Flatdogs Camp — Hotel in Eastern Province

My wife and I were fortunate enough to spend 12 nights at Flatdogs last month and upon reflection we regard our ‘in camp’ and ‘out of camp’ experiences with Flatdogs in the Luangwa as one of the most memorable safari trips we enjoyed across the last 20 years. ||It is not our modus operandi to stay at one camp for such an extended duration, especially as first time visitors. However, Flatdogs had been on my ‘bucket list’ to experience for many years and this heartfelt desire, coupled with seamless direct comms with Jess from the outset, made it an easy decision to make and one which is hindsight was more than justified. ||As the popular advertising slogan goes, ‘if Carlsberg did safari camps’… then IMO they would look and ‘feel’ an awful lot like what Ade and Jess have created and helped to cultivate over the years in what is a spectacular camp location overlooking the Luangwa River and beyond into South Luangwa NP itself. |Without going off on too much of a tangent by listing what I regard as being cornerstones and the pre-requisites of what makes for an exceptional safari camp, suffice to say Flatdogs has long since thought of them all and has them in spades, which truly elevates the guest experience. ||One of these cornerstones that I would like to make quick mention of is the importance of having an exceptional team of ‘in camp’ staff in place and at Flatdogs this is strikingly evident. I would stake claim that the staff and team at Flatdogs were perhaps the friendliest, most amenable, attentive and professional staff that my wife and I have had the pleasure of getting to know and befriend in over 20 trips on safari in Africa. ||We arrived as guests but we certainly felt after 12 nights that we were leaving newly found friends behind. I could wax lyrical about all the wonderful people we met during our stay individually by name but to avoid singling anyone out, I would just say each and every one of the Flatdogs family we met along the way were a pleasure, a true asset to Flatdogs and a huge part of what I feel helps to make Flatdogs so special. ||Our safari experience was also second to none. They do not call the Luangwa ‘the valley of the Leopard’ for nothing it seems and our visceral experience of this adage became apparent less than one hour past our arrival in camp when a female leopard decided to take down a rather unfortunate Bushbuck not 30 yards from where we sat eating dinner – what an exhilarating beginning to our Flatdogs adventure and the hits kept on coming, clocking 20 separate Leopard sightings across the 12 days in the park, which including several sightings of ‘Lucy’ the queen of Mfuwe and of the archetypal stalking behaviour in using the deep crevices and gulley’s as cover from their potential prey… incredible to witness. ||In a broader sense, the South Luangwa NP is alongside the Okavango Delta, in being the most visually beautiful and habitat diverse areas in Southern Africa that I have witnessed on safari. The topography and the variation in landscapes is truly breaktaking at times, and so even on the odd occasion you experience ‘quieter’ game drives in terms of sightings, you are able to sit back in awe and simply admire the tapestry of the Luangwa as it unfolds around every corner it seems right in front of your eyes. Magical. ||Alongside leopard sightings a plenty, the Mfuwe Pride, Painted Dogs etc.… even as pretty seasoned safari goers, we had a host of ‘firsts’ for us in terms of sightings thanks to our incredible guide Geoffrey and the keen eyes of our tracker, Ephraim. Amongst those ‘firsts’ were the endemic Cookson’s Wildebeest, Crayshaw’s Zebra and Thornicroft’s Giraffe but also some really special sightings such as Elland, Roan, the rare Sharps Grysbok, and my highlight, a Pele’s Fishing Owl. | |Overall our Flatdogs experience was a magical one. Our stay exceeded already high expectations and even after 12 nights we were not remotely ready to leave and come home, which I think probably says it all, not only about Flatdogs, but about the South Luangwa in general. We will definitely be back and would wholeheartedly recommend it to our...

