Kapishya Hot Springs Lodge
5434 Casanova, Makupula 80100 Zambia
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About
#1 of 1 lodge in Makupula
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Tucked away on the banks on the Mansha River just 19km from the famous Africa House is this 6-chalet eco-lodge and campsite. Forty degrees of crystal clear water permeates through white sands to create our springs. Surrounded with stunning countryside, this tropical retreat boasts a health spa, swimming pool, tropical gardens, guided games drives, small conference facilities, ancient stone-age sites, river rafting, high class cuisine, birding tours, day visits to the Africa House and breathtaking scenery, in total seclusion.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Pool
Bar / lounge
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Airport transportation
Spa
Wifi
Restaurant
Hot spring bath
Mosquito net
Laundry service
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Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Charming
Location
5434 Casanova, Makupula 80100 Zambia
See all nearby hotels124Reviews0Q+A23Room tips
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Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
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Stunning The best in Zambia. The campsite is the best we experienced on our trip trough Africa. On the river with clean ablutions and the best pub. The hospitality is fantastic and Mark went out of his way to accommodate us
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Kapishya Hot Springs Lodge - not to be confused with Kapisha Hot Springs or any other similarly named establishment was (to us anyway) a bit of an Enigma. To be fair and upfront - we were self-drive Campers on an Epic Trans-Africa overland so not looking for nor using this place as either a Lodge or Hotel - simply a convenient quiet safe spot to Overnight. The Option of Food and a Beverage was a bonus. Our drive proved quite a challenge from Mbeya to Tunduma, the Crossing itself, and then the T2 - probably the worst stretch of Road I have ever driven anywhere in the World. I had been warned, but simply thought they were exaggerating - Nope. Dire and Dangerous with 3 or more Trucks in line abreast not unusual. None of this is the Lodge's fault, I know, but anyone driving to or from Tunduma should be aware. We arrived late and Over-tired, thirsty & hungry. Late meant Camping area was quite packed with limited options & not much space. Running river added a pleasing background noisetrack. Dinner was pretty basic & average fare with disinterested service. We left fairly early the next morning heading for Nth Luangwa National Park.…
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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2 stays at Kapishya, one staying in a river front lodge, and one camping. Both were only one night as we overlanded between SA and Tanzania. Our next visit, and there will be one, will be longer than one night! The hot springs really are not to be missed. Luxuriating in them after a day on the rough Zambian roads in a Landrover shouldn't be missed. The road in is an adventure too, with the Africa House and it's wondeful surroundings shouting at us to be be visited. On our second visit Mark and Mel were in residence and entertained us to a fabulous evening, with home cooked food being very welcome. Look out Mark & Mel, we'll be back for chapter 2!
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
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Room Tip: Get there early and try to camp for more than 1 night.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Situated on the banks of the river this historic lodge offers a real taste of nature. The deck overlooking the river also has a pool and seating area. The hot springs are a short walk from the bar and restaurant. But most of all it is the culinary delights that the modest host cooks which should be given her own 5 star rating.
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip: There is also a camp site
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My husband, son (3) and I (heavily pregnant at the time) stayed here on our way to Tanganyika. We thoroughly enjoyed the hot springs and went for a walk down the road where we saw some lovely geophytic orchids (ID pending). The deck by the swimming pool is lovely but the pool pump - which is incredibly loud necessitating raised voices - was on all day making it very unpleasant; we asked if it could be turned off but were told the manager had instructed it to be on. Being wet season, the owners away and there only being one other person in a chalet plus one camper for the first night, there was very little atmosphere and we were largely not spoken to or engaged by staff. Despite the camp being run-down and showing its age, the room, beds and towels were all clean. Bed sheets were synthetic which meant we were sweaty and towels were a bit threadbare and on the small side. The mattresses were not comfortable so we did leave with slightly sore backs. There were mozzie nets but the one over the double bed was a bit small however, we did not hear or see any mozzies in the room. We were self-catering so we had access to the kitchen which was largely clean and in good order. We had no help in the kitchen, except for dish washing. The gardens were a bit stuffy this time of year with the humidity, and it would be nicer to have a clear view to the river from the chalet, but I imagine it would be lovely and cool in the hot season. Overall not a bad trip but not what I had expected.…
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Date of stay: January 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Such a beautiful green oasis. The Hot springs are a wonderful relaxing place especially in the early morning or in the late evening. You will get the best coffee in whole Zambia and very good food. All ingredients are from the own garden or regional environment. A place for having a time out……
