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Kariba Bush Club Hostel & Guesthouses Reviews

Description

Kariba Bush Club is a unique self-catering lodge and camping destination along the idyllic shores of Lake Kariba (Zambia). Situated on Zambia's Largest Nile Crocodile Conservancy. Lounge by the sparkling pool; spot some of Zambia’s amazing wildlife on a sunset cruise, or get scared out of your wits on a tour of Africa's largest Nile crocodile farm! Whatever you chose to do, we promise an experience that will be unforgettable!

Kariba Bush Club was established in 2003 originally as a backpacker's lodge and guesthouse able to accommodate 32 guests. As word of our secret location spread, we have grown extensively ,now being able to accommodate a maximum of 22 guests excluding the campsite. Our mainland campsite is situated under a large grassy canopy and our new island campsite provides an opportunity for a real bush experience - fire side meals, island walks and fantastic game viewing!

Guests can enjoy a fully stocked Grocery/liquor store and swimming pool, self-catering kitchen and braai facilities .The view from our pool and Deck is spectacular and there is always a refreshing cool breeze coming from the lake.

All the Chalets, the bar, swimming pool, hot water ablution blocks have been built with local materials by Kariba Bush Club staff, utilizing local stones, clay, thatching grass, hand made bricks, wooden poles and timber, all sourced locally and built to perfectly blend with the surroundings and vegetation. Most of the major work, such as cutting and combing of thatching grass, brick moulding and collection of stones, are organized with the local people from the surrounding villages. The wooden poles that we use are bought from the local community when areas are cleared for traditional farming. Poles are never cut just for the purpose of building.

At Kariba Bush Club we also offer
Laundry service
Daily cleaning of your room
Luggage Storage
24-Hour Reception
Free Parking

At Kariba Bush Club we sell frozen meat (pork chops and bacon from our neighbouring farm, bream and crocodile fillets) as well as fresh eggs and bread. you will be able to buy most of your groceries from our little shop/ liquor store on the premises

WHAT TO DO!
CROC FARM TOUR
A visit to Siansowa is incomplete without our hour guided tour of one of the largest commercial Nile crocodile farms in the world. Seen it all before? Don't find much interesting about crocodiles? WRONG!!!
This is a crocodile experience with a difference. Why? For the simple reason that it is not a tourist attraction, but a working commercial farm, the concept of which is to conserve the wild population. The first hour comprises of a look into the complex and forever changing world of crocodile husbandry. From the careful and painstaking process of incubating the eggs, the science of feed formula, disease control and quality processing, right through to the legal and economic aspects of trade in what used to be one of the world's most endangered species, and how that trade has been the key instrument in crocodile conservation policy.
The second half is where it really gets exciting as we move down to the breeding dams and literally step back 200 million years to the time when giant reptiles ruled the Earth! 7 hectares of earth dams, with more than 1,500 massive adult crocs, which are kept purely for breeding purposes. The dams are divided into six sections, so everyday is a feed day and the action can be spectacular. Don't forget your binoculars either as the dams are a birders' paradise too!
Some of the comments we have received speak for themselves
"You have never seen a crocodile farm if you haven't been here!"- Zambian crocodile farmer.
"This is an experience comparable to the gorillas in Uganda." – New Zealand overland operator. (This may be far fetched, but he did actually say this!)

SUNSET CRUISE
Experience Kariba's "world famous" sunset from the deck of "Langaula", our big cruise boat . The less strenuous way to see the game and bird life around the islands and in the water!

BIRD WATCHING & BUSH WALK IN THE MAINLAND NATURE RESERVE
Spot some elusive species on a guided bird watching walk around the mainland nature reserve. Siansowa is home to numerous bird species that are rare in the area - such as the Bat Hawk, the White-backed Night Heron, the Grey Parrot, the Eastern Nicator, the Palm-nut Vulture, the African Rail, the Cardinal Quelea, and the Western Banded Snake Eagle. The African Fish Eagle is a permanent and common resident here; we hope that its famous and suggestive calls will not "disturb" you too much!!! During your "bird watching walk" you can also enjoy the sight of the game on the mainland.

