Mukambi Safari Lodge
Commonly known as “The Gateway to The Kafue National Park”, Mukambi Safari Lodge is centrally located in the park, right on the banks of the stunning Kafue River. The Kafue National Park is one of the largest national parks in Africa (roughly the size of Wales at more than 22,000km²) therefore we would recommend you book with us for at least a week so you have time to explore this vast park and combine time at Busanga, Fig Tree and Mukambi. However, shorter bookings of 3 to 4 nights at Mukambi will also guarantee a truly unique safari!
The lodge itself consists of a thatched building with several decks overlooking the Kafue River, and offers a new inifinity pool, so in the hot days you can relax in the pool, looking over the vast Kafue River, peacefully reading one of the books from our small library collection. When you return from one of our activities come and relax, with a drink from our bar in hand, in one of the lounge areas, choose from three tiered decks, all offering stunning views of the Kafue River. Or chat to one of our guides while gazing up at the stars in the night sky by our warm campfire. Don’t hesitate to visit our curios shop, which offers a selection of products made by the local village, or to ask for one of our massages on offer, which take place in the comfort of your room. Finally, don’t forget to look out for the many animals, which find sanctuary around the lodge area, impalas, baboons, monkeys, elephants, hippos, even a small pride of lions, and don’t forget our office wild cat, Simba!
Room types
Mukambi Safari Lodge has 3 different room types for which you can find more in detail information below.
Mukambi Safari Lodge – Chalet
8 comfortable en-suite chalets for 2 persons of which one a family unit (4 persons) with en suite bathroom (rondavel type), 24hrs electricity and hot water. Chalets come with either one queen size double bed or 2 single beds with cotton sheets, duvet (extra blankets available) and mosquito nets.
The family chalet has 2 bedrooms, one with a double bed and one with 2 single beds plus a lounge for relaxation. Bathroom comes with shower, toilet, basin and mirror. Outside terrace with chairs and side table.
Rates
Low Season rate: 1 Jan 2017 – 30 jun 2017
USD 275 (Full Board) / USD 395 (All Inclusive)
Peak Season rate: 1 Jul 2017 – 31 Oct 2017
USD 350 (Full Board) / USD 480 (All Inclusive)
Low Season rate: 1 Nov 2017 – 31 Dec 2017
USD 275 (Full Board) / USD 395 (All Inclusive)
Full board: Chalet accommodation and 3 meals per day.
All inclusive: Chalet accommodation, 3 meals per day, 2 activities per day and bar.
Conditions
- Rates are per person per night sharing
- Single supplement 30%
- Children between the ages of 4 and 11 inclusive pay 50% providing they are sharing with adults (children younger than 4 stay free)
- Regrettably no children under 6 on game drives unless by prior arrangement
- Laundry is done complimentary
- Minimum 2 night stay over Zambian public holidays/long weekends
- Park fees are compulsory and are payable in cash USD or ZMW to DNPW on day of departure. Park Fees are only applicable if you enter the park on one of our activities
Family Villa (4-persons)
1 luxury family Riverside Villa with 2 bedrooms both en suite (1 with a queen sized bed and the other with 2 singles), a fully furnished living room, an extensive wooden deck overlooking the Kafue River. This unit is right on the banks of the river.
Rates
Low Season rate: 1 Jan 2017 – 30 jun 2017
USD 275 (Full Board) / USD 395 (All Inclusive)
Peak Season rate: 1 Jul 2017 – 31 Oct 2017
USD 350 (Full Board) / USD 480 (All Inclusive)
Low Season rate: 1 Nov 2017 – 31 Dec 2017
USD 275 (Full Board) / USD 395 (All Inclusive)
A Minimum of 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 paying children in the Villa. A USD 50 per person per night supplement is required to stay in the villa.
Full board: Chalet accommodation and 3 meals per day.
All inclusive: Chalet accommodation, 3 meals per day, 2 activities per day and bar.
Conditions
- Rates are per person per night sharing
- Single supplement 30%
- Children between the ages of 4 and 11 inclusive pay 50% providing they are sharing with adults (children younger than 4 stay free)
- Regrettably no children under 6 on game drives unless by prior arrangement
- Laundry is done complimentary
- Minimum 2 night stay over Zambian public holidays/long weekends
- Park fees are compulsory and are payable in cash USD or ZMW to DNPW on day of departure. Park Fees are only applicable if you enter the park on one of our activities
Luxury Safari Tent (2 persons)
4 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.
