Welcome to Busanga Bush Camp

Busanga Bush Camp lies on a verdant island in the heart of the Kafue’s Busanga Plains, a vast mosaic of grassy seasonal floodplains that extend to the horizon. When the mist rises off the drying floodplains in winter, incredible sunrises and sunsets can be experienced, and the plains and dambos teem with wildlife and birds. Due the remoteness and shortened tourism season here, our presence is vital for the survival of this fragile and extraordinary eco-system.

Overview

Busanga Bush Camp lies on a verdant island in the heart of the Kafue’s Busanga Plains, a vast mosaic of grassy seasonal floodplains that extend to the horizon. When the mist rises off the drying floodplains in winter, incredible sunrises and sunsets can be experienced, and the plains and dambos teem with wildlife and birds. Due the remoteness and shortened tourism season here, our presence is vital for the survival of this fragile and extraordinary eco-system.

Wildlife

The Busanga Plains are famed for its productive prides of lion. Other predators seen here include wild dog and cheetah which are drawn to the prolific plains game of the area. Puku, red lechwe, buffalo and wildebeest are just some of these, while a special treat is the resident herd of roan antelope. As the floodplains dry out more and more game is attracted from the surrounding woodlands and it is then that zebra numbers increase and sable venture out onto the plains. Hippo are also abundant and often found in large pods in the channels. For those interested in birding, the park boasts 491 species, including as the endemic Chaplin's barbet.

 Highlights

ï‚· An original and authentic traditional safari camp.

ï‚· Plains game abundance and diversity: lechwe, puku, roan - and excellent lion.

Example of a typical day

Morning wake-up and activity times vary according to the seasons, activities on offer and wildlife

Hightings.

ï‚· Early morning wake-up call.

ï‚· Light breakfast before departing on the morning activity.

ï‚· Return to camp for a meal and rest period.

ï‚· Meet for afternoon tea before departing on the activity.

ï‚· Return to camp - freshen up or meet for drinks, followed by dinner.

ï‚· Enjoy a nightcap or discussion around the fire before retiring.

Busanga Bush Camp lies on a verdant island in the middle of Kafue’s Busanga Plains. Day and night drives and seasonal boating take in the diverse wildlife in this remote place on the ground, or a hot air balloon ride by air.

Accommodation

Hidden beneath sycamore fig trees, this intimate camp has well-appointed en-suite tents, each with a veranda to take in the sweeping views. The main area - under canvas - is a relaxed space with uninterrupted panoramas over the plains and is a favourite space amongst guests, particularly at sunrise with the rising mist gradually reveals masses of lechwe and puku dotted across the floodplain. The ‘dining room’, a little further back, is shaded by the canopy of a majestic tree from which an unusual lantern chandelier hangs, romantically lighting up dinner.

Number of Tents

This camp can accommodate 08 guests in total, subject to concession numbers and/or concession availability.

ï‚· 04 x Tents in total comprising:

ï‚· 04 x twin-bedded meru-style safari tents each with two three quarter beds.

ï‚· A total of two mattress converters are available that transforms twin beds into king-size beds. To be arranged prior to arrival

Camp Design and Facilities

ï‚· Lounge, dining and bar areas under canvas on a raised wooden deck (with a multi-plugs adaptor charging centre for mobile devices in the main area) - with the camp being under a canopy of trees.

ï‚· Sunset deck for private dining for small groups.

ï‚· Viewing platform for sundowners/fire pit evenings and early morning teas.

ï‚· During winter months knee blankets are provided during dinner.

ï‚· Traditional boma for dining under the stars.

ï‚· Camp fire.

ï‚· Spotting scope.

ï‚· Guest toilet in main area.         

Number of Tents

This camp can accommodate 08 guests in total, subject to concession numbers and/or concession availability.

ï‚· 04 x Tents in total comprising:

ï‚· 04 x twin-bedded meru-style safari tents each with two three quarter beds.

ï‚· A total of two mattress converters are available that transforms twin beds into king-size beds. To be arranged prior to arrival.

Tents Facilities

ï‚· Meru-style safari tents on the ground, with sandy pathways on the ground.

ï‚· En-suite facilities with indoor shower, single vanity basin and toilet.

ï‚· Writing desk and chair, mosquito net, during winter months hot water bottles and extra blankets are provided, electronic safe.

ï‚· Complimentary in-tent Wi-Fi.

