Mukambi Safari Lodge

Commonly known as “The Gateway to The Kafue National Park”, Mukambi Safari Lodge is centrally located in the park, right on the banks of the stunning Kafue River. The Kafue National Park is one of the largest national parks in Africa (roughly the size of Wales at more than 22,000km²).

• 8 Thatched chalets each facing the Kafue River (4 doubles and 4 twins)
• 4 Luxury tents (all doubles, but can be re-configured on request)
• Every room is en-suite with hot shower, wash basin and toilet as a

minimum, luxury tents also have open-air baths on the veranda.

• Toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner & skin moisturizer) are supplied.

in each room

• Bug spray, insect repellent and mosquito coils are provided in each.

room, along with mosquito nets.

• Hot water bottles in wintertime provided with turndown service.
• Each room has a 3-pin (UK) plug socket for charging electricals.

Luxury Tent – Mukambi Safari Lodge

Lodge Facilities

Main lounge with open fireplace and integral, fully stocked bar

Central dining area with lower deck, housing a clay oven for outdoor.

cooking and fire-cooked pizzas

Sunset viewing deck offers stunning views over the Kafue River.

Circular, seated fire area also overlooking the river.

Infinity swimming pool and kids paddling pool with sun-loungers and

kikoyi towels provided pool side.

Curio shop selling locally made products which can be paid for in

Kwacha or Dollars at the reception desk

Complimentary laundry service (same day return in the dry season)

Baby-sitting service available on request

Cots and highchairs are available for children and ba

Game Drives

The game drive offers the greatest opportunity for spotting game as a large area is covered. At Mukambi we start the game drive by crossing the Kafue River by boat. We start the game drive on the other side of the river in an area where other game drive vehicles are seldom seen. The game drives are in the early morning or later afternoon/evening when animals are most active. The main focus of many guests are the big animals, in particular the big cats and elephants. The Kafue has all the big African cats as well as the smallest. But with our experienced and highly qualified guides you will experience much more. They will tell you about the ecosystem with all her flora and fauna. A game drive with an experienced guide is much more than just looking for big animals. Birds are fascinating as well, and our guides can probably show you birds that you have never seen before.

Sunset Boat Cruise

The boat cruise is more of a relaxing activity which allows guests to put their feet up and enjoy the scenery. What impresses most guests is that no other boats are seen. You can experience the vastness of the Kafue River without any disturbance of mass tourism. Sightings are always different, but hippos, crocodiles, different antelopes and sometimes elephant (drinking or crossing the river) are common sightings. Birdwatchers will be in their element with common sightings like the African Finfoot and other rare birds. Regular sightings include Jacana, Wattled crane, open and saddle billed stork and a variety of kingfishers.

Nature Walks

Nature walks last a few hours and are more of an educational activity. Large game can be sighted, and the guests are also taught about the plant and insect life at their feet. Guests are completely safe as the walks are conducted by our well-trained guides, accompanied by a DNPW scout who carries a firearm.

Fishing Trip

The fishing trip also gives the opportunity to relax and try one’s hand at catching some large fish. Some of the most common fish caught include Bream, Kafue Bream, Silver and Black Barbel and Kafue Pike.

Community School Visit

Mukambi Community School provides education to those living in an area where no good schools exist. Results are spectacular; the school now provides eighty local children with a high standard of education, and five teachers have permanent employment.

Massage

Massages take place in the comfort of your chalet and are based on availability of the therapist. A minimum of 2 hours’ notice is typically required.

RATED

4 Star

TYPE

Safari Lodge

NO. ROOMS

14

CHECK-IN TIME

1400hrs

CHECK-OUT TIME

1100hrs

CHILD POLICY

All ages are welcome

PET POLICY

Not allowed

OPERATIONAL PERIOD

All year around

POKEN LANGUAGES

Dutch, English

SPECIAL INTERESTS

Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Fishing, Flora, History & Culture, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Wildlife, Wine

Kafue National Park details

Kafue National Park is a unique area. The enormous size (one of the biggest National Parks in Africa), the many different habitats and the huge variety of mammals and birds make it an area waiting to be explored. It is Zambia’s biggest and oldest National Park and is easily accessed from both Lusaka and Livingstone. But the best of all is the untouched wilderness that the park has to offer as mass tourism does not exist, leaving the park pure and unexplored. This is what a real safari should be like, excellent game viewing with a rich diversity of wildlife, stunning landscapes and unspoiled by mass tourism. Although the park has a lot to offer, relatively few people visit this Zambian treasure.

