Trip Itinerary
Kafue National Park
Your wild Zambian adventure begins with three nights at Wilderness Busanga Bush Camp, where you’ll experience some of the best game viewing in Kafue National Park. This remote camp consists of just four tents located on a tree island in the heart of the Busanga Plains, an off-the-beaten-track spot that few travellers visit. It’s open for just five months each year after the rains. While Kafue may not have the same recognition as the South Luangwa or Lower Zambezi, the wildlife encounters are phenomenal and completely free of crowds. The area’s lions are a massive draw, and it’s common to see incredible territorial exchanges between local prides and nomadic males. You’ll spend your days out on guided game drives, seeking predatory cats, elephant, and buffalo, while boat safaris introduce colourful birdlife and wallowing hippo pods. Infrared-spotlight night drives are a major highlight, revealing nocturnal genets, civets, and the occasional leopard, before you wind down with fireside drinks and lantern-lit bush meals beneath the stars.
Kafue National Park
Today you’ll move to a completely different part of Kafue, where Musekese Camp sits in a truly beautiful position tucked in amongst riverine trees overlooking a lagoon. This is a small, friendly place run by passionate owners, where everything is comfortable but simple pleasures take the limelight. Walks straight from camp are a standout activity, as the guiding is excellent and you’ll venture into remote corners inaccessible by game-drive vehicle. A typical day here might include game drives, boat safaris with the option for lunch on board, and wildlife-viewing excursions from the hide, which is about an hour’s drive from camp. If you’re interested in conservation, you can visit the Musekese Conservation NGO Research Centre and learn about the positive impact of your stay and how Musekese supports local initiatives. Back at camp, grab a cold drink from the bar and relax on the deck, watching out for different birds and listening to the sounds of the bush.
Lower Zambezi National Park
The last part of your safari reveals another completely different setting at Chula Island Camp, a seasonal bush camp on the Zambezi River where adventure and low-key comfort meet. The Lower Zambezi provides a wonderful change of pace from Kafue, with a variety of water- and land-based activities to keep things interesting. The game viewing in the Lower Zambezi is superb, with large predators like lion, leopard, and wild dog all present in healthy numbers. Top-quality professional guides lead you on 4×4 game drives, gentle morning bush walks, and fishing excursions on the river. You can also take to the water for scenic boat safaris and tranquil canoeing along the Zambezi’s channels, perhaps catching sight of hippos or elephants drinking at the water’s edge. At night, dine with your feet in the sand with the sounds of the river around you before falling asleep, then awaken to birdsong and a delicious bush breakfast by the open campfire.