ï‚· Amenities include bathrobes, liquid soap, shampoo and conditioner, body lotion, insect repellent, shower caps, vanity kit with two cotton tipped swabs and cotton balls, tissue dispenser, washing powder (for smalls), umbrella, room spray and a mosquito coil are supplied in each tent.

Electricity and Water

ï‚· Electricity is supplied by a combination of diesel generators and large batteries with invertors and chargers.

ï‚· Sleep apnoea machines can be accommodated in the rooms, however, guests are to provide own device, spare batteries, charging unit and adaptors.

ï‚· At Busanga Bush Camp, guests will need to hand their batteries to the camp staff for charging, in either the main area or office while out on morning activities. It is, therefore, advisable to carry spare batteries.

ï‚· Water is heated by solar geysers.

ï‚· Potable water to the camp comes from a borehole

ï‚· Day and night game drives in 01 x 10-seater open Toyota Hilux. For an Adventures category of camp, in open game drive vehicles we generally do not allocate more than nine guests per vehicle (with seven “window” seats) if the numbers are made up of different booking parties.

ï‚· During winter months hot water bottles (on early morning game drives only), blankets and lined ponchos are provided.

ï‚· A pair of Olympus binoculars is available in each of the game drive vehicles for guests to share amongst themselves whilst game viewing and may be requested from our guides

ï‚· Water-based activities in 01 x 6-seater boat (water levels permitting and mostly at the beginning of the season).

ï‚· Birding.

ï‚· Stargazing with a laser pointer.

ï‚·  Hot air ballooning (a nominal fee will apply to this excursion and said conservation fee will aid anti-poaching efforts in and around the Kafue National Park [(subject to availability and to be booked and paid for in camp for any length of stay) - excursion available in August, September and October only - not in June or July (weather permitting, with guest numbers as a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 08 - all passengers must be able to stand for the duration of the flight (approximately 1.0 hour with the balloon flying with the wind so distance and area covered will depend on the direction and speed of the wind), bend knees into a squatting position, as well as be able to enter and exit the basket)].

RATING

5 Star

TYPE

Safari Lodge

NO. ROOMS

4

AVAILABLE SERVICES

Credit Card

CHILD POLICY

9 years and above are welcome

PET POLICY

Not allowed

OPERATIONAL PERIOD

July – October

SPECIAL INTERESTS

Birding, Nature, Wildlife

Approximately a 1hr45 minute flight from Livingstone to the North Kafue and an approximately a 1hr40 minute flight from Lusaka. 

Child Policy

ï‚· Children 06 years and older are accommodated.

ï‚· For families travelling with children between the ages of 06 and 12 years, private activities are not a requirement as families are accommodated on vehicles with other guests (Busanga Bush being an Adventures category of camp).

ï‚· Children between 06 and 16 years of age must share with at least one adult in the same tent.

ï‚· The minimum age for boating activities is 06 years (water levels permitting).

ï‚· In Zambia, the hot air ballooning is both weather permitting and seasonal, children less than 06 years are only allowed to participate in this activity, if taller than 1.2 metres, to comfortably see over the basket. An adult should accompany a child less than 16 years.

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Laundry Facilities

Laundry services are provided on a daily basis (weather permitting, items will be returned on the same day) and included on the FI rate basis. Laundry is dried by the sun and on most days any laundry placed out in the morning will be returned, washed, dried and ironed, by the evening.

Due to prevailing local cultural traditions, please place any underwear items in the mesh laundry bag provided, so that these can be machine washed separately. Should guests prefer to hand wash, environmentally friendly detergent is available in the tents or can be provided on request.

As an environmentally-aware company, we strive to reduce our water usage where we can. Since towel washing consumes an enormous amount of water, we follow the same policy used by most top establishments around the world: should guests want their towels washed, we request that guests please place these into the laundry basket/laundry bag supplied. Towels not in the laundry basket/laundry bag will be hung up and dried for their reuse.

Note that laundry services may be limited as a result of water shortages. We cannot be held liable for any damage to clothing.

Watch the mist rise off the drying ‘Plains of Plenty’ in winter, when sunrises and sunsets are especially sensational. On game drives or in camp witness unparalleled wildlife extravaganzas, with dramatic predator action. At the start of the season when the water is high, boat through the channels, encountering hippos, crocs, red lechwe, puku, water birds, and countless other species; as the waters recede, see the ‘flying lions’ leap from small island to small island, in pursuit of prey. Marvel at the infinite antelope herds, with more species than anywhere else in Africa. Listen for the iconic cry of the fish-eagle, the soundtrack of Busanga.