MSANDILE RIVER LODGE

Msandile River Lodge was more than pleasant from start to end. The responsiveness of the booking office, the courtesy of the frontline staff, the neat and clean appealmof the accommodations and the expert sfari giode who took care of us are ut a few of the joys of being a guest here. We were able to findnour way to the lodge easily with both text and pictorial guides. The syaff are friendly without being overbearing and all seem genuinely happy to host you. The position of the camp ensures you're entertained by wildlife encounters both in camp and also in the gane park. Our guide Ropbert Phiri was especially hard working and put hos experience on display as he helped us find and view game mych to our hearts content. We were able to catch a leopard on a prowl and another ona fresh kill amongst many other sightings because of Robert's tracking skills. Our chalets were well adorned without losing the "safari feel". Plenty hot and cold water was agreat joy at the end of each day and the rest of the of the premises were absolutely clean and neat. The food was good and each meal was welcome. My partner and I are foodies and we tend to prefer a richer food experience than was on offer but we cannot say the food was bad by any measure. We'd highly recommend a stay at Msandile, it's great value for money without being cheap. I'd say the experience is definitely much better than advertised and the staff arw ahuge part of that great experience. Happy yo go back soon! 😁 …

Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Travelled

Room Tip: If you're a bit of a food lover and enjoy snacks in between meals be sure to carry some of your...

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Melvin C wrote a review Jan 2020

20 contributions1 helpful vote

Unforgettable experience despite bad weather

We went with Kiboko to the Msandile River Lodge around the New Years period. This was the second time this year as we liked it very much. Although we encountered very heavy rain and floodings their staff offered us all the services we needed to get to assure us a smooth way out of the flooded area and even offered us an alternative accommodation at an other lodge. This was when the whole area was flooded in South Luangwa and lots of lodges were closed and evacuated their clients out. Amazing work done by Kiboko as otherwise we would have been in big troube in the flooded area. We still saw a lot of game and went on game drives. Very professional as always. I will be going on safari with them again despite the heavy rains and flooding this time as I believe this was beyond their control. Desiree was a wonderful host and did everything to make our stay as pleasant as possible even when the area encountered the heavy rains. …

Date of stay: December 2019Trip type: Travelled

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Koen Bult wrote a review Dec 2019

11 contributions

Superb!!!!!

Was fantastic!!! Have visited many parks and lodges over the years. But South Luangwa National Park and Kiboko Camp and Safaris did it all!! First you arrive of the banks of the Luangwa river and then you cross over to their new lodge called "Msandile River Lodge" were we had a very warm welcome. The national staff really looks after you and will help you with everything. We stayed in one of the chalets what had everything in it and was standing almost on the edge of the river and could see the elephants crossing from our bed. So unrealistic!!! The morning and evening safaris are excellent and the guides know what they are talking about. They know everything about insects, animals and in the evening about the stars. We stayed for 2 nights but could stay so much longer. No doubt we will come back again!!!…

Date of stay: November 2019

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Melvin C wrote a review Nov 2019

20 contributions1 helpful vote

+1

Amazing wildlife viewing just in front if the lodge.

We had a great stay at the Msandile River Lodge. Luxury Lodge at a busy wildlife crossing. Thanks to Desiree for hosting us very well during our stay. The food was fabulous and well prepared. The accommodation brand new and very comfortable. The gamedrives were very good as the lodge us right at middle if the national park.

Date of stay: November 2019Trip type: Travelled

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jubalee2017 wrote a review Nov 2019

Lilongwe, Malawi31 contributions

+1

Kiboko Safaris' fantastic new camp in S. Luangwa - Msandile

We have just spend a wonderful weekend at Kiboko Safaris' new camp Msandile Lodge in South Luangwa. It is situated in fabulous spot at the smaller confluence (there are 2 confluences) of the Msandile and Luangwa Rivers, under beautiful shade trees and with fantastic views of the beautiful Luangwa. We watched a massive herd of elephant crossing the river in front of the lodge and playing in the water! There is a beautiful swimming pool which looks out over the river. We stayed in one of the chalets - beautiful open plan chalets with tented tops, beautiful views of the river through leaf design burglar bars and shade cloth mozzie protection. It is the perfect place to unwind in the bush. You cross the river in motor boats about 3km from camp to get into the park. I'm not sure if this is possible at all water levels. There are also en suite tents available, and also standard tents with access to ablution blocks. I would highly recommend this great for a wonderful weekend in Luangwa.…

Date of stay: November 2019

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Room Tip: There are chalets, en-suite tents and standard tents all with fabulous river views

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aolson wrote a review Jul 2019

3 contributions1 helpful vote

Amazing Safari!

