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

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"Easy pickings for the lions"
The parched earth had lots of cracks which led to the downfall of a buffalo from a herd stalked in a most impressive way for an hour by seven lionesses. It tripped and broke its leg with fatal consequences. Another area with just a little water in the mud claimed two further buffalo that got stuck and made for more easy pickings for the felines. In fact lions were plentiful though leopard sightings much more scarce. However we did see three Luangwa specialities Thornicoft giraffe, Crawshay's zebra and Cookson's wildebeest.
The camp was closing for the season just after we left and we felt there was a bit of "school's out", particularly in the room housekeeping. However the food here was exceptional in its deliciousness and variety. One highlight not involving animals was the star bed. We LOVED it. If you get the chance it is a must!" See all these reviews: 19n 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
Multiple sightings

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Mwamba Bushcamp review"
Rooms are slightly basic/rustic but still absolutely fine. The Hide is an absolute gem.
Great hospitality by the whole team and excellent food." See all these reviews: 9n 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
Multiple sightings

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Mwamba Bushcamp review"
The accommodation was excellent. The overnight in the star bed, with a bush dinner, was one of the highlights of the trip.
Wildlife sightings were, again, excellent with mammals and birds taking advantage of the camp, its surrounds and "the last waterhole"." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia

Buffalo
9 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
7 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Leopard
6 sightings

Lion
10 sightings

Spotted Hyena
6 sightings

Wildebeest
10 sightings

Zebra
10 sightings
"Love this bush camp"
On the first night a male Leopard had stashed a Baboon kill in the tree opposite our chalet and the Hyenas were keen to share in the meal. The hide at the camp's waterhole was a great place to observe Red-billed Queleas, Blue Waxbills and Red-billed Firefinches hastily drinking before the resident Crocodile could snatch one of them.
We also witnessed Lions, a Leopard, Elephants and Impala coming to quench their thirst. Later the Lions killed a lone Elephant calf (the mother was nowhere to be seen for some reason). The Lions retained possession of the kill despite the Hyenas' presence. The Vultures had to be very patient for their turn.
Eventually the young male from the MK pride was chased away by two of the Hollywood pride males who had heard roaring and came to see off the upstart." See all these reviews: 21n in Zambia

Buffalo
1 sighting

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
4 sightings

Hippo
Multiple sightings

Leopard
7 sightings

Lion
10 sightings

Spotted Hyena
10 sightings

Wildebeest
10 sightings

Zebra
10 sightings
"Mwamba Bushcamp review"
The enclosed but largely open air bathroom facilities are part of the rustic atmosphere but slightly challenging for guests who are not couples - we managed nevertheless.
Our able guide James was very friendly as was everyone.
The hide is marvellous, being located in front of a lagoon, an opportunity to see and photo animals at very close quarters between drives or as an alternative. We saw buffalo, impala, warthogs and ellies drinking from the water’s edge and in the water.
Unsurprisingly there is a degree of overlap with Kaingo Camp in the terrain covered and animals viewed, particularly with information shared to enable viewing favourites such as leopards, lions and ellies, all of which were plentiful.
From Mwamba we particularly enjoyed visits to the very shallow at this time Pelican Lake with its storks, spoonbills and other water birds, and family groups of elephants drinking from and wading through the water, the younger calves with a little difficulty, and enjoying cooling mud baths." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia

Buffalo
5 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
8 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Leopard
8 sightings

Lion
8 sightings

Spotted Hyena
6 sightings

Wildebeest
6 sightings

Zebra
8 sightings
"Mwamba Bushcamp review"
Beautiful trips to baobab grove and ebony forest and great wildlife." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia

