LONG overdue review as my wife and I stayed at Shawa Luangwa Camp during our holiday in Zambia in September 2022. We had to cancel in 2021 due to the pandemic, so the anticipation was through the roof. We were not disappointed. Yes, the lodge is beautiful and it's obvious that there was careful thought to the design, layout, etc. Yes, the surrounding landscapes, wildlife, and views are out of this world. Yes, it does make a HUGE difference when you're in an e-Land Cruiser for your game drives as it's nearly silent while driving around. And yes, South Luangwa lives up to the hype. But what sets Shawa Camp apart are the people. From the initial greeting to the warm goodbye, every single person was a delight. They treated us so well, words cannot describe it. This set the lodge apart and made it a stay we'll never forget. We were lucky enough to have Jacob as our guide for the duration of our stay. We learned so much during our time with him. The best leopard encounter of our life was here, and Jacob made it happen by being patient and returning a short while after a group of vehicles was present. This allowed us to have a more personal, and up close, experience. The best lion sighting of our life was also here, watching a cub nurse with her mother on the banks of the Luangwa River at sunset. We also had an amazing sighting of wild dogs with their young pups. That said, what we'll remember the most about our game drives is Jacob's sincere love for the park and his dedication to what he does. The man notices everything, from the plants to the birds to the way the sun is setting against the landscape. This enabled us to notice and appreciate things we otherwise would not have. There's a reason he's one of the top-rated guides in the world. Oh, and the man is a borderline professional photographer, so some of our best shots are courtesy of Jacob either telling us which shot to take and how or him taking photos on our behalf! I want to mention we'll never forget the morning and evening boat crossings (ingenious design) between the lodge and the national park. Tremendous hippo sightings during these short jaunts. We'll also not soon forget having elephants walk through the camp and right next to our deck, even if it did delay our route on occasion. A heartfelt thank you to everyone at Shawa Camp. Green Safaris is doing some amazing things. Do yourself a favor and book a stay here. You won't regret it! Steve and Sheila
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