MUKAMBI SAFARI LODGE
Welcome to Mukambi Safari Lodge, where it all began. Often referred to as “The Gateway to The Kafue National Park”, the lodge is situated on the banks of the glistening Kafue River. Live in the company of the local wildlife which find sanctuary around the lodge area including impalas, baboons, monkeys, elephants, hippos, leopard, jackal and even a small pride of lion; and of course, our resident wild cat Mauw! Seamlessly fitting into the surrounding wilderness the lodge has been designed with nature in mind. Thatched ceilings keep the interiors cool and wooden decks overlook the rambling river. After your game drive or fishing trip, cool down in the infinity pool while the hippos wallow in the river below or relax with a cold drink in hand in one of our lounge areas offering stunning panoramic views. Peruse our curio shop full of local treasures, proudly made by the women’s community group or indulge in a relaxing massage whilst listening to nature. As evening draws, chat to one of our friendly and knowledgeable guides on an activity or around the campfire before retiring to the comfort of your room and the sounds of the African night.
ACCOMMODATION
Mukambi Safari Lodge has three different accommodation options.
Chalet & Family Chalet
Eight en-suite chalets (rondavels), each sleeping two with one family unit sleeping four, are perched along a ridge facing the Kafue River with gardens and bush scrub leading down to the river’s edge. Furnished with either a queen size four-poster bed or two single four-poster beds, each one is made up with crisp cotton sheets, a duvet and mosquito net. The spacious family chalet has two bedrooms, one with a queen bed and the other with two single beds, plus a comfortable lounge. The bathrooms each come with a shower, toilet, vanity and refillable amenity bottles with shower gel, shampoo and body lotion. All chalets have electricity and hot water.
Riverside Villa
There are few experiences as special as a family safari. Our luxury family Riverside Villa, ideally situated right on the riverbank, has two large en-suite bedrooms (one with a queen-sized bed and the other with two single beds), a fully furnished living room, and a large wooden deck leading out over the Kafue River. At the end of a busy day’s activities climb into bed each night, made up with crisp cotton sheets, a duvet, and a mosquito net. Both bathrooms have a shower, toilet idem, and basin and the villa has electricity and hot water.
Luxury Safari Tent
Four luxury tented suites, each accommodating two people, offer the ultimate seclusion with private decks on poles, standing on the banks of the Kafue River. Each unit is cacooned by natural riverine bush and has an open plan bathroom with shower, toilet and vanity idem plus bath salts. Stylish interiors, with draped mosquito nets and luxurious box spring beds, lead out through sliding glass doors onto the wooden deck with a freestanding ball and claw bathtub and comfortable seating. The furniture is crafted from recycled wood, from the Dhows that used to sail the Indian Ocean. The standard king beds can be made up as twins on request.
- Rates are per person per night sharing.
- Single supplement 30%.
- Children between the ages of 4 and 11 inclusive pay 50% providing they are sharing with adults . Children younger than 4 stay for free.
- Mukambi main lodge welcomes children of all ages, but parents take their children on activities at their own risk
- Guests with children under 6 years old will be either grouped together or given a separate vehicle. Please discuss with reservations when making your booking.
- Minimum 2 night stay over Zambian public holidays/long weekends.
- Park fees are compulsory and are payable in cash to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Park on the day of departure if not included in your package.
Restaurant – Bar – Swimming pool
Centrally located you will find:
Our Boma (Restaurant/bar/wifi)
Infinity Pool and separate children’s paddling pool
Several decks with a spectacular view over the Kafue river
Meals
All accommodation offered at the lodge is on a full board basis (self-catering not permitted). We have a set 3 choice set menu but we do meet all dietary requirements i.e vegan, vegetarian, halaal, gluten, lactose etc.
Breakfast: A choice menu including amongst others full English breakfast, eggs Benedict, cereal and fresh fruit buffet, pastries, coffee, tea, hot chocolate or juice.
Lunch: a fixed menu is served which consists of a warm meal served with a meat (Beef, Pork,
Chicken or Fish) and either rice, potatoes or pasta and 2 different salads.
Dinner: A 3 choice menu including a vegetarian option is on offer every night.
Drinks
All drinks are included in the Mukambi Safaris all-inclusive packages. On our full-board rates they are extra.
Laundry
Complimentary laundry services.
