Read 5 traveller reviews of Bilimungwe Bushcamp

January 2010 - We have heard that sadly Bilimungwe Camp will not be open this year. However please take a look at Bilimungwe's sister camps, Kuyenda, Chamilandu, Chindeni and Kapamba for a superb alternative.

Bilimungwe is a smart little bush camp built on a low rise surrounded with wildlife. Each room overlooks a flood plain where impala, puku, warthog and baboons are often seen feeding. On our last safari here, in July 2008 a leopard walked right across this area on her way to the river to drink! On the other side, the camp's main lounge-dining area is meters from a waterhole often visited by elephant.

The central building at Bilimungwe Bushcamp is an open-sided bar/dining area, which is raised on wooden decking between the trunks of a tall winter thorn and Natal mahogany trees. This is a fairly large thatched building with a lounge, a well-stocked bar and a viewing deck, complete with canvas safari chairs. At one end there is a large dining table where a large carved chameleon rests as the centre piece. Bilimungwe is the name for a chameleon in the local 'Kamanga' language.

Bilimungwe bush camp has four comfortable chalets made of cane and reeds. Each has twin double beds under a tall thatched roof, as well as an en-suite shower, a toilet and twin washbasins. The chalets stand under shady, evergreen Natal mahogany trees. Whilst this shade helps to keep the rooms cool, even through the hottest months, it does mean that the interior can be quite dark. Colourful linen in reds and rich browns and matching bright batiks covering the bedroom/bathroom dividers counteract this gloomy feel by adding warmth and cosiness.

Bilimungwe Bushcamp concentrates on walking safaris as its main activity. Day safari drives and spot-lit night drives are also offered. Two activities a day are the norm and we recommend an afternoon walk combined with a night game-drive at least once during your stay.

Bilimungwe usually has one guide in camp at any one time. Hence with a maximum of only eight guests, it's usual for all the activities to done as a group. Although drives and walks are offered from Bilimungwe, exactly when will depend on the other visitors as well as yourself. So stay here for at least two or three nights to be fairly sure of doing some walking and some 4WD safaris.

The guide at Bilimungwe when we visited is Manda Chisanga. In 2006 Manda was joint-winner of Wanderlust magazine's Paul Morrison guide of the year award and during our last visit to the camp we had to agree that the accolade was richly deserved. Although Manda is a fantastic all-round guide, he is in his element when guiding a walk where he spends time explaining everything from how claw marks in a tree trunk show a leopard's routine to the medicinal properties of plants. Click here to read more about Manda's award and how he chose to spend his £5,000 winnings within the local community.

The riverine woodland environment in around Bilimungwe, with its tall winterthorn, sausage trees and evergreen Natal mahogany trees, would contrast well with the open plains and low rocky hills found at its sister camp - Kuyenda to offer an interesting and varied safari experience.

Lodge overview

Lodge type: Safari

No. of bedrooms: 4 reed-and-thatch chalets

Season: 20 April to 31 December

Ideal length of stay: We recommend a two or three night stay at Bilimungwe. Note that this combines naturally with some its sister bushcamps: Zungulila, Kuyenda, Chindeni and Chamilandu.

Central facilities: There is a fairly large central area built on a wooden deck and overlooking a small lagoon, which is certainly an attraction for wildlife including impala, warthog and elephant. On our last visit (July 2008) this was covered by bright green Nile cabbage, creating quite a feature, although we are told that the cabbage doesn't occur every year. A thatch roof, shaped to accommodate the tall winter thorn and mahogany trees, covers the main building. This building houses a bar, a comfortable lounge, a viewing deck and a long dining table. Tea and coffee are available here throughout the day. Nearby is a small 'boma' known as “Joe's Bistro” (named after a member of staff who had the idea!) where traditional meals are sometimes served.

Geographics

Location: South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Directions: After a 70-minute flight from Lusaka, you arrive at Mfuwe Airport where you are met for a game drive transfer through South Luangwa National Park which takes approximately three hours.

Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Key personnel

Owner: The Bushcamp Company

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Food quality: The meals offered at Bilimungwe are of a good standard. Don't expect gourmet but do expect an array of well presented, delicious dishes. Breakfast is usually in time to watch the sun rise, before heading out on a morning activity. Served as a buffet in the camp's main area, this might include cereals, fruit, muffins, hot porridge and toast. The morning excursion usually ends at about 10.30am so brunch is often around 11am, although this is flexible and can be altered if you see something exciting out in the bush. This meal is served in a variety of locations. On our last visit we enjoyed a barbeque overlooking the Luangwa River, about 50 metres from camp. Dishes usually include a variety of salads, freshly baked bread, a meat option and fruit salad for desert. Our barbeque was delicious with the choice of chicken, farmer's sausage and beef shish kebabs – or a combination of all three! Dinner is usually served at about 8pm and is a 3-course meal. During our visit we enjoyed a vegetable spring roll for starters followed by crumbed fish, mash potatoes and vegetables. The meal was rounded off with a scrumptious chocolate tart. In between meals you will need to save room for home-made biscuits with morning tea, fresh cakes with afternoon tea and tasty snacks with sundowner drinks. We were pleasantly surprised with a small cup of hot chocolate upon our return from the night drive.

Dining style: Group Meals

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included

Drinks included: The bar at Billimungwe has a variety of soft drinks, juices, beers, spirits and house wines available, all of which are included in the price. A few vintage bottled wines are available for purchase at an extra cost.

Special interests

Birdwatching: - See more of our suggestions of the best places for birdwatching in Zambia

Walking safaris: The area surrounding Bilimungwe camp is varied – with some pretty stretches of riverine woodland along the Luangwa River, thicker miombo woodlands, and plenty of open 'dambos'. Exploring this with Manda Chisanga, an award-winning guide, was interesting and very informative as he is particularly knowledgeable on the medicinal properties of the plants. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for walking safaris in Zambia

Wildlife safaris: - See more of our suggestions of the best places for wildlife safaris in Zambia

Children

Age restrictions: Children under the age of 12 can only be accommodated at Bilimungwe on request and if the family group arranges for a private guide. Walking is not permitted for children younger than 12. Children between the ages of 12 and 16 may be able to join the walking safaris, at the discretion of the guide and managers.

Equipment: Some of the rooms can be fitted with three single beds to accommodate a child with their parents.

Generally recommended for children: Not for children under 12 years.

Notes: Bilimungwe bushcamp is unfenced so dangerous animals do roam through the camp. Children must be under constant supervision from their parents.

Central communications

Power supply: Solar Power

Communications: Bilimungwe has 24-hour radio contact with its sister camps in South Luangwa and with its base at Mfuwe Lodge.

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Medical care: The safari camps in South Luangwa National Park sponsor a doctor who is based in the Luangwa Valley.

Dangerous animals: High Risk

Security measures: Guests are escorted to their chalets after nightfall. The camp's manager has a safe facility and we recommend you make use of this to secure your valuables.

Fire safety: The camp has a central borehole with a nearby tape and water hoses available in case of fire.

Extras

Disabled access: Not Possible

Laundry facilities: A full laundry service is offered at Bilimungwe and is included in the price. A pot of washing powder is available in the chalets for guests who might want to do any hand washing.

Money: We recommend you carry US Dollars for tips. In the unlikely event that payment for anything else is needed, this would be arranged through Bilimungwe's sister-camp, Mfuwe Lodge.

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