Kuyenda Bushcamp

respectful of the local safari tradition

Kuyenda Bushcamp is located in the South Luangwa South area of eastern Zambia.

The camp is in a pleasant riverside setting in the southern sector of the reserve, some 17 km as the crow flies from the main Mfuwe Bridge Gate and 5 km past the last major lodge.

It is set on the western bank of the seasonal Manzi River, around 2 km upstream from its confluence with the main Luangwa River.

This was one of the first camps to be built in the park and has been kept deliberately simple, here you can experience safari largely as it was in times gone by. Many guests praise this simplicity and describe how it definitely made them feel ‘closer to nature’ than at other camps.

Crossing the open plain in front of camp, we arrive by vehicle directly to the open-sided thatched ‘chitenge’, which contains the modest bar, lounge and dining spaces. A little further on through the trees the path emerges onto the open plains, where there is a nice campfire area.

Rooms

Guest accommodation at Kuyenda Bushcamp is in four very simple round bandas, constructed of reedwork under thatch. The walls come to waist high, above which there is a simple chicken-wire screen to keep out the big critters. The netted beds are very comfortable and the floors are dressed in gorgeous locally-made reed matting. Out back there is an outdoor bathroom, with conventionally plumbed basins and toilet. Hot water for the shower is provided manually on request, in the age-old safari way.

It is clear from guest feedback that this camp is a big favourite, people really love Kuyenda.

Animals in camp

One aspect that we always appreciate it the amount of animals that come into Kuyenda Bushcamp, there are often zebras, impalas and Thornicroft giraffes grazing on the plains in front of the rooms and elephants often pass through the camp itself, notably munching on the reedwork walls from time to time.

Hippos and hyenas can often be heard at night, as well as the roaring of passing lions.

Activities

Kuyenda Bushcamp provides the following guided activities …

• vehicle safari
• walking safari
• night vehicle safari

South Luangwa is a very high quality safari area that often serves as the primary location in a trip.

The stay duration tends to be 5-8 nights split between two camps, or more occasionally 3-5 nights at one camp. Three camp combinations are also possible.

Seasonality

The best time to visit South Luangwa is during the May-Oct dry season, when the wildlife is focused on the riverine areas and easy to find.

Within that period, May-Jul is pleasantly cool at night, but the animals may not yet be fully migrated back into the river.

Towards the end of that period, Oct-Nov the wildlife should be at its strongest, but the weather is likely to be uncomfortably hot, especially at night. Bear in mind that most camps do not have air-conditioning.

Getting around

South Luangwa lies to the east of the country and is usually accessed by light aircraft services from Lusaka or Livingstone.

From Mfuwe Airport it is three hours by road into camp.

usually combined with Livingstone and other safari areas