The Kafue National Park is named after the Kafue River that runs through the park for over 250 km. It enters the Park in the Northeast and forms Lake Itezhi-Tezhi South of the Park, a beautiful dam with big herds of wildlife roaming around on its shores. Other well-known rivers in the Kafue are the Lunga and Lufupa River, which both feed into the Kafue River. The Kafue River then joins the Zambezi River in Chirundu before finding it’s way through Mozambique to the Indian ocean. The Kafue River itself has spectacular riverine forests on its banks and flows throughout the year, changing from a wide, slow flowing river to stretches broken up by islands with fast flowing water. The river attracts a wide variety of animals and birds and is filled with hippos and crocodiles of all sizes. Boat cruises and fishing trips are a must for guests visiting the river. Most safari lodges and camps within the Kafue National Park are based on the Kafue River.

Kafue Wildlife

The breeding herds of elephant are numerous, and the large predators are back in numbers. Among them several prides of lion, cheetah and leopard. Also packs of the endangered wild dog regularly pay a visit. Other animals that you are likely to encounter are buffalo, zebra, hippo and various antelope species like impala, puku, sable, hartebeest, bushbuck, roan and waterbuck.

Kafue Birds

The diversity of habitat makes Kafue National Park also one of the best locations in Africa for birding. The Kafue River, wetlands, savannah and woodland boast an impressive 478 of Zambia’s 733-recorded bird species. Among them African Wattled and Crowned Crane, Fish Eagle, Woolly-Necked Stork, Saddle Billed Stork, Goliath Heron, Ground Hornbill, African Fin Foot, Pel’s Owl, Purple-Crested Lourie and Chaplin’s Barbet amongst others.

Getting Here

GPS coordinates;

S1458.663, E2559.577

Air Charters to/from our main lodge

(Chunga airstrip);

• Lusaka – Chunga 1 h 15min

• Livingstone – Chunga 1 h 15mins

• Chunga – Busanga 30 minutes

Our road transfers.

• Lusaka – 3 – 4 hrs. (270kms) Self-drive from Livingstone and Lusaka.

• Tar roads from Livingstoneand Lusaka

• Well graded roads in Kafue National Park

• 4×4 not required to reach main lodge, even in the green season

Child Policy

Mukambi main lodge welcomes children of all ages, but parents take

their children on activities at their own risk

Guests with children will be either grouped together or given a

separate vehicle.

Children under 12 years of age are not permitted to join a walking.

safari for safety reasons

Children under 12 and 4 years and older pay 50% providing they are sharing with adults. Children younger than 4 stay free.

What to Bring?

Early mornings in winter (Jun-Aug) can get a little chilly whilst out on an open game-viewer, and whilst Mukambi provide fleece-lined ponchos on the vehicles for our guests, it is advisable to bring along some suitably warm clothing for these activities. A warm fleece hat and gloves is also recommended. If visiting between November and April we provide raincoats, but you might prefer to bring your own.

Mukambi provide towels in the rooms and around the pools, so feel free to bring along your swimming costume to enjoy the view from our infinity pool. Whilst we have a few sets of binoculars available to borrow from the main lodge, it is advisable to bring along your own if you have them – the bird life here is incredible. Standard safari clothing (neutral coloured, not white or black) is recommended for all activities as well as sturdy, closed-toe shoes should you wish to join a bush walk. Please bring any medication you may need as well as spares; we are a long way from the nearest pharmacy or doctor.

Park Fees

Park fees are payable in Kwacha cash or USD to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Park on departure at reception unless included in your rate. Mukambi falls into a game management area (GMA) so park fees and bed night levies are not compulsory and park fees are paid only once the park is accessed for activities. Park fees are ·

Citizen: K34 pppd

Resident: $15 pppd

International: $20 pppd

Money

Mukambi Safari Lodge accepts payment at the reception in USD and

Kwacha (cash or cards – Mastercard/Visa/American Express)

Our nearest ATM is in Lusaka

Airtel airtime can be purchased at the bar.

Exchange facility (US Dollars into Kwacha or vice versa only) is offered if

we have sufficient cash on site.

Our nearest Foreign Currency Exchange can be found at several.

locations in Lusaka including Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.

Parking

Complimentary Parking is available at the side of the rooms for all guests as well as space in front of the main lodge. Mukambi cannot be responsible for items left in vehicles on the property.