Buffalo
Multiple sightings

Eland
1 sighting

Elephant
Multiple sightings

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Hippo
Multiple sightings

Leopard
Multiple sightings

Lion
Multiple sightings

Roan antelope
1 sighting

Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings

Wildebeest
Multiple sightings

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Mwamba Bushcamp review"
The small team, led by Maddie and Paul, made us feel very welcome and the chefs, Franco and Johan, produced high-quality food in the well-organised bush kitchen. The camp also had an open-air bar and library, with eco chandeliers, and meals were taken close to the gully, sometimes accompanied by passing zebra and elephants.
As in the sister camp, Kaingo, the guiding was really superb. There are only ever 4 guests in an open vehicle. Our guide was the knowledgeable and kind Sylvester, who quickly got the measure of us. We saw many leopards and their cubs, lions (mating and roaring), hyenas, a herd of wildebeest, elegant giraffe, and lots of prey being eaten! It was a special treat to see a good few civet, genets and even a rare sable cat on the night drives. It was also great to spend time in the camp on a couple of mornings, going to the waterhole - where a herd of buffalo came down to drink - or just sitting looking down the gully to see who came by next.
We spent one night in the trees in the Numbu Star Bed, with just a mosquito net between us and the full moon. We had dinner by the camp fire before climbing up into bed and then awoke to a bruised dawn sky and a view over the open savannah plain. Then we climbed down from our eerie and lit the fire, before being joined by Paul who brought breakfast and we sat with him watching the bush wake up again. What a privilege!" See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia

Buffalo
Multiple sightings

Elephant
Multiple sightings

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Hippo
Multiple sightings

Leopard
Multiple sightings

Lion
Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings

Wild dog
1 sighting

Wildebeest
Multiple sightings

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Mwamba Bushcamp review"
Staff and guiding friendly, professional and very attentive.Very well placed to access lots of wildlife, guides happy to focus on any interests within your group. Food and camp staff outstanding, real African bushcamp vibe.
Loved the drums calling us into meals and Paul's masterful tailoring in the rooms. The last waterhole hide is a fantastic extra." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia

Buffalo
10 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
10 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Leopard
10 sightings

Lion
10 sightings

Spotted Hyena
10 sightings

Wild dog
10 sightings

Wildebeest
10 sightings

Zebra
10 sightings
"Wild Mwamba"
The accommodation was comfortable providing a rather luxurious bush camp experience. Sly was our excellent and committed guide with a real eye for photographic opportunities. Mwamba is a true bushcamp and we listened to lions at night, watched wild dogs while having breakfast, elephants strolling to the waterhole over lunch and shared the waterhole with a herd of 300 buffalo.
Our wildlife sightings were outstanding with multiple leopard, lion and elephant sightings.
We have visited Mwamba in June 2019 and 2018 and we found that this visit in September perfectly complemented our earlier trips. Our trips in June were great for photography with relatively clean air and vibrant colours in the lagoons and wooded areas forming a perfect backdrop to the cast of predator and prey. September was considerably hotter and the progress of the dry season was reflected in the dust in the atmosphere and the desiccated vegetation.
We did however see some fantastic lion and leopard sightings which reflect the struggle for survival, and the kill, as the water supply diminishes. Whilst the dust does make photography more challenging it also produces stunning sunsets and sunrises." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia

Buffalo
7 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
9 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Leopard
9 sightings

Lion
10 sightings

Spotted Hyena
4 sightings

Wild dog
4 sightings

Wildebeest
2 sightings

Zebra
10 sightings
"Mwamba Bushcamp review"
The sightings were among the best we have ever had, including picking up a pack of 9 wild dogs on a morning drive and following them as they tracked their prey and then ate. There was a lot of opportunity for us to influence where we spent our time so we returned to where we knew the dogs had been resting during the day to watch them gradually gather themselves and head off for a further hunt. Many good lion and leopard sightings including a leopard with an impala up a tree and two lions taking down a warthog.
The camp has a hide which is interesting to visit as you get so close to the animals. Whilst we were there, a buffalo, zebra and impala came to drink with visits by a variety of birds." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia

Buffalo
10 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
3 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Leopard
5 sightings

Lion
9 sightings

Spotted Hyena
3 sightings

Wild dog
9 sightings

Zebra
10 sightings
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