The Camp

Location: Kafue National Park, Zambia
Number of Tents: 4

Busanga Bush Camp lies in the heart of the Busanga Plains, a vast mosaic of grassy seasonal floodplains. Hidden in a tree-island of sycamore figs, the camp accommodates eight guests in four large, Meru-style canvas tents. Each tent has two queen-size beds and an en suite bathroom with flush toilet and hot showers. The lounge and bar area is under canvas with an uninterrupted view over the plains; breakfast is often served here to take in the panorama of herds of lechwe and puku feeding. The main dining area, shaded by the canopy of a large tree from which an unusual lantern chandelier hangs, providing romantic lighting for dinner. Most meals are served in the open air. Thanks to the mist rising off the floodplains as they dry up in winter, guests can experience incredible pink sunrises and sunsets, while the dambos (open, grassy clearings) teem with wildlife and birds.

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Facilities & Amenities

• En suite bathroom with shower
• Shampoo, soap, lotion and insect repellent
• 220v charging outlets in main area
• In-room safe
• Wi-Fi in room
• Laundry included
• Local drinks included (house alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks)
• Credit cards accepted (Visa, MasterCard)
• No air conditioning, hair dryer, telephone or cellular coverage

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Wildlife Viewing & Activities

Considered the jewel in the Kafue crown, the Plains cover more than 450 square miles, with Busanga Bush Camp centrally situated within this breathtaking wilderness. The Plains are home to hundreds of red lechwe, ubiquitous puku, stately roan and the diminutive oribi. Lichtenstein's hartebeest, herds of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo and Defassa waterbuck are often seen, while hippo come out of their deep-water channels to graze. This wealth of wildlife on the plains is also a big attraction for predators, including wild dog packs, lone cheetah and lion prides. Kafue has the largest mammal species diversity in Zambia boasting 55 large mammal species. Additional wildlife sightings include leopard, porcupine, water mongoose and side-striped jackal. The birdlife is thrilling in its diversity and numbers with nearly 500 species recorded. The Busanga plays host to elegant grey crowned cranes and Fülleborn's longclaw. Activities include wildlife drives, night drives, and bird watching.

Kafue has a unique assortment of wildlife, and the below chart helps to illustrate major wildlife sightings often experienced in the area. Other typical sightings may include special antelopes such as roan, puku, oribi, red lechwe and a number of other mammals, birds and reptiles. This wetland is home to important birdlife, including half of the world’s wattled crane population. Exact sightings will depend on seasonality and wildlife movements. Camps here are typically closed for the green season November through May.

Climate

Conservation

As the operators of Busanga Bush Camp have expanded their presence in Zambia and Kafue National Park, more opportunities have arisen to partner with the local people in caring for and learning about their environment. Employment opportunities at locations such as Busanga Bush Camp have been the first step in this process, as more than 150 casual laborers from remote surrounding villages have helped to build camps. Currently there are upwards of 130 men and women permanently employed in ecotourism positions in the newly established, eco-friendly camps. With permanent employment has come training and skills development and rural income is such that those employed in the 5-month construction period earned more than 8 times the annual average income for rural Zambians. 

Further projects are on the cards with the next major focus being education. Children in the Wilderness (Zambia) hosted its first group of school children in 2007.

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