Mukambi Plains Camp: Our full report

Situated at the north western edge of Kafue National Park, Mukambi Plains Camp is a rustic tented property, ...

... sheltered under a shady tree island. The north of Kafue National Park is made up of the huge Busanga Plains, a floodplain that dries out in the dry season to create a sweeping grassland, which attracts large numbers of plains game, and with them predators.

Mukambi Plains Camp (sometimes referred to as Busanga Plains Camp) is sheltered under a patch of fig trees and fan palms in the middle of the vast Busanga Plains. Surrounded by a small but permanent papyrus swamp, the camp has to be reached on foot via a small wooden walkway. This also makes it one of the best camps in Kafue for spotting the shy, but swamp loving, sitatunga antelope.

The camp has just four comfortable tents, each with a private outdoor bathroom with a flush toilet and bucket shower, just a few steps from the main entrance of the tent. The tents can comfortably accommodate twin or double beds, bedside tables, and a small canvas wardrobe. The front of the tents can be rolled up to provide views of the plains, and there are also a couple of wooden chairs under a canopy at the front. There is solar lighting in the rooms, while paraffin storm lanterns along the sandy paths and in the main area lend a natural, rustic feeling to the camp.

Unusually for a camp on the Busanga Plains, both walks and drives are offered. However, the walks are somewhat limited here, and can get repetitive up on the open grassy plains, so game drives tend to make up the bulk of peoples activities here.

The camp is one of the more isolated in Zambia, and as such it is slightly harder to reach. Many people will stay at Mukambi Plains Camp's sister properties Fig Tree Camp or Mukambi, both just off the main road from Lusaka, before transferring by road up to the Busanga Plains (approximately a 5 hour drive). Alternatively, from the start of 2016 it's been possible to affordably charter flights from Lusaka to Busanga Plains, followed by a short road transfer to camp.

Our view

Mukambi Plains Camp is a well run property in a stunning location in Kafue National Park. Access to the camp is a bit trickier then for other properties in the park, and though this situation is improving, the journey may be better suited to hardier travellers. For those looking for a rustic wilderness experience, but with some of the comforts of a permanent camp, then this is a great property.

Amanda Bond

Country manager: Zambia

Geographics

Location: Kafue National Park, Zambia
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board & Activities

Children

Attitude towards children

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Mukambi Plains Camp

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Mukambi Plains Camp have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.