a large hardwood deck opens out over the river and allows everyone to spread out and eat while enjoying the view. Next to the main area there is a small curio shop with locally made items – many of which are actually made by Kaingu staff.
The design and décor is heavily influenced by the bush, with everything from up cycled canoes and charcoal braziers to artwork made from grasses and seeds. One of the owners has a design background and this is clear from the low-key, subtle, natural-based touches.
The lodge is owned and managed by two couples who are passionate about their location, about conservation and communities and about their staff. They strive to achieve an atmosphere of easy informality mixed with total professionalism and attention to detail. But it is the staff that are the centre of the show here and the lodge exudes an air of inclusion where everyone is valued, and everyone wants to interact with the guests.
