Dean's Hill View Lodge | Established Campground

Zambia

Details

Verified:
3 months ago
Altitude:
1149.0 masl
Website:
None
Phone:
None
Contributor:
contato

Amenities

Electricity:
Yes - At Sites
Wifi:
Yes - Average
Kitchen:
Yes
Restaurant:
Unknown
Showers:
Hot
Water:
Potable
Toilets:
Running Water
Big Rig Friendly:
Unknown
Tent Friendly:
Yes
Pet Friendly:
Yes
Sanitation Dump Station:
Unknown

Something not right?

Description

Great place for camping, we stayed also in Mama Roula but this place is cheaper and way better. USD 8 pppn. Grass, hammocks, tables, and hill view. The camp spot is on a slope. facilities are basic. Staff was friendly.

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Latest Check-Ins

Stayed here for one-night stopover after crossing border from Mawawi. Staff was super friendly and helpful, we ordered dinner which they prepared while we set up camp and even brought it, along with a table, directly to our campsite. Food was delicious, it’s a good place to stop and resupply before heading further on to Lusaka or S Luangwa NP

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Super friendly staff and nice campsite in the city with green pitches. Totally safe. Staff helped us out with our electricity because we didn’t have the right adapter for the Zambian electricity plug ins yet, since we have South African plug ins and were not able to get a converter earlier in Zambia. The staff cycled in the evening to a hardware store for us without even asking. Would recommend the place definitely over Mama rulas! ❤️

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Very lovely camp site in the middle of the city. Great and supportive staff. Nice facilities and good hot showers! WiFi even worked good enough to work remotely (didn’t do video calls though) and great facilities in the surrounding (shoprite)

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Good campsite for a stop over before crossing the border to Malawi. Friendly staff, ablutions are a bit run down but working well, perfect hot shower.
But don't change your currency with them, bad rate compare to what we had at the border.

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The access track to this place is rough in places but quite doable in all types of camper. Hoot at the gate if closed late in the day. The stands for vehicles are quite small and tricky to access negotiating the many trees and tracks. The ageing ablutions were not that clean but delivered hot water. Wifi comes from a router the staff will attach to the nearest tree where there is a 240V socket to power. Can get noisy with local music and/or what sounded like a call to prayer to a mosque. Difficult to choose between this and Mamarula's.

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Arrived here afte a long trip from the lake,
Camping is basic and on the side of a hill so take that into account.
Rate is USD 8 pppn for camping

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On a hillside set back from the town. There is town noise. The campsite is very pleasant with grass and shade from trees. The ablutions work but some toilets are without seats. The staff are friendly and helpful. It's a good stopover to and from Malawi.

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I think this is the best place in Chipata for camping. The hosts and everyone working there are incredibly helpful and friendly. ablutions pretty run down but we still had flushing loos with seat and door, hot shower, etc. Cold drinks for sale and a pool table too. the sites aren't very level but still ok, and nice shady areas. there is free wifi but it was super slow when we were there. Unfortunately our camera was stolen from our car but we're 95% this happened at the border and not here, but just a reminder to be vigilant!
$8uspppn.

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Moffat was the most obliging host of any campsite I've been to, and his staff are also lovely. On arrival at 5:30pm, I reversed into a tree and smashed my rear windscreen. By bedtime he had already arranged that someone get a windscreen from Lusaka the next day, and taken me in his car to pay the deposit. It looks like a job well done, and he was the one co-ordinating with the repair place all the time.

When we asked about braai facilities, a staff member arrived with a portable braai, complete with a fire already set and lit! Another staff member helped me with my washing, completely unbidden.

The campsite is shady with big trees, ablutions basic but good hot water, and toilet paper is replaced regularly. $8pppn for camping, converted to Kwacha.

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Very friendly staff and nice looking camping. Seems the best bet in town. When we arrived, it was raining and therefore it was really helpful that we could use the communal kitchen. There is also a pool table that you may use. Ablutions are okay. Price 8 pppn. Location is convenient as it is in town so close to shops etc but not too noisy.

