We've had quite a few trips to Africa, some Kenya, South Africa but a lot of Zambia. For those who don't know Zambia is a little 'rougher' than some of the more better known countries, but all the nicer for that - Zambia trades on being 'the real Africa'. Within Zambia, if you like birdwatching and quiet safaris without seeing other people, then the South Luangwa National Park is as good as it gets. (It's quiet apart from getting into the park itself, which is like a scene from the "Wacky Races" - and the Flatdogs truck always seems to come out best!) And Flatdogs is the best camp we have been to in the South Luangwa.
Why, I hear you ask? It's much more laid back than lots of camps, you can go for the full morning and evening game drives, or for shorter drives, or skip one if you want without feeling like a spare part. The bar / restaurant serves food all day from (an admittedly quite short) menu - so you don't have that merry-go-round of snack, game drive, breakfast, lunch, tea, game drive, supper. As a big family we enjoyed being able to have a table to ourselves at dinner to talk about our day - I know it doesn't sound very friendly, but Jess and Ade (the camp hosts / owners) came and talked to you, as did a number of their excellent team. Always friendly, but never intrusive. There's a great swimming pool for relaxing, playing during the day. Elephants in the camp add that element of scariness that's great to look back on from the safety of your living room back home.
We drank in the bar one even with Jess & Ade and a few of their team - they are incredibly welcoming and everyone seems genuinely happy and pleased to see you. Perhaps less formal than some camps, but in our family's opinion all the better for that. Our children - ranging in ages from 13 - 20 - became much more relaxed, talkative and got a much better experience from Flatdogs. They've been begging to go back.
Oh, and the accommodation is just great for families. We had one "hut" that was two storey and could be split into two apartments, but we had as one unit. It meant we had two bathrooms and a little kitchen area we could make tea in during the day, two tables / verandas for playing cards and watching the river roll by.
Jess & Ade - thank you so much, we will come back if we possibly can. Just make sure that tall American doesn't outshine us next time!

The food was delicious and the guides were lovely and friendly. We saw tonnes of animals. The pool was refreshing and the slide was the best part. I travel quite a lot with my family and we have stayed in a range of resorts. As a young person it is really unusual to find such friendly staff who get to know you as an individual so quickly and then try to organize things that you will like. The chocolate brownie drizzled in chocolate sauce and with cream was my favorite - I had it twice.

Friendly and flexible in a great setting. A well drilled team with excellent logistics. As fellow Africa residents we recognize just how hard it is to deliver this quality of service. Friendly knowledgeable driver guides, well maintained vehicles, superb and very varied cooking with meals when YOU want them! Almost unheard of by us as a family having stayed in a number of places. Great swimming pool with wide concrete slide - completely robust and able to accommodate racing pairs of children/adults! Game viewing - saw everything we wanted to - lion, elephant, heard of cape buffalo, leopard, too many birds to list here, giraffe, zebra, etc. Stayed 3 nights, fitted in 5 game drives. Lovely bar area, internet cafe and boule court. If they ever set up a small air conditioned gym area, however rudimentary, this joint would be totally complete. On safari trips it is hard to get any exercize in as you are staying in a wildlife area. We would love to come back in the dry season next time and may be stay in the tree house! Thank you everyone for working hard to tailor things to fit our family of Iona, 13, Ben, 11, and David 7, plus parents who just wanted to do it all... Happy New Year... PS Super wide and comfortable double beds, fans for everyone and good quality showers plus kitchen if you need it...

I haven't been able to write a review about my brief October trip because I had written a review about planning the trip and how even that was enjoyable so let me add to the chorus here and say that next summer, I will be visiting Flatdogs for the third year in the row and the second time with my kids (aged 13 and 9 next trip)

So this review is especially for parents. There is nothing more magical than seeing your children's eyes light up on safari and I can promise you as someone who has traveled a fair amount in Africa, Flatdogs is the place to bring your young adventurers. While some camps won't allow kids or won't really go out their way to welcome them, the entire crew at Flatdogs will literally make your journey the trip of your and your children's lifetime.

Eastern Zambia is a long way from Boston, or where you live too I am sure - but it is it worth it, and I am writing right after Christmas --- when both my kids literally sat down and read the four page December newsletter from Flatdogs and are so excited to be back I can't even tell you.

(p.s. if you need any help or extra thoughts with planning, ask Jessica anything she is the best.)