Located centrally in Kafue National Park lies Mukambi Safari Lodge, Gateway to Kafue National Park. Surrounded by one of the largest unspoilt wilderness areas in the world, the lodge is right on the banks of the Kafue River. All our viewing decks, accommodation and swimming pool overlook the river. From Mukambi we will show you the Kafue National Park. Vast areas of untouched nature, unspoiled by mass tourism makes Mukambi the ‘Real Africa’, which we make easily and affordably within your reach.
Facilities available are chalets, a restaurant and bar, decks with a relaxing river view, a small library and also a swimming pool. The thatch-on-brick chalets (five twin and four double, plus a family villa) are solidly built using beautifully carved wooden doors. Inside are mosquito-netted windows and teak four-poster beds and the decor is consciously ethnic. The clean tiled bathrooms have showers heated by solar power.
Mukambi also offers camping. There are individual camping spot under a thatch structure and there is a kitchen available at the campsite. Campers are welcome to eat at the lodge, if they make arrangement in advance.
An easy and casual atmosphere with the flexibility a small lodge can offer makes the days varied and exciting. Game drives, boat and fishing trips along with walking safaris where you are likely to see elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, puku, hippo and many other mammals. Also the park hosts an incredible variety of birds. Together with our good food, friendly staff and our comfortable accommodation, they will make your stay unforgettable.
The main lodge area consists of:
- A large brick building with a huge thatch roof in which the reception, management office, souvenir shop, kitchen, bathrooms, a spacious lounge and the bar can be found;
- Four large wooden viewing decks right on the riverfront from which guests can observe the animals in the area while drinks are served. One deck serves as restaurant and a smaller dining deck with a pizza oven;
- Two swimming pools in a green lush garden of which one is a splash pool for the children;
- A big campfire on the riverside and a fireplace in the lounge.
Accommodation:
All accommodation is positioned along the Kafue River at walking distance from the main lodge area.
Types of accommodation:
- Eight chalets of which one a family unit with en suite bathroom (rondavel type), 24 hours electricity and hot water. Each chalet sleeps two persons. Chalets come with either one queen size double bed or two single beds with cotton sheets, duvet (extra blankets available) and mosquito nets. The family chalet has two bedrooms, one with a double bed and one with two single beds plus a lounge for relaxation. Bathroom comes with shower, toilet, basin and mirror. Outside terrace with chairs and side table;
- One luxury family Villa with two bedrooms both en suite (one with a queen sized bed and the other with two singles), a fully furnished living room, an extensive wooden deck overlooking the Kafue River. This unit is right on the banks of the river;
- Four luxury tents that have a private deck with comfy seating overlooking the Kafue River. This is our most luxurious accommodation with each unit situated privately surrounded by natural riverine bush. A freestanding ball and claw bathtub is found on each deck. Further enhancing the African theme, the furniture is made out of recycled wood from Dhows that used to sail the Indian Ocean off Tanzania. Romantic mosquito nets surround luxurious box spring beds and the entrance to the private deck is made of wall to wall wooden sliding glass doors that provide spectacular views and light into the tents. The tents have an open bathroom set up with shower, toilet and washbasin.
Mukambi Safari Lodge is affordable and open all year round. It is easily accessible and certainly makes a good stopover as you pass through on the Great West Road. Mukambi has also a seasonal sister camp on the Busanga Plains, ‘The Plains Camp’. The turn-off towards Mukambi is signposted on the main Lusaka – Mongu tar road, approximately 9km east of the main Hook Bridge over the Kafue. The camp is 2km from the main road so it is easily accessible with a normal vehicle.
Transfers can be arranged.
Laundry:
Laundry service is provided complimentary.
Meals:
All accommodation offered at the lodge is on a full board basis (self-catering not permitted). Our meals are fixed, but we do meet dietary requirements.
- Breakfast: full English breakfast with cereal and fresh fruit buffet, coffee, tea, hot chocolate or fruit juice;
- Lunch: Mukambi serves a full lunch with a hot dish and salads;
- Dinner: fine 3-course dinner or extensive buffet is on offer each evening;
- Drinks are included in the Mukambi Safaris all inclusive packages. They are extra in the full board rates.
Communications:
We have recently received mobile cell signal at Mukambi Lodge. Guests are advised if they wish to make use of this cell signal to purchase an AIRTEL sim-card (available from Lusaka Airport). Talk time will be subject to availability at the lodge. Please note that all phones must be switched off whilst on activities. Wi-fi is available at Mukambi free of charge so those clients with their own devices can easily stay in touch with their folk back home. A guest computer is also available.
Weather:
Summer: Hot Summer months are approximately from October to April with day time temperatures average around mid 30 degrees Celsius and nighttime temperatures around early 20’s. Rainfall varies, but mostly in the afternoon and at night. January and February receives the heaviest falls, but game-viewing is still excellent at this time of year. The bushveld is lush and abounds with birdlife and chubby antelope! Everything is clean and fresh. Good rain gear is advised for this time of year.
Winter: Cooler Winter months are from May to September. Winter daytime temperatures averaging mid 25 degrees Celsius with nights cooling to between 10 and 14 degrees Celsius. The best game-viewing is at this time of year when the park is dry and the grass is low. Heavy jackets are recommended despite the seemingly high temperatures, as the wind chill factor on the open game drive vehicles can be severe.
Medicines/malaria:
All our properties keep fully stocked trauma kits, but only offer simple medication such as headache tablets and antihistamines so it is advisable to bring any specific medication you require. Malaria is not prevalent in this region as it is not very populated, however, it is advisable to take a prophylaxis while travelling anywhere in Africa. Malaria test kits are kept on site, as well as at a nearby clinic (30 minutes away).
Booking information:
- All chalets are en-suite;
- Rates are per person sharing. 30% Single supplement applies;
- Regrettably no children under 6 year on game drives unless by prior arrangement;
- Laundry is done complementary;
- 50% Non-refundable deposit required to guarantee reservation and full pre-payment before arrival;
- Children under 12 and 4 years and older pay 50% providing they are sharing with adults. Children younger than 4 stay free;
- Minimum 2 night stay over Zambian public holidays/long weekends;
- Master/Visa/Amex welcome. 3% Handling fee payable;
- Park fees are compulsory and are payable in cash to Zawa on day of departure. Please enquire direct for rates as prices are subject to change.
We have an extensive range of activities:
Game drives:
We do game drives twice a day. One departs at sunrise and the afternoon drive (partly a night drive) leaves at approximately 2 hours before sunset. Drives are 3.5 to 4 hours long. Our vehicles are located in the park, which is a short boat trip across the Kafue River so game drives depart from within the park daily.
Walking safaris:
Walks leave around an hour after sunrise to avoid the heat of the day. The walks take place in the Kafue National Park itself and are approximately 3 hours (unfortunately not available due to the wet conditions from approximately Dec to April).
Fishing trips:
Fishing trips by boat take place at any time of day and are approximately 2.5 hours long. Only basic equipment and bait included. It is advisable for professional fishermen to bring their own equipment if possible.
Boat cruises / Sunset cruises:
These can also take place at any time of the day but we also have a scheduled Sunset Cruise each evening.
Tour to Mukambi Community School:
With the help of generous donors we were able to establish the Mukambi Community School. Daily visits to the school are scheduled after the morning activity.
Guests often ask us what they can bring as a gift for the school so we generally request for English reference books and children’s reading books and magazines for their library plus any consumables. However, any donations are well received!
