Lumangwe Falls | Established Campground

April 3rd, 2024 by Gualts

Great spot as stated below. As with all waterfalls in northern Zambia price approx $15 USD ppn + $5 per vehicle. Managed to negotiate down to $500 Kwacha for 2 people for a night.

March 4th, 2024 by eastern-comfort.com

So nice first visited 13 years ago, then six years ago and today
Entry prices increased a lot ( thats fair) bit the road leading to park..even landcruiser 4x4 stuck on the way..a desaster in wet season…where does the money go 🙈
Joseph the head officer there is very helpfull 👍

February 12th, 2024 by AlwaysWander

In the middle of the rainy season (mid Feb) you will likely be alone, while the waterfalls are wider and much more powerful. Highly recommended, camping especially as it is included in the price (room with bed in the building is supposedly K100). Try to negotiate camping price if staying more than one night.
Ablutions were clean, in the mens there is one cold shower working and one of the sitting toilets is the lowest I have ever seen (without having to squat). Water is pumped from the river, caretakers drink directly from the river (seems clean, but at own risk)
The caretakers are friendly, willing to deliver basic drinks/fruit/snacks from 12km away against small payment. However, while there is a designated rubbish pit elsewhere, one caretaker threw plastic bottles over the edge in the bush as a way of 'clearing up the campsite'.

Note: only cell signal from ZamTel.

To Kabwelume falls on foot: the shortcut (goes halfway and then joins the main road) through the bush was doable, but overgrown with a small wet section in the beginning. Only attempt if comfortable with a vague trail and good orientation. In any case do not go down in elevation, straightish only.

December 6th, 2023 by boryenek

totally worth it if you can bargain ! we didnt accept to pay the crazy prices in dollars. we arrived at 8am. we bargained for 2 days and 2 nights in campsite + the entrance fees for the 2 waterfalls at 250 Kwachas for 2 people (fair price when you can check the local prices and if you compare with Victoria Falls)!
clean cold shower, water tap, hut to be protected from the rain or the sun, western toilets....
we liked it a lot because we were during week days so totally alone. we could swim at yhe bottom of the river and enjoy amazing sunsets.

July 10th, 2023 by mlperkins1980

This is the best of Africa in a campsite. We stayed just one night.
Old but incredibly clean ablutions. One working but cold water shower.
We occupied the camp right next to the falls, 15m to the edge of the falls. Flat ground. Braai area and covered area. The guard arranged for firewood for a small costs, we invited him to have dinner with us which he appreciated and was good to find out more about him, his family and village.
Annoying flying ants!!

$15 for adults and $7 for kids to visit the two falls, this includes camping if you want to stay.
Both falls are beautiful, a true hidden beauty and worth the driving conditions!!

June 30th, 2023 by supiontour

Great pitch right on the edge of the waterfalls. The washhouse was almost unusable because it was mouldy. We were able to negotiate the price down to $25 for two people and a vehicle, but this is still far too much. The road from Kawamba to the tea plantation is asphalted and then a good dirt road, except for a break-off, which can be bypassed.

April 18th, 2023 by TETravels

Wow, what a spot. Yes it's quite a detour but it's seriously well worth it, especially in the rainy season when the falls are flowing so well. You can camp literally at the top of the falls, in a flat area and its just perfect. The falls are really impressive and we had lots of photos and rainbows, you can sit right at the edge and have the entire place to yourself! We swam and bathed in the falls which was a lovely temperature every day (need to be careful of course). Campsite facilities itself are not good but there are flushing toilets which are pretty clean and there was running water but it was very brown. Stars were amazing.
$15pppn for both camping & falls - includes both Lumangwe & Kabwelume.
if this place wasn't so far away it'd be packed with people.

Dirt road from Kawambwa is not bad at all and then there's a brand new tar road from kawambwa to luwingu. Recommend coming this way and not from Mporokoso.
Highly recommend.