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Not big rig friendly. Not level anywhere and trees are low. An old car blocking the entrance so you can’t easily get in without hitting the tree opposite. Very tight spaces.

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120 ZMW pppn. Lovely welcome, fabulous staff, flat pitches in well kept grounds. Facilities are quite run down though. In the ladies only one toilet had a seat, only one shower had hot water, only one light fitting had a bulb. None of the sinks had water.
We were travelling with relatives who stayed in a room and they were disappointed with their very basic musty smelling room, mosquito net too small for the bed and no hot water - although they were happy about the $25 room rate!
There was no restaurant but the lovely owners offered to cook us chicken and rice (we declined).
Perfectly good for a stopover, but needs a bit of renovation soon to keep it at an adequate standard.

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Nice enough place within the town. It is walking distance to a Toyota service garage. We’ll shaded and very pleasant staff. Two electric points to be shared no problem. Picnic tables. Well maintained area for the camping. The oddities is the abulitions which feature new electric hot water tank but will
Take a long time to get to the womens side. Most of the toilets missing seats and wash basin within are poorly functioning or not functioning. Male staff uses the same ablutions and others come into the campground to also use the mens showers. They are not guests but perhaps neighborhood folks. No trash bins, water outlet or place to wash dishes. All this must be done in the staff kitchen. Nevertheless it is all workable

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Lovely welcome, fire was made for us. Ablutions are looking clean with new paint job. WiFi is free and the campsite is grassy and shady. Price is 8 usd pppn. Very close to Chipata but quiet.

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in june 2022, it is 5$/pppn (85 ZMW), not more.

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Very sweet host who was very welcoming. Hot shower which was very welcomed and wifi which they brought outside so we could get it from our campsite! Stayed here before entering Malawi.

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We didn’t stay as were put off by the condition of the ablutions. In the ladies, 2 toilet cubicles had no seat, and the 3rd with a seat had no door… But for all we know it may be nice otherwise if you don’t mind the state of repair. The pitches are green and shady. We went to Mamarula’s instead which is also a bit run down but not as bad, and more spacious camping area.

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Had a wonderful stay here for one night. Very calm and nice campground for 5USD pppn. It is right in the city but still gives a little nature/oasis feeling. The staff even cooked a lovely dinner for us!

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All I can say is this place is quite special. It is a rustic-gem in the ruff. A fantastic place to rest before or after the Malawi border. The owner Moffat and his family are absolutely amazing. Price is $5pppn. Has cold drinks and food. Communal Kitchen. Nice views and location.

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We opted to stay in a room for one night not to have to set up camp to try get across the border early. The rooms are very simple and could do with some TLC but it was a bed to sleep in. They wanted to charge us $20 pp which is far too much for what you are getting but we negotiate to $10 pp. $5 to camp. A previous comment states this place is better than Mama Rulas but having stayed at both I beg to differ.

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Feb 11, 2020, closed, man said no water because no pump

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Update Jan’20
We arrived on friday, music till late but in the dorm not disturbing at all (at least for us). 150Kwacha (11,5$) -down from 200- per person in a dorm with 6 beds, but we stayed alone. You can order food (breakfast, pizzas, chicken, sandwiches...) 60-80 Kwachas per plate. Nice place. You can pinch your tent per 100kwachas but negociable for sure. Very friendly staff (Veronica)

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Arrived at about 15:00 with loud music playing in the camp. Was told they are having a party but it will end at 20:00. Somehow doubt that. The man was friendly though. We moved on to Mamarula camp 7km further and was happy we did.

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Unfortunately this place has lost what must have been its previous charm. The bathrooms are pretty dismal. On the plus side, it was safe and the manager friendly. Locals at the bar could make quite a noise. If you’re looking for or lovely spot to camp, look elsewhere. But it was cheap (80 kwacha per adult and 20kwacha for all 3 of our kids - 180 total) and ‘okay’ for a night.

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Not nice at all, poor management. Apparently new owner... Ok for one night. Cramped dorm, forgot to hang nets, no sheets, bad bar...