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Date of stay: September 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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We knew that coming down from Mpulungu to Kapishya was going to be a tough drive. Admittedly, we had taken an hour at the beginning of the journey to visit the Moto Moto Museum in Mbala. Which proved well worth the visit. We marvelled at the display of Desmond Clark, my wife’s grandfather, an archaeologist who famously excavated a pre-historic site at Kalambo Falls in the 1950s. To make things worse on the drive, we managed to add 2 hours by missing a turn. Hence, we had to travel back up the Great North Road from Mbele. This meant we arrived well after dark, having driven through the Shiwa estate. We were met by Mark Harvey (one of Stewart Gore Browns grandsons) to whom we apologised and explained why we were late. After our luggage was moved what turned out to be very spacious chalets with pretty much instant hot water and large mosquito nets which draped over the bedside tables, we were served an amazing dinner by Mell and her team. It was the first of many outstandingly flavoursome meals... The next morning we realised how fantastic the location is. On the banks of the Mansha river, with rapids producing the calming sound of flowing water, well-kept grounds with many different trees attracting wonderfully varied bird life. I should also mention the lovely dogs. We were amazed by the presence of 3 dalmatians: it turns out Mark and Mell adore the breed and went to as far as Croatia to obtain the best pedigree. Dalmatians anywhere in Zambia are offspring of one of theirs. Mark and Mell proved to be the source of many interesting stories whenever they joined us for our meals (which was often). In all a wonderful place to stay. Bathe in the hot springs and poke your feet right down into the sand and gravel channels from which the hot water rise. Ask Mark for a map with directions of a circular walk; we took a good hour to climb a rocky outcrop and enjoyed fantastic views over the neighbouring valleys. Mark showed us several sites with rock art, do ask if he is prepared to take you for a walk. Do take the opportunity, if given, to let Mark show you how he is doing his best to make the lodge as sustainable as possible (in terms of carbon – environmental footprint). A visit to Shiwa Ngandu House is a must. Before you do, use your travel time to read Christina Lamb’s book “The Africa House” which is all about Stewart Gore-Brown and the history of the estate he built at the lake. It brings everything you see to life.…
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Date of stay: August 2022
Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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We had a very enjoyable stay at Kapishya. The accommodation and facilities are worth the journey (we drove up from Lusaka). But what made the event really special was dinner: Mark Harvey was very entertaining, the lady of the house an astonishing cook! We had the best food of our Zambia journey! Based on information provided by Mark We changed our plan from going to Lake Tanganyika to visiting North Luangwa NP, crossing by pontoon and driving down to Mfuwe. Us being completely unprepared for self catering Mark helped us out by lending a coolbox, filling it with provisions (including a bottle of whisky) and contacting a camp for us. All in all Kapishiya was a fantastic experience. Go there, it is worth the journey!
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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We had an absolutely wonderful stay at Kapishya Hot Springs, it is a luxurious haven in the Zambian bush. Mark and his team look after guests and make them feel part of the family with fantastic food, beautiful gardens and the hot springs themselves. My partner had the best massage she's ever had, and we felt fully restored and relaxed by the time we left. Well worth making the time to visit.
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Date of stay: January 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Mark Harvey, Owner at Kapishya Hot Springs Lodge
Responded 16 Jan 2022
Thanks guys. Really nice to have you both back after 10 years!! Glad you enjoyed yourselves and good luck with your bike ride to Cape Town!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
a beautiful place,with not much activity making it soo boring,menu is very limited not much of a variety,service is extremely poor,no guide to show us around as first timers..couldn’t even be attended to just to get a drink
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Date of stay: December 2021Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Mark Harvey, Owner at Kapishya Hot Springs Lodge
Responded 17 Jan 2022
Hi I sorry you had a bad experience here. Please can you tell me if you stayed with us or came for a day visit. Please get in contact with me directly and tell me which date you came here on so I can follow this matter up.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LOCATION
ZambiaMuchinga ProvinceMakupula
NUMBER OF ROOMS
6
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Claim Your ListingKAPISHYA HOT SPRINGS LODGE - Updated 2023 (Makupula, Zambia)
Frequently Asked Questions about Kapishya Hot Springs Lodge
What are some of the property amenities at Kapishya Hot Springs Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a pool, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at Kapishya Hot Springs Lodge?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Kapishya Hot Springs Lodge?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Kapishya Hot Springs Lodge?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Kapishya Hot Springs Lodge have airport transportation?
Yes, Kapishya Hot Springs Lodge offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are pets allowed at Kapishya Hot Springs Lodge?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Is Kapishya Hot Springs Lodge accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.