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At Flatdogs we pride ourselves on offering accommodation to rival the up-market lodges, at a fraction of the cost. Our accommodation options include luxurious chalet rooms, our brand new in 2006 Jackal-Berry Tree House, semi-permanent (dry season) Safari Tents and of course the best situated camp site in the South Luangwa, with plenty of space for overland groups and separate sites for private campers.
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Jackal-Berry House:
The Jackal-Berry Tree House is built around three live African Ebony trees (Diospyros mespiliformis) with unspoilt views out across the dambo and lagoon system, favoured by elephant and giraffe.
The Tree House has three main decks which are around six feet high off the ground with wooden decks and stairways to reach the spacious sitting area and open-plan bedrooms. Each bedroom has open air en-suite facilities with hot shower, flush toilet and sink. One bedroom has a queen sized bed with mosquito net, the other bedroom has either two single beds or these may be pushed together to make a king if there are two couples sharing the house.
A comfy sofa and two easy chairs on the middle deck are ideal for watching the game wandering past the house, oblivious to your presence. An ice-box and honesty bar are provided in the house as well as tea and coffee making facilities. If honeymoon couples and romantic souls fancy a candlelit dinner for two, alone under the stars we are happy to oblige.
Guests at the Tree House are provided with a hand-held radio as the secluded nature of the house means that a vehicle is needed after dark. The Tree House is on mains electricity and has 3-pin square plug sockets for recharging cameras or laptops. |
Chalets:
In order to provide top quality facitilies at a budget price, we have come up with some interesting design concepts for our chalets.
Three of our four chalets have a downstairs double room surrounded by a cool veranda and an upstairs twin room with a high thatched roof and views of the river. Both rooms have a couch which converts into an extra single bed when needed. Electric fans cool our rooms and large mosquito nets surround our beds. Each bedroom has private bathroom facilities either en-suite or down a short flight of stairs.
In addition to these six chalet rooms we also have a Family House with another three bedrooms, sleeping a total of eight. There is a shared bathroom and fully equipped kitchen inside the house and just outside are another two hot showers and flush toilets. This makes the Family House ideal for larger groups and families with young children.
All our rooms are cleaned each day by 'the ladies' Ellyzed and Judy, who will also put your mosquito net down in the late afternoon whilst you're out on a night-drive. Laundry is done daily and for those who are keen to cook for themselves, each chalet room shares a kitchenette with hob/oven, kettle and fridge-freezer so that self catering groups can easily cook their own food and drinks can be kept ice-cold ready for sundowners by the river. If you bring vast quantities of supplies we have a 20 foot (-40C) cold room to store your frozen goods. We are on mains electricity and have a standby generator for emergencies.
The Chalets normally sleep sixteen (16) guests, but with the option of extra beds and triple rooms we are flexible enough to be able to take larger groups. |
Safari Tents:
On the banks of the Luangwa, with the best views in camp, we have sited our four classic Safari Tents under the shade of a stand of Mahogany trees. The tents are traditional in style and have ground and fly sheets as well as two fully made up camp beds. The tents do not have ensuite facilities; they share two open air showers and toilets in the true spirit of camping, with a few mod cons!
There is also an al fresco kitchen area with lockable cupboards and a small fridge for storing drinks and food if needed. A picnic table overlooking the elephant crossing point adds wildlife spectacle to an already exceptional experience. |
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Campsite:
We have two main camping areas, both set a little way back from the riverbank so there is minimum disturbance to wildlife. Overland groups head to the right and independent campers to the left, so everyone has plenty of space. We now have seven of our very popular tree platforms, available on a 'first come, first served' basis only.
Ground level sites have good shade, stone fireplaces for barbecuing, washing up sinks with borehole (drinking) water, an electric light and mains electricity (220V, 3 pin square sockets).
We purchase firewood from our Community Resource Board so that trees are used in a sustainable manner in the Kakumbi District, so there is a charge levied on mopane bundles which goes straight back to the community.
We have a no music policy in both our campsites - it's not because we're old - it's because we prefer the sounds of the bush! |
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