Reviews of Musanza Bushcamp
(90%) From 12 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
| 
Musanza Bushcamp review
A good experience of a remote and fairly basic bush camp.
Read more about the whole safariMusanza Bushcamp review
This was the most basic camp we stayed in but the tent, service and food were great.
The fish pie and curry chicken dishes at lunch were big hits. We had meals in a number of different locations which was fun.
Unfortunately the boat was not working so we did not get a river trip here. Some good drives and Brent, our guide tracked a leopard and we had an amazing sighting one night.
Musanza Bushcamp review
the best bush atmosphere of all the camps we have seen, including lions, elephants in the camp
Read more about the whole safariMusanza Bushcamp review
The staff here made our 45th wedding anniversary very special
Read more about the whole safariMusanza Bushcamp review
Absolutely fabulous camp. Evidence, the manager, and 4 other staff including Daniel the cook, made our stay really special. Greeting us with warm damp towels after every trip and a table of beautifully decorated drinks made us feel this camp was very special.
One evening we were taken beyond the camp by our guide 'looking for leopard' , to find Evidence had had the whole dinner moved along the river bank with lanterns and roast chicken awaiting us on the beautifully laid table and napkins folded to look like birds.
Although basic, the camp was very comfortable and eating breakfast and lunch on the anthill overlooking the river was a real treat. All the food was beautifully prepared with lovely little touches of decoaration. We felt the staff put in a lot of effort to make Musanza a place we would always remember with fondness.
Good experience at Musanza Bushcamp
The management's attention to detail was superb with welcome drinks and face towels each time we returned to camp. This camp was on a different side of the river to where it was last year. The downside is that the camp is 8km from the Busanga plains with very little game close to the camp.
The night drives were interesting but inevitably not very much was seen, although we did see leopard on the night drive having a stand off with a hyena. We saw Lion and Cheetah but a lot of driving had to done as the plains are huge and the game widely dispersed as water holes are plentiful. Most of the concentration of game was 20km+ from Musanza. The roads on the plain are very bumpy but that cannot be helped as ther flooded each year.
The road journey from Musanza to Lunga is long although it is a game drive but very few animals were seen except for one sable,a few other antelopes and 3/4 buffalo. The lighting in the tents could be a lot better with more halogen battery lamps.
The staff could not have been more pleasant and helpful. Overall, a pleasant experience.
Expert Africa comments
This camp was included as part of good value, set-departure trip – which takes a week to visit three camps around northern Kafue. This is usually driven and guided by one guide – and in 2008 we’ve generally had very good reports about the individual guides who are leading these trips.
The safari guide is usually accompanied by a ZAWA scout, who also acts as a de facto spotter. Looking into this particular departure, it seems that this scout did not return from his leave, and hence the trip had to proceed without him.
Travellers should note that some of the drives through the park on this trip are long, sometimes with relatively little big game to see. Future travellers would be wise not to book onto these trips if they are not prepared for this.
(That said, the Musanza to Lunga road does often have sable and roan antelope along it – which are both fairly uncommon and very beautiful antelope.)
A lovely tent in the bush and great wildlife
We really enjoyed this camp. The highlight though was the game viwing both in and around Musanza and on the Busanga Plains. We saw just about everything - lots of lions, a brilliant sighting of a leopard on a night drive and a pack of wild dogs hunting in the early morning light - totally unexpected! Again the tsetse flies were a nuisance but we all managed to survive!
The only slight negative was again on the food side, where sending the catering manager along to supervise tended to inhibit Musanza's own camp chef, leading to one very disappointing meal in particular for my vegetarian wife. While the rest of us were tucking into a huge barbecue with lots of different meats and assorted vegetables, my wife was only offered the 2 vegetables as her main course whereas on every other occasion a separate main course (including a protein element) was prepared for her in addition to the usual vegetables. We put this down (kindly) to forgetfulness but it showed poor attention to detail and an element of laziness which completely spoiled my wife's enjoyment of the evening.
Expert Africa comments
Wilderness Safaris apologise for the disappointment and inconvenience caused to these travellers due to their dietary requirements not being sent to the camps by the reservations office. They have assured us that systems have been put in place so that a similar instance does not occur again.
Musanza Bushcamp review
Tents located on banks of a river gave the camp a distinct bush feel. Dense trees along the river didn't afford much of a view but they were full of birdlife.
Lovely staff team looking after us. Busanga Plains were a huge change compared to the bush/woodlands we'd been in up to that point with huge open views. Game drives were a bit disappointing but that's the luck of the draw with a full moon whilst we were there.
Two big territorial male lions passing by camp on the last morning were a wonderful send-off.
Musanza Bushcamp review
Relocated from the Busanga Plain due to adverse comments about tsetse flies the camp is very pleasant on the banks of the Lufupa River. its relocation from the site shown in the brochure requires extra time and effort to get out onto the Busanga Plain which is where the real action is. The plain is like a smaller Serengeti with fantastic game and avifauna.
We requested and were granted a brief visit to the nearby Zambian educational ministry fieldcamp - at treetops 3 kms from the bush camp. They have probably the worlds biggest Baobab in the grounds and an impressive display of mammal and reptile skulls arranged outside for students. I wonder if for a small donation to the school camp wilderness might consider taking other groups their for a brief visit?
Fabulous Musanza
Our time at Musanza Bush Camp was absolutely faultless. Brad has a fantastic place to be based at. Evidence, his manager, was superb and very amusing and the staff were great, especially Daniel the chef who proudly showed us his "technologically advanced" kitchen.
The game drives were excellent, with plenty to see. The tetse flies were only a minor irritation at times and generally we only encountered them when in daylight in wooded areas away from the camp.
We have always believed that acting responsibly is the only way to approach tourism and we're one of
the few companies to hold AITO's original coveted 5-star status for responsible tourism. It's a lead
that others are now following.
