20 Safari Camps In Kafue National Park

Kafue National Park is the oldest and largest of Zambia’s parks. The park is so large at 22,400 km squared that it spans three provinces: Western, Central and Southern. With such a large area of land it seems unusual sometimes to know that the Kafue National Park is still relatively unexplored. The Kafue National Park is around two hours’ drive from Livingstone and around four hours from the capital Lusaka.

One of the great things about Zambia’s national parks is the variety of animals. Each park you can see something different. If you are planning a long trip to Zambia, it is a good idea to choose two of Zambia’s national parks. Common sightings in the Kafue National Park include elephants, hippos, buffalo, zebras, and lions. Occasional sightings include wildebeest, leopards, hyena, and wild dogs. It should be noted that there are no white or black rhinos or giraffes in the Kafue. But one of the biggest reasons people are eager to head to the Kafue are the cheetahs! This is the only park in Zambia where you can see cheetahs.

20 Best Safari Camps in Kafue National Park

Luxury $$$$

1- Busanga Bush Camp

The intimate Busanga Bush Camp is one of the most remote camps in Kafue National Park.

Located in the Busanga Plains in the northern part of the park, this is a tranquil place to enjoy a safari.

The camp is situated under many sycamore fig trees.

Busanga has four spacious tents all of which have spectacular views of the floodplains.

The shared dining and lounge area is under a canopy, and it oozes charm.

At night you can sit out surrounded by chandelier lanterns and dine on traditional Zambian cuisine.

There’s also a pool that overlooks the plains providing exquisite views.

To top off a wonderful day of animal viewing, select a massage treatment from their in-house masseuse.

What’s it like going on a safari at Busanga Bush Camp?

They offer game drives, boating, birding, and stargazing experiences.

The area has a wealth of game as well as more than 500 avian species.

2- Shumba Camp

Located just south of Busanga Bush Camp in the Busanga Plains area of the Kafue National Park there is Shumba Camp.

Shumba is open just five months of the year so there’s a limited amount of time to enjoy this exclusive destination.

Shumba is situated on its own little island and is surrounded by floodplains that are covered in channels.

Here you will be in with a good chance of photographing leaping lions as they jump across the water channels.

There are six luxury tented suites, and the camp is raised on wooden platforms for optimal wildlife viewing and for environmental consciousness.

They might be called “tented” suites, but they will surely be the most luxurious and spacious you’ve seen.

The camp also has a swimming pool overlooking the plains as well as an on-site masseuse.

When out on your safari you will likely be in with a chance of seeing antelope!

The Kafue has more antelope species than anywhere else in Africa!

They offer the traditional safari experiences such as game drives, boating (in season), birding, stargazing as well as a “lunch in the plains” experience where you can dine right in the bush.

3- Busanga Plains Camp

The Busanga Plains Camp houses four tented suites that overlook the Busanga Plains.

The tented suites have open air bathrooms (a fabulous experience in itself) and private verandas.

The central area at the camp is the raised boma and fire pit where guests can congregate and discuss the day’s sightings.

The camp’s dining area is the perfect spot to sit back, relax and enjoy the view of fig trees and giant anthills.

Whether you like to sunbathe or go for a refreshing dip in the pool this camp is designed to relax your soul in between excellent safari experiences.

They offer two game drive experiences, both of which you should do for different animal viewings.

They have the sunrise game drive and the afternoon drive (which is a partial night drive) that leaves two hours before sunset.

Whilst cheetahs are often described as a rare and fortunate sighting, Busanga Plains Camp often sees them as well as wild dogs.

The Busanga Plains is also an ideal place to see some other less common animals like puku, red lechwe and the hard to spot serval.

Busanga Plains Camp also offers a “night under the stars” experience.

They have their very own star-bed built on a four-meter platform.

Booking the star bed can be done upon arrival at no extra cost!

4- Konkamoya Lodge

Konkamoya means “follow the wind” in Nyanja (Zambia’s second most common language).

As the name suggests, any stay at Konkamoya Lodge results in the sounds of animals and birds reaching you from across the plains.

