We first met the owners of Mukambi Safari Lodge, Idjan and Robyn, in 2016 when we still lived in Zambia and had gone to visit our friend Sport Beattie (founder and Managing Director or Game Rangers International). Although they didn’t know us from a “bar of soap”, as the saying goes, they very graciously invited us into their home for a braai and immediately made us feel like one of their family. This was the same night we met Basil, the resident hippo that had made Mukambi his home for 14 years. What an experience to be sitting having a delicious outdoor meal with a hippo grazing on the verges of the garden lawns! Sadly we heard that Basil died at the end of 2016, while defending his territory to a younger and stronger bull.
I digress! Back to how we ended up back at Mukambi after nearly 5 years. As with most people you meet, the world is small; when we moved to Zim, setting up our travel company, we met a lovely lady running a lodge in the Mkuti area. We got chatting; low and behold she is Robyn’s sister! Earlier this year I was getting more and more requests for accommodation in Zambia and I got hold of her to ask if she thought Idjan and Robyn would be interested in us marketing for them. She said she thought they would and sure enough after a wonderful catch up call we were off to Kafue National Park to view Mukambi Safari Lodge.
Mukambi Safari Lodge is situated on the Lusaka – Mongu road, 270km from Lusaka (all tarmac road). For fly in guests, Mukambi has its own airstrip which is a 5 minute drive from the lodge. The word Mukambi comes from the Luvale tribe, where it is a popular surname meaning Waterbuck. Although Idjan’s and Robyn’s company has three different camps in Kafue National Park, one of the largest unspoiled wilderness areas in the world, the main Mukambi Safari Lodge is the location from where your transfers will depart from to take you to one of the other 2 camp locations.
Following Mukambi’s motto of “unique by nature” each of the 3 camps has its very own character and style. The three camps are:
- Mukambi Safari Lodge
- Busanga Plains Camp
- Fig Tree Bush Camp
After a pleasant drive from Lusaka to Mukambi Safari Lodge, we were met upon arrival by Ntanga, who has been the Reservations Manager at the lodge for 6 years. We stayed 2 nights at Mukambi. The first night in one of their 8 x en suite chalets (rondavel type) which all face the Kafue River. The rooms have comfortable beds, mosquito nets, with 24hrs solar electricity and hot water.
We enjoyed sitting on the little patio in the late afternoon, reading a book and just listening to the world go by. There are no fences around the chalets/tents so you have to be escorted by a guide if you want to walk between the chalets/tents and the lodge after dark. We ensured we got to the gorgeous viewing deck above the dining room in time for a nice cold Gin and Tonic and Mosi beer while watching the sun set over the river. The view from the beautifully set up dining room is just as magical and the food served is of good quality, with Woody’s favourite being the fresh homemade rolls served with each meal.
We requested a wakeup call the following morning, and enjoyed our coffee on the patio while, watching one of the resident Kinda baboon troops frolicking in the trees and on the lawn in front of the chalet. Up until then we hadn’t realised there was more than one type of baboon, we were so used to the Chacma we get in Kariba. The Kinda seem “fluffier” and their faces are not as long. We were also fascinated to see what appeared to be a baby albino baboon, but we have heard since that apparently some of these baboons are born very pale, making them look like albinos, but once they reach the age of about 2, they slowly turn brown, like the rest of the troop. You learn something every day.
After a tasty breakfast we were all ready for a pre-booked fishing trip. Our fishing guide was the very knowledgeable Nicholas. We spent a wonderful morning fishing, catching many of what appeared to be a spotted squeaker, but is apparently known as the Upper Zambezi squeaker, or Bubblebarb squeaker. They looked different to the standard plain squeakers we catch in Kariba. We also caught quite a few small Silver barbel or Butter catfish, which we had only caught once before when fishing near the Nyaodza River. We enjoy the sport of fishing but always catch and release.
Our most exciting part of the fishing excursion was when we saw a lone Spurwing goose perched on a dead tree near us, get “warned” by an adult African fish eagle. The fish eagle gave an alarm call, causing the Spurwing goose to take flight. While in flight a juvenile Martial eagle very nearly caught the Spurwing, with the fish eagle flying interference! The Martial eagle “pulled up” last minute, and the Spruwing goose escaped. My flying crazy husband thought this was all great fun to watch. Having spoken to a few guides about this incident since then, it is generally believed the fish eagle wasn’t necessarily saving the goose, but being a territorial bird and the whole incident was more about pushing the Martial out of his area. Gosh, who would have thought we’d be witness to such a dramatic sighting?!
When we returned to the lodge we were in for a pleasant surprise, as we had been upgraded to one of the Luxury Safari Tents that have a private deck overlooking the river and surrounded by natural riverine trees and bush. My most FAVOURITE feature was the free-standing ball and claw bathtub that is found on each deck. It was divine to have a wonderful hot bubble bath that night while looking out on the majestic river, with stars peeking through the trees above. One of my most favourite memories while on safari so far.
Woody and I had an absolutely brilliant stay at Mukambi Safari Lodge, our only regret being that we were there out of season to view Mukambi’s sister camps: Fig Tree Bush Camp and Busanga Plains Camp, but then again, it gives us an excuse to go back. And go back we most definitely will do.
So, if you are needing a safari break, not too far from Lusaka and have never been to the Kafue National Park we would highly recommend taking a drive out to Mukambi. You most certainly won’t regret it.
My personal Rating of:
* Best outdoor bath with a view
Contact Us
Package Deals
For package deals that include accommodation, as well as other lodges, activities and annual event participation in and around the Eastern Highlands, Matopos, Kariba & Vic Falls area.
