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Island Bush Camp
Island Bush Camp
Island Bush Camp
Island Bush Camp
Island Bush Camp
Island Bush Camp
Island Bush Camp

Reviews of Island Bush Camp

Wildlife sightings and reviews

13 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Island Bush Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa

Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Aug-2018, 5 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Island Bush Camp.
Lion

60% success

Leopard

40% success

Wild dog

20% success

Elephant

100% success

Giraffe

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Spotted Hyena

80% success

Buffalo

75% success

Zebra

40% success

Aardvark

0% success

Eland

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Roan antelope

0% success

Sable antelope

0% success

Wildebeest

0% success

Showing 1-10 of 13
Duration
Arrival date
Mrs C.
Chippenham

"Island Bush Camp review"

3 nights Arrived 29 Sep 2023
"The best experience….. made my Safari experience." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Leopard

Multiple sightings

Lion

Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Wild dog

Multiple sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

2 Dutch couples
NL

"Island Bush Camp review"

3 nights Arrived 12 Sep 2023
"We had a fantastic time at the Island Bush Camp. The location is superb - inside the South Luangwa National Park, but far away from the relatively busy Mfuwe sector.

Hence the camp is an area with very few visitors (we did not see any other safari car during our stay) - but packed with game.

All this in a relatively small area, so you don't spend a lot of time driving around.

The entire team at Island Bush Camp is also fantastic - very enthousiastic, helpful, knowledgable, friendly.

Martin is a great guide. Jacob is the most energetic waiter we've ever met. And he makes great breakfast toast on the campfire." See all these reviews: 3n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Lion

Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena

1 sighting

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Mr & Mrs C
Bristol

"Island Bush Camp review"

3 nights Arrived 29 Aug 2023
"We loved the rustic feel of Island Bush Camp! The thatch and reed of the accommodation and communal areas have a wonderful almost Robinson Crusoe feel, enhanced by the camp's remoteness and being beside the waters of the Luangwa River. The bucket shower was really effective and more than adequate in terms of volume and temperature of water, although a certain minimum height is required to reach and operate it. However, despite being well and truly in the middle of nowhere, the comfort and catering provided by the Camp were still excellent.

One detail which had not been clearly communicated to us was that there is no in-house laundry service – unsurprising given the Camp's rustic and remote location, but potentially a problem if travelling light. Fortunately, having come from Kafunta River Lodge, we were up to date with our washing so this wasn't an issue.

The default activity schedule seemed to be morning walks, when it was cooler, and afternoon drives, which suited us very well. The first walk was from the Camp itself, while for the second we drove a short distance and then began the walk. In both cases the walks were opportunities to see birds, plants and smaller things – although we did also meet a rather inquisitive giraffe – and to hear interesting stories and folklore relating to what we saw. Our guide, Martin, who was also the camp host, was very knowledgable and happy to fulfil our requests for walks, which was one of the reasons we chose this camp.

In terms of wildlife generally we saw much the same as on our drives elsewhere, with the additional glimpse of some bushpigs. Hippos were ever present and could be heard walking around the chalet during the night, munching on fallen sausage tree flowers; there was a rather fine bull elephant who had a daily commute across the river; and, of course, there were always puku and impala." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Elephant

8 sightings

Giraffe

5 sightings

Hippo

10 sightings

Spotted Hyena

2 sightings

Mr & Mrs H
Kent

"Island Bush Camp review"

2 nights Arrived 25 Sep 2022
"This was everything a bush camp should be - with a wild, remote feel and the camp structures generally made of reed/thatch. This was about 3 hours drive from Kafunta down a remote track. Our cabin was completely open, both from above and out towards the Luangwa river and noisy hippos. The only thing stopping inquisitive visitors at night were a set of steps and a flimsy low door - perfect.

Martin was a brilliant camp manager and guide.

The only issue was that the other guests didn’t want to do walking safaris, meaning we had to plead for these. Thankfully it worked out fine and we were able to do 2 great morning walking safaris, including walking from this camp to Three River Camp, about 10 km away.

We had some excellent sightings on our evening drives, including the sight of a large lion pride getting very agitated at the presence of another pride nearby. The camp was very efficiently managed, just like its parent lodge, Kafunta. Food was excellent and meal times were friendly, with guests sitting together and hosted by the camp manager." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia; 6n in Malawi
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

3 sightings

Elephant

3 sightings

Giraffe

3 sightings

Hippo

3 sightings

Leopard

1 sighting

Lion

2 sightings

Spotted Hyena

2 sightings

Mr & Mrs B
Maryland

"Island Bush Camp review"

2 nights Arrived 22 Aug 2018
"It was about a 2 hour drive to island Bush Camp from Kafunta, and we arrived in time for a game drive. We would have preferred to walk but because our guide at Kafunta had been unable to go with us to Island they were short one guide. Sitting in the safari vehicle for a game drive following the drive to camp was not ideal but we enjoyed it nonetheless with sightings of hyenas and genets.

