Bushcamp Company Spotlight
Nestled in the remote southern section of South Luangwa National Park, The Bushcamp Company operates six distinct bushcamps, each with its own unique character. In addition, the company operates two lodges conveniently located by the Mfuwe main gate, making them ideal starting or ending points for a safari adventure.
What is a bushcamp?
A bushcamp is a small safari camp typically located in remote and pristine wilderness areas, designed to provide an authentic and immersive experience of nature. These camps are often set up in prime wildlife habitats and are constructed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment, minimising their ecological footprint.
Bushcamps usually feature comfortable yet rustic accommodation, such as canvas tents or thatched chalets, offering essential amenities while maintaining a close connection to the natural surroundings.
Unlike larger lodges, bushcamps focus on simplicity and seclusion, often without the modern conveniences of things like hairdryers or Wi-Fi, allowing guests to fully disconnect and engage with the wildlife and landscapes around them.
Guests at bushcamps can expect personalised service and a range of activities including guided walking safaris and game drives that provide a deeper understanding of the local ecosystem.
Zambia excels when it comes to small owner-run bushcamps – here we profile The Bushcamp Company’s offering.
Let’s look at what makes each of the Bushcamp Company’s camps special, and how they complement one another to create the ultimate safari adventure.
Lodges close to Mfuwe Main Gate
Although the Mfuwe area would not be our first choice for a long stay in South Luangwa due to higher traffic density in this section of the park, it is very convenient as an arrival or departure point and offers a wide choice of lodgings.
In Mfuwe the Bushcamp Company offers:
Mfuwe Lodge
Mfuwe Lodge is located just inside the park’s main gate. This lodge offers a lovely blend of luxury with spacious chalets, spa, and swimming pool, as well as convenience being close to the main gate while still providing easy access to the park’s abundant wildlife. Set around two lagoons, it’s a magnet for wildlife, offering the chance for sightings right from your arrival.
The Director’s House at Mfuwe Lodge is an exclusive 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom house, complete with private swimming pool & garden, ideal for families or small groups seeking privacy and luxury. The house comes with a private guide and safari vehicle.
KuKaya
Kukaya is located near Mfuwe Lodge, and has a more contemporary feel. It offers six thatched tents with outdoor decks and plunge pools and ensuite outdoor bathrooms.
Access
Mfuwe International Airport (MFU) is the gateway to the South Luangwa. The airport is a 45-minute drive from Mfuwe Lodge/KuKaya. It is a 1.5 – 3.5 hour game drive to the bushcamps (depending on which camp(s) you choose).
Mfuwe can easily be reached by Proflight’s daily seasonal service (June to October). There are also flights connecting Mfuwe with Jeki (Lower Zambezi National Park) three times a week in season enabling a fantastic two-centre safari combination. To access Livingstone, for Victoria Falls, flights go via Lusaka.
The six bushcamps:
There are six bushcamps tucked away in different areas of South Luangwa’s quieter southern section. The camps are divided into three price tiers, starting with the classic bushcamp, Kuyenda. Each one offers a different ambience and overall experience. Some are better for wildlife viewing because of their position, while others are perfect for walking, relaxation, views and a sense of wilderness. Combining different camps together gives the most rounded experience.
Kuyenda Bushcamp
Kuyenda Bushcamp, the most traditional of The Bushcamp Company’s offerings, ensures a truly authentic bush experience with six thatch rondavels with ensuite outdoor bathrooms set at the edge of a grassy plain, on the banks of the dry Manzi River.
This is a good place to start or end your bushcamp experience due to its proximity to Mfuwe (about an hour’s drive away).
The camp has been hosted for years by legendary guides Phil Berry and Babette Alfieri.
The camp’s simplicity is part of its enduring charm.
Open: 1 Jun – 15 Nov
Four bushcamps are in the same middle price tier:
Chamilandu Bushcamp
Moving deeper into the bush, about a 2 hour drive away from Mfuwe, you’ll find Chamilandu, or Chami for short.
