Zambia Wild Luxury

Life in Busanga Plains Camp begins quite early, where guests begin their day with a light breakfast before heading out into the wilderness to explore.

Guests are often spoilt for choice between game drives and walking safaris and both present unique opportunities for great animal encounters. Our game drives take place in the morning and in the afternoon/evening. Morning drives allow guests to head out and catch game still on the move during the cooler hours of the day. Midway through the drive there will be a brief stop to allow guests to stretch their legs and have some tea/coffee before continuing with he drive and heading back to camp.

Afternoon drives begin late afternoon once it is a bit cooler. This is usually when game begins to be more active providing a better chance of spotting some of the more elusive animals. The drive is also a combination of a night drive which offer an opportunity to spot some of the nocturnal animals found on the Plains. The guide will fire up his spotlight after sundowners and try and find the animals with it before heading back to camp.

Walking in the Busanga Plains is an experience like no other. The vastness and openness of the Plains makes for some great game viewing on foot. Game is alot easier to spot on the Plains and observe from a safe enough distance.

Walks are only done in the morning to avoid the heat of the day and generally last about 3hrs. Along the walks guides will educate their guests on the smaller aspects of the bush that they tend to miss whilst in a vehicle. As they walk they will also encounter a variety of game and the guide will keep guests safe and informed at all times.

Game drives are the most succesful way to see a good variety of wildlife, both large and small. Visiting more areas, and witnessing the diversity of the Lower Zambezi National Park you can appreciate the unspoiled wilderness of Zambia. A larger area can be covered in a shorter time frame, increasing the chance to find good game. The vehicles also allow those ‘up close and personal’ experiences - our team of professional guides will ensure that it is not too close!

Night drives are the perfect way to experience the nocturnal animals, including the elusive leopard, genet, civet, porcupine and giant eagle owl. The big cats tend to be more active at night and you may find yourself following lions on the hunt. Your guide will also point out the constellations of the Southern night sky.

Sausage Tree Camp operates a fleet of new Toyota Landcruiser game viewing vehicles to ensure reliability and comfort.

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Walking is the perfect way to search for the smaller creatures, learn about the trees, the plants and examine the different tracks and signs. Walking was pioneered in Zambia and remains one of the few areas where this can be truly enjoyed.

Led by a professional walking guide and National Parks Wildlife Officer, walking is carried out in small groups. Taking advantage of the cooler morning temperatures, you will take a game drive from camp to an open area where the walk begins. Beware -not only do you see the smaller things on foot, it is also not uncommon for us to see lion on our bush walks.

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

The Lower Zambezi is renowned for its spectacular canoeing. As one of the few privileged operators based inside the National Park, we are able to canoe guests down the most stunning section of the Zambezi, “The Chifungulu Channel”.

Led by one of our highly qualified canoe guides, explore the banks of the river, where game can be seen from a totally different perspective - looking UP rather than down!

Canoe trips vary in length, however a one-hour canoe trip is a great prelude to an evening game drive.

No experience or particular strength is required - it is an effortless drift, as the flow of the Zambezi pushes the canoes along.Rather than a work out, this is a time to relax, listen to the sounds of the huge variety of bird-life and admire their sheer beauty

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

The Zambezi River is host to some of the most spectacular fresh water sport fishing in the world with plentiful Tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus, Latin for "striped river dog") and Tilapia amongst others. Sausage Tree Camp offers both spinning and fly fishing, both strictly catch and release in accordance with the principles of the National Park.

The most sporting and certainly the most fun fish to catch is the famous Tigerfish. A relative of the infamous piranha, Tigerfish have large carnivorous teeth, can grow to 15kg / 33lb (the camp record 11.3kg) and are renowned for their strength and spectacular "leaping out of the water" fighting performance.

Fishing is succesful all year round, however the warmer months (September - December) are definitely the best time to catch Tigerfish. This is the breeding season when the fish are more active, feeding more regularly and are far more aggressive. The water level is typically lower and the visibility at its very best.

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Scenic boat cruises are a very relaxing way to view the game that comes down to the river to drink and bathe, whilst also taking in the unique water wildlife. Until the Zambezi River is explored by boat, it is impossible to truly appreciate the huge hippopotami pods and crocodile populations. Lucky guests have experienced the truly memorable sight of elephant crossing the Zambezi, from Mana Pools National Park to the Lower Zambezi National Park. To view the most amazing sunsets in Africa, floating sundowners (Gin and Tonic are de rigueur!) in the middle of the Zambezi is a must! This can also provide a photographic opportunity for that perfect African sunset.

Sausage Tree Camp operates scenic boat trips using 7metre aluminium river cruisers. Designed for the Okavango Delta, they are the perfect boat for the Zambezi River as sandbanks make navigation on the water very difficult.

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Weather you enjoy waking up to the booming call of the impressive Ground Hornbill or watching the flittering of tiny Redbilled Firefinches there is something for the novice and experience bird watcher alike.

