Busanga Plains Camp

a truly authentic safari experience

Mukambi Busanga Plains Camp is located in the Kafue area of western Zambia.

The correct name for this property is Busanga Bush Camp, but in some places it is referred to as Mukambi Busanga Bush Camp and Mukambi Bush Camp.

The camp is centred on a tented mess, leading out to a campfire area.

Guest accommodation at Busanga Plains Camp is in just four pleasantly modest safari tents, unfortunately with outdoor bathrooms.

Activities

Busanga Plains Camp provides the following guided activities.

• vehicle safari
• bush meals
• night vehicle safari

Kafue is generally considered to be the third best safari location in Zambia, after South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi, but the lower visitor numbers and more remote feel definitely increase its appeal.

The usual stay duration in Kafue is 3-4 nights in one camp or 4-7 nights split across two camps.

Seasonality

Safari in Kafue is very seasonal and careful planning is extremely important.

Early dry season : May-Jun

The May-Jun season is a period of transition from the hot wet summer to the cool dry winter. Although it is generally considered to be a decent time to visit, before the harshness of the main dry season kicks in.

In dry years the green season should be reaching an end, the long grass should be yellowing and the animals starting to move back towards the permanent water sources, all of which should lead to an increase in sightings.

In wetter years some elements of the green season conditions may endure all the way into June, making wildlife viewing a little more challenging.

However the Busanga Plains can remain very difficult to access and get around during this period, the black cotton soils here are famously sticky. Some camps get over this by maintaining a helicopter for transfers in and out, others delay their opening until conditions become easier.

During May-Jun, temperatures can drop pretty low during the night, but this has little adverse effect on safari, the days are gorgeous and there are virtually no insects around.

The majority of camps are significantly discounted during this period, perhaps 20% less than during the peak dry season.

Dry season : Jul-Sep

The Jul-Sep dry season is the classic time to visit Kafue and is generally considered to be the best time for wildlife viewing, as serious numbers of animals are drawn into the permanent water sources from the vast dry hinterland.

During Jul-Aug the cooler temperatures of the preceding season can continue, but this has little adverse effect on safari, the days are gorgeous and there are virtually no insects around. The weather during Aug-Sep should be perfect.

This is very much the high season in terms of prices. Visitor numbers are also peaking. Although this is rarely a major issue in Kafue, it’s worth considering some traffic avoidance measures during the planning process.

Hot season : Oct-Dec

The Oct-Dec hot season represents the transition period between the peak of the dry season and the start of the rains.

During this period the temperatures and humidities can become uncomfortably high in advance of the rains. This can be a very significant issue, especially since the vast majority of camps do not have air-conditioning.

If considerable rainfall does arrive (usually during December) it usually brings a blessed relief from the high temperatures, but can be heavy and prolonged.

Of course the animals are delighted to see the rain and may start to migrate outwards from the permanent waterholes, potentially causing a marked drop off in sightings.

Some of the camps close for the end of the season in November, others continue through to the Dec-Jan holiday season.

The majority of camps are significantly discounted during Nov-Dec, perhaps 20% less than during the peak dry season.

Green season : Jan-Apr

The period Jan-Apr is the main green season in Kafue, when the area experiences the majority of its rainfall.

At this time the landscapes tend to be verdant and beautiful, the animals well fed and there’s lots of babies around, providing a great contrast to the harshness of the dry season.

With the wildlife being more dispersed and the long grasses providing extra cover, wildlife viewing can be a good deal more difficult, usually causing a drop off in sightings.

The temperatures and humidities are usually higher than usual, although not usually to the extent of the preceding season. Conditions are usually pleasant enough.

It’s the Dec-Feb period which threatens the greatest chance of more cloud and rain, with safari conditions potentially becoming a good deal more challenging.

Most of the camps in Kafue are closed at this time, only those which are within easy reach of the Great West Road tend to stay open. These camps also tend to be significantly discounted throughout this season, perhaps 30% less than during the peak dry season.

Getting there

Busanga Plains Camp can be accessed by light aircraft into the Busanga Airstrip, from where there are flight connections from and to Livingstone and Lusaka.

The camp is a satellite of the much larger Mukambi Safari Lodge, further to the south, so the two are often used in combination, usually in a 3-3-1 combination with this camp in the middle.

Another option is to combine Mukambi Safari Lodge with Busanga Plains Camp and Fig Tree Bush Camp, the latter being back down south, close to the main Lusaka road, usually in a 2-3-2 combination.

The road transfer between Busanga Plains and the two more southerly camps is a reasonably tough journey of around five hours each way.

usually combined with Livingstone and other safari areas