Top 10 Best Kafue National Park Luxury Lodges & Camps

By Ariadne van Zandbergen

Zambia’s largest and oldest safari destination, Kafue National Park spans an incredible area of 22,400km²/8,649mi². This massive wilderness is an important stronghold of Zambia’s wildlife.

There are plenty of places to stay in Kafue. On the outskirts, you’ll find a good selection of solid luxury lodges offering all the usual mod cons. Deep inside the park, camps tend to be small and intimate. These authentic bush camps offer a rustic but equally luxurious experience. Read on for some of the top safari lodges and camps in Kafue National Park.

The accommodations below are not ranked in a specific quality order.

45 Kafue Safaris

1. Mukambi Safari Lodge

Mukambi Safari Lodge Mukambi offers good value for money and comfortable accommodations on the banks of the Kafue River

Located on the bank of the Kafue River looking across to the national park, Mukambi Safari Lodge is a convenient gateway to the Kafue wilderness. This solidly built lodge offers accommodations in thatched chalets and is the perfect choice if you’re not ready to let go of all your creature comforts. For a more adventurous safari, you can combine Mukambi Safari Lodge with a stay at one of its sister camps, either Busanga Plains Camp or Fig Tree Bush Camp, deeper into the park.

Mukambi Tours

2. Fig Tree Bush Camp

Fig Tree Bush Camp A rustic tented camp with just four tree-house chalets, Fig Tree provides a very exclusive experience

Fig Tree Bush Camp is a small satellite camp of Mukambi Safari Lodge and is perfectly located to explore the central area of the park. It comprises four tented chalets elevated on 3m-/10ft-high platforms overlooking the Shishamba River and the surrounding bush. A big fig tree offers ample shade over the communal areas and a dip in the infinity pool will also help to keep you cool.

Fig Tree Tours

3. Mawimbi Bush Camp

Mawimbi Bush Camp Mawimbi offers a great range of activities, including canoe safaris on the Kafue River

Located on the bank of the main river in the southern sector of Kafue, Mawimbi Bush Camp is a simple four-tented camp that offers a great bush experience. Tents can be made up as doubles or twins and additional beds can be added for families. Each tent has a private veranda, and outdoor hot-water bucket showers are prepared on demand. Mawimbi offers an exciting range of activities, including game drives, walking safaris and fishing. Adventure seekers can also embark on a canoe safari, which can be anything from a short drift to a full-day exploration of the river.

Mawimbi Tours

4. Chisa Busanga Camp

Chisa Busanga Camp Chisa is an iconic ecofriendly bush camp with stilted bird’s nest accommodations on the Busanga Plains

A stay at Chisa Busanga Camp is a unique experience. The rooms at Chisa (meaning ‘bird’s nest’ in the local language) are inspired by the intricately woven weaver bird nests. Four stilted nests blend seamlessly into the bush while providing a luxurious sleeping environment. The plunge pool and firepit are great focal points in the main area. The camp aims to keep its environmental impact to a minimum and uses only solar power, including for its game-drive vehicle.

Chisa Busanga Tours

5. Ila Safari Lodge

Ila Safari Lodge Ila is an ecofriendly luxury tented lodge on the bank of the Kafue River

Ila Safari Lodge has 10 luxury safari tents perched on elevated wooden decks to allow sweeping views over the Kafue River. Wooden doors give access to your canvas tent, which is furnished with local woods and soft textiles. Mature trees from the surrounding riverine forest provide permanent shade, perfect for an afternoon snooze in your private hammock. In keeping with the ethos of its parent company, Green Safaris, activities include game drives in fully electric silent e-cruisers and boat trips in a solar-powered e-boat.

Ila Tours

6. Nanzhila Plains Camp

Nanzhila Plains Camp A birders’ paradise in a remote corner of Kafue National Park

An owner-managed camp in southern Kafue, Nanzhila Plains Camp overlooks a waterhole that is frequented by thirsty animals, especially in the Dry season. Accommodations are provided in three luxury safari tents and three chalets. While the camp is great for general wildlife viewing, the birding is even better. Near-guaranteed sightings of the endemic black-cheeked lovebird close to camp makes this place a must for keen birders.

Nanzhila Plains Tours

7. Busanga Plains Camp

Busanga Plains Camp Small, intimate tented camp with great views over the famous Busanga Plains

Busanga Plains Camp is a great option for an exclusive stay at the wildlife-rich Busanga Plains. Operated by Mukambi Safaris, the camp consists of four tented units with open-air bathrooms, tucked away on a shady tree island surrounded by grassland. The fireplace, dining area and swimming pool are set on a raised wooden deck. For an eagle’s-eye view, you can climb high onto a stilted viewing platform nestled in a majestic fig tree.

Busanga Plains Tours

8. Musekese Camp

Musekese Camp Authentic owner-run bush camp known for its excellent walking safaris

In the remote northeast corner of Kafue, Musekese Camp is best described as a home away from home. Accommodations are provided in just five spacious tented guest rooms overlooking a beautiful lagoon. The main area is kept very simple and consists of an open-sided canvas lounge and bar area, which leads out to a deck used for alfresco dining. The camp is owner-run and prides itself on exceptional guiding. All the usual activities, such as game drives and boat trips, are available but there is a strong emphasis on walking here.

Musekese Tours

9. Busanga Bush Camp

Busanga Bush Camp Exclusive luxury bush camp on the wildlife-filled Busanga Plains

Tucked under sycamore fig trees, the Busanga Bush Camp sits on an island in the heart of the wildlife-rich Busanga Plains. This intimate camp consists of just four spacious tented suites, each looking out over the floodplains. The cozy dining area is lit at night by a spectacular multi-lantern chandelier. Wildlife-viewing activities include game drives, walking safaris and outings on a swamp boat. In the evening, everyone gathers around the fireplace under the stars to recount the highlights of the day.

Busanga Bush Tours

10. Mayukuyuku Bush Camp

Mayukuyuku Bush Camp This rustic tented lodge with views of the Kafue River offers great value for money

Mayukuyuku (meaning ‘water hitting rocks’) is situated downstream from some rapids on the bank of the meandering Kafue River. This down-to-earth rustic camp consists of just four luxury standing tents under thatch roofs. Each has its own veranda and hammock to laze on during the heat of the day. The adjoining reed-fenced bathrooms are open to the stars. Meals are prepared with local produce and served at a communal dining table.

Mayukuyuku Tours