Mukambi Safari Lodge

Chalets come in either twin configuration, double configuration or a family chalet is available fo up to four people. Built in an authentic style, the chalets all have thatched roofs which are exposed inside, creating dimension and character. Four poster beds are covered in fresh white bed linens and draped in mosquito nets to keep guests protected at night and wicker furniture is dotted throughout the chalets. The family chalet comes complete with a lounge where the whole family can gather and all chalets are ensuite. Tall windows fill the chalets with natural light and help to bring the feeling of nature into the room. Every chalet comes with its own decking area with deck chairs, and as all face the Kafue River, guests can relax and enjoy staring over the wide river, keeping an eye out for wandering animals.

Perfect for families, the riverside villa comes complete with two bedrooms, each with their own ensuite bathroom and a living room. The lodge feels modern and luxury, while features throughout, such as wooden doors, wooden floors, wooden furniture and window frames hark back to the nature which surrounds the villa. Character is added to the villa through oriental style rugs, exposed thatch ceilings, authentic wall art and feature walls. One bedroom comes complete with a queen size bed and the other comes with two single beds; all are draped with mosquito netting. The villa comes complete with a large decking area which overlooks the river, and is the perfect place to spend some down time as a family.

For a traditional safari experience guests can stay in a luxury safari tent. These tents come complete with thatched roofs, and floor to ceiling sliding doors along one side of the tent, which open up onto a decking area and let fresh air and bright natural light fill the room. A large king size bed sits in the very centre of the room and is romantically draped with mosquito netting from four large feature tree trunks. The bed looks out directly over the Kafue River, which means guests can enjoy the view over the vista from the comfort of their own bed. These tents are open plan and come with ensuite bathrooms, which include a walk in shower. A claw-footed bathtub sits on the private decking for guests to have a unique bath with a view of the river. Nestled in trees, these tents are private and exclusive and place guests in the very heart of nature.

Guests can enjoy 3 meals a day in the thatched dining area. The building s built with natural materials so feels authentic, and it is two storeys, so guests can enjoy their food with an uninterrupted view of the Kafue River flowing past. Meals are prepared by friendly staff who can cater the meals to suit any dietary requirements. The area also has soft sofas and armchairs where guests can relax before dinner with a pre-dinner drink. After dinner, guests can sit around the boma with a refreshing beer, glass of wine or creative cocktail from the bar and raise a toast to their stunning surroundings under the wide starry sky.

For a traditional safari activity, guests can go on a game drive. In the comfort of a 4×4 vehicle, explore the Kafue National Park and all the wonders it holds. This excursion starts by crossing the Kafue River by boat before getting in the game vehicle with a guide and driving around the park. This is a brilliant way to get up close and personal with the roaming animals, and to see them in their natural habitats. Drives usually leave in the early morning or late afternoon, to miss the heat of the day and see the animals at their most active. Guests won’t leave this excursion disappointed as lions, cheetahs, zebra, impala, hippos and elephants are all frequent sightings in Kafue.

Guests can enjoy gliding along the Kafue River in complete solitude whilst the golden rays of the sunset reflect off the water. This is a more slow paced activity, but no less exciting as guests will be able to see pods of lazy hippos, Nile crocodiles and maybe a thirsty elephant grabbing a drink on the river bank. There are no other boats on the river so guests will be truly alone with the wonders of Kafue. This is also a good activity for those who are keen birders as many birds such as kingfishers and saddle billed storks can be seen in the shallows.

At a slightly slower pace than a game drive, explore the Kafue National Park on foot. While less ground may be covered, what is covered is done so in more detail, as guests can marvel at the micro-ecosystems and plant life at their feet. Walk through the wilds with an experienced and knowledgable guide, who will be able to tell you all about the local flora and fauna, and can point out things which you may miss on a game drive.

Guests can enjoy an afternoon spent fishing on the Kafue River. Spend some time getting to know more about the life of the river, not just the fish, as you may see hippos and crocodiles float past too. If you are lucky you may catch a Kafue bream, or Kafue pike as well as a silver barbel.

For guests who want to explore the local area, then daily trips are arranged to the Mukambi Community School. This is a project set up by Mukambi Safaris to make access to education easier for the local community. Guests can visit the school and the 80 pupils to gain a deeper understanding of the local culture and community, as well as leave a donation if they wish to.

For guests who want to escape out the heat of the afternoon then a cooling dip in the swimming pool is the way forward. With a view over the Kafue River guests won’t miss any passing wildlife, and can relax on the sun loungers after their revitalising dip. Also suitable for children is a paddling pool, so children can join in the fun too.

With a large focus on responsible tourism, Mukambi Safaris understands the major role which conservation plays. They are partnered and work closely with many non governmental organisations such as “Zambia Primate Project (ZPP), Panthera and Zambia Carnivore Programme (ZCP), as well as Department of Nation Parks and Wildlife,” all which have conservation goals at the forefront of their projects.

The Zambian Carnivore Programme is “dedicated to the conservation of Zambia’s large carnivores and ecosystems,” and Mukambi Safaris aims to aid them with their work. Through a mixture of careful science and evaluations of the ecosystems, and action which is guided by the science, the ZCP also works to empower the local community, by endeavouring to make their “efforts as Zambian-led as possible.” They create conservation leadership training for members of the local community, and conduct educational programmes in schools to inspire the next generation of conservationists. Mukambi Safaris also works closely with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife to provide data on “large carnivores and their pray throughout much of Zambia.”

Mukambi Safaris understands that to aid conservation of the wildlife, conservation and support of the local communities is also needed. They have various projects which empower members of the community – one such one is the Azimai Women’s Group. This group, which is made up of the wives of staff members, create crafts which they sell to “several lodges throughout Kafue National Park.” Some of the items they make are baskets, from plastic bags, beaded jewellery and items of clothing. By selling these crafts they have an extra income for their families and it also serves to empower these women.

To help the local community and their access to education, Mukambi Community School was set up which provides just under 100 local children with “a high standard of education” and the teachers are permanently employed. Through a donation, the school invested in “iSchool Tablets” which allow the children to learn actively as well as develop IT skills. Students graduate at grade 7, and all “have attained places at secondary schools.” Local art and sculptures from Heinrich Filter help raise awareness about the importance of conservation, and profits from the selling of these sculpture are donated to the Mukambi Community School.

Mukambi Safaris helps and support members of the local communities through staff development. They provide first aid training and guide training, as well as sending chefs and waiters to placements at other lodges, giving them “exposure to other work environments.”

Mukambi Safaris strive to minimise their carbon footprint as much as possible, and one way they do this is by using renewable energy sources. All their camps are powered by solar energy, and Mukambi Safari Lodge was the first safari lodge is Zambia to install the ‘Freedom Won’ battery. This battery is environmentally friendly and “can withstand the high ambient temperatures in Zambia with no related concerns about lifespan.” The operations at Mukambi Safaris are fully dependent on the sun and the Freedom Won battery – both sustainable sources of energy.

Many proactive steps are being taken at Mukambi Safaris to reduce their plastic consumption as much as possible. All guests can receive a reusable water bottle which can be refilled, plus introducing “glass and biodegradable straws, glass refillable amenities, and biodegradable packaging.” Eco-friendly cleaning materials are used to limit their impact on the environment and a fruit and vegetable garden provides Busanga Plains Camp with fresh herbs and vegetables for their meals, and also helps to “minimise packaging and transport on these grocery essentials.”