2019 Kafue Adventure Safari Trail - Zambia

Day notes

Depart this evening to Dubai with Emirates Airlines (A380) .

Day notes

On arrival in Lusaka you will be met (unless already traveling with Tony) and guided through immigration and helped to located you luggage. Lusaka is a very friendly airport and you can expect a warm welcome even at passport control. Our representative will take you to meet your driver from Pioneer Camp who will be waiting for you. Pioneer lodge is located a short 25 min drive from the airport in a rural area near Lusaka. 
We have booked you an en suite cottage for tonight. Staying at Pioneer is a great way to get over the flight, meet the other guests on your safari and get in tune with Africa.

Day notes

Today allows you to enjoy a gentle start to the day. Breakfast as the sun comes up and the trees begin to fill with birdsong, and then at arond 9.30 we set off to the airport. We will be flying directly west from Lusaka towards the remote Kafue. The journey first passes over bustling Lusaka City.

The scene below gradually changes as the city gives way to villages and farmland as we head west towards the Kafue National Park.

The journey typically taking around 1hr.20 min. As we cross the Kafue National park boundary habitation by people disappears. Below you will see the Kafue River cutting across the park, and then the many streams which cross the open flood plans and woodland. The flight is a great way to get a feel for the vast wilderness you are entering. On landing in the heart of the Kafue at the Lufupa Airstrip we will be met by our guide 'Phil Jeffery' and his expert team from Jeffery & McKeith Safaris. The safari begins here in earnest. After a warm welcome and some refreshments Phil will first give in informal but important safety briefing before setting off on a game drive to the start of our walking safari which will take us to Ntemwa-Busanga Bush Camp. A support vehicle will take the majority of our luggage ahead of the safari. Phil will lead the safari and will be assisted by and an armed national Parks Wildlife Scout. This walk will take any where from 2 to 3 hours, stopping along the way as your guide points out all kinds of interesting tracks and signs.

Finally arriving at Ntemwa-Busanga Camp. Welcomed to camp with a cool drink and a chance to settle in to your very comfortable ensuite safari tent, freshen up and relax. Sundowners before Dinner will be enjoyed on the 'Boma' deck overlooking the plains under a galaxy of stars. Night caps around the camp fire are a chance to discuss the next days plans, before retiring to bed, serenaded by the sounds of the bush waffting across the plains.

Day notes

Today begins the next chapter of the safari as we journey South across the Kafue with the ultimate aim of reaching the Musekese Camp. The first part of the journey will be in an open safari 4x4 on an extended game drive from Ntemwa on the edge of the Busanga Plains. Following the path of the Kafue and then Lufupa Rivers we will pass through a variety of bush types. This journey can take 3+ hours, generating interesting sights as the bush changes from semi open Savannah to shady Bracystigia Woodland. 
Look out for fresh green patches in the otherwise dry bush which are natural springs welling up and providing constant water for wildlife away from the river. 


Eventually we will reach a spot on the Kafue where a Sulpha bubbles from below the surface of the River and Hippos gather. The Lufupa River attracts game and many bird species all through the day. We will now leave our vehicle again to carry on by boat along the meandering river towards the wider Kafue and across to the private Musekese Concession. The purpose built safari boat has a sun shade roof , the Kafue will look very temping for a dip (dont!). The habitat is varied along the river bank. Often cloaked in riverine species like Jackleberry trees and dotted in places with tall Palms.

We will dock at a suitable safe spot, and there meet a vehicle which will take care of luggage and after a short briefing we will setting off on foot with our guide and armed ranger across the Musekese concession . This is an exciting place to walk and encounters with game big and small are common especially close to the water.

The walking will be warm but plenty of shade stops and water will make sure it is an enjoyable experience. Game activity may affect the route and the odd detour may be required. A support vehicle will always be a reasonably short distance away.

On reaching Musekese the Jeffery & McKeith safari team. We now board a purpose built safari boat to cross the wide clear waters of the Kafue which will look very temping for a dip (dont!). A short river safari takes us to the private Musekese safari area where we leave our boat and jump on a safari vehicle for the short drive in to camp.


In camp you can expect a very warm welcome from the team who will look after you. After a quick briefing and familiarisation of Musekese you will have chance to freshen up and to begin to absorb your surroundings. The staff are very friendly and pleasantly informal in a typically Zambian way, most of the team are employed from villages adjoining the Kafue, taking the benefits of tourism in to the local communities.


Your accommodation at Musekese will be one of just four tastefully decorated safari chalets constructed of a blend of local materials and Canvas walls, decorated in a classic understated safari style with some special little touches, and cleverly designed en suite bathrooms with warm bucket showers and flushing loo’s. When Tyrone and his colleague Phil Jeffery first found this spot they immediately christened the area ‘Eden’ and having established Musekese here 3 years ago there instinct were proved correct as Musekese at Eden is regarded as one of the Kafue's best camps and home the open Dambo in front of camp constantly attracts great numbers of wildlife.

Camp is frequented by Lion and Elephant. Elephants migrate passed camp almost every day between the dry bush and the permanent water in the streams and river on the Dambo, this area is a particularly good spot for viewing Leopard. 
After time to freshen up and relax, enjoy a sundowner as the sun drops below the horizon. Dinner is served on the deck overlooking the Dambo which is subtly lit so that we can more easily notice any wildlife which might wander by during dinner. Day time meals are served in the shade of the trees in camp or in the 'Boma' which serves as a cool lounge area during the hotter part of the day. Night caps before heading to your lovely en suite safari tent are a prefect way to end a very full day on safari.

Day notes

Today you bid farewell to the now familiar faces at Musekese as we set off this time South. After breakfast we will game drive to the river where we will cross the Kafue to our safari vehicle. An extended game drive South will eventually take us in to the south part of the Kafue National Park. At a pre arranged spot we will leave our Jeffery McKeith team as we meet our river canoe guides to begin our canoe trail, first to a fly camp for the night and then onward to Kaingu River Lodge. This afternoon canoe trail is a pleasant assault on the senses, as the silence and startling beauty of the river, and the sight of Hippos and birds begins to sink in. The river cuts its path between wooded banks and around great ancient boulders that are a feature of the river here in the South.

We will be spending the night in a true Fly Camp, put up for tonight on an island in the middle of the river. This really is a unique experience to add to everything you have already seen and done. Sleeping in either a pop up dome tent or under a mozi net in the open you will really feel at one with nature. Hearty meal and cold drinks will ensure you sleep well.

Day notes

This morning you will wake to a scene of extreme peace and beauty . A quick light break fast and its time to continue the last leg of your trail to Kaingu. As you near camp the river narrows and there are some rapids to navigate but nothing to fear.

Reaching camp you will be met by smiling faces and hand shakes from the lovely team at Kaingu who will want to hear about your travels and to settle you in to make you at home for the next two nights. There will be time to explore this afternoon. Days generally end with a cold drink as the sun sets over the bush, then with time to freshen up and enjoy dinner, which like all meals are enjoyed with your fellow guests and guides.