Located on the Zimbabwean border in the southern reaches of Zambia, the Lower Zambezi region is best known as the home to the Lower Zambezi National Park which features exceptional, undeveloped wildlife areas. It is renowned for its abundant game - hippos, buffalo, crocodiles, fish eagles, and herds of elephants can be spotted, among other species. The landscape is characterised by rugged, unspoilt wilderness of vast floodplains, scattered with indigenous woodlands. Visitors can look forward to an array of wonderful activities along the Zambezi including game drives, walking safaris, canoe trips, and excellent tiger fishing.
The Busanga Plains, located in the north of the Kafue National Park, is a remarkable grassland that seems to curve with the horizon.
The atmosphere, rawness, and drama of Busanga are unmatched, and no Kafue safari is complete without taking in the panoramic views of the plains. It is a mix of grass plains formed from a seasonal wetland habitat with a unique ecosystem that cannot be found anywhere else in Zambia. The swampy area is home to many niches and nuances, and it is fascinating to explore the edges where Sitatunga, a rare antelope species, can be seen amongst the towering reeds.
Seasonal floodwaters fed by numerous streams flow through and under these swamps, transforming most of the Busanga Plains' 750 square kilometers into a wetland similar to the Okavango Delta. This flooding supports a vast population of water-adapted Red Lechwe, hippos, and a plethora of fish that attract fish eagles, storks, and pelicans. The sky fills with swirling towers of black open-billed storks, here to harvest the freshwater snails that are a key species to the Busanga ecosystem.
The plains are also home to Acacia thorn trees, palms, and mighty fig trees, providing a potential shady spot for the iconic Busanga Lions. Cheetahs are sometimes seen preying on the numerous Oribi population, while the treeline of the plains and some of the larger islands are perfect habitats for leopards. Other predators and smaller omnivores include Serval, Civet, several Moongose species, and African Wild Cat.
The Busanga Plains are also home to a variety of large mammals such as Blue Wildebeest, magnificent Sable, Puku, Kudu, Reed Buck, Bush Buck, sharps grysbok, Duiker, Zebra, and approachable Roan Antelope.
The staggering number and variety of birdlife alone makes Busanga an incredibly interesting place to visit, even for those who aren't bird enthusiasts.
Set in the remote northern sector of Zambia’s Kafue National Park, the Musekese Concession is a prime example of what happens when conservation, expert guiding, and low-impact tourism come together. Privately operated and accessed only through two Classic Zambia camps, the concession offers an exclusive safari experience that feels both wild and deeply personal.
The landscape is as varied as it is beautiful. Rolling miombo woodlands open into wide floodplains, and shallow ridgelines give way to seasonal wetlands known locally as dambos. At the centre of it all is Eden Lagoon—perhaps the best known of these wetlands. In the early season, Eden is a shimmering marshland reminiscent of the Okavango, teeming with birds and grazers wading through shallow water. As the dry season progresses, it transforms into a broad, sun-baked pan cut through by a winding stream—still productive, still alive with wildlife, but entirely changed in character.
Wildlife moves freely across the concession, taking advantage of the different habitats. Elephant herds are often seen, and a wide range of antelope species—from puku and kudu to roan, reedbuck, bushbuck, and the occasional eland—can be encountered almost anywhere. The open expanses of the Kamasot Plain are particularly striking, with large concentrations of zebra, sable, and reedbuck, but this is just one part of a much broader, well-functioning ecosystem.
Predators are an important part of the story here. Musekese Conservation’s research has shown that leopard densities in this concession rival those of Zambia’s better-known parks, and many individuals are recognised by name. Lions are frequently encountered, and wild dogs range across the area. The guiding team, many of whom are involved in conservation efforts, brings a level of insight and familiarity that transforms wildlife viewing into something far deeper.
Guests explore the concession via day and night game drives, as well as guided walking safaris—a highlight for many. The river system adds further variety: the nearby confluence of the Kafue and Lufupa Rivers creates backwaters and channels perfect for boat-based wildlife viewing and birding.
With a carefully planned network of game drive routes, no crowding, and a commitment to science-led conservation, the Musekese Concession is one of Zambia’s most rewarding safari destinations. A new photography and wildlife-viewing blind is currently being developed at one of the area’s most productive waterholes—adding another layer to the experience for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
This is a place where wildlife thrives, not by chance, but because it’s been allowed to. For those seeking a truly immersive and meaningful safari, the Musekese Concession delivers.
