Reviews of Mchenja Bushcamp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
66 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Mchenja Bushcamp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa

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"Mchenja Bushcamp review"
Again, different chalet features were nice. The open plan bath tub was a nice touch but no time to enjoy it.
The room was affected by a significant fall of leaves but the staff tried their hardest to keep it clear. It was not a problem for us even when we noted that some of the leaves in the bathroom had eyes and were particularly frog shaped, mainly because they were frogs.
The game sightings were spectacular, particularly the leopard family of 3 whom we followed through the bush of a significant time." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia

Buffalo
Multiple sightings

Elephant
Multiple sightings

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Hippo
Multiple sightings

Leopard
4 sightings

Lion
10 sightings

Spotted Hyena
2 sightings

Wildebeest
1 sighting

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Majestic Mchenja "
Our tent was excellent, and the bed especially comfortable. No faulting any of the amenities. We love the communal area, the dining set up ( although communal dining could be an option if asked?) and the facilities it all has to offer. Given the location, the quality and delivery of food is outstanding.
Game viewing was excellent and our guides were extremely knowledgable and sensitive to what we wanted to see. Walking safari was brilliant.
In general, the staff at the camp seem a really happy team, and this shows through in their ability to provide a first class service with a laugh and a smile. Special mention to John who took care of us on the game drives as well as running a great team.
A small note of negative. When we last visited Mchenja we loved the breakfast bar canoe, the chairs under the natural shade, the old photos on the wall of the hall and the well used guide and bird books. Sadly, these have all disappeared and I personally don't see the addition of large ultra modern umbrellas and fancy lamps and lampshades, amongst other modern equipment, as being an enhancement to the aesthetics of the camp. Please don't turn this beautiful place into a 5 star hotel in the bush." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia

Buffalo
Multiple sightings

Elephant
Multiple sightings

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Hippo
Multiple sightings

Leopard
Multiple sightings

Lion
Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings

Wildebeest
1 sighting

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Mchenja Bushcamp review"
poor house-keeping after a heavy thunderstorm, when the rooms and the main building completely got wet.
excellent food and again very friendly staff" See all these reviews: 17n in Zambia

Buffalo
Multiple sightings

Eland
Multiple sightings

Elephant
Multiple sightings

Hippo
Multiple sightings

Leopard
Multiple sightings

Lion
Multiple sightings

Roan antelope
Multiple sightings
"Mchenja Bushcamp review"
1- The people - Emmanuel (manager), Nation (ranger), Jon (our guide) and all the staff. During an amazing dinner, Emmanuel shared is knowledge about Zambian culture with us, told us about the multiple origins of the Zambian people, their languages ​​and dialects (73), their habits and traditions, and about the impact of the Western culture on these traditions.
2- The food - always delicious! On the second night at the camp the Chef cooked for us one of the most traditional dishes of Zambian gastronomy - Nshima. Unforgettable experience.
3- The Bushcamp itself - location, accommodations, service, facilities.
4- The activities and the wildlife - impressive number of leopard and hyena sightings, thanks to Jon.
An aspect to improve: the lack of communications, including the internet, although it is great to keep you focused in your job (walk and drive safaris) can be a serious limitation if you are in need to hear from your family very far away..." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia

Buffalo
3 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
5 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Leopard
5 sightings

Lion
1 sighting

Spotted Hyena
5 sightings

Wildebeest
2 sightings

Zebra
1 sighting
"A long-awaited return to Mchenja"
Whilst there we had several close encounters with the local wildlife: lions in the camp by the swimming pool on our last day (they munched through the cleaning pipe and scattered it around the area); a small herd of elephants when we arrived for a surprise sundowner which had to be diverted by our capable guides and scouts; two elephants in the camp on the day we arrived, one of which was enjoying the taste of a chalet's doormat and knocked our bathroom's light fitting away. The elephants both kept us in the sitenje for 20 minutes or so after lunch. Life wasn't dull and it was huge fun." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia

Buffalo
2 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
6 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Leopard
3 sightings

Lion
2 sightings

Spotted Hyena
3 sightings

Zebra
10 sightings
"Amazing location at Mchenja Bushcamp"
The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. John, the Camp Manager was an excellent guide and Nation was a super scout to spend time with. They had a super sense of humour.Alice was a great deputy camp manager/host.
The food was amazing and plentiful.
The chalets are well designed, loved the outdoor bathroom and super views of the river. You feel secluded form other guests which is lovely.
The wildlife experience was excellent with plenty of great sightings of most species and birds.The camp species tick let booklet was an excellent idea.
They provided a special anniversary dining experience which was very special and thoughtful.
It would be lovely to have spot light in the chalet to shine across the river at night." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
4 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Leopard
4 sightings

Lion
2 sightings

Spotted Hyena
4 sightings

Wildebeest
2 sightings

Zebra
8 sightings
"Mchenja Bushcamp review"
The food was not as plentiful as Tena Tena - more of a nouveau cuisine style of cooking which while fine was not necessarily to everyones taste. The wines could use an expansion and there was limited choice - no pinotage was disappointing.
Guides John was amazing and we saw amazing scenes including a leopard trying to bring down an impala, leopard eating an antelope in a tree, jackals and vultures fighting over what remained of a buffalo while the lions slinked away having eaten most of it. Not to mention a pride of 14 lions." See all these reviews: 6n in Zambia; 3n in Zimbabwe

Buffalo
Multiple sightings

Elephant
Multiple sightings

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Hippo
Multiple sightings

Leopard
Multiple sightings

Lion
Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Mchenja Bushcamp review"
Food definitely a step up from Chongwe, especially lunch.
Walking also a step up with really good guide Friday and scout Peter.
Leopards everywhere including day and night and walking right through camp.
Great elephant but we only saw scattered zebra and buffalo, no herds.
Lot and lots of lions: 19 of the pride of 22 killed a buffalo just outside camp.
Camp manager Emanuel really good - looked after me when I had a fever, treated my daughter's mangled toe, dealt with a bees nest above our room in the dark in about 30 minutes flat!
Game densities seemed markedly higher than in Lower Zambezi.
Only issue is whether the stomach bugs we had were just bad luck or a food hygiene issue." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia

Buffalo
3 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
4 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Leopard
5 sightings

Lion
10 sightings

Spotted Hyena
9 sightings

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Mchenja Bushcamp review"
Our guide John was knowledgeable, great sense of humour and a delight to be with.
The only point we have to raise is the lack of animal and bird check lists. This is particularly relevant as you have asked us to detail sightings. But the staff were very helpful and accommodating in every other aspect." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia

Buffalo
Multiple sightings

Elephant
Multiple sightings

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Leopard
10 sightings

Lion
Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena
10 sightings

Wild dog
1 sighting

Wildebeest
1 sighting

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Amazing experience "
It has an energy very hard to describe in language, however this is as close as I can get..........
It felt like such a rich natural environment while being so homely and open. There was such understated luxury with authentic service, great great people with lovely food in a magical setting.
We felt were part of the animal kingdom which of course we are. So often I guess these days we get lost in cities, concrete and towns..... this place helped us to remember we are animals and part of the natural ecosystem that is planet earth!
Friday is an outstanding guide he has such great knowledge loves what he does and is so respectful of his environment. He taught us so much and was able to get us closer to real Zambia than we had expected.
His tenacity was powerful too and never gave up for our search to see game.... we saw such rare sightings particularly Leopard.
We will absolutely go back to Mchenja and would love to go on walking safari between the Norman Carr camps." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
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