Spend a bit of time in the LOCAL MARKET to see how things work in the real rural Africa

Watch the crews of the commercial "KAPENTA" (=fresh water sardine) fishing boats in action at night

Visit a traditional FISHING VILLAGE

Relax at the poolside overlooking the lake, enjoying an ice cold drink

Location and Contact

Location

• Total distance from Lusaka is 390ks. Total distance from Livingstone (Victoria Falls, Zambia) 340ks.
• SELF-DRIVE
• From Batoka (on the Livingstone-Lusaka road, 260 km from Lusaka and 230 km from Livingstone) you travel down the escarpment towards Maamba. After 50km you will reach a town called Sinazeze, which you will recognise by the Council barrier as you enter. 1 km beyond the town is the main turnoff to Sinazongwe, with a lot of signposts indicating to turn left. DO NOT turn left here, as you need to be going to the village of Siansowa (direction Maamba). We do have a brown and white sign here (Kariba Bush Club 57km), the only sign indicating to go straight. You need to stay on the tar road for another 30km. Our turnoff is indicated by another sign just like the previous one (Kariba Bush Club 30km), and the road immediately rises over a small hill. From here you will travel on a good gravel road for 30km until you reach the game fence and crocodile farm security gate. They will allow you in and direct you to Kariba Bush Club. We have several signs on the dirt road too, but as long as you stay on the maintained and well-used road you are going the right way. Total distance from Lusaka is 370 km and from Livingstone it is 340 km.
• As for road conditions, the tar road from Batoka to our turnoff (just before the mining town of Maamba) is in good condition in terms of potholes. It is important to take care on this road as there are several places where the road has been washed out from the side and are not easily visible. The road through the escarpment winds a lot with blind bends and there is a good deal of heavy trucks carrying coal from Maamba which you need to look out for. The dirt road to Siansowa is well maintained throughout the year, although a 4x4 vehicle is needed during the wet season (December - April).
• MINIBUSES/PUBLIC TRANSPORT
• Firstly, hats off for doing your own thing! To get here from Livingstone/Lusaka it is best to get an early start, as timing of transport may not be totally reliable once you are in our District. Take the same bus as you would for Lusaka/Livingstone, but only travel with it as far as Choma. From Choma, ask for a minibus that can take you to Maamba. It is important to remember that you need to get to MAAMBA, not Sinazongwe! As you enter the town of Maamba after approximately 2.5 hours, there is a boom gate across the road. This is the SECOND boom you would have come across with the minibus (do not count any booms on the main Livingstone-Lusaka road, only the ones in the Batoka-Maamba road - the first boom being in Sinazeze). Ask the driver to drop you at the gate. There will be a security guard there with a grey uniform. If you ask him to help you get a lift to Siansowa he will find you the right transport, but it may take some time. Be sure you are on a vehicle that is coming all the way to Siansowa, as if it is a vehicle that turns off somewhere or does not come all the way down the road, you might find yourself stuck. Travel time is not easy to predict, as buses and taxis wait until they are full before departing, but you will get here in the end and we're sure you will have a lot of fun doing it!
• *pick-ups from Maamba available on request for USD $75 return (price is per vehicle)

Facilities and Amenities

Family-Friendly Hostel

Quiet Rest

Bedsheets

Luggage Storage

Parking

Safe Deposit Box

Towels

Airport Pickup (apon request)

Wi-Fi in Lobby/Commons ($5.00 per day)

24 Hour Security

BBQ Grill

Cable TV

Concierge/Info Desk

Credit Card Payments

Currency Exchange

Hot Showers

Kitchen

Laundry

Lounge Area

Outdoor Seating

Power Point/Sockets in Rooms

Swimming Pool

TV

Wheelchair Accessible

Breakfast

Entirely Non-Smoking

Lockers in Rooms

Wi-Fi in Rooms

Service Animals

Pet-Friendly

Genders: Males & Females

Max. Age: All Ages

Min. Age with Parent (dorms): All Ages

Min. Age with Parent (private room): All Ages

Min. Age without Parent: 18

Checkout: 11:00 (11 AM)

Curfew: No Curfew

Lockout: No

Maximum Stay: Unlimited

Minimum Stay: 1 night

Open Dates: All Year

Reception Hours: 8 am to 5 pm

Size: Medium (30-60 beds)

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