WILDLIFE BUSHCAMP
 

Wildlife Camp is in the fortunate position to have our very own private peninsular of 400hectares. This prime river-side property has been billed as one of the best pieces of bush in the Luangwa Valley by guests and experts alike and we love to keep it as true to its natural form as possible. That is why we use it exclusively for overnight walking safaris for Wildlife Camp guests to our heavenly Bushcamp. There is just one vehicle-track on this property – our access road to the camp. The rest of it is pure nature as it was a hundred years ago.

The Wildlife Bushcamp offers guests a chance to experience an overnight walking safari, complete with bucket showers and Zambian-style or gourmet meals cooked on an open fire! Our cooks will amaze you with the menu and nothing can compare to a night in the wild and the sounds you can hear. The camp consists of 6 twin tents, two bush toilets and a bucket shower – it has no electricity and is basic in many ways but rich in atmosphere and location. The Wildlife Bushcamp is all about sitting, reading, sleeping, watching the carmine-bee-eaters that nest right in front of the camp, watching hippos through your binoculars, eating, telling stories, walking into the bush with a guide and a scout, eating some more, sitting some more, doing nothing some more, watching crocodiles through your binoculars, taking photos of crocodiles, listening to lions roar at night, learning from the guide and the scout and in general, taking a well deserved break and spending some quality time with your family and friends while being surrounded by Africa.

“In addition to morning and evening safaris in a vehicle, I took an afternoon walk to the bush camp. During this experience I walked on the hippo highway, examined the impala website, tasted the fruit of the sausage tree, rubbed lavender behind my ears to discourage mosquitoes, tracked a leopard, saw his/her kill, was guided around an elephant with her young, learned about droppings and seeds and their various cosmetic and medicinal uses, discovered the tree that produces the blossoms that are used to make the cordial Amarula, became aware of the positive contribution of nitrogen into the soil by the winter-thorn tree, and sighted several birds including the lilac-breasted roller and the fishing eagle. Although the bush camp experience is not geared to seeing the large animals, we saw many giraffes, some elephants, a leopard, hippos, and had a hyena in our camp at night.” Trip Advisor, 20 July 2011.

Wildlife Camp’s knowledgeable and qualified Zambian guides, an armed scout and bush chef escort you on this magical overnight trip and show you the wonders of nature.

An afternoon walk led by a guide and scout will take you out to the Bushcamp, where your cook and two more staff members will already be waiting. A glorious sunset and a cold beer await and if you pick the right time in the dry season a herd of 500-or-more buffalo might just surprise you when they come down to the Luangwa for water after a hot day. As the sun disappears a camp fire appears and the guide and the scout – who will spend the whole night with his firearm by his side to ensure your safety – will tell you many stories; most of them unbelievable but all of them true. After a three-course dinner and late night coffee it is time to retreat into the tents for the night. Do not fall asleep immediately – try and stay awake to soak up the sounds of Africa as you have never heard them before.

With sunrise come birdsong and after breakfast it is time to pack up and head back to camp on foot – another three hour walk amongst the giants, and the dwarfs, of Africa. Or, if you want to stay for another night, why not? Prolonging a once-in-a-lifetime experience is always a good idea.

Our bush camp is offered as full board option only, including all meals and activities from the day you depart, until the last breakfast and return walk from the bush. What more can be said, it’s an experience not to be missed!

As the Bushcamp is so popular and to assure the privacy of the bush for our guests, booking early is essential. Bush camp only operates between the months of June to October, by which time the rains force us off our beloved piece of property until May the next year.