⸻||A magical place full of heart, respect, and wilderness – Flatdogs Camp||From the very first moment, our stay at Flatdogs Camp was something truly special. This camp is far more than just a safari lodge – it’s a place filled with soul, a deep connection to nature, and genuine humanity.||What makes Flatdogs so extraordinary is the people who give this place its spirit and warmth:|Kenedy, calm and deeply rooted in the natural world, exudes a quiet reverence for the bush – a truly grounding presence.|Lydia, always elegant and attentive, with an eye for detail and a gentle grace that brought a unique charm to every day.|Caroline, caring, welcoming, and full of positive energy – she made us feel completely seen and cared for.|Job, our waiter, was simply wonderful – professional, kind, and full of character, always there with a smile and perfect timing.|Royce, still in guide training, stood out with her beautiful, radiant smile and her heartfelt enthusiasm – a truly inspiring young woman.|And Rosemarie, so lovely and warm – she quietly enriched our stay with her gentle and kind nature.||What really touched us is that every single member of the staff, even those not named here, was genuinely kind, attentive, and passionate about what they do. You can feel the deep respect among the team and from management, not just toward the guests but toward one another.||Right in front of our tent, at the dry waterhole, stood a huge elephant, peaceful and majestic – an unforgettable moment.|On our game drives, we were lucky enough to see several leopards lounging in trees – rare, breathtaking sightings. Overall, the wildlife experiences were outstanding.|Most notably, all guides and drivers showed the utmost respect for the animals – never pushing, never crowding, always observing with patience and admiration.||Every evening we gathered for the charming “Two Shot Gin & Tonic” ritual, which became a beautiful space for stories, laughter, and connection.|On our last night, the team surprised us with a sundowner by the river, complete with sparkling wine, finger food, and a golden sunset – dreamily romantic and deeply moving.||Flatdogs isn’t just a beautiful place – it’s a powerful example of how tourism can be responsible, respectful, and empowering. The owners are committed to social responsibility and treat their staff with real respect and care, offering growth and opportunity in a heartfelt way. That spirit is felt throughout the entire camp.||In summary:|Flatdogs is a magical place, run by a fantastic team, where wildlife, people, and purpose come together in harmony. With unforgettable animal encounters, genuine hospitality, and heartfelt values, this was one of the most meaningful experiences we’ve ever...

As TA reviews have been an important inspiration for my trip, so I would like to share my experience too. Reading the TA reports, my expectations were high, and the reality has only confirmed the excellence of Flatdogs during my whole week stay!|Where to start? The communication during reservation was smooth, quick and professional, the airport pick-up well organised and from the moment I have entered the Flatdogs camp I felt like in a dream or a movie!|The camp is perfectly located at the Luangwa River just near the National Park entrance. You can hear the animals roaring and feel the presence of the nature. The tents and lodges are set with privacy, all are perfectly comfortable, spacious, nicely decorated, clean, all have a great view, and you can observe lots of animals just being in the camp, while resting near the pool or having a snack with coffee.|All the staff, managers and owners are so friendly, polite, professional and helpful, I just felt like being with my close friends and really enjoyed being in their company. We also had great time and lot of fun with the other travellers from all around the world I have met.|The food is another story! So much delicious food, its variety and quality, prepared with taste and imagination, it’s almost difficult to leave the table to go for a game drive! But no regrets!|The game drives and wildlife were again amazing! I have been with Yotam as a guide, all my compliments to him! He is so passionate, knowledgeable, has a great sense of humour, keeping the tolerance for the animals. We have seen several times all the big game, leopards every day, wild dogs, lions, interactions between different species, hunting scenes. Staying longer time, I have really appreciated all the creatures, also all the small animals and all kinds of birds and the beauty of the surrounding nature! And not feeling much sure about myself at first, I really enjoyed the walking safari with Yotam and the others. Such a great experience tracking the animals, asking for explanations, listening and observing the wildlife.|Thanks to Harold I have discovered the Community and Conservation projects and also this Flatdogs activity is much honourable.|I felt sad in the end to leave such a great people and place, and I hope to come back soon again with all my family! Jess, Ade, Paolo, Lydia, Yotam, Caro, Job and all the others - thank you very very much for my memorable stay at Flatdogs! Looking forward to seeing you...