OVERVIEW
Mukambi Safari Lodge is a family run lodge that immerses you with the region especially when combined with its other camps - Fig Tree Bush Camp and Busanga Plains Camp.
Located in Kafue National Park, Central Province, in an area that is known for its subtropical summer and temperate winter climate as well as its diverse landscapes and ecosystems. Vital to the Kafue, Mukambi exists to provide guests with unforgettable, diverse African experiences, as well as providing the local community with a sustainable and harmonious future and generously supporting our partners in conservation - the Department of National Parks & Wildlife, Zambian Carnivore Programme and African Parks..
Setting & Ambiance
Often referred to as “The Gateway to The Kafue National Park”, the lodge is situated on the banks of the glistening Kafue River. Live in the company of the local wildlife which find sanctuary around the lodge area including impalas, baboons, monkeys, elephants, hippos, leopard, jackal and even a small pride of lion; and of course, our resident wild cat Mauw! Seamlessly fitting into the surrounding wilderness the lodge has been designed with nature in mind. Thatched ceilings keep the interiors cool and wooden decks overlook the rambling river. After your game drive or fishing trip, cool down in the infinity pool while the hippos wallow in the river below or relax with a cold drink in hand in one of our lounge areas offering stunning panoramic views. Peruse our curio shop full of local treasures, proudly made by the women’s community group or indulge in a relaxing massage whilst listening to nature. As evening draws, chat to one of our friendly and knowledgeable guides on an activity or around the campfire before retiring to the comfort of your room and the sounds of the African night.
Accommodation Options
Mukambi offers three accommodation options depending on the numbers in your party or preference..
1. Chalet & Family Chalet
Capacity:
2-4 people
Layout:
Eight en-suite chalets (rondavels), each sleeping two with one family unit sleeping four, are perched along a ridge facing the Kafue River with gardens and bush scrub leading down to the river’s edge. Furnished with either a queen size four-poster bed or two single four-poster beds, each one is made up with crisp cotton sheets, a duvet and mosquito net. The spacious family chalet has two bedrooms, one with a queen bed and the other with two single beds, plus a comfortable lounge. The bathrooms each come with a shower, toilet, vanity and refillable amenity bottles with shower gel, shampoo and body lotion. All chalets have electricity and hot water.
2. Riverside Villa
Capacity:
Up to 4 people
Layout:
Our luxury family Riverside Villa, ideally situated right on the riverbank, has two large en-suite bedrooms (one with a queen-sized bed and the other with two single beds), a fully furnished living room, and a large wooden deck leading out over the Kafue River. At the end of a busy day’s activities climb into bed each night, made up with crisp cotton sheets, a duvet, and a mosquito net. Both bathrooms have a shower, toilet idem, and basin and the villa has electricity and hot water.
3. Luxury Tents
Capacity:
2 people
Layout:
Four luxury tented suites, each accommodating two people, offer the ultimate seclusion with private decks on poles, standing on the banks of the Kafue River. Each unit is cocooned by natural riverine bush and has an open plan bathroom with shower, toilet and vanity idem plus bath salts. Stylish interiors, with draped mosquito nets and luxurious box spring beds, lead out through sliding glass doors onto the wooden deck with a freestanding ball and claw bathtub and comfortable seating. The furniture is crafted from recycled wood, from the Dhows that used to sail the Indian Ocean. The standard king beds can be made up as twins on request.
Dining & Facilities
Restaurant:
Open-sided with a mix of covered and outdoor tables. Offers a varied à la carte menu. Meals are independent rather than communal.
Bar:
Sociable area with high stools and comfy sofas, open all day for refreshments between activities or just relaxing.
Swimming Pool:
Centrally located you will find the Infinity Pool and separate children’s paddling pool and several decks with a spectacular view over the Kafue river
Shop:
Sells curios, books, clothing, and essentials.
Wildlife Viewing:
The lodge itself is in the Game Management Area and most of the game can be seen across the river from the lodge or take a sunset cruise and see the animals drinking.
Activities
Game Drives:
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.
Walking Safaris:
Walking safaris 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 and accompanied by a DNPW scout
Sunset Cruises:
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.
Community Involvement:
Support of Local Communities
Long-term conservation can only be accomplished by working closely with the local communities. Some of our community projects have included digging a borehole for clean drinking water, giving the Mukambi Women’s Group an outlet for their handmade crafts in our curio shop, and a Women’s group who produce honey in the South of the park. We also have a job training programme which has given 50 members of the local community permanent employment. Guests at Mukambi can visit the projects to learn more about our conservation efforts and the local communities.
The Azimai Women’s Group
We are proud to support The Azimai Women’s Group, made up mainly of our staff members’ wives. They get together on a Saturday afternoon to make various crafts that they then sell to several lodges throughout the Kafue National Park. Their wares include bags, clothing (dresses, shirts, headbands) made from local chitenge material, baskets (made of recycled plastic bags), beaded bracelets and other travel-friendly trinkets. This initiative allows a creative outlet for the women and creates an extra source of income for their families.
Community School
The Mukambi Community School was founded in 2006 to provide a good standard of education to our staff’s children and the local community. The results have been fantastic and the well-equipped school now provides 80 local children with a high standard of education, as well as permanent employment for 5 community teachers and 5 government teachers. The school received generous funding from a donor a couple of years ago which meant that they could invest in iSchool Tablets. The high-tech devices allow the pupils to engage in active learning as well as developing key IT skills for later in life. And of course, it goes without say that conservation is an important subject at the school with our ever responsible tourism goal in mind. Every year all the grade 7 pupils graduate with flying colours and go on to attain places at secondary schools and universities throughout Zambia. Two former students have been sponsored in their tertiary education at leading universities in Lusaka, these 2 students are now doing their masters degrees, and Chicoko and the lodge are now sponsoring 5 new students in their further uni and hospitality studies.
Unique Aspects
Autonomy: Guests can choose what they wish to do each day and so there is a degree of flexibility to relax as well as discover this region of Zambia on safari trips.
Hospitality: Due to the families engagement with the community then an option could be to visit Mukambi Community School that 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 community teachers and five government teachers have permanent employment.
Mukambi Safari Lodge is an ideal location to venture into the vastness of Kafue and the spring board to other more remote locations if you wish to get a big sense of adventure.