March 16th, 2023 by keziagreen

Also, there is one shower working in the men’s bathroom (cold) and the road to the other falls is fixed and fine so only a short 300m walk to them now.

March 16th, 2023 by keziagreen

We didn’t find the road from Mporokoso too bad, we drove it when wet after two days of pretty constant rain. It was slippery in parts but with some care it’s very manageable, albeit bumpy. The road is mostly nice and wide. It took us 2hours 20minutes to do the 90km to the falls. The very first section (approx 5km) after leaving mporokoso is probably the worst part in terms of eroded road. The falls were spectacular! We got very wet at both falls from all the spray but it was lots of fun. They’re both really amazing, camping at the top of the falls was awesome too and the caretakers are very friendly. We got told the pump was broken on night 2 of our stay but when some locals came to camp later it miraculously started working again. Would really recommend the drive out here to enjoy these awesome falls!

October 31st, 2022 by globe-discover.ch

Very nice place in front of the waterfall with a shelter. The shelter are good for shadow but unusable by rain, the roof is open on the top. Have a sundowner direct at the waterfall edge. Facilities are all run down, no water in the toilets, shower not running. No drinkable water no electricity. Caretaker are very nice but hungry so bring a extra portion for him. Only the scenery is worth the money. The walk through the bush to the Kabeluma falls is a must do. 1,5 hours one way. So expect 4 hours to walk there and back. The road to the Kabelumafalls is in very good shape, but it’s an experience to make the walk.

March 29th, 2022 by Geke

The road from Moporosco is bumpy but doable when dry, however impossible/challenging during the rains.
Beautiful falls, good facilities, lovely caretaker. Not to be missed.

August 20th, 2021 by Tortuga in Sambia

Astonishing Falls, we camped just at the waterfront Friendly Caretaker.
We walked to the Kabweluma Fall, also very impressive, but beside the road everything was burned

August 11th, 2021 by jameswright.xz

Campsite #1 is the best and close to the falls edge. Fair amount of litter around, which was disappointing considering so few people are visiting. Walked to the Kabwelume Falls, 6.6km from the campsite through the forest. Well worth the walk. The 100kw for the firewood was too much.

July 25th, 2021 by maxpower100

afterthought:
Road from Ndole Bay Lodge to Kaputa, Nkosha School (D37), Mukunsa (D36) and then the falls is fine but takes appr. 8h. Road from falls to Moporokoso is still said to be terrible. Road from falls to Ntumbashushi Falls improves along the way and takes appr. 3.5h.

July 25th, 2021 by maxpower100

Both falls are impressive and in combination with camping probably worth the money. However, as there is no running water, the showers don't work and you cannot access the second falls by car because the road is blocked by huge pipes, we negotiated a discount and paid 500 for 2. On a Friday night we were the only ones and the place was clean.

The 3km walk to the second falls is well worth it!

July 3rd, 2021 by h_wuensche

The official campsite is not directly at the falls, but you can still hear the roar.
Also great night sky, no light sources around (except your camp fire).
No running water, no showers.
A big drum with water is provided for flushing the toilets!
Pack a good sleeping bag, in “winter” it is cold at night (+6 C)!
They told me that “beds” are also available at the visitor centre for 100 Kw.
Camp fire:
The caretaker at the campsite provided fire wood and lit the camp fire in the evening, but asked for 100 Kw in the morning!

June 13th, 2021 by Onwheels

Great, the Lumangwe Falls. We were able to camp on the parking platform, with views of the waterfalls. The entrance fee contains two water falls, the Lumangwe and the Kabwelume. The photography light for both falls is good the whole day long. Best in the morning and afternoon. The access from the D19 is actually good, but narrow. Nevertheless, no problem for "BigRig's". Currently, Creek Crossings will be piped up, which leads to disabilities. We hope that the pipes will be covered with gravel soon and the access is possible without obstacles.

