Isanga Bay Lodge & Campsite | Established Campground

July 22nd, 2023 by marc.saperavi

Beautiful location, it feels like beeing in paradise. But there is a lot of but !
At 15$pppn, it is very expensive for what you get. Only 2 toilets and 1 shower for the whole camp. The beach wasnt clean and was full of rubbish (the endless amount of sleepy staff could have cleaned it in 30 minutes but too lazy i guess).
We bought fish from the lodge one night. 200 K for 4 small fish from a farm (fishing ban in the lake) so quite expensive. They were not only frozen but not cleaned and very tasteless...
The road to come is quite rough as previously mentionned, especially the last 10 km, very rocky and quite steep in some parts. Took us nearly 2 hours from Mbala. 4x4 recommended as we prefered to use low range in our Hilux. Locals might do it in minivans but dont forget that they brake down every 2 days so they are not an example to follow !
Last village just before the lodge is an endless nightmare with thousands of kids and even some adults asking agressively for money. Some teenagers banged at our windows screaming "Money ! Give money !".
Not a nice situation at all. It was the most agressive village we have seen in 9 months in Africa, coming from the west coast.

Chris, the new young manager, took over the place mid July. Very friendly guy but he has a lot of work to do to make the place really worth coming there...

July 15th, 2023 by exploretraveloasis.com

A very beautiful bay on Lake Tanganyika. Staff are very friendly and there's a new manager who's taking maintenance seriously.

Our first night we camped right on the beach but then moved a metre or two back to get some shelter and shade.

Facilities are fine. Overall a very peaceful and lovely spot. A great place to unwind.

$15 USD pppn.

June 13th, 2023 by noelemail

We camped here for two nights, chose the spot close to the beach. Less shade but a great view of the lake and directly on the beach. The other campsites are under large trees in the shade a bit further up from the beach. Ablutions are ok but dark in the daytime. Bit of maintenance and clean-up needed at the campsite in general. The chalets look nice though, under palm trees close to the beach. The restaurant was open, we had the chicken curry which was very tasty. Note the location is quite remote and the last few km's of road is rough and rocky.

June 9th, 2023 by shay_av

This bay was one of the most beautiful spots I have been to in my life!

The road there is an *easy* 4 × 4 road, very doable (we saw locals arriving at the bay with a minivan!).

We chose to take the chalet for 2 nights (at a decent price- still 65$ per night). The room was clean with a nice view of the lake and the sunset- we had a very romantic time!

The staff was very friendly and kind!

They do have a restaurant, but we recommend that you buy fruits and sweets in advance from the closest town (we bought ice cream, watermelon, etc). They don't sell this kind of food in the lodge's restaurant.

We took a kayak for $5. They also have massages at decent prices.
In addition, we used their laundry service, and the clothes were returned clean with a good smell.

*There is an Airtel reception.

Don't miss this place!
I attached some photos :)

May 20th, 2023 by fritzluttich57

Stopped for crisp chicken burger lunch on our scuba excursion with Hennie (+260 76 032 5907) & Steven from Zambian Outdoor Adventure Company.

Delicious!

September 24th, 2022 by nickianddave

A gorgeous setting on the shore of Lake Tanganyika. We had a large space with plenty of shade, front line view and a fire pit. Very tranquil and relaxing but also kayaks to hire, swimming and snorkeling in the lake, boat trips and an opportunity to take a guided hike to the waterfalls. The lodge offers drinks and food if you want a night off but we were content to cook on the fire including fresh fish offered via the lodge from the local fishermen. we stayed a very relaxing 5 days. Yolanda and Merkle made us feel very welcome and during our stay we were lucky enough to see otters swimming, many different bird life including palm nut vultures and African paradise flycatchers and the resident sausage dog had had 7 puppies!! 15USD pppn. Clean shower and toilet and hot water. Large washing up sink.

September 12th, 2022 by hobogoessolo

Contact them for boat transfer from Mpulungu to Isanga Bay Yolande du Preez +260973472317 or +260779009911

September 11th, 2022 by hobogoessolo

As before . We stayed in one of the chalets for 65 $ per chalet . Lovely setting . Quiet . Restaurant is still working . Lovely South -African couple. They also do laundry if requested.