Game Drives
Mukambi Safari Lodge offers game drives daily. One departs at sunrise and the afternoon drive (partly a night drive) leaves at approximately 2 hours before sunset. Drivers are 3.5 to 4 hours long. Our vehicles are located in the park, which is a short boat trip across the Kafue River, so all game drives depart from within the park. If you don’t spot the family of leopard, who frequent underneath our parked safari vehicles, our guides take you on several loops throughout the park, where you will undoubtedly find many varieties of antelopes, as well as birds, and if lucky, you can find the larger game, such as elephants, lions, leopards, wild dogs and cheetah. In the morning you can watch the sunrise as you search for game, then have a short tea and coffee break to stretch your legs, and later arrive at camp with a hot breakfast awaiting you. During our evening drives the guides find a nice spot to stop for a drink and watch the sun go down, before continuining into the night, attempting to spot the nocturnal game, such as bush baby, honey badgers as well as cats.
Walking Safaris
Walks leave in the early morning hours after sunrise to avoid the heat of the day. The walks take place in the Kafue National Park itself and are approximately 3 hours. Our guides will talk you through everything Kafue has to offer that otherwise goes unnoticed, showing how the whole ecosystem works together to support the National Park. You can find nature at its most untouched on such safaris. (Unfortunately not available due to the wet conditions and high grass from approximately Dec to May).
Fishing Trips
Fishing trips by boat take place at any time of day and are approximately 2.5 hours long. While out on the river, just you and your guide, you can enjoy the surrounding nature while fishing. We supply basic equipment and bait to assist you on your way to catching one of the many fish found in this area, whether that be a silver barbell, a larger cat fish or Kafue bream. Keen fishermen may bring their own equipemnt to take on the fishing trips.
Boat Cruises / Sunset Cruises
Boat cruises over the Kafue river can also take place at any time of the day but we also have a scheduled Sunset Cruise each evening. On the boat cruise we shall drive you slowly up the river, giving you the chance to take in the surroundings, have some sundowners and watch the sunset. You can bet your money you will see hippos and crocodiles and a plethora of birds, about which our guides can answer your questions.
Tour to Mukambi Community School
With the help of generous donors we were able to establish the Mukambi Community School. Daily visits to the school are scheduled after the morning activity.
Guests often ask us what they can bring as a gift for the school so we generally request for English reference books and children’s reading books and magazines for their library plus any consumables. However, any donations are well received!
Mukambi Safari Lodge is open all year round. Our peak-season is May-December, but during the Emerald Season (December-May), the Kafue National Park also has wonderful safaris to offer. Game might be a little harder to spot, but ‘the fifty shades of green’, stunning bright light (photographer’s best) and beauty of the bush still guarantee a unique and highly rewarding experience.
Mukambi Safari Lodge was one of the first and most established safari lodges in Kafue National Park and one of the few lodges open in the Northern and Central part of Kafue National Park that stays open all year around
RATES
Mukambi Safari Lodge is open all-year around. Please note there are two different rate types – All Inclusive or Full Board.
Chalets
Low Season
1 Jan 2024 - 30 June 2024All Inclusive: Meals, 2 activities per day and bar
Fullboard: Includes meals only USD250
Upgrade to our Riverside Villa for $60 per person per day. A minimum of 3 guests is required.
*Single Supplement not applicable
Peak Season
01 Jul 2024 - 31 Oct 2024All Inclusive: Meals, 2 activities per day and bar
Fullboard: Includes meals only USD325
Upgrade to our Riverside Villa for $60 per person per day. A minimum of 3 guests is required
*Single Supplement AI: USD137
*Single Supplement FB: USD98
Low Season
1 Nov 2024 - 31 Dec 2024All Inclusive: Meals, 2 activities per day and bar
Fullboard: Includes meals only USD250
Upgrade to our Riverside Villa for $60 per person per day. A minimum of 3 guests is required
*Single Supplement not applicable
Luxury Safari Tents
Low Season
1 Jan 2024 - 30 June 2024All Inclusive: Meals, 2 activities per day and bar
Fullboard: Includes meals only USD290
*Single Supplement not applicable
Peak Season
01 Jul 2024 - 31 Oct 2024All Inclusive: Meals, 2 activities per day and bar
Fullboard: Includes meals only USD360
Single Supplement FB: USD108
Single Supplement AI: USD149
Low Season
1 Nov 2024 - 31 Dec 2024All Inclusive: Meals, 2 activities per day and bar
Fullboard: Includes meals only USD290
*Single Supplement not applicable