Kabompo River Lodge and Campsite

Kabompo River Lodge and Campsite sits on the banks of the Kabompo River, one of the main tributaries of the upper Zambezi River. It flows entirely in Zambia, rising to the east of the source of the Zambezi, in North-Western Province along the watershed between the Zambezi and Congo river basins which also forms the border between Zambia and DR Congo. Come and experience the wilderness at its best, as you surround yourself with the sounds and sights of nature.

The lodge and campsite offers three types of accommodation:

• Kabompo River View chalets
• Kitebe Plains View campsite
• Camping tents

In the chalets cold and hot water is available 24/7 days a week. Electrity is generator-powered from 18:00 hours to 22:00 hours daily. A maximum of fourteen guests can be comfortably accommodated.

The Kitebe Plains View campsite is spacious enough to accommodate any number of guests who would want to camp. There is an ablution block with showers and flush toilets. There are taps dotted all over the camping area for the use of clients.

Camping tents and mattresses are available for hire.

Services

Soft drinks, pure organic honey, mineral water and other small items can be bought from the lodge. Other requirement can be met if management is made aware. Tell us your requirement and they will endeavor to meet it.

The lodge has deep freezers for use by clients to refrigerate their products, though power is only supplied for two hours during the day and four hours at night (18:00 hours to 22:00 hours). Guests who would like the freezers to be on for a longer period are requested to contribute to fuel (diesel).

The lodge has some cutlery for hire for self-catering guests. There is also a chef who can give a helping hand if required.

Fishing

Kabompo River is the deepest river in Zambia and the second deepest river in Africa, while West Lunga River has unusually transparent water. Both are excellent for fishing and boast a good variety of fish species which include:

• Bream
• Catfish
• Slide jaw
• Tiger fish

At Kabompo River Lodge and Campsite a strict catch-and-release policy iis practiced, to preserve the precious fish of the pristine Kabompo and West Lunga rivers. However, anglers can remove their catches from the water for photographing and weighing provided the fish is carefully handled to preserve life. Anglers can bring their own fishing tackle, although they may hire fishing tackle from the lodge.

Boat Cruising

Come and explore the untouched tranquility of this part of the country. Guests are free to bring their own boats for fishing or boat cruising (the road to the lodge is an all weather road).

Canoeing

Explore the rivers by canoeing on either a fibre glass or a Dugout canoe (Mokoro) You can canoe for an hour, half day and or a full day. You can go on a canoe trip and be picked from a point or come back in the same canoe on the river.

Boat or canoe trip to Mabongo Hot Spring

Mabongo Hot Spring is a natural place where boiling hot water comes up out of the ground and flows into the Kabompo River. Clients have a choice whether to a Boat or a Canoe trip to the Hot Spring. Snacks and soft drinks are served while you enjoy the scenery at the hot spring and have an opportunity to take photographs. As well as the beautiful scenery of the Kabompo River, crocodiles, hippos, and many bird species are likely to be spotted on the way,

Boat, canoe trip or walking safari to Mulongwanyimu Swamp

Mulongwanyimu Swamp is found in West Lunga National Park about 100 metres from the Kabompo River. It is home to a variety of bird species. Hence if it you are a bird lover this is definitely a place to visit. Clients can either have a boat, canoe trip or take a walking safari to the Mulongwanyimu swamp. Guests taking a walking safari to Mulongwanyimu Swamp are likely to see many different types of animal species.

Game viewing

The following animals can be found in the West Lunga National Park: Yellow-backed duiker, Wild dog, Buffalo, Impala, Puku, Monkey, ,Baboon, Bushbuck, Warthog, Bush pig, Cane rat, Thick-tailed bush baby, Civet, Genet, Roan antelope, Sable antelope, Lichtenstein’s Hartebeests, Eland, Elephant, Blue duiker, Common duiker, Defassa waterbuck, Blue and Common duiker. Hippo, Nile Crocodile and Sitatunga.

Bird watching

If you are interested in birds, this untouched environment is a great place to visit. West Lunga National Park and its rivers (Kabompo and West Lunga) boast a rich variety of bird species which include half-collared kingfishers, African fin foots, Zambia’s turacos (Schawlow’s and Lady Ross’s), large numbers of black saw-wing swallows, the fish eagle, the African kingfisher and the famous white-chested tinker bird, as well as many more common species.

Other park features

Apart from the amazing birdlife and wildlife, West Lunga National Park has other features making this hidden corner of Zambia well worth exploring:

• numerous rapids
• stunning waterfalls
• limestone caves
• underground rivers
• hot springs
• the Kabompo Gorge
• a sunken lake
• the source of the famous Zambezi River (in Ikelenge District)

Communities and ceremonies

The West Lunga Trust works alongside communities in the West Lunga Ecological Zone to improve livelihoods and social services and to conserve, restore, and sustainably utilise the area’s natural resources.

For a traditional cultural experience, the Likumbi Lya Mise (Makishi masquerading) is an annual ceremony worth a visit. It akes place in the last week of August.