The lodge is technically just outside the bounds of the national park on the banks of the Itezhi – Tezhi Lake in the southern section of the park.

There’s no doubt about it, this is a lesser known and explored part of the Kafue National Park but that’s one of the beauties of a stay here.

The owner, a zoologist, has created a safari experience that is designed by you.

There are no fixed game drive schedules; you will design your own according to your interests and passions.

This lodge is duly African and Italian in style.

The lodge can accommodate up to eight guests, so you are guaranteed an intimate experience.

The four comfortable tents look out across the lake and to a wonderful sunrise.

The canvas roof tents open to allow you to see the view from all parts of the room.

There are king-sized beds with Egyptian cotton sheets for extra comfort.

Each tent also has a verandah to sit out and enjoy freshly brewed coffee.

As well as game drives, they also offer Aardvark Expeditions that are typically held between 10pm and 1am when the animals are at their most active.

As they dig for termites, the expert guides and often owners proclaim a 90% success rate of spotting one.

You can also visit the nearby Game Rangers International Elephant Orphanage Project.

5- Chisa Busanga Camp

Chisa Busanga Camp is part of the Green Safaris.

This means that your safari will be more environmentally conscious than most.

The camp and its game drive vehicles all use solar power.

This camp is in the Busanga Plains region in the northern part of the Kafue National Park.

Chisa in Nyanja means “birds’ nest” and that name is used for the camp because the rooms are inspired by weaver bird nests.

This camp sits on a small tree-lined island.

There are four “nest” suites, one with a lift for easy access.

Built four meters off the ground you will have an instantly better and more expansive view.

The nests are shaded by terminalia trees.

There are private outdoor decks, a modern ensuite, and a king-sized bed.

There are few experiences like this in the whole of Zambia.

The camp’s other amenities include a plunge pool, and a fireside boma.

The camp offers walking safaris, e-cruiser game drives, birding, and romantic meals in the bush.

It is quite an experience listening only to nature when you are on a game drive.

Mid-scale $$$

6- Kaingu Lodge

Located in the north of Southern Province on the banks of the Kafue River, Kaingu Lodge is a wonderful safari camp.

The lodge is situated in the Namwala Game Management Area.

The Kafue National Park is just across the river only a 10-minute boat ride away.

Owing to its location on the Kafue, a stay at Kaingu means you can explore the channels, rapids, and islands on the river.

The lodge offers boat cruises, fishing, canoeing, birding, and river trails.

Kaingu Lodge offers a range of accommodation types.

There are six tented chalets, a family house, three Tonga Tree Baskets and camping facilities.

Their Tonga Tree Baskets are adorable. How can accommodation be adorable?

Well, when you must climb a little wooden ladder to reach your conical house made from local Muchinga then you will see why.

So often safari experience in Zambia can take away from the locals with many properties owned by foreigners.

However, Kaingu Lodge focuses on sustainability and giving back.

By staying at Kaingu Lodge you will contribute to the KaingU Trust which helps run the community school.

Whilst staying at the lodge you can take a visit to the school.

Other activities at the lodge include walks to Mpamba Rock for an epic sunset, boat safaris and of course game drives.

7- Mukambi Safari Lodge

Owned by Mukambi Safaris, this lodge is on the banks of the Kafue River.

Mukambi Safari Lodge has eight ensuite chalets perched on a ridge facing the Kafue River.

For something even more luxurious, book one of the four safari tents.

These rooms have open plan bathrooms and a wooden deck area with an outside bathtub.

There’s also the Riverside Villa which is ideal for families.

The lodge’s boma has a restaurant and bar.

There’s a stunning infinity pool and deck area with sunchairs.

They offer daily game drives at sunrise and two hours before sunset.

To reach their vehicles which are in the park you will take a short boat ride (which only adds to the excitement).

They also offer walking safaris which were made popular in Zambia as well as fishing trips, boat cruises, sunset cruises, and tours of the Mukambi Community School.

8- Kasonso Busanga Camp

Another of the Busanga Plains safari camps is Kasonso Busanga.

There are a couple of options of how to reach the camp.

