Fantastic wildlife in wonderfully wild places
Mukambi Bush and Plains
- 29-12-2009
- Categorized in: The Kafue
(subject to space available)5 Nights - All Inclusive* TOTAL: $2495
6 Nights - All Inclusive* TOTAL: $2695
7 Nights - All Inclusive* TOTAL: $2895
A very popular safari that combines a great safari at Mukambi Safari Lodge and 3 nights in a tented bush camp on Busanga Plains. This combination makes the most of a safari in the Kafue and can be extended to stay at another camp in the Kafue or a flying safari onto Victoria Falls or Luangwa, via a regular air service which operates in this area of the park. This is a perfect combination of the Real bush camp experience on the plains and the comfort of Mukambi Safari Lodge.
You will travel across much of the Kafue and during your stay at both camps you can expect to see some great wildlife. Game viewing at both camps is always wonderfully exciting, Mukambi sits in an enviable position overlooking the broad Kafue river, where game viewing is amongst some of the best in the whole Kafue. Managed and run by a conscientious and friendly Robyn-Anne & Edjan, the lodge's aim is to ensure you really feel like you are in the bush, and not just observing it. The whole feel and look of Mukambi is "Africa to the maximum" and when not out and about on one of a number of wildlife watching activities, guests can really relax on one of the decks or in the pool or just stroll along the River, spotting wildlife near the lodge. Game drives are in open safari vehicles with a canopy.
Mukambi's guides are very good and you will have a good chance to spot many of the rare and unusual antelope species for which the Kafue is known, Puku , Roan & Sable and also, hopefully, Elephant, Lion and more often at night Leopard, which are quite often encountered. Also at night there is a chance of spotting Porcupine, different species of Mongoose, Genets and less often but still a possibility are Wild Dog and Serval. On the plains there are herds of Buffalo. Each game drive lasts about 3 hours. But if you spot a leopard it might take longer! Mukambi is positioned right on the mighty Kafue River and their boat trips give you a better opportunity to spot varied birdlife and wildlife as they come to drink. It is common to see Elephants on the banks or even crossing the river. With a little bit of luck you might also see massive herds of Buffalo quenching their thirst, Fish Eagles catching fish from the river or a Leopard dozing in a tree. Walking Safaris also take around 3 hours and are best done in the early morning. Usually the boat will take you to the opposite side of the river from where your walk begins, guided by professionally qualified armed guides. During these exhilarating and interesting forays into the bush, guides will explain things about the bush that are easily overlooked. They will tell you about the medicinal use of certain trees. They tell you about the creepies and crawlies. And about the habits and movements of larger animals.
After Mukambi lodge, you head further north to The "Plains Camp" which is located about 130 km from Mukambi . The drive up is an adventure in itself. Passing good game viewing areas such as Kafwala and Lufupa and you will be able to drive the Lufupa & Chibembe loops, both famous for their leopard sightings. The drive up to camp takes at least 5 hours. Situated at the heart of the Busanga Plains, The Plains Camp, is a classic safari camp comprising just 3 very large, very comfortable, Meru safari tents tastefully furnished (sleeping 2 each), complete with en-suite bathrooms, open to the sky with canvas bucket showers. Each tent has its own private verandah best enjoyed during day light hours as at night Hippos often wander thru camp. Meals are eaten in a cosy thatched dining room decorated with feathers picked up on walks and an old poachers rifle, the room doubles as the camp Library and where hot tea and biscuits can be found before an early morning drive. The dining room is open sided and set on a slightly raised position looking out to the plains. A campfire is lit in the evening as a gathering place before or after a day game viewing. The size of the camp means that you will be given the most personal service possible, and the menu matches the quality of service. Your stay on the plains will be memorable. During the 4 short months that it is accessible, it ranks as one of Africa's most remote and most beautiful spots. Camp sits on "Thorn Island" which holds a good concentration of wildlife. The surrounding bush is perennially wet and it has a forest of large wild Fig trees interspersed with thick, lush Date Palm bushes and papyrus fields.
Itinerary
- 1/2 or 3 nights Mukambi Safari Lodge chalets
- 3 night Plains Camp luxury safari tents
- 1or 2 further nights at Mukambi Safari Lodge
Notes
- Includes transfers to & from Lusaka. Park fees etc
- Only operational in dry season (end June-end October)
- Children under 12 not allowed
- Single supplement (if camp is full): 40%
- *all inc drinks do not include bottled wine and black label whiskey