Come on, you've got something nice her, don't mess up now!

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We were disappointed after all the good coments. The location is nice but not well kept. The view is good. Hammocks torn, wooden benches and tables very old. Our bench even broke when we used it. Were there a friday night. At arrival we were told that locals will be around and music until 10pm. We were tired but thought that this is still ok. Unfortunately very loud music was on until 11pm and when I went to ask to stop it I was not so friendly told to use earplugs. Which I actually already did but didn’t help a thing with that loud music. So they promised to stop but didnt. From on 11.30 a bit less volume but on until midnight. Would not go back on weekends. And no hot water at all.

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Very nice place . There is shower with hot water . There is now free WiFi not very speed but correct.
The restaurant was good.
We pay 120 K for two for one night

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very peaceful and relaxing place. Campsite is shaded and even on a nice grass. picknic tables are dotted around the place. Dorms and rooms are available at 100 pppnin dorm, 250 kwacha private room. we had a great stay here and recommend the place.

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Stayed here for 2 nights. Dorma 100 kwacha, rooms 250, we negotiatwd room for 200 for double. No wi fi, very comfy beds, rather clean rooms, very friendly staff, lots of space to camp or park rig etc. Totally recommwnded, we took good rest here.

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Really nice place! staff is very friendly and helped us with everything. no Wifi but still a nice place to spend a night in Chipata before crossing to Malawi

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As per other reviews the place needs a bit of a spruce up but the guy running it could not have been nicer - free beers for my boyfriends bday, inviting us to join him and his very lovely friends for a drink, upgrade to a room when ants attacked our ground tent, driving us himself to the bus station for free at 5.20am. The pitches are well maintained and flat, the food in the restaurant was fine, the beers were cold. Probably not a place for multiple nights but a very acceptable spot for an overnight pre or post border and will be interesting to see what he does with the place.

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Good place, close to the town but very quiete! Now Saili is the manager of the camping (the owner is a guy from England). Saili is a very good guy, ask for him. A+++

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New local management since 3 months. 60kw pppn for camping in nice garden (80 if you want power) Hot showers. Cold beer. Food not good. The place has potential but hasn’t been exploited to the fullest. Still no WiFi. They’re building a swimming pool. Ok for a night I guess.

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Pleasant experience, basic amenities. Quiet with a view of the hills a few km of dirt road off the main drag. Warm showers, hospitable staff, small but decent area for camping, nicer food than expected (though overpriced). 50kw camping, 100kw single in dorm (after negotiating). They said the British owner is now renting the place to someone else, so it is open, but seems to be in transition.

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We thought it was very nice! Pleasant atmosphere. The water wasn’t working but they told us before we checked in and offered us a 50% discount so we didn’t mind. Didn’t eat in the restaurant but it had a nice vibe and the food looked good. Only downside for me was the dogs howling all night (but they were lovely during the day..)

Full camping price is 60 kwacha pp.

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We didn't expect that much from this place, after reading the last comments, but it wasn't bad at all. There were nice green areas, the toilet were really clean and both gents and ladies had hot water. The kitchen was clean as well and the dining room was nice. the restaurant is nice and the food was good. There are 3 nice dogs. In our opinion the place is safe, clean and nice. We paid 60 kwacha pppn

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Almost everything on the last review is right. The showers in the men's ablutions worked but they had just cold water. The women's showers had also hot water. The WIFI is still not working. But the staff is friendly and it is cheap with K60/K80 with/without electricity. Ok for one night but not more. The spots are not level.