We have approximately 500 species of birds in the Lower Zambezi National Park from waders on the shores of the Zambezi River to wattle eyes in the Miambo woodland in the escarpment. Some of the special and more interesting birds that can be found in the area are Sadelbilled Stork, African Skimmer, Roufous Bellied Heron, Bee Eaters, Black Crowned Night Heron, Amathest Sunbird and Jamsons Firefinch just to name a few.

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

Credit: Green Safaris

A game drive is a wonderful way to explore the area allowing you to get close to sightings while maintaining a minimal presence. At Sungani we value the quality of the area above all else. Each time you board one of Sungani’s custom built safari vehicles the anticipation is high. Our vehicles have modified suspension, individual luxury seats, comfortable footrests and nifty spaces and holders for an array of equipment. Each vehicle is equipped with Manfrotto camera rests, and the roof canopy is designed to be easily removed upon request.

Set off from camp in the cool of the early morning to enhance your chances of seeing animals as daylight illuminates the wilderness once again. Our guides will befriend you in a short time as they generously share the skill and passion they have for their craft. Allow yourself to be infected by the anticipation and begin to appreciate and engage in the pace of the African wilderness.

We promise that a cup of local freshly brewed coffee will take on a new meaning as you stop in the shade for a mid-morning break. Your senses are now on high alert for the unexpected sighting or magical moment to take place. Breathe in the sights and sounds and really tune out the rest of the world for a while. Look through the bush and notice shapes and obvious different colours as you begin to really see.

Later in the afternoon set off once again and this time experience the magic of an African sunset with an icy cold drink of choice in hand, surrounded by the fading light. As darkness begins to creep in you will begin to hear an array of new noises and notice your sense of smell sharpen. Adrenaline and anticipation kick in as the spotlight illuminates the night in search of big cats, elusive mongoose, or the charismatic scrub hare.

Sungani Lodge and Kulandila Camp have been designed to be accessible to any level of photographer. Michael Davy, our talented resident photographer and head safari guide, has developed a hide network which showcases a variety of levels and landscapes. Imagine getting eye to eye with hippo or looking up into the mouth of an elephant! You can also experience being elevated on the riverbank and photographing the bright bursts of colour when the Carmine Bee Eaters come to nest.

Our vehicles have modified suspension, individual luxury seats, comfortable footrests and nifty spaces and holders for an array of equipment. Each vehicle is equipped with Manfrotto camera rests and the roof canopy is designed to be easily removed upon request.

You can elevate your safari by making use of our top end camera equipment.

We are proud to feature a full line of the latest Canon RF mirrorless camera bodies and lenses. We have everything from a close up 100m macro shot to a 1200mm bird in flight covered.

If you would like to opt for private guiding, this is something we can assist with (subject to availability). Private guided safaris allow you focus on the technical and creative aspects without interruptions. Your guide has the knowledge to get the vehicle into the right position and will be willing to work with you to get the photo whilst ensuring your safety.

Sungani Lodge features a photographic studio which is a dedicated space equipped with desks and a
casual seating area for guests to edit and process their images. We feature a 27” Apple studio desktop
which is loaded with the latest Adobe software

Hire of photographic equipment is available to both Sungani Lodge and Kulandila Camp guests, while the studio is available to Sungani Lodge guests exclusively.

Dine along the banks of the Luangwa river, taking it all in as our Sungani chefs prepare a meal to remember. Things just taste better in the bush!

At Sungani our picnics or brunches are reminiscent of family adventures and time spent around the table.

On request your guide can arrange an all-day game-drive. What better way to be totally immersed than to see a day through its full turn? With cooler chests packed full of the chef’s treats and pit stops whenever the mood dictates, this is a way to spend quality time exploring an area that is now truly beginning to witness a rebirth.

By the time you arrive back in camp your senses should be totally sated in every way and we would prescribe a long lazy soak in your private tub overlooking the beautiful Sungani lagoon.

Capture that once in a lifetime memory in our photographic hides adjacent to a watering hole or up close and personal with the carmine bee-eaters. Sit atop the viewing platform on the lagoon and wait to catch a glimpse of the elusive Roan antelope, watch the hippos frolic, or witness a crocodile capture his next meal.

At Sungani we are constantly adapting and improving our photographic experience to cater for all. Our head guide is a keen photographer himself, and always excited to assist, whether you are a beginner, or just need some help in capturing the perfect shot. Whether you’re after a specific species or are hoping to see it all, we aim to get you close with as little impact to the animals as possible. After all, we are privileged to share this wonderful space with them!

This is the home of the walking safari and we are excited to share it with you. Explore the banks of the meandering Luangwa river and the historical floodplains. There is no better way to be totally immersed in mother nature than to see her on foot. Your guide is silently in tune with every sign and sound walking you through a sensation filled safari. Experience being up close with wildlife as your senses come alive and you will begin to feel part of the ebb and flow of mother nature.

Our expert guiding team will take you on a journey through their eyes. As skilled naturalists they will translate the spoor, the signs and the vegetation giving an insight into the workings of this complex and dynamic ecosystem. The concentration of animals around the Luangwa River and its oxbow lagoons is among the most intense in Africa. The South Luangwa is one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world and remains evocative of safaris of old.