Mukambi Safari Lodge: Our full report

In central Kafue,Mukambi Safari Lodge is a large property solidly built with concrete, stone, thatch and ...

... wood, based just across the river from the national park. Just off the main road from Lusaka, it's easy to reach using road transfers, and makes for a useful springboard for reaching the more isolated areas in Kafue.

Mukambi is a larger property for Zambia, with a total of 13 rooms and one family villa. It's nine en-suite thatched chalets are fairly old and small, but very good value. However, we would recommend the four newer, larger open-plan safari tents, which better match the style of other safari camps in Zambia. These are luxurious, well furnished rooms, each based on the banks of the Kafue River, with wooden decks and outdoor baths perfectly positioned to take care of the views.

The multi-levelled central area looks across the Kafue River into the national park. It's a substantial, solid structure that feels very much like a permanent lodge rather than a simple safari camp. The food, from a set menu, is good, served in the substantial restaurant area. Lower down is a relaxed seating area over the river, a favourite spot for a resident hippo to have a snooze in the afternoons (a member of staff is always present to keep an eye on him when he's about). The lodge also has a swimming pool, and a cosy lounge area with an open fire next to the bar.

A range of boating and 4x4 game-viewing activities are available. Overall game densities in the Chunga area (where game drives usually take place) have improved considerably since the camp was opened in 1997 and anti-poaching measures were put in place. In addition to herds of elephant and buffalo, it's now possible to get good sightings of lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog. Guests may also visit the local primary school, which is supported by the lodge.

We would suggest combing a stay at Mukambi Safari Lodge with nights at one, or both, of its sister properties. Mukambi Plains Camp is a simple, tented property in the far north of the park on the Busanga Plains (4-5 hours transfer by road), while Fig Tree Camp is a more rustic style property located in central Kafue, but within the park itself (1 hour transfer by road).

Our view

Mukambi Safari Lodge is a well built and very well run property. It's larger and more substantial than many other properties that we feature in Zambia, and it certainly won't suit those looking for a simple bushcamp. However, with it's convenient location and creature comforts it's a great place to start or end a trip to Kafue, combing it with some of the parks more remote bushcamps.

Megan Green

Zambia expert

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 Safari Lodge

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Mukambi Safari Lodge 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.