Flatdogs Camp

Our Story

Flatdogs Camp

WHAT IS FLATDOGS? We are proud to offer our guests the highest standard of services at the most competitive prices in the Luangwa Valley. We look after all types of personality and budget; from first-timers delighted with their first impala, to serious photographers hoping for that once in a life-time shot, to multi-generational family holidays and romantic honeymoons. Flatdogs’ Safari Package rate is outstanding value-for-money; our game-drives and walking safaris are taken in the same National Park as the more expensive lodges after all and our professional safari guides are all personally chosen for their love of the Park and interest in the flora and fauna they find within it. A maximum of six guests per open vehicle and walking safari ensures that guests have the best possible views and opportunity to learn from their guide’s insight and experience. Flatdogs is one of the few truly "family friendly" camps in the Luangwa and children are welcome year round. We have a family chalet, family tent, children's menu in the restaurant with flexible serving times and a nanny/listening service, so everyone can enjoy this fantastic safari! FLATDOGS FACILITIES: • THE RESTAURANT - Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks throughout the day. Our menu is á la carte, with no set meal-times, or set meals, so guests can choose when and what they would prefer to eat (and with whom!). Ideal for families and those trying to watch their figures! We have both gluten free and vegan menus available. • THE BAR – with café tables and chairs, WiFi access, sofas and the bar itself where refreshing mojitos are just the thing after a hard day on safari... WiFi connection costs K15 per hour (approx $1.50). • THE INSIDE BAR – our small library is housed here with wildlife reference books for guests’ use and a small exhibits area with interesting items found by our guides as well as desks and comfortable sofas. • THE SHOP – Brimming with local crafts, postcards, stamps, safari clothing, hats, toiletries and presents for those back home. • THE SWIMMING POOL - To discourage guests from joining the crocodiles in the river during our hot and sunny days, we have a refreshing pool with river views. • THE GAME VIEWERS – A fleet of six-seater open safari vehicles stand at the ready for our professional safari guides to show you the outstanding game of the South Luangwa National Park. Larger groups hoping to safari together can be accommodated on request. Morning and Night drives are possible as are Walking safaris (usually May-November but are possible on request outside these dates). These activities last four hours. We also offer extended All-Day Drives from 0600-2000 including a picnic lunch (minimum of four people). We are the closest camp to the main entrance of the South Luangwa National Park. FLATDOGS JACKAL BERRY TREE HOUSE – 1 house with 2 bedrooms Set in a private spot away from the rest of camp, the Jackalberry Tree House is a special treat indeed. The “house” is made up by three joined platforms built around three mature Mchenja trees (African Ebony or Jackalberry tree). There are two en-suite bedrooms with a shared and totally open sitting/dining deck in-between them. The bedroom platforms have romantic and rustic four poster beds (one king bed in each room, one of which can be split into two twin beds), open front walls and uninterrupted views of Africa. Each bedroom has an open air bathroom platform down a short flight of steps with hot shower, flush toilets and basin. A large sofa, armchairs and throw cushions are spread out on the middle deck for relaxing during the heat of the day and watching the game wandering past the house, happily oblivious to your presence. There is also a dining table and chairs should guests prefer to dine at the house. A fridge and mini bar are provided in the treehouse as well as tea and coffee-making facilities. A hand-held radio is also set up, so that guests can call for a vehicle to bring them to the restaurant or bar, or in case there is a problem of any kind. Their safari guide will otherwise plan with them when they would like collecting from the house and their preferred safari and other activities. The Tree-house is on mains electricity and has UK style 3-pin rectangular plug sockets for re-charging cameras or laptops. Giraffe, bushbuck, puku and elephant are commonly found all around the Treehouse and it is wonderful to wake to the sounds of elephant feeding below you or having a mud bath from the waterhole in front of the house. A maximum of five guests can be accommodated in the Treehouse. Children under 6 years of age are not suitable for the Treehouse. FLATDOGS CROCODILE (CROC’S) NEST – 1 tented house with 2 bedrooms The Croc’s Nest has been pitched on a huge deck on the bank of the Luangwa