Busanga Plains Camp

Each canvas tent at Busanga Plains Camp gives an atmosphere of authenticity and comfort. Comfortable beds, covered in crisp white bed linen and romantically draped with mosquito netting, sit in the middle of the room. The beds are surrounded by stunning views on all sides, through wide mosquito netted windows. Character and warmth is added to the room though brightly patterned rugs and wicker baskets and chairs. The tent feels spacious and bright, being lit in the evening by soft glowing lanterns. All tents come with an outdoor en-suite bathroom, complete with a bucket shower – for a unique and traditional safari showing experience. Private verandahs give guests a place to relax and immerse themselves in their surroundings, whilst looking out over the endless horizon.

The main dining area and bar sits on a raised wooden deck, with a large thatch roof protecting guests from any rainy weather. Here, delicious food and drinks, made lovingly by the friendly staff, is served. The deck faces east which allows guests to eat breakfast with a stunning view of the sunrise over the plains. A small fireplace/Boma area at the end of the deck offers the perfect place to relax before or after dinner, enjoying a drink around the fire and recounting tales of your day spent exploring.

Explore the surrounding Busanga Plains and Kafue National Park by going on a game drive. Guests can choose whether to go early in the morning or in the evening. Each game drive is unique and offers wildlife viewing from the comfort of a vehicle. This is a great way to view wildlife in their natural habitat and without disturbing, guests may see lion, elephant, buffalo or less common animals such as red lechwe, puku or roan antelope. Keep your eyes peeled for birds too, as you may spot some of the 500 species such as African fin foot or Chaplin’s barbet.

There is no better way to explore the surrounding area and to connect to nature than on foot. With a friendly and knowledgable guide, walk around the plains and have a look at the micro-ecosystems and smaller life in the plains that you might miss on a drive. This is the perfect activity to capture some excellent photographs of ancient trees and maybe even some animals in the distance.

Enjoy a unique and mentally rejuvenating night under the stars on the star-bed platform. The bed comes complete with mosquito netting so you can sleep in comfort and a toilet and basin. Fall into a relaxing and restful sleep in the fresh air of the Zambian night after stargazing in the wide night sky, free of any light solution.

Escape the heat of the afternoon by enjoying a refreshing and cooling dip in the infinity swimming pool. Guests can spend time in the pool whilst still looking out over the rolling grasslands of the plains, or can catch some rays on the sun-beds next to the pool.

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 things 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.”