Best of Kafue

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.

Mukambi is open all year round and game drives can be booked all year round.

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.

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.

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.

Forming a part of our Responsible tourism, over 14 years ago we started our Mukambi Community School to provide education to the local community in an area where no good schools exist. The results are spectacular; the well-equipped school now provides 92 local children with a high standard of education, and we have five teachers in permanent employment. Conservation is an important subject at our school. The school received generous funding from a donor a couple of years ago, which meant they could invest in iSchool Tablets, through which the pupils can engage in active learning as well as developing key IT skills for later in life. Every year all the grade 7 pupils graduate with flying colours and have attained places at secondary schools throughout Zambia. The school is supported by a charity called Cikoko

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.

Lilayi offers 650 hectares of unspoiled grassland, which is inhabited by nearly 23 different species of mammal and more than 300 bird species. A game drive in an open vehicle is one of the most exciting ways to explore the area. A highly skilled guide will accompany safari-goers, and inform them about the rare and beautiful animals viewed during the drive. Listed amongst these are the majestic Roan Antelope, Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest and Tsessebe.

Guests have the option to explore the area on foot by means of a guided walk. A bush walk enables visitors to be close to nature and creates an excellent opportunity for birdwatchers to view the abundance of bird species. A good pair of binoculars is recommended in order to better identify the different species, which include various Flycatchers, Helmet Shrikes, Turacos and Sunbirds amongst others. A bush walk at Lilayi will allow you to relax and enjoy all that nature has to offer.

Expect a tantalising marriage between African fusion and contemporary cuisine, made with the creative experience of the Lilayi Chefs. The Lilayi Wine Tasting Experience, includes 5 Lilayi Wine samples paired with 5 food tastings to match their flavours. This activity is Ideal for intimate, corporate or special occasion dining.

From the elegant Lilayi Chenin Blanc and Rosé to the popular Sauvignon Blanc – all produced to express the distinctive varietal character. The tasting also includes the Winemakers Selection consisting of a red blend of Pinotage, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc, and ends with a glass of our Lilayi Sparkling Pinot Grigio Brut.

The Lilayi Spa embodies the same ethos of going back to the roots of nature; shielded by a canopy of greens- a hideaway sanctuary where the city life remains far away and out of touch. .

Running parallel to our Lilayi hospitality brand, guests can now complete their journey with a tranquil immersive spa experience. Enjoyed in the comfort of your chalet or on the deck beneath the canopy of nature.

At the Lilayi Spa, detox and rejuvenate with a pampering array of massages and treatments, and a choice of 5 botanical and raw elements of massage essences and aroma oils carefully handpicked and sourced in Zambia.

Available for in-house guests only.