Fig Tree Bush Camp

Guests of Fig Tree Bush Camp will stay in one of their luxury safari tents. Raised 3 metres above the ground these tents are wonderful in their uniqueness, and give off a tree house atmosphere. Surrounded by trees these tents all have views over the sparkling lagoon, and also views over the rolling plains. The rooms are comfortable and have a traditional safari feel to them, with netted windows that keep the space filled with bright, natural light and fresh breezes, whilst keeping the bugs out.

Cosy beds with natural wooden frames sit in the centre of the rooms and are covered in crisp white bed linens with feature red bed runners. All tents come with ensuite bathrooms which come complete with a stone feature shower. All rooms have their own private decking where guests can relax after a long day or can sit and immerse themselves in their surroundings.

Dinner is served around the campfire – weather permitting – allowing guests to eat underneath the wide starry sky with your fellow guests, listen and share stories of your day spent exploring all while enjoying freshly prepared delicious meals. If the weather is wet then dinner is served underneath a canvas roof, around a communal dining table. With open sides, guests will still be able to eat whilst marvelling at their surroundings.

Game drives are available from Fig Tree Bush Camp in the morning and in the evening. The game drives are a traditional safari experience, allow guests to explore the area in the comfort of a 4×4 vehicle, and view the animals in their natural habitat. Guests may see elephants, lions, antelopes, cheetahs or wildebeest, to name a few. The evening game drives extend into the night where guests have the chance to see some fo the more elusive nocturnal animals of the bush.

There is no better way to feel closer to nature than to explore it on foot. Guided safari walks are offered at Fig Tree Bush Camp and they leave in the early morning, to avoid the heat of the day. With knowledgable and friendly guides, get up close to the micro-ecosystems of the bush and learn about the insects, flora and birds from your guide. This is a unique walk and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the wilds of Zambia.

With a custom built star bed guests can chose to spend the night under the wide, starry skies. Connect to nature, and clear your mind of any busy city life, listen to the sounds of the African bush at night and cosy down, protected by mosquito netting, for a relaxing and rejuvenating nights sleep in the fresh air.

Catch a refreshing dip in the sparkling infinity swimming pool on a hot afternoon and keep your eye out over the watering hole for thirsty animals stopping by for a drink.

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.”