The next morning we had a very interesting walk, and we felt that walking at Island was better than driving because the dense woodlands limited views. That afternoon we wanted to walk but were unable to because no scout was available. The camp is extremely simple in comparison to the other camps we visited, but we enjoyed it nonetheless.

We did see impala, baboons, waterbuck, bushbuck, puku, warthogs, and many different types of birds." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Average
Sightings Report

Buffalo

1 sighting

Elephant

7 sightings

Giraffe

3 sightings

Hippo

10 sightings

Mrs E
Belgium

"Tranquil Island Bush Camp"

2 nights Arrived 14 Sep 2016
"We loved the island bushcamp experience. It was very relaxing and it has a very "chilled out" vibe. The chalets/huts are very beautiful and again, the pictures don't do it justice. It was just all breathtaking!

The food was again delicious and even more impressive after you have taken the "kitchen safari". The chef does some amazing things with very limited means! All the drinks were always chilled as well, which is no easy feat without electricity.

The walking safaris were very informative and it was nice to move about a bit after having been driven around for a week.

The staff was also amazing! You could tell that there is a nice camaradry between all the members of staff and everyone is happy to be there and to host you. We felt so welcome and were incredibly well taken care of!

If I could say anything that is maybe of the slightest criticism it would be that they didn't offer us the option of participating in the afternoon activity on our arrival day at bushcamp. In their experience people are too tired from the 3 hour rough drive in the heat of the day to still want to go out and walk. However, we would have loved too nonetheless. Having the private sundowners with our hosts was however no hardship either ;-)

Absolutely loved this place and highly recommend anyone to include it in their safari for a couple of nights!" See all these reviews: 5n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr R
Otley

"Walking safari at Island Bush Camp"

2 nights Arrived 29 Jul 2016
"This is a great place to stay right on the bank of the river. The accommodation was superb, with amazing views on the river and beyond.

The team led by Klaus were incredibly welcoming and looked after us so well. The walking safaris brought another dimension to the trip beyond the game drives. Lots of wildlife expertly spotted and identified by the guides.

It's a bumpy 2 and a half hours drive to the camp from Kafunta, but well worth every minute.

Amazing sundowners just like Kafunta too!" See all these reviews: 5n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs M
New Mexico

"Great stay at Island Bush Camp"

3 nights Arrived 25 Jul 2016
"We were fortunate to have Martin travel with us as our Guide to the Island Bush Camp, about a 2 1/2 hour drive from the Kafunta River Lodge. Klaus and the staff were waiting to greet us upon our arrival with a refreshing drink.

The Bush Camp has no to limited electricity but that had no effect on our stay. The bush camp is a little more rugged that the River Lodge but was more that adequate, the lodges are very comfortable with a great view overlooking the Luangwa river. Klaus and the staff took care of everything and were a great source of entertainment.

The day begins at dawn with breakfast around an open campfire before heading out for the morning safari. The walking safaris were not difficult, I am 67, and lasted about 3 hours with a tea break in the middle. Martin is a wealth of knowledge and kept us entertained and well informed as we walked, pointing our various plants and how it is used to cure various ailments. We saw many types of wild life on the walking safari and you can not appreciate how big an elephant is or how tall a giraffe is until you are standing on the ground and looking up.

After our morning safari it was back to the bush camp for lunch and a siesta before heading out for the evening safari.

The evening safari ends around dusk either by ending up back at the camp or someone brings a vehicle and we ride back to camp and wash up before dinner. The food was excellent and there is plenty to eat so you will not go hungry. Sitting around at dinner with Klaus and Martin telling stories about the bush and hearing the hippos in the distance, while enjoying some of the best food that you could ask for, it does not get any better than this.

At the end of our stay we took a safari of the kitchen, which consisted of a wood stove, which made the quality of the food that much more amazing. How the staff could prepare such wonderful meals using only a wood stove is beyond me.

All in all we could not have asked to more and if you are looking for something a little more out of the way, we did not see a single person or vehicle during our stay, than the bush camp would be an excellent choice. We spent 3 nights and that was just about the right amount of time as you will not see the amount of wildlife on a waking safari as you will from a vehicle." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Dr W & Dr J
Victoria

"Island Bush Camp review"

2 nights Arrived 6 Jul 2016
"Loved the look and feel of the bush camp.

The manager and host klaus was wonderful and added to the experience and congratulations really do need to go to Godfrey the cook." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Mrs & Mr C
Bath

"A fantastic experience"

2 nights Arrived 26 Sep 2014
"Island Bush Camp is quite isolated, so you are unlikely to meet other vehicles or other people, the only complaint I had about Kafunta.

The staff, small, is absolutely lovely and so enthusiastic. The chef even managed to bake me a birthday cake in a wood burning stove, which was brought to me by a singing and dancing staff. Very moving." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia; 7n in Malawi
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Showing 1-10 of 13
100%
13 reviews of Island Bush Camp by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
13
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