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I'm not one for negative reviews, but this place has so many positive reviews, I feel a reality check is necessary. There is a serious lack of maintenance at Dean's Hill. If the reviews from earlier this year are anything to go by, then the slip from great to useless is rapid, and I shudder to think what is going to happen in the next few months. we stayed for three nights...over Christmas day...we didn't want to move around. over those three days, we didn't shower...no water in the showers. The management claimed that the showers on the female side were working. Only sporadically, and when they were working, somehow they've plumbing hot water to come out of both the hot and cold taps...so one gets scalded by hot water. The men's side had no water. And this does not take into account the electrical earthing issue that they have - touch the shower taps while wet, and get shocked by 220V electricity. This Italian couple that gets mentioned in previous reviews were nowhere to be seen. The kitchen and relax zone were in a shambles. No hot water in the kitchen...the hot and cold water taps have been plumbed into the same line. There is no kettle with which to boil water...only option for washing dishes is to boil water on a small counter-top 2 plate stove/oven, in a pot. It looks like this cooker hasn't been cleaned in months, and the general cleanliness of the kitchen is disastrous.
The relax zone has an old bed on it's side, one old, dirty cane table with two dilapidated chairs, and two ridiculous knee high tables made from old doors. Let's not mention the broken windows and missing lights.
I could go on about the lack of maintenance....uncut grass, broken electrical points, missing lights and fittings, ageing and broken steps...
At the end of the day, we stayed for 3 nights, but one should not expect anything remotely as excellent as one might think. It is a safe place, where you can spend a night. Don't expect anything more.
Oh. There was no wifi. The neighbours had raging parties until late at night. And the dogs had recently given birth to puppies. The management left them in the rain at night, and the they cried all night.

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Could be alright for camping although pitches not flat. Rooms are about as basic as basic gets, 150kw for room without ensuite, 250kw for room with. Had some issues while we were there, but the Italian woman who showed up in the morning was very friendly and apologetic for staff problems, which come with the territory really.

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Nice camp, well priced at 60 kwacha pp. Lots of dogs wandering around. Wifi quite good. Can hook up to electricity.

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Lovely location on a hillside overlooking Chipata. Camping for 60Kw making this far better value than Mama Rulas. Very quiet area for camping with hammocks and chairs and really good, reasonably priced Italian food at the restaurant. Lovely couple as well who gave me a lift into town in the morning when I needed a lift. WiFi is a bit slow but normal enough speeds for Zambia.

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Overrun with chickens, Turkeys, ducks, goats and dogs, with a lot of farm style noise, and related smells. Good price. Slow wifi.

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Stayed here two nights between a visit to South Luangwa. Very friendly Italian couple who are super generous and hospitable. Fair prices for camping and ablutions are good. Dogs on site are friendly too!

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Great campsite although pitches are quite small and hard to reach with a car. Very friendly managers and staff. Ablutions need some work and are moderately clean. Plenty hot water though. Okay food in atmospheric bar/restaurant. Very good value at 6 dollar pppn. No real views from campsite but great city view from bar.

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Good Place with friendly staff. RestaurantPool
and Bar.
6$pPN/8$pPN with power

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Went for 1 night - stayed 4. Outskirts of town. Simple but really nice. Recently taken over by friendly young Italian couple - good simple food including lasagne with home-made pasta! Camping $6 or $with electricity. Clean ablutions. Plenty of hot water. Camping on terraces overlooking town. Much better than Mama Rula's these days.

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Nice grass areas for camping on terraced ground.electric available but extra charge. Nice hot showers, ablutions nice. Restaurant & bar - food looked good & reasonably priced.. Rooms & dorm also available . Camping was 6 USD pp.. Large vehicles can get in here , but quite tight for our Daf. Niceest place in Chipata.

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We planned to stay here. When we got there and looked around we decided to go to mama rula's as this campsite has no really good flat pitches if travelling with a rooftent or pop up roof. Ablution block was old, but clean.

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Great campsite overlooking Chipata. Nice bar with homemade food available to order. Campsites a bit small but grassy, shady and with hammocks! K60 pppn or K80 pppn for a site with electricity. Nice Italian couple running the place. Laundry service available with fast but intermittent WiFi.

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Stayed there and loved it. The owners are so nice and the restaurant has great food. Every camp site has a hammock and because it's on the hill the view is best I have seen in Zambia.

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Great place for camping, we stayed also in Mama Roula but this place is cheaper and way better. 50kwacha (around 5usd) pppn. Grass, hammocks, tables and hill view.

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