The camp can organize a driver to pick you up from Lusaka which takes around five or six hours.

Alternatively, you can fly via charter to Busanga Airstrip, or you can self-drive to the camp.

Kasonso only has four tents that accommodate two people each.

This means your camp experience will be intimate.

The tents have ensuite bathrooms and verandahs looking out towards the plains.

There’s also a shared seating area, bar, and deck.

A father and son duo run the camp and they also have one of the top birding guides in Zambia leading expert tours.

9- Musekese Camp

Musekese Camp is a central province safari camp located on the banks of the Kafue River.

The camp has five brand new guest rooms which are spacious and have all the amenities you would require.

You might be in the bush, but their solar power system ensures your beverages are ice cold and all your camera equipment is fully charged.

A Musekese Camp safari is multifaceted.

There are game drives, walking safaris, canoe safaris (dependent on seasonal water levels), bird watching and boat safaris.

There’s even an elevated hide out close to the camp that looks out towards Eden Lagoon.

Here there are comfy bean bags to sit on whilst you sip on a cold drink and watch to see what may happen on the plains.

10- Fig Tree Bush Camp

Another of Mukambi Safaris camps is Fig Tree Bush Camps.

Tucked away on the Shishamba River in a relatively unexplored area of the Kafue National Park this is the perfect spot for tranquility, peace, and excellent game viewing.

There are four tented chalets built on a three-meter-high platform for optimal game viewing.

Three of the chalets face the Shishamba River whilst the fourth looks out at the grassy plains and a popular waterhole.

The camp has an infinity pool which is perfect for a refreshing dip after a morning safari drive.

Fig Tree provides superb food including a three-course dinner.

After a long day of exploring, you can sit by the campfire and gaze at the stars whilst listening to the sound of the bush come alive.

Fig Tree Bush Camp offers game drives, three-hour walking safaris and you can book a night in their bush camp star bed.

11- Ila Safari Lodge

Ila Safari Lodge is well known on the Zambian safari scene for its luxurious elegance and environmentally conscious safari experience, being the pioneers of the electric game drive.

Located in the park on the banks of the Kafue, this safari lodge has 10 luxury safari tents as well as the Ila Safari House (which sleeps 14) situated adjacent to the lodge.

The camp’s infinity pool will be a highlight of your time at the lodge itself.

When not relaxing at the lodge you will be riding on the e-boat for a river safari, taking a sunset cruise, fishing, creeping around the bush on a walking safari and of course taking a game drive with their e-cruiser.

12- Ntemwa-Busanga Camp

Head to the Busanga Plains in northern Kafue and you will find the intimate Ntemwa-Busanga Camp.

There are just five chalets, all with open-air ensuites.

If you’ve never showered outside in the African bush before you are missing out.

The camp’s main shared area has a raised deck for wildlife viewing.

There’s also a separate bird hide and sitting area where you can escape the heat of the day and keep an eye out for wildlife.

Because the truth is, on safari you never really relax from the anticipation of seeing your next wildlife sighting.

The camp also has a small bar which stocks an array of beverages.

This camp only offers game drives and bird watching but their location and access to an array of road networks means they can travel to a variety of popular sighting spots for a plethora of animals, including buffalo, elephants, leopards and even cheetahs if you are lucky.

Budget $$

13- McBrides’ Camp

A safari experience doesn’t necessarily have to break the bank.

McBrides’ Camp in Mulola is inside the national park on the banks of the Kafue River.

This camp is a mix of rustic simplicity and organic luxury and it’s immediately apparent how peaceful it is in this part of the world.

Step into your rustic double chalet and you might even spot some wildlife as you look out at your view.

One of the best things about McBride’s Camp is the flexibility.

Maybe you arranged three safari trips but caught the bug for wildlife spotting and want to head out again, well it’s no problem.

You can arrange activities to suit you.

McBride’s Camp offers fishing trips, game drives, walking safaris, trips to the hot spring, boat cruises and bird watching.

Elephants, buffalo, waterbuck, bushbuck, crocodiles, waterbirds, and hippos are all prolific in the area.

