Reviews of Msandile River Lodge
post office box 94, 15001 Kakumbi, Zambia
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Reviewed: 24 August 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewThe food, the location and the staffs were great.
Nothing in particular but the suite could be upgraded.
Reviewed: 8 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 15 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 14 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewLocation, staff, wildlife, food, vibe, great trip
Reviewed: 2 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewThe setting is fantastic, the team is welcoming and the guides are good at their jobs. It was luxury being able to choose between great birdwatching around camp or lounging by the pool between the safaris!
Reviewed: 25 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 18 October 2024 · Stayed in August 2024
Verified reviewWow, wow, wow, what a diamond in the bush! This was my 6th trip to different areas in Africa, including Zambia @ different lodges, this was a great surprise, not only for the lodge itself but all the staff that work so hard to make your stay memorable! Sabine & Frank the owners are the best, they make you feel like family. I stayed here for 5 days & then moved onto another camp for 4 nights. While @ the other camp I did get a little dehydrated & Frank who was not @ his camp but home in Malawi heard I had gotten ill & contacted me to check on me & to see if there was anything he could do or to help me in anyway he could. I couldn’t begin to say how much that was appreciated especially being in a different country. Trust me if you have an opportunity to stay @ this lodge you will not be disappointed! I can’t wait to go back & have a nice long visit with my new found friends!
Reviewed: 5 October 2024 · Stayed in September 2024
Verified reviewReviewed: 26 September 2024 · Stayed in September 2024
Verified reviewGreat food and staff. Comfortable lounge. Enjoyed the game drives! Thoughtful night watchmen who ensured safety walking back and forth from lounge to room at night. Lots of animal action along river, that was visible from lounge/pool.
Wifi was not working well and due to restrictions no power most of day/night. I realize this is out of their control. A battery powered flashlight for nighttime bathroom trips would be a good idea. Room was very nice but needed a bit more under the bed cleaning as many cobwebs ect but staff took care of this when asked.
Reviewed: 19 September 2024 · Stayed in September 2024
Verified reviewReviewed: 11 August 2024 · Stayed in August 2024
Verified reviewReviewed: 2 July 2024 · Stayed in July 2024
Verified reviewThe lodge is perfectly located and the staff were absolutely fantastic. The park is also one of the best places to see leopards in addition to lions and wild dogs.
Nothing
Reviewed: 11 May 2024 · Stayed in May 2024
Verified reviewAmazing experience, the staff were extremely helpful and attentive. The lodge is beautiful and the food was excellent.
Reviewed: 3 November 2023 · Stayed in October 2023
Verified reviewI loved the location, it was truly amazing seeing so many animals. The food was delicious and the staff were fantastic! I would not only recommend Msandile River lodge, i would happily come back and stay again.
I wish the electricity was on more. I encourage guest to bring a battery powered fan as when the power was out the tent could become hot/stuffy making sleep a bit more difficult.
Reviewed: 9 October 2023 · Stayed in October 2023
Verified reviewThe location was exceptional
A little tired in places Also water from taps ran brown
Reviewed: 3 October 2023 · Stayed in October 2023
Verified reviewFantastic experiece. Best Game Reserve, Isaac great Driver/ Guide. Loved the whole experience. We hope to return next year Well trained and pleaset staff Great accommadation
No hotvwater in showers
Reviewed: 29 September 2023 · Stayed in September 2023
Verified reviewThe proximity to wildlife was an excellent experience. The tours were so informative
The uncertain schedule for power availability through a genset was a bit unsettling
Thanks for the review. Our lodge will be connected to electricity from June 2024 and hence the power issue should not longer be a problem
Reviewed: 28 August 2023 · Stayed in August 2023
Verified reviewGuide was knowledgable, staff friendly. Prices far below neighboring lodges.
No menu choices, many meals were repackaged leftovers, chef hard-cooked fried eggs regardless of instructions, touring vehicle was antique and broken down, electrical power only available a few hours per day, not even sundowner soft drinks were complementary, troubled internet, transfer service left baggage stained with oil. It was apparent that this lodge is under-capitalized, possibly because of the pandemic.
Hello Douglas, Thanks for your review. We are surprised by some of your comments. We never serve leftovers to our guests. All our food is freshly made on a daily basis and guests are always complimenting us with that. From June 2024 we will have electricity at the lodge and hence power available all day. We are in the middle of the bush and sometimes network is gone. However in 2024 we will connect to Starlink to overcome this issue.
Hello Douglas, Thanks for your review. We are surprised by some of your comments. We never serve leftovers to our guests. All our food is freshly made on a daily basis and guests are always complimenting us with that. From June 2024 we wil… Show more
Reviewed: 23 August 2023 · Stayed in August 2023
Verified reviewLocation
The food - set menu only with poor quality Limited power - with no alternatives available in room / tent Dirty pool Too many people in old and rundown cars
Hello Kathelijne, Thanks for your review. The good news is that from June 2024 we will be connected to ZECO electricity and hence the power issues should have been resolved. Our pool is cleaned every day but dusty winds sometimes throw some sand in the pool and the maximum number of people in our game viewing vehicles are normally 6 unless guests are with 7,8 or 9 and want to be together in one vehicle than we accommodate that of course. Our car fleet is upgraded for 2024.
Hello Kathelijne, Thanks for your review. The good news is that from June 2024 we will be connected to ZECO electricity and hence the power issues should have been resolved. Our pool is cleaned every day but dusty winds sometimes throw some… Show more
Reviewed: 3 July 2023 · Stayed in July 2023
Verified reviewReviewed: 30 June 2023 · Stayed in June 2023
Verified reviewThe staff were wonderful and could not have been more helpful, kind, or professional. Lungi, the guide was superb, very knowledgeable, and we had some epic sightings. We loved the sundowners and drinks around the campfire. We felt like members of the family when we finally left. As vegetarians, we were handsomely catered for, which was a delight!
Nothing!
Reviewed: 7 June 2023 · Stayed in June 2023
Verified reviewExcellent Value for money lodge very close to the South Luwangwe park.it was 1x our from the airport and a short bay ride across the river from the lodge. The guide , Isaac, was brilliant being so knowledgable on all flora and fauna.You have 2 game drives ( day & night) so great value. This is not a high luxury lodge but very functional at a very competitive cost.It made it a very authentic experience.
Very minor point but Coukd do with the electric in the cabins after the game drive in the morning for the shower.
Reviewed: 4 January 2023 · Stayed in December 2022
Verified reviewReviewed: 23 December 2022 · Stayed in December 2022
Verified reviewWe had a great stay at Msandile. We stayed at one of the safari ensuite tents and the bed was very comfortable and everything very clean. The food is very nice, fresh and plenty. The owner (Chloe) is really making sure you have a great time. Isaac our guide is very experienced and we had great game drives, also crossing the river every time before the drive with all the hippos was a great experience. We would definitely recommend this place!
No real negative but the pool could be a bit cleaner.