Read 20 traveller reviews of Kakuli Bushcamp

Kakuli Bushcamp is a seasonal camp situated in a high density wildlife area within the South Luangwa National Park. Built at the confluence of the Luangwa and Lubi (pronounced Luwi) rivers, Kakuli is a small camp with just five tented rooms.

Expert Africa team members first visited Kakuli Bush Camp in the late 1990s – and have returned many times since then. Most recently, the camp has been completely rebuilt and refurbished ready for the 2008 safari season – and our most recent visit was in July 2008.

The old safari tents have been replaced by sturdier rooms constructed of wooden frames and canvas walls. The original thatch cover, designed to keep the tents cool, still remains, but the zip doors have been replaced by double wooden doors with mesh windows. Simply and well decorated, the tents at Kakuli are attractive and well lit, with mesh windows offering views over the Luangwa River.

A wooden door links each tent to an open-air en-suite bathroom, which is enclosed in a wall of reeds. In the bathroom, the floor is covered with reed mats, and reed 'wall paper' has been cleverly used to conceal the pipes around the flush toilet, sink and shower. There is a plan to include stand-alone baths here for 2009, and we are told the layout of each bathroom with be altered to accommodate this and allow for a river view, where possible.

There is no buffer between Kakuli and the surrounding bush. Young rain trees are interspersed with taller tamarind trees which offer little shade. High thatched roofs and large mesh windows help to keep the tents cool, however, expect the area to get quite hot – especially in October. The openness of this site combined with the small lagoon in front of the main area attracts a variety of wildlife. Expect to see impala, puku and baboons at the lagoon throughout the day and elephants regularly pass through camp.

Activities at Kakuli include 4WD day and night safari drives in an area well known for its large lion prides and regular leopard sightings. Guided walking safaris through the variety of environments in the area of Kakuli Bushcamp are often a highlight. The more active visitor should consider combining time at Kakuli with a stay at it's sister camp Nsolo Bushcamp and walking the 14km between them. It is usually too hot to do this trek during October, but it is possible to walk the 6km on from Nsolo to stay at Luwi Bushcamp.

From 2009, Kakuli Bushcamp will be one of the very few bush camps open during Zambia's 'Emerald Season' (Jan – Apr). Three nights at Kakuli is combined with three nights at Kapani Lodge in a special Emerald Season combination.

During this lush time safari drives are offered from Kapani Lodge whilst walks and boat trips are offered from Kakuli. Animal viewing is still very good at this time of year but the real draw is the lack of visitors and the numerous birds, many in full breeding plumage (over 700 species have been recorded here during the emerald season).

Lodge overview

Lodge type: Safari

No. of bedrooms: 5 safari tents

Season: Jan to Apr to May to Nov

Ideal length of stay: Two or three nights is ideal here, and most travellers will combine Two or thee nights is ideal here, and most travellers will combine Kakuli in a longer visit taking in a couple of its sister-camps: Nsolo Bushcamp, Luwi Bushcamp and Mchenja Bushcamp.

Central facilities: The central 'chitenge' (main area) has open sides, with a low reed wall about waist-height, and shady thatch above. Open sides ensure good airflow and help to keep this area cool. Lunch is often eaten here, at a dining table, and there's a well stocked bar with drinks available throughout the day. To one side of this is a small library, with comfortable chairs. Walking outside onto a wooden deck, built to overlook a small lagoon and the Luangwa River beyond. There are some chairs here also, with a view of the various animal visitors to the lagoon; these make this a nice area to while away the hours between activities in the middle of the day. A portion of this deck cleverly lifts to reveal a fire pit which is used to heat porridge and cook toast for breakfast. A separate campfire is laid next to the main area where pre-dinner drinks can be enjoyed and stories of the day's adventures can be swapped.

Geographics

Location: South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Directions: Mfuwe Airport and South Luangwa National Park is reached by a 70 minute flight from Lusaka. From Mfuwe a transfer/game drive lasting approximately two hours takes visitors to Kakuli Bushcamp.

Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Key personnel

Owner: Norman Carr Safaris

Staff: Camp Managers: Aubrey is the manager and head guide at Kakuli. Lucinda is the camp's hostess and JJ is the second guide. Chef: Bernard

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Food quality: When we last visited Kakuli in July 2008 we only popped in for a short visit so we didn't have any meals there. However, from our experience at the other camps run by Norman Carr Safaris - Nsolo Bushcamp, Luwi Bushcamp, Mchenja Bushcamp and Kapani Lodge - we'd expect excellent food.

Dining style: Group Meals

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Room service: No

Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included

Drinks included: All drinks available at Kakuli Bushcamp are included in the accommodation rate. A good variety of soft drinks, juices, beers, spirits and wines are available.

Children

Attitude towards children: Children under the age of 12 can only be accommodated at Kakuli if the family group books the whole camp privately. Even then, the length and areas undertaken on walking safaris will be limited. The minimum walking age set by Zambian National Parks is 12 years. Children between the ages of 12 and 16 years will be allowed to join the walking safaris at the guide and managers discretion.

Equipment: An additional bed can be added to any of the rooms to accommodate a young child with the parents.

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

Notes: Kakuli is unfenced, so dangerous animals do roam through the camp. When we visited in July 2008 the camp manager pointed out hyena and elephant tracks on the sandy paths through the camp. Any children should be closely supervised by their parents at all times.

Central communications

Power supply: Solar Power

Communications: Kakuli Bushcamp has 24-hour radio contact with the other Norman Carr Safaris camps and with their base at Kapani Lodge.

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Medical care: The guides and manager at Kakuli are trained in first aid. The various safari operations in South Luangwa National Park sponsor a doctor who is based in the valley and who is available to tend to anything more serious. In severe emergencies guests would be evacuated by air to Lusaka or Johannesburg.

Dangerous animals: High Risk

Security measures: The camp is unfenced so dangerous animals can roam around freely. Guests are escorted to their tents after dark.

Fire safety: The camp kitchen has an extinguisher readily available. Water hoses can quickly be utilised in case of fire in the camp. A fire break has been created around each of the 'Rhodesian' water boilers as a preventative measure.

Extras

Disabled access: Not Possible

Laundry facilities: A full laundry service is included at Kakuli Bushcamp. Clothes are hand washed and ironed with a coal iron. Washing powder is provided in each of the bathrooms and we recommend that delicate items be hand-washed by guests to avoid any mishaps.

Money: US Dollars are recommended for tips. In the unlikely event that payment for anything else is required this is arranged through Norman Carr Safaris base – Kapani Lodge.

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