June 2nd, 2021 by BigGreen

Apart from the impressive falls themselves, this place is disappointing and overpaid as a campsite (15 US $ ppn plus 5 US $ for the car, and no change available when paying in Kwacha), since there are no working facilities; there are watertanks, but they are apparently not maintained. Apart from the camping spot directly at the rim of the falls (which is quite littered, since day visitors like to park and eat there as well, and nobody cleans up), there are 3 more bushy camping spots at a small distance from the river. When we stayed, two groups of locals came for braai, and one of them stayed in the rooms at the entry gate overnight (price unknown).

April 24th, 2021 by sylke.neidlinger

Spectacular place! You can stand right on the rim of the falls and we camped very close too.
We came via the Kawambwa dirt road, which was ok. There is a tar road in prep. and said to be finished still this year.
We left via the Mporokose dirt road which was terrible for almost the whole 90km! Very washed out and still some big mud holes that were difficult to negotiate!

October 17th, 2020 by tracksaroundtheworld.de

We loved to be here. Fantastic place. We stood direct in front of the falls, because at the official campground the branches were to low for us. Nobody was there. The Kabweluma Falls are breathless. You must see them. We tried to walk from the Lumangwe Falls but did‘t find in through the bush, so we did it with the truck the next morning.

May 10th, 2020 by jcgvdb

The falls are beautiful, fantastic spot on the corner of the campsite were you can have a coffee or a sundowner on the edge of the Lumangwe falls.
Expect wildcamping, the ablutions are complete rundown.
Paid 1350kw for 3 nights / 2pp and 100kw for firewood for 3 nights.

September 1st, 2019 by futsoid

This is a wonderful place. Definitely worth the entrance fee (which is NOT the case for Ntumbachushi Falls). Lumangwe falls is like a small version of the Vic Falls, but without the tourists. Campings are now at the back (not anymore at rim of falls - that's where locals hang out during the weekend ). People are very friendly and make a fire for you. There are quite clean toilets (no seats) and one cold shower in the men's toilet without shower holder. Very basic, but it does the job. Kabwelume Falls is included in the same entrance fee and is also beautiful. Good 5km road leads to these falls.

April 19th, 2019 by wollert

Large campground in a forest. From site 2 you can not see the people on site1, which is always the preferable one. You hear the falls. wonderful nature. Ablutions under construction.
you can buy firewood. But that's it.

October 10th, 2018 by PaPe

Really beautiful waterfall and the setting of the camping! Ist's a pity that the ablutions are not working properly: only one shower dirty, 1 toilette broken other half broken.
In the morning no water...
After 3 years already run down Whats a shame! 35$?? Without receipt we paid less.

October 13th, 2017 by s.gilles

We visit a lot waterfalls in this area, and for us this one was the best! Beautiful big waterfall with nice campsite and friendly staff. Shelter for the rain, trees for shadow. There is only one shower working in the men's bathroom, ask the staff to turn in on!

July 20th, 2016 by Norbert's Adventures

Stunning spot with two impressive and beautiful waterfalls. You will likely be by yourself as the place is only visited every second day or so and few people stay to camp. Campsite has thatched shelter and braai stand, firewood provided for free by very friendly caretakers, ablutions starting to need maintenance but very clean with cold showers. Nice walk to very different Kabweluma Falls where you can also camp but no showers. Falls can be very noisy so if you are sensitive choose the latter. Dogs are allowed but a sign asks for them to be kept on a leash. 15US$ pp + 5US$ for a car which is also the entry fee so worth it to stay overnight in every way

November 17th, 2015 by alles-selbst-erlebt

Camp with braai area (firewood provided) and shelter directly at rim of water fall. Spectacular view! Shady trees, tidy place, very friendly and helpful stuff. 15 USD pppn - entrance fee included, 5 USD for car. Take road from Kawambwa. Road from Mporokose is extremely rough/erosions for some 10 kms. Nice walk /drive to the gorgeous Kabweluma Falls (5 km from gate). One of our top 10 places after 1 year in Africa.