Special Occasions

If your visit to us includes a special occasion, birthday or anniversary, do let us know in advance so that we can make preparations accordingly.

Communications

There is a decent phone signal at the main lodge. We also sell Airtel airtime.

Guest Wi-Fi is available to use in the main lodge area.

Check In

Check-in time is 1400hrs. But feel free to arrive earlier and pre-book lunch with us.

Mukambi Safaris has three properties located throughout Kafue National Park, and these properties all combine to make great safari itineraries. Each camp has its own unique style and character and offer the ultimate in an African wildlife Safari experience. Friendly, yet luxurious. Mukambi Safaris can host you throughout your entire stay here in Kafue National Park.

Our Safari Packages offer a great discount on multiple nights at two or more of our camps. The pristine African wilderness of Kafue National Park remains vastly undiscovered and offers a variety of activities in diverse ecosystems. Our safari packages ensure that visitors have the opportunity to explore it from all angles with well-rounded land and water-based adventures.

Our three safari packages are:

Full Kafue Experience: 3 camps – 8 days/7 nights

Mukambi & Busanga Package: 2 camps – 6 days/5 nights

Mukambi & Fig Tree Package: 2 camps – 6 days/5 nights

FULL KAFUE EXPERIENCE

Day 1

Days 2 & 3

Days 4, 5 & 6

Day 7

Day 8

Mukambi Safaris has three properties located throughout Kafue National Park, and these properties all combine to make great safari itineraries. Each camp has its own unique style and character and offer the ultimate in an African wildlife Safari experience. Friendly, yet luxurious. Mukambi Safaris can host you throughout your entire stay here in Kafue National Park.

Our Safari Packages offer a great discount on multiple nights at two or more of our camps. The pristine African wilderness of Kafue National Park remains vastly undiscovered and offers a variety of activities in diverse ecosystems. Our safari packages ensure that visitors have the opportunity to explore it from all angles with well-rounded land and water-based adventures.

Our three safari packages are:

Full Kafue Experience: 3 camps – 8 days/7 nights

Mukambi & Busanga Package: 2 camps – 6 days/5 nights

Mukambi & Fig Tree Package: 2 camps – 6 days/5 nights

MUKAMBI & BUSANGA PACKAGE

Day 1

Days 2, 3 & 4

Day 6

Mukambi Safaris has three properties located throughout Kafue National Park, and these properties all combine to make great safari itineraries. Each camp has its own unique style and character and offer the ultimate in an African wildlife Safari experience. Friendly, yet luxurious. Mukambi Safaris can host you throughout your entire stay here in Kafue National Park.

Our Safari Packages offer a great discount on multiple nights at two or more of our camps. The pristine African wilderness of Kafue National Park remains vastly undiscovered and offers a variety of activities in diverse ecosystems. Our safari packages ensure that visitors have the opportunity to explore it from all angles with well-rounded land and water-based adventures.

Our three safari packages are:

Full Kafue Experience: 3 camps – 8 days/7 nights

Mukambi & Busanga Package: 2 camps – 6 days/5 nights

Mukambi & Fig Tree Package: 2 camps – 6 days/5 nights

MUKAMBI& FIG TREE PACKAGE

Day 1

Day 2

Days 3, 4 & 5

Day 6

Makambi Safari Lodge

Some of the animals found in this area.
Skeleton Coastal National Park, Namibia

The Hippo within the lodge area - Mukambi Safari Lodge

The Lizard within the lodge area - Mukambi Safari Lodge

Roan antelopes resting - Mukambi Safari Lodge

The Warthog searching for food - Mukambi Safari Lodge

Roan Antelopes at peace - Mukambi Safari Lodge

The leopard resting - Mukambi Safari Lodge

The Varaan at peace with nature - Mukambi Safari Lodge

The Hippos as usual at paly in Kafue River water - Mukambi Safari Lodge

The head of Elephants on the pool - Mukambi Safari Lodge

Some of the birds found in this area.
Skeleton Coastal National Park, Namibia

Black-cheeked lovebird – Credit Dick Daniels

Böhm’s bee-eater – Credit Nathan DeBruine

Brown-headed apalis – Credit Nik borrow

Chaplin’s barbet – Credit Nick Hudson

Chestnut-backed_Sparrow-Weaver – Credit By Nigel Voaden

Collared palm-thrush – Credit Zak Pohlen

Denham’s bustard – Credit Bernard

African Finfoot – Credit Wikipedia

Chunga airstrip is located within the Central Kafue National Park