We loved our Kiboko safari to South Luangwa with our 5 young children. A driver picked us up in Malawi, had a lunch and everything prepared. Our accommodations were great. We saw elephant, hippo, bush buck, baboons, etc. just just in our camp. A guard was always with us helping to ensure we were safe. The kids loved the 4 safaris we went on during our 4 day package (2 days travel, 2 days safaris with a morning and night safari each day). We saw lion 5 times and one time the lion was within 10 feet of the truck. We saw leopard 3 times (2 of the times they were hunting animals and one time the leopard was in the tree with their kill). Pretty much everything we saw but wild dog, which we just missed. There are of course no guarantees, but we got to see pretty much all the animals we wanted usually pretty close. It was just amazing. We also loved the camp. The pool was fun. We loved eating as a community for breakfast and dinner each night. The hosts were also great. Highly recommend it.…

Date of stay: June 2019

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Trip type: Travelled

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Merrianne wrote a review Jun 2019

Montreal, Canada180 contributions101 helpful votes

+1

Perfect 3 day Safari

We had a terrific time from beginning to end of this affordable and interesting excursion. On top of professional booking, service and driving, the animal sightings, deep knowledge and genuine care that all the staff put into their work here are awesome. Food and accommodation were great. The tents have comfortable beds with all the necessities. Our driver Robert Sr. was especially gifted. We had a great time and would not hesitate to recommend!!

Date of stay: June 2019Trip type: Travelled

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John S wrote a review Jun 2019

Ramsey, United Kingdom83 contributions44 helpful votes

A great wild life viewing experience

This was my 4th safari to this area and 3rd with Kiboko Tours. For my daughter it was her 2nd visit and hopefully we'll be back - God willing. As always, it was a great 4 day experience beginning in Lilongwe where we were kindly picked up at the Korea Garden Lodge on the Monday morning of departure. My daughter and I were accompanied by 4 others and they were good company throughout the tour. The border crossing at Mchinji makes a break with the necessary official passport and visa requirements but this was hassle-free. A picnic lunch was provided at a camp-site on the outskirts of Chipata that was pleasant and we finally arrived at the tented camp near Mfuwe in mid afternoon. We were welcomed by the hosts - a Dutch couple, Irene and her husband who were very friendly and helpful throughout and who had their own tent and who shared meals with us beneath a canvas awning overlooking the Luangwa River. There was some confusion regarding single supplements and expectations but this was amicably sorted out. The reason being that the Booking On-line form assumed that all were on a shared basis. It's best to book the tour directly with Kiboko Tours in Lilongwe to avoid this and be clear about wanting a tent for single occupancy. As it turned out single tents were provided at no extra cost. Food was simple, good and wholesome with the cook doing a good job. The highlights were the morning and evening game viewing drives in the Landrover vehicles and once again the Driver/Guide was excellent (Isaac on this occasion), he being very knowledgeable and helpful. On previous safaris I'd seen plenty of lions but this time it was the time for leopards and their cubs as well as just about every other game animal. Wifi in the bar area was not great but sufficient to send and receive short E-mails. Don't expect to surf the web! Prices in the Track and Trail shared Bar Area were a bit high. There used to be an exchange book library this needs re-providing. The obligatory visit to the African Textile factory was omitted on this occasion.…

Date of stay: May 2019

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Trip type: Travelled

Room Tip: Be sure to take insect spray and a good torch

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Isa S. wrote a review Mar 2019

2 contributions1 helpful vote

Fabulous 4-days South Luangwa National Park Experience

I don't even know where to start. It was my 3rd safari in South Luangwa NP with Kiboko after 2008 and 2010 and everything was perfectly organised. The drive from Lilongwe to South Luangwa was very smooth and we reached the camp in a very good time. The tents are very comfortable. As the Kiboko Camp was under renovations we used the bathroom facilities, pool and bar services at Croc Valley next door. Payments at the bar were difficult as they never had change. Our guide, Robert, was fabulous. We went on 4 game drives and he patiently answered all the questions, gave lots of information on all the animals and managed to find many different animals and birds. He also joined us for the meals. I always had great guides when going on safari with Kiboko but Robert was outstanding! The guide who helped spotting the animals during the night drives was great and even managed to spot a small chameleon hanging on to the grass. Donat, the chef, prepared great meals. I'll definitely go on safari again with Kiboko! The 4 days were amazing!…

Date of stay: March 2019

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Tour18421467131 wrote a review Jan 2019

Rancho Santa Margarita, California1 contribution

Strongly recommend as an economy safari for singles or friends

Great, economy camp. Stayed in the tents and had hippos come right by us at night! Bathrooms with insects was my only complaint. Drives and drivers were amazing!! Food was decently good. There’s a pool that’s kind of greenish but really refreshing and overlooking the river. I’m glad I went without kiboko, it was the most affordable and still left me with an absolutely unforgettable experience!!

Review collected in partnership with this hotel

Date of stay: December 2018Trip type: Travelled

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