River, with wonderful river views. The Nest is a large tented house, split into two en-suite tented bedrooms at either end of the house, both with either one king or two twin beds, with space for a third bed inside each bedroom if required. The two bedrooms both have semi-open air bathrooms with hot showers, flush toilets and basin. The bedrooms lead into the shared living room/dining area in the middle of the house, which has sofas, soft chairs and a dining table as guests in the Croc’s Nest are also welcome to eat privately at the house. If a group or family of six wish to take the house then the extra beds can be set up in this large living area rather than in each bedroom, depending on their preference. The living room and both bedrooms open onto the outside deck and sitting area, with 180° views of the Luangwa River. There is a private swimming pool built into the deck which also looks onto the river. The house is on mains electricity and has electric fans in all rooms and a fridge for cold drinks. Guests staying in the Croc’s Nest have a private guide and their own safari vehicle so they can plan their activities depending on their particular interests. A maximum of six guests can be accommodated in the Croc’s Nest. Children under 6 years of age are not suitable for the Croc’s Nest. FLATDOGS CHALETS – 3 standard family chalets plus one larger family chalet Guests booked on our safari package basis will have the whole of a chalet building to themselves whether they are 2 or 4 or 5 people. There are two bedrooms and bathrooms in each of the three standard chalet buildings. Each chalet building has a downstairs double (king bed) room with ensuite bathroom and an upstairs twin or triple room with their own private bathroom just downstairs from the bedroom. These chalets are ideal for families with children as they can walk through to their parents room without having to go outside. There is a kitchenette area between the two halves of the building where we have a fridge and kettle and tea/coffee making things. If a couple book a chalet room, they will have the whole of the regular chalet to themselves. There is also one larger “family” chalet which has three bedrooms in total but just two ensuite bathrooms - the two downstairs bedrooms are both ensuite - one room has a king bed and a single bed, the other has three single beds. There is also a kitchen area between the two bedrooms. The family chalet has a spiral staircase from the kitchen leading up to the "loft room", sitting area and upstairs viewing deck. The viewing deck looks out towards the Luangwa river and while is not ideal for very small children, it is a wonderful place to relax and watch the sun set over the river. The loft room has two more single beds but has no private bathroom, people sleeping here need to share the bathrooms found in the bedrooms downstairs. Outside the chalet is an open sala sitting area with sofa and chairs. There is a combination safe found in each chalet. FLATDOGS EN-SUITE SAFARI TENTS – Luxury & Standard Tents – total of 10 We have 7 Luxury ensuite safari tents, 6 of which are pitched permanently on the banks of the Luangwa. These made-to-order tents have a thatched roof for extra shade, ensuite facilities (hot shower, flush toilet and basin) with a canvas half roof over the bathroom, full-sized beds with sprung mattresses, large mosquito nets and all bedding and towels provided. The tents have electric lights, a fan and charging points for camera batteries (UK type plugs and sockets). There is also a room safe and tea & coffee making facilities. Six of the luxury tents including the family tent look straight out onto the river, one tent (tent 11, the honeymoon tent) has plenty of privacy and looks out onto a pretty waterhole, which attracts plenty of birdlife as well as elephant for their daily mud baths and giraffe when they are thirsty. The Family Tent (a luxury tent) is a little different as this is a specially designed tent which has space for a double bed and two single beds, with a large bathroom at the back of the tent, shared between the family. The family tent is on the river bank, close to the main area, with lovely views of the river. We also have three “Standard” en-suite safari tents which are smaller and simpler than the Luxury tents, but which are still walk-in tents with ensuite bathrooms with open air shower, toilet and basin. Two of these standard tents are situated on the river bank, the other looks directly onto the same waterhole as tent 11. The standard tents also have full beds (twin or king bed), bedding, mosquito nets, charging points and electric fans. The standard tents do not have tea and coffee making facilities or safes provided but valuables can be locked in the office for safe keeping.

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