Mutinondo Wilderness
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Plot 9808 Luvushi-Manda District, Kaponyamboo 0001 Zambia
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Eco-lodge in in 10,000 hectares of spectacular pristine miombo woodland, expansive sponge dambos, crystal clear rivers and waterfalls meandering between a cluster of majestic granite whalebacks The infrastructure consists of a small self catering camp and a main camp with a comfortable campsite and a full catering lodge with four chalets - each chalet is named after the specific local timber used in it for making the beams, fittings and furniture. The power is generated by solar, the water is pumped up to the camp by a solar pump and each chalet has its own solar water heater. * Mulombwa is our special stone chalet with a beautiful view over the valley to the East. It has a separate bathroom with bath, shower and toilet. * Musase is our family chalet. It is ensuite with a shower and toilet and the main room is divided by a low wall to create two sleeping areas. * Kayimbi is open at the front with a wonderful view to the North East over the Musamfushi valley. It is ensuite with a shower and toilet and two three-quarter beds. * Mubanga is open to the side in a sheltered position with a view to the South (standard). It is surrounded by trees and is good for birders. Ensuite shower and toilet and two three-quarter beds. * Campsite room. This is a very small oval thatched room situated on the edge of the campsite about 200m from the lodge. Just big enough for two single beds. It shares ablutions and toilets with campsites. * Mayense campsite. 5 Sites with braai facilities, one site with a large nsaka (cooking and dining shelter) with tables, and one small campsite room. Shared toilets, showers and washing up facilities. * Kankonde self catering camp. Includes a chalet with two beds and mattresses, a toilet, shower shelter, and a nsaka with tables.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Laundry service
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Family rooms
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HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
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Plot 9808 Luvushi-Manda District, Kaponyamboo 0001 Zambia
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86Reviews3Q+A9Room tips
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We arrived on a Thursday evening and were welcomed with a tasty home cooked meal and a few cold beers by the fire pit. On the Friday we set off on a 18km walk through the forest and up several of the hills which provided excellent views of the landscape. Not a car or road to be seen, nor any people. Incredibly peaceful. We finished the walk with a jump into the Paradise Pool part of the river where we could drink the water it was so clean. That evening we had a braai at the campsite and looked at the stars. The chalets were very nice and provided beautiful views especially for sunrise with a coffee brought to the room. On the Saturday we went Stand Up Paddling on the river, a short walk and another delicious home cooked meal that evening. If you are a lover of nature, enjoy peaceful walks and jumping into rivers, you need to go here. Lari is a magnificent host who takes takes to sit and chat to the guests and is an inspiring character.…
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: May 2022
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Helpful
I travelled to Mutinondo in July 2021, my 4th visit to this beautiful part of forested Zambia. The welcome and hospitality was wonderful as always, and we loved hiking and exploring the trails throughout the area. We climbed Charlie's rock and enjoyed the fantastic views from the top, as well as some good birding with Mike. We loved the trip, and most especially the welcoming touches that Mike & Lari offer to make the experience special -- hot water bottles for the cold nights, early morning tea on top of the nearest inselberg and offering to collect us in a vehicle at the end of the day so we could explore further. A special place that everyone should visit at least once! Thank you. We'll be back.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: July 2021
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Helpful
The most beautiful, peaceful area of Zambia. Mike and Lari are genuine and kind...instant friends. To spend even just a few days at Mutinondo is manna for the soul. This area is so beautiful it leaves you speechless.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: December 2020
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Helpful
This is a great, rustic place to visit, especially if you like to hike. There are lots of trails and fantastic scenery and you can swim in the rivers. It's a very peaceful place and the food is nice. Just know that the chalets do not have electricity so plan accordingly.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: January 2021
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The camp is located in a stunning landscape. It's easy to understand how the founders fell in love with this location. But that was a long time ago, and time has since taken it's toll on the chalets. The furnishing is very dated, I had to spend half a roll of duct tape to patch up mosquito nets that were in tatters. No electrical outlets in the chalets, which caused problems as I use a medical device requiring power during sleep. Meals are very basic - typical local food that will fill your stomach but nothing more. The rate $400 + for a family full board is quite outrageous. I imagine doing camping and self-catering is better value for money though. Having said this, the managing couple are very sweet and good company. They have done an amazing job in signposting and maintaining the hiking trails in the area. We followed the trail along the river and its waterfalls and natural rock pools, and the next day hiked to the top of the Mayense hill for some spectacular views. Wouldn't really mind returning if I knew the chalets received some tender loving care in the meantime.…
