Read 3 traveller reviews of Kuyenda Bushcamp

Kuyenda is one of the more rustic, old-style safari bush camps in South Luangwa National Park. It's situated under a grove of evergreen Natal mahogany trees, next to the Manzi River – which is usually only a sandy riverbed during the dry season.

Kuyenda is run by Phil Berry, and his partner Babette Alfieri, and most people return here because of their personalities, their charm and the warmth of the welcome. Phil is one of the most knowledgeable guides in Africa, and has lived in the bush for nearly forty years. He has an active, inquisitive mind which he has turned, over this time, to his great passion – the bush – keeping meticulous notes on all the information he gathers. Phil is a renowned expert on the endemic Thornicroft's giraffe, and is able to recognize over 200 individuals by their neck markings. On our last visit, in July 2008, he was collecting data on which animal host was preferred by the yellow-billed and red-billed oxpeckers, respectively.

Although activities at Kuyenda include day and night game drives, and there is plenty of wildlife to make both productive, the main focus is on the walking safaris. We think that Kuyenda bushcamp is situated in one of the best areas of South Luangwa for walking. There are a variety of areas to explore including open plains with quicksand bogs, palm islands, the banks of the Luangwa River and salt springs.

There is usually plenty of wildlife too see: walking here really is a big game safari. Phil Berry's knowledge of this area makes him a fascinating guide on the occasions he leads a walk. However, if Phil isn't guiding then one of the other guides from the Bushcamp Company accompanies the walk; all the Bushcamp Company guides that we have had experience of have been very good.

There is usually one guide at Kuyenda at any given time, and the camp takes only eight guests – so the activities are usually done as one group. Day and night drives, and walks, are offered from here – and a favorite combination is a walk followed by a night drive - although exactly which happens when will depend on the other visitors as well as yourself. Stay here for at least three nights to be sure of doing some walking and some 4WD safaris.

Kuyenda's main area is deliberately simple and this adds to its charm. It is a thatched area that houses the bar, sitting area with comfortable deckchair style chairs, a well-stocked library and the dining table. A portable washstand and canvas basin to wash away the dust from the day is located nearby, and a camp fire overlooks the plain beyond.

Kuyenda Bushcamp has four reed-and-thatch chalets (two had to be completely relocated and rebuilt following the floods in February 2007). Three chalets have views of the Manzi River bed from their large mesh-covered windows. The fourth chalet is set a little away from the rest, and overlooks an open plain favoured by herds of impala and puku and occasionally visited by buffalo and elephant.

The view can also be enjoyed from the comfortable beds, above which are hung mosquito nets. Each room also has a hanging rail for clothes, a few comfortable chairs, and a large, wooden trunk at the end of the bed. A pair of canvas chairs stands outside.

At the back of each chalet at Kuyenda is an open-air bathroom with a flush toilet, twin basins and a bucket shower – hot water is brought to you, at your request.

In conclusion ... I'm lucky enough to spend a lot of time in the bush, and I loved Kuyenda! The chalets are very rustic (no mod-cons here!) but comfortable and quite spacious. However, don't come to Kuyenda for the rooms – come for the walks, as the environments around here have tremendous variety; the game, which is prolific and very relaxed; the hospitality, which is warm and feels more like staying with a family than at a hotel; and above all ... for the guiding, which is top-notch.

Lodge overview

Lodge type: Safari

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

Season: 1 June to 31 October

Ideal length of stay: Three nights is the ideal length of say at Kuyenda. This bush camp combines well with any of its sister-camps, Chindeni Camp, Chamilandu Camp, Bilimungwe Camp or Kapamba Camp.

Central facilities: Kuyenda is reached by taking an hours' flight from Kuyenda Bushcamp's main area is all under one thatched roof. It covers the bar, dining table, library and seating area made up of canvas deck chairs and a coffee table. As well as various reference books, the small library has numerous books written about the South Luangwa and the various well-known characters that make it the destination it is today including Phil Berry. The camp fire is in front of the main area and overlooks an open plain and the bed of the Manzi River beyond. Various picturesque spots in the surrounding area are used as sundowner spots where drinks and snacks can be enjoyed whilst watching another spectacular African sunset.

Geographics

Location: South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Directions: Kuyenda is reached by taking an hours' flight from Lusaka to Mfuwe Airport. From here it is about at 45-minute drive to Mfuwe Lodge. You will often break here for lunch before a two hour game drive through South Luangwa National Park to the camp.

Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Key personnel

Owner: The Buschcamp Company

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Food quality: The food standard at Kuyenda Bushcamp is very good. Expect meals such as you might find at good pub restaurant or country hotel where everything is fresh and home-cooked. Breakfast is usually served as a buffet before the morning activity. A variety of cereals are on offer along with porridge, toast and fruit. Lunch is also a buffet including a variety of salads, a meat dish (and a vegetarian option if requested) and a pie or quiche followed by fresh fruit. During our last visit in July 2008 we enjoyed home-made fish fingers, sausages, bean salad, avocado and tomato salad, a large green salad and babooti, the South African version of a cottage pie. For desert we had papaya and melon slices. Dinner is usually three-courses and may be served in the main area or out on the plain, under the stars. The starter is often a delicious soup such as butternut or chicken and vegetable, served with fresh bread rolls. In previous visits we've had pork fillet with yoghurt and chive sauce served with aubergine bake, potato wedges and a selection of vegetables and chicken and mushrooms in white wine sauce and served with mashed potatoes and mange tout. Desert has been a delicious lemon tart and on another occasion, a crepe filled with passion fruit coulis.

Dining style: Group Meals

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included

Drinks included: Kuyenda has a fairly well-stocked bar. All available drinks are included in the price.

Special interests

Walking: Kuyenda Bushcamp is surrounded by one of the best walking areas in the South Luangwa National Park. A wide variety of environments and plentiful wildlife allow travellers to discover something new on each excursion. Walking with the renowned Phil Berry (one of Zambia's best and longest-standing guides) in his own backyard is always an added bonus! - See more of our suggestions of the best places for walking in Zambia

Children

Age restrictions: Kuyenda concentrates mainly on walking safaris, and it's not possible for children under 12 years old to walk in the national park. This rule has been made for safety reasons. Children aged between 12 and 16 years may be able to join walks, but this is only at the manager's discretion.

Generally recommended for children: We don't recommend Kuyenda Bushcamp for young children at all – it's really a camp that's best-suited to adults.

Notes: Kuyenda bush camp is unfenced, and big game wanders through it regularly so any children must be closely supervised at all times by their parents.

Central communications

Power supply: Solar Power

Communications: Kuyenda Bushcamp is always in contact with its sister-camps and the office at Mfuwe Lodge.

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Medical care: There is a first-aid kit available at Kuyenda. The various safari operations in South Luangwa National Park sponsor a doctor who is based in the valley, and available in case of anything more serious.

Dangerous animals: High Risk

Security measures: Don't walk around the camp on your own at night as animals roam through regularly: a guide will escort you to and from your room. On our last visit to Kuyenda Bushcamp there were hyena and elephant in and around the camp during the night. The camp managers have a lock-up facility and we recommend you hand over your valuables to them for safe keeping.

Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers in the camp's kitchen. Hoses are available elsewhere in the camp in case of fire.

Extras

Disabled access: Not Possible

Laundry facilities: A laundry service is provided. Washing powder is available in all the chalets for guests who wish to hand wash any smalls or delicate items.

Accepted payment: No currency or payment is accepted in camp and is unlikely to be necessary, as everything is included in the cost. A central tip box is available and we recommend US Dollars for this purpose.

^ Top of page