Read 1 traveller review of Chamilandu Bushcamp

Chamilandu is a lovely small safari camp set above the Luangwa's banks and with sweeping views of the Luangwa River. A grove of tall African ebony trees keep this site shady and cool and offer a welcome respite when returning from forays into the bush.

There are only three chalets at Chamilandu Bushcamp. Each has reed walls on three sides, a thatched roof and sits on its own about 2m off the ground, on a raised timber platform. The few pieces of furniture in the room – including a dressing table and a shelf unit – are made from wrought iron and wood, and covered with cleverly hand-painted, natural fabrics. Each room has one king-size bed (or two small double four-poster beds) hung with a mosquito net. Each of the chalets is open-fronted, with no barriers between the bedroom and the private viewing deck.

Each of Chamilandu's chalets has a curtained doorway leading through to an open-air, en-suite bathroom. Here, a low front wall allows for a great view over the Luangwa River and the game management reserve on the opposite bank. To match the bedrooms décor, the towel rails, sink and toiletries stand have also been fashioned from wrought iron and wood. Each bathroom has a flush toilet and large open shower.

At the Chamilandu's centre, set just meters from the riverbank, is a large building, enclosed on three sides by a waist-high reed wall. This is the camp's main area with a lounge (wrought iron chairs with comfortable cushions), bar cabinet, small library and long dining table. The high thatched ceiling provides a convenient roosting place for epauletted fruit bats, so you'll often find groups of these watching you from the rafters.

Nearby, the campfire is used for breakfast, to heat porridge and cook toast on, and later as a gathering place for pre-dinner drinks. Behind the camp, away from the river, a thatched hide sits on stilts overlooking a small lagoon where animals often come to drink.

Activities from Chamilandu bushcamp concentrate on walking safaris, though game-drives (day & night) are also offered. A variety of environments occurs near here including riverine forest, mopane woodland, clearings and open floodplains. These attract a diversity of wildlife including plains game such as Crawshay's zebra and impala, wetland animals like puku and waterbuck and the shier species that prefer the riverine thickets like kudu and leopard. When we last visited in July 2008, a pride of fifteen lions were regularly seen in the area.

There is usually one guide in camp at Chamilandu bush camp at any given time. The camp takes a maximum of only six guests, and all the activities are usually done as a group. Drives and walks are offered from Chamilandu, though exactly which happens when will depend on the other visitors as well as yourself. We suggest that you stay here for at least two or three nights to be fairly sure of doing some walking and some 4WD safaris.

In conclusion ... although Chamilandu currently has only three chalets, these are large and set in a stunning location – making this a good camp if want a small bushcamp and don't want to compromise on the 'luxury'.

Lodge overview

Lodge type: Safari

No. of bedrooms: 3 raised chalets

Season: 1 June to 31 October

Ideal length of stay: A two or three night stay at Chamilandu is ideal. Note that this combines naturally with some its sister bushcamps: Kapamba or Kuyenda.

Central facilities: At Chamilandu's centre, overlooking the wide Luangwa River, is a high thatched building with open sides. Mesh flaps can be rolled down during windy days or in the unlikely event of rain. In the cool shade of the thatch is a comfortable lounge area, small library, bar and dining area. Behind Chamilandu Bushcamp is a small lagoon which attracts a variety of wildlife. A raised, thatched hide built in the shade of African ebony trees overlooks this pool.

Geographics

Location: South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Directions: After arriving at Mfuwe airport on a flight from Lusaka or the Lower Zambezi, a game drive transfer through South Luangwa National Park takes approximately three hours to reach Chamilandu Bushcamp.

Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Key personnel

Owner: The Bushcamp Company

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Food quality: The food served at Chamilandu bushcamp is good quality and tasty with a variety of dishes using fresh ingredients. Breakfast is usually eaten around the camp fire over which porridge and toast is prepared. A buffet table is set up nearby with a choice of cereals, yoghurt, fruit, spreads and juices. After the morning activity you return to camp for brunch, usually served around 11am. Though called brunch, this meal is more like lunch than breakfast often including two or three salad dishes, a meat dish and a vegetable dish in the form of a quiche or mini pizzas. After resting during the hotter hours in the middle of the day, afternoon tea is served before an afternoon activity. Tea, coffee and cake are often served in the hide overlooking a small lagoon. On our last visit to Chamilandu bush camp we were spoilt with scones, jam and cream! A 3-course dinner is then about 8pm, after your return from a spot-lit night drive. During our stay we enjoyed a starter of bruschetta topped with guacamole and tomato, a main course of roasted chicken breast and crunchy roast potatoes served with green beans. Desert was vanilla cream topped with a caramelised lid. (We hadn't come across this before ... but it was very nice!)

Dining style: Group Meals

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included

Drinks included: Chamilandu bush camp has a well stocked drinks cabinet. All available drinks are included when staying at this camp – including beers, local spirits, house wines and soft drinks – although you won't find many esoteric imported spirits here, fine wines or champagnes.

Children

Age restrictions: Walking is not permitted for children younger than 12 in South Luangwa National Park which is the minimum age able to visit Chamilandu. Guests between the ages of 12 and 16 may can join the guided walks at the discretion of the camp manager.

Notes: Chamilandu is not fenced, allowing animals to pass through the camp. These animals are wild and can be dangerous when they are surprised or feel cornered so children must be under their parent's constant supervision.

Central communications

Power supply: Solar Power

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

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Medical care: A doctor is sponsored and accommodated by the various safari operators in South Luangwa National Park to be available in case of a medical emergency for their guests or staff.

Dangerous animals: High Risk

Security measures: Guests are escorted to their chalets after dark. We recommend that you hand any valuables to the manager to keep in the camp's lock-up facility.

Fire safety: Water hoses are available throughout the camp in case of fire.

Extras

Disabled access: Not Possible

Laundry facilities: A laundry service is included at Chamilandu. A pot of washing powder is available in the chalets for guests who wish to do any hand washing.

Accepted payment: The usual currency for tips is US Dollars. In the unlikely event that payment for anything else is needed, this would be arranged through Chamilandu's sister-camp, Mfuwe Lodge.

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