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Date of stay: October 2020
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2 Helpful votes
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Response from Info Mutinondo Wilderness, General Manager at Mutinondo Wilderness
Responded 8 Jan 2021
Dear Mr Sahlen , Thank you for your observations, we appreciate people pointing things out where they can be improved. Just sorry that you did not mention this to management when you were here on the 3rd and 4th October, but instead chose to go public 3 months later. It would have been far more productive had you been straight and up front with us so we could have addressed the matters and explained the following to you straight away. Furnishing: The furniture is all made by local craftsmen out of local material, it is solid wood and should last for many years. We are eco-friendly and prefer to keep good quality old things rather than renew things frequently, wasting both good quality materials and craftsmanship for the sake of fashion. Mosquito nets: we would never expect you to have to repair your own and would have quickly, easily and happily replaced them for you (for factual sake you left 1 small patch of duct tape over a hole on one of the nets). Factual complaints are extremely helpful and appreciated, but unfortunately exaggeration usually dilutes the relevance and impact of any story. Your device (which was for your snoring, not a medical device): A separate room was requested by the travel agent, but the lodge was full, so you had to share a chalet with your family. The lack of power for your machine was discussed on your arrival and again after your first night. Members of your family told Mike that they had managed to sleep fine (despite your snoring) and it all seemed a bit of a happy family joke. (When my husband has malaria, I wake him if isn't snoring to check that he is still alive :-). For future reference, it is important that you make your travel agent and the lodge of your special requirements before booking and especially arrival. Meals: We pride ourselves on supporting local farmers and suppliers, and avoid using imported, processed and overpackaged "fancy" food. This usually results in delicious wholesome and healthy meals with plenty of fresh fruit and veg. Deeply sorry that this was not to your liking. Our policy is that we do everything which we would like to find at other lodges of our choice, in that way we attract people with similar tastes, values and expectations. The price: In September you accepted a quote of USD1000 from your travel agent and paid for you and your family to stay at Mutinondo for 2 nights. We then pointed out to the travel agent that they had miscalculated and they refunded you the difference. Of the USD820 you paid for you, your wife and your 2 children (13 and 15 years old) for 2 days the following does not go towards accommodation at Mutinondo: Commission to agent $82, VAT $103.9, Service Charge $58, Tourism Levy $8.7, Conservation Fee $80, Total deductions: $332.6. Actual funds received by Mutinondo for accommodation of your family for 2 nights is: $487.4 for 2 nights ($243.7 per night for your family of 4; $60.9 per person) Due to your attachment to the Swedish Embassy, you were planning to claim your VAT back on your booking which reduced your bill by $103.9, so you would have paid $358 per night not “$400 plus” as you claim). Of that $60.92 per person per night which Mutinondo received for you accommodation you received: early morning tea and coffee with freshly baked biscuits in your chalet, a full breakfast with fruit, cereal, eggs, bacon/sausage/, tomatoes, toast, butter, homemade marmalade, jam and local honey, tea and coffee; lunch consists of cold meat, cheese, salad, homemade bread rolls, macaroni/pies homemade pickles, tea or coffee; dinners are a homemade soup followed by roasts/curries/casseroles with at least 3 different vegetables and desert, tea or coffee. Mutinondo is completely self-funded, so salaries, lodge and vehicle maintenance and replacements, lodge development, licenses, land rent, accounting fees etc etc and transport costs for gathering supplies, building materials and equipment etc from up to 600km away is funded by our lovely guests like yourselves, which we highly appreciate. But at the same time, it is important that the likes of you understand and appreciate that you can't expect luxurious lodge facilities and amenities for $60.92 per day per person. It is a great pity we couldn't talk the basics of our operations through with you personally as I am sure this is all a novel contrast and experience from your diplomatic life. I am pleased that you appreciated the beauty of the place and the 60 plus Kms of marked and signposted scenic trails, that is what the $10 per person per day Conservation Fee funds. I am truly sorry that you held this bad energy for so many months when we could have cleared most of it up for you and you would have had a much happier holiday. We hope that you will return for a very enjoyable camping trip one day. Very best wishes for a very happy 2021. Lari and Mike Founders, Owners and Managers
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LOCATION
ZambiaNorthern ProvinceKaponyamboo
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Mutinondo Wilderness
What are some of the property amenities at Mutinondo Wilderness?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and free parking.
What food & drink options are available at Mutinondo Wilderness?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.