May 7th, 2022 by Instagram: @savannatales

Great campsite with good facilities (in general) and nice lake view. Shower pressure is not the best and warm(ish) water takes almost 10 minutes to arrive (turn tap to the right!). Toilets quite dark during the day. The last 10km before camp is rocky and quite washed away by latest rains, but still manageable without special 4x4 requirements. Kayak 5 usd per day totally worth it. Saw otters around several times. No MTN internet signal. 15 USD ppn.

March 23rd, 2022 by Geke

Camped for 2 nights with a nice view over the lake. Access road with spectacular views, a bit bumpy so a 4x4 is required but very doable even in rainy season. Friendly managers and staff. Lake tanganyika should not be missed!

March 2nd, 2022 by overlandingafrica.com

Amazing location at a white sandy beach of impressing Lake Tanganyika. Beautiful Campside and Chalets! Manager and staff are very friendly! Lovely restaurant and bar!
Lot's of activities! We did a guided tour to the Kalamba Fall, were swimming, snorkling, visiting nearby villages and went to Mpulungu by boat. We were also swimming accross the lake to the nearby Kalambo Falls Lodge, where we were warmly wellcomed. Distance is 4.3 km and it took us 2 hours, due to some current. We were accompained by a canue and enjoyed it very much. One evenig we had a romantic dinner at the beach, with wood fire 😊
We stayed one week and will definitely come back one day!

September 8th, 2021 by petrastadler7

Amazing place, locals and staff all very friendly.
Camping cost 15$ pppn, we hired a kayak at 5$ a day which was fantastic.. loads of swimming in a protected bay with the best water temperature.
We drove one hour from Mbala, high clearance recommended but 4x4 wasn’t needed.
Bring some gear to snorkel around the rocky outstretch.
The villagers come out every afternoon around 4 and fish all throughout the night which is a bit noisy but not an issue, we paddle around the fishing boats and chatted to them a bit, very friendly and nice neighbouring village.

August 21st, 2021 by Tortuga in Sambia

The road to Mporokoso is terrible, the part after Mbala is renewed.
We camped 4 nights. Very friendly and helpfull Staff (jolanda and morco), the do all they can to make you feel comfortable. The Cook is outstanding! We did a very interesting Village walk, with about 20 kids :-)

July 3rd, 2021 by frank.daubenton

We camped on the edge of the lake here. The campsite is sandy (although thet are trying to grow some grass). The ablutions are fine ( but not lovely). The setting and view are amazing!!! The have a restaurant and a bar and the food looks reasonable. You can take boat trips, hire kayaks and snorkeling gear. There are no Crocs here so you can swim in the lake. Lovely stay. The road is currently being improved and was already better when we drive it. Now it's about an hour from Mbala.

April 2nd, 2021 by chrisadams485

Amazing place right on the shore of the lake. The campsites are close together but have good shade.
The road is quite rocky and requires a high clearance 4x4.
Staff are very friendly and reasonably priced food and drinks available at the lodge next door

June 18th, 2019 by patreon.com

Great place all info as above. Cost for camping is 10USD pppn. Worth the drive.

July 1st, 2017 by WanderingHedgehog

Camping on the beach next to the lodge with access to lodge amenities. This campsite can be reached by boat or by very rough technical track from Mbala. If by road you must have a high ground clearance 4x4 and you may need to use locking differentials because of deep water channels and wash outs and large rocks (risk of grounding). Extended rock crawling means allow 2.5-3 hours from Mbala 46km. Access during rainy season may be very difficult. Not suitable for big rigs as low trees and village items. Fantastic location is worth it. Small shared ablutions for 6 sites, fire pits and braai on some. Ablutions clean and have hot water for showers (wood burning boiler). Plenty of natural shade, palms and direct access to lake Tanganyika. No bother on beach from sales people. Last 3 km of track winds through village with vague road route, cross small concrete bridge and then fork left down obvious track. Lots of children :-). A little noise from adjacent village but not intrusive. No wifi and only 2G MTN in some areas