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), therefore we would recommend you book with us for at least a week so you have time to explore this vast park and combine time at Busanga, Fig Tree and Mukambi. However, shorter bookings of 3 to 4 nights at Mukambi will also guarantee a truly unique safari!
The lodge itself consists of a thatched building with several decks overlooking the Kafue River, and offers a new infinity pool, so on the hot days you can relax in the pool, looking over the vast Kafue River, peacefully reading one of the books from our small library collection. Upon return from your activities, relax with drink in hand in one of our lounge areas, all of which offer stunning views of the river. Or chat to one of our guides while gazing up at the stars in the night sky by our warm campfire. Don’t hesitate to visit our curio shop, which offers a selection of products made by the local village, or to ask for one of our massages on offer, which take place in the comfort of your room. Finally, don’t forget to look out for the many animals, which find sanctuary around the lodge area; impalas, baboons, monkeys, elephants, hippos, even a small pride of lions, and of course our office wild cat, Simba!
Mukambi Safari Lodge has 3 different room types for which you can find more in detail information below.
Mukambi Safari Lodge – Chalet
8 comfortable en-suite chalets for 2 persons of which one a family unit (4 persons) with en suite bathroom (rondavel type), 24hrs electricity and hot water. Chalets come with either one queen size double bed or 2 single beds with cotton sheets, duvet (extra blankets available) and mosquito nets.
The family chalet has 2 bedrooms, one with a double bed and one with 2 single beds plus a lounge for relaxation. Bathroom comes with shower, toilet, basin and mirror. Outside terrace with chairs and side table.
When to visit?
Mukambi Safari Lodge is open all year round. Our peak-season is May-December, but during the Emerald Season (December-May), the Kafue National Park also has wonderful safaris to offer. Game might be a little harder to spot, but ‘the fifty shades of green’, stunning bright light (photographer’s best) and beauty of the bush still guarantee a unique and highly rewarding experience.
Mukambi Safari Lodge was one of the first and most established safari lodges in Kafue National Park and one of the few lodges open in the Northern and Central part of Kafue National Park that stays open all year around
Facilities:
Restaurant, Bar, Swimming pool area and Laundry
ACTIVITIES:
Game drives
Mukambi Safari Lodge offers game drives daily. One departs at sunrise and the afternoon drive (partly a night drive) leaves at approximately 2 hours before sunset. Drivers are 3.5 to 4 hours long. Our vehicles are located in the park, which is a short boat trip across the Kafue River, so all game drives depart from within the park. If you don’t spot the family of leopard, who frequent underneath our parked safari vehicles, our guides take you on several loops throughout the park, where you will undoubtedly find many varieties of antelopes, as well as birds, and if lucky, you can find the larger game, such as elephants, lions, leopards, wild dogs and cheetah. In the morning you can watch the sunrise as you search for game, then have a short tea and coffee break to stretch your legs, and later arrive at camp with a hot breakfast awaiting you. During our evening drives the guides find a nice spot to stop for a drink and watch the sun go down, before continuing into the night, attempting to spot the nocturnal game, such as bush baby, honey badgers as well as cats
Walking safaris
Walks leave in the early morning hours after sunrise to avoid the heat of the day. The walks take place in the Kafue National Park itself and are approximately 3 hours. Our guides will talk you through everything Kafue has to offer that otherwise goes unnoticed, showing how the whole ecosystem works together to support the National Park. You can find nature at its most untouched on such safaris. (Unfortunately not available due to the wet conditions and high grass from approximately Dec to May).
Fishing trips (Mukambi Safari Lodge Only)
Fishing trips by boat take place at any time of day and are approximately 2.5 hours long. While out on the river, just you and your guide, you can enjoy the surrounding nature while fishing. We supply basic equipment and bait to assist you on your way to catching one of the many fish found in this area, whether that be a silver barbell, a larger cat fish or Kafue bream. Keen fishermen may bring their own equipment to take on the fishing trips.
Boat cruises/sunset cruises (Mukambi Safari Lodge Only)
Boat cruises over the Kafue river can also take place at any time of the day but we also have a scheduled Sunset Cruise each evening. On the boat cruise we shall drive you slowly up the river, giving you the chance to take in the surroundings, have some sundowners and watch the sunset. You can bet your money you will see hippos and crocodiles and a plethora of birds, about which our guides can answer your questions.
Tour to Mukambi Community School
With the help of generous donors we were able to establish the Mukambi Community School. Daily visits to the school are scheduled after the morning activity.
Guests often ask us what they can bring as a gift for the school so we generally request for English reference books and children’s reading books and magazines for their library plus any consumables. However, any donations are well received!