Chami has just 3 stilted chalets perched on the banks of the Luangwa River, with sweeping views. The setting, with the river, and the distant Chindeni Hills is spectacular.
Morning and evening game drives here often yield sightings of leopards and other big cats.
There’s a hide overlooking the waterhole complete with lower deck so this is a great choice for photographers and with the varied habitats, for those keen to see as much wildlife as possible during their bushcamp stay.
Chami is around a 4 hour walk from Chindeni, if walking between bushcamps is of interest.
Open : 17 June – 1 November
Bilimungwe Bushcamp
Moving deeper into the bush – Bili is around a 3 hour drive from Mfuwe.
The camp’s four open (and very spacious) thatch and reed chalets are designed to blend seamlessly with the environment, and offer fantastic views. They each have wonderful indoor/outdoor ensuite bathrooms.
Clustered under mahogany trees around a waterhole, the whole camp feels organic and oozes with charm. The waterhole, one of three in this area, ensures a steady flow of wildlife in and around camp – perfect for an armchair safari!
Activities here include guided bush walks and drives including night drives, revealing the secrets of the nocturnal world.
There’s a wonderful breakfast boma, and a star-gazing deck.
Again another good choice for fairly regular wildlife sightings.
Bili is around a 3 1/2 hour walk from Chindeni.
Open: 14 May – 27 December
Kapamba Bushcamp
Kapamba, around 3 1/2 hours driving time from Mfuwe, has a cool and contemporary edge.
This romantic and very stylish small camp has four thatch and reed chalets raised up on decks.The open-fronted chalets have a wide verandah and twin showers with views of the river.
Two chalets have open salas suitable for a star-bed experience. This is also the only bushcamp with a pool! Kapamba is quiet and secluded. While the wildlife sightings are not as regular as at Chami or Bili, this is a wonderful spot to switch off and enjoy the other pleasures of being in the bush, for example, star gazing, sundowners, walking and picnics.
For walkers, Kapamba is 3 hour walk from Bili and around 2 1/2 hours from Zungulila.
Open: 10 April – 6 January
Zungulila Bushcamp
For those seeking solitude, Zungulila Bushcamp is the most remote of the six camps – around a 3 1/2 drive from Mfuwe.
The camp has just four classic Meru style tents. Each one is incredibly spacious and boasts a spectacular deck complete with outdoor ensute bathroom including a shower and private bath tub – this is the only bushcamp of the six offering a bath!
Positioned on a raised knoll, the camp provides panoramic views of the plains and the Kapamba River. This camp is perfectly positioned for the most incredible walking safaris allowing you to experience the daily rhythms of the bush. Being the most distant camp from Mfuwe, the wildlife may be surprised to see you!
Zungulila is around a 2 1/2 walk from Kapamba.
Open: 10 April – 6 January
For those looking for something really special, head to recently refurbished Chindeni, the Bushcamp Company’s most luxurious bushcamp. Chindeni’s location with varied habitat also ensures fairly reliable wildlife sightings.
Chindeni Bushcamp
Nestled beside a serene oxbow lagoon, around a 2 1/2 drive from Mfuwe, Chindeni’s four tented chalets have wonderful four poster beds, enuite bathrooms with showers, and superb private decks with views over the lagoon.
A series of decks at varying levels link areas of camp and provide for some wonderful vistas.
The camp’s location is ideal for birdwatchers, with over 400 species frequenting the area. There are superb walking trails, as well as extensive driving loops and night safaris to enjoy too.
For keen walkers Chindeni is a 4 hour walk from Bili and a 3 1/2 hour walk fom Chami.
Open: 1 June – 15 November
Through our expert travel network we offer tailormade safaris throughout sub-Saharan Africa. We promote many different camps and lodges.
Bookings made through our network support Explorers Against Extinction and help to further our work with our project partners around the world.
Please do get in touch if you are planning a trip.
To see a small selection of suggested itineraries in Zambia please click here:
All images courtesy of The Bushcamp Company.