All rooms are made up as king beds but can be made up as twins on request.
Rates
Low Season rate: 1 Jan 2017 – 30 jun 2017
USD 275 (Full Board) / USD 395 (All Inclusive)
Peak Season rate: 1 Jul 2017 – 31 Oct 2017
USD 350 (Full Board) / USD 480 (All Inclusive)
Low Season rate: 1 Nov 2017 – 31 Dec 2017
USD 275 (Full Board) / USD 395 (All Inclusive)
Full board: Chalet accommodation and 3 meals per day.
All inclusive: Chalet accommodation, 3 meals per day, 2 activities per day and bar.
Conditions
- Rates are per person per night sharing
- Single supplement 30%
- Children between the ages of 4 and 11 inclusive pay 50% providing they are sharing with adults (children younger than 4 stay free)
- Regrettably no children under 6 on game drives unless by prior arrangement
- Laundry is done complimentary
- Minimum 2 night stay over Zambian public holidays/long weekends
- Park fees are compulsory and are payable in cash USD or ZMW to DNPW on day of departure. Park Fees are only applicable if you enter the park on one of our activities
When to visit
Mukambi Safari Lodge is open all year round. Our peak-season is May-December, but during the Emerald Season (December-May), the Kafue National Park also has wonderful safaris to offer. Game might be a little harder to spot, but ‘the fifty shades of green’ , stunning bright light (photographers best) and beauty of the bush, still guarantee a unique and highly rewarding experience.
Mukambi Safari Lodge was one of the first and most established safari lodges in Kafue National Park and one of the few lodges open in the Northern and Central part of Kafue National Park that stays open all year around
Facilities & Activities
Below you find more information on the Facilities and Activities available at Mukambi Safari Lodge
Restaurant – Bar – Swimming pool area
Centrally located you will find:
Our Boma (Restaurant/bar/wifi)
Infinity Pool and seperate childrens paddling pool
Several decks with a spectacular view over the Kafue river
Food & drinks
Mukambi is famous for its excellent cuisine, friendly staff and highly experienced rangers.
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, pastries, coffee, tea, hot chocolate or juice
Lunch: Mukambi Safari Lodge serves a full lunch with a hot dish and salads.
Dinner: fine 3-course dinner or extensive buffet is on offer each evening.
Bar & drinks:
All drinks are included in the Mukambi Safaris all inclusive packages. On our full-board rates they are extra.
Laundry:
Complimentary laundry services
Game drives
Mukambi Safari Lodge offers game drives daily. One departs at sunrise and the afternoon drive (partly a night drive) leaves at approximately 2 hours before sunset. Drivers 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 all game drives depart from within the park. If you don’t spot the family of leopard, who frequent underneath our parked safari vehicles, our guides take you on several loops throughout the park, where you will undoubtedly find many varieties of antelopes, as well as birds, and if lucky, you can find the larger game, such as elephants, lions, leopards, wild dogs and cheetah. In the morning you can watch the sunrise as you search for game, then have a short tea and coffee break to stretch your legs, and later arrive at camp with a hot breakfast awaiting you. During our evening drives the guides find a nice spot to stop for a drink and watch the sun go down, before continuining into the night, attempting to spot the nocturnal game, such as bush baby, honey badgers as well as cats.
Walking safaris
Walks leave in the early morning hours after sunrise to avoid the heat of the day. The walks take place in the Kafue National Park itself and are approximately 3 hours. Our guides will talk you through everything Kafue has to offer that otherwise goes unnoticed, showing how the whole ecosystem works together to support the National Park. You can find nature at its most untouched on such safaris. (Unfortunately not available due to the wet conditions and high grass from approximately Dec to May).
Fishing trips (Mukambi Safari Lodge Only)
Fishing trips by boat take place at any time of day and are approximately 2.5 hours long. While out on the river, just you and your guide, you can enjoy the surrounding nature while fishing. We supply basic equipment and bait to assist you on your way to catching one of the many fish found in this area, whether that be a silver barbell, a larger cat fish or Kafue bream. Keen fishermen may bring their own equipemnt to take on the fishing trips.
Boat cruises/sunset cruises (Mukambi Safari Lodge Only)
Boat cruises over the Kafue river can also take place at any time of the day but we also have a scheduled Sunset Cruise each evening. On the boat cruise we shall drive you slowly up the river, giving you the chance to take in the surroundings, have some sundowners and watch the sunset. You can bet your money you will see hippos and crocodiles and a plethora of birds, about which our guides can answer your questions.
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!