14- Pinnon Lodge

Pinnon Lodge is on the eastern side of the Kafue with only the Kafue River separating the lodge from the national park.

If you like the personal touches, this small family run lodge is a wonderful place to stay.

The lodge’s chalets are made with many locally sourced materials.

They also have decks that look out across the river, ideal for bird watching and sunsets.

From the open-sided restaurant guests can enjoy Zambian and international cuisines by award winning chef Toby Bradley Watson whilst spotting herds of puku and impala.

The lodge offers game drives, local walking safaris, boat trips, birding and sundowners by the river and fire.

15- Mapunga Bush Camp

Mapunga Bush Camp opened in 2016 and offers guests 600 meters of riverfront on the banks of the Kafue River.

Mapunga Bush Camp is the closest campsite to the entrance of the park; it’s also close to Busanga Plains.

Safaris are undoubtedly a luxury excursion however Mapunga Bush Camp has tried to accommodate everyone.

They have five ensuite riverside tents with their own verandahs.

There is also a campsite, eight sites in total all equipped with water points, overhead lights and braai stands.

They offer game drives, day trips to the Busanga Plains, boat cruises and boat hire with self-drive or driver options.

16- Kasabushi Camp

Kasabushi Camp offers camping and glamping and a quiet and unfrequented part of the Kafue National Park.

One of the reasons Kasabushi is an affordable option is because they have a range of accommodation types.

They offer ensuite chalets, equipped tents for glamping, self-catering camping by the river and a back to basics, into the wild camp site.

Whether you choose to rough it in the bush or stay in a chalet you can enjoy their excursions.

They offer boat cruises, game viewing in their open roof vehicles, yoga by the river, hiking at Lubalanzuki Rock for 360-degree views of the park and visits to the local rapids.

17- Mayukuyuku Bush Camp

Between Shikomo and Bayeka, Mayukuyuku Bush Camp is on a wide section of the Kafue River within the national park.

One of the best things about this park is its excellent location.

It’s just 250km from the capital city Lusaka and it is an easy four-hour drive (that is very short for a Zambian road trip).

This camp offers campsite accommodation.

There are currently six pitches right next to the Kafue River.

The campsite can accommodate 25 people, but you might find that you are there all by yourself.

Right from the campsite there’s a good chance you will see elephants crossing the river from the mainland to the islands.

Crocodiles and hippos are a guarantee.

The camp has a restaurant, and you can book meals and drinks at the bar.

The camp offers guests walking trails to explore, open vehicle game drives, night drives and boating excursions.

18- Mozhi Bush Camp

Set in a tranquil corner of the Busanga Plains, Mozhi Bush Camp has five ensuite chalets and one ensuite family chalet.

This camp has a contemporary safari feel, is comfortable and most importantly offers excellent wildlife outings.

Mozhi Bush Camp offers walking safaris for detailed insight into Zambia’s flora and fauna.

There’s also boat safaris along the Kafue River.

Sit back, relax and watch hippos and crocodiles, you can also go fishing.

They of course offer morning and sundowner game drives.

19- Old Palm Tree Lodge

The Old Palm Tree Lodge is an affordable option just outside the Kafue National Park.

To reach the park you will cross the Kafue River by boat.

Old Palm Tree certainly has more of a lodge feel than a safari camp, but it provides a variety of affordable room types.

There are superior chalets, chalets and a self-catered guest house and campsite.

The main building has a swimming pool, braai area and dining area.

Located in the Namwala Game Management Area this lodge is 345 km from Lusaka.

When you are there, you can enjoy game drives and boat cruises as well as relaxing at the lodge.

20- Kubu Kweena Lodge

Kubu Kweena Lodge is just upriver from Musekese Camp in Central Province on the border with Northern Province.

This lodge has tented chalets for adults and children (many safari camps don’t allow children under the age of 12).

Chalets are equipped with a fan and uninterrupted power throughout the day and night.

They are all ensuite and look out towards the Kafue River.

Though they mostly cater to locals, their attractive rates draw in international tourists looking for big experiences on a budget.

They provide game drives, boat safaris, fishing and walking safaris during peak season when the rains have gone.