My Adventure in Zambia with The Bushcamp Company
By Farah Kaba, Travel & Cruise ConsultantUpdated October 2026 · 9 min read
Quick takeaways
- South Luangwa National Park in eastern Zambia is famous for walking safaris and abundant wildlife, and it’s far from the busy safari crowds.
- Getting there took about 24 hours: Toronto to Addis Ababa, on to Lusaka, then a small plane to Mfuwe.
- Farah spent 6 days with The Bushcamp Company at Mfuwe Lodge, where elephants walk through reception in mango season, and at Kapamba bushcamp.
- Days start at 5:30 a.m. with walking safaris and end with night drives, and the food and beds are far better than you might expect!
If someone came up to me and asked if I’d like to take a trip where I have to be in my room by nightfall and wake up at 5am everyday. Travel on 3 planes and 24 hours to get to my destination. My answer would be ABSOLUTELY NOT.
If they told me I would experience something unreal, something magical, somewhere where my mind would be the most calming it’s ever been and I would feel at peace in my surrounding, and feel like I can breathe without feeling the weight of the world, but the only catch was that I had to travel to Africa to experience this.. I would have told them THEY were out of their mind. I would never go.
Despite all that I made this trek. This was the biggest and longest journey I have ever done.
Let me tell you. Africa is just…….
-I have no words that describe what I felt and saw.
The land of the legendary African walking safari, Victoria Falls, the wild Zambezi River, abundant wildlife and untamed wilderness – all in one friendly country. This is Zambia- not your typical, popular African country that travellers go to experience safaris
Getting to South Luangwa
Our travels took us from Toronto to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport for a connection – just enough time to stock up on Ethiopian coffee and make it to the next gate to catch our flight to Lusaka the Capital of Zambia. From Lusaka we boarded a small aircraft that flew us into Zambia’s smallest airport within the National Park.
Finally, after 24 hours of travel time we finally made it to Zambia’s iconic South Luangwa National Park and its main settlement of Mfuwe. This is a little hidden gem in Africa- the Eastern Province of Zambia.
A community that works together
While there are many camps in the area that all offer lodging and game drives. What really impresses me about all these Camps/Lodges and Safari Companies in Mfuwe, is that they don’t compete for business in the travel industry. They don’t compete in the game drives everyone is respectful of each other and courteous. They all work together and come as one.
Why? To support this community, the schools, the families, the children. To Support their Country.
I love how they have programs in schools so kids can make a career being a guide or a ranger in the camps and in the parks, cause these Lodges and camps employ locally.
When you visit these places you see the rangers, the lodge/camp staff how proud they are of their nation and their land, the stories they tell you of their families and their lives. This is what travelling is all about.
Mfuwe Lodge
I spent 6 days at The Bushcamp Company, in Mfuwe. During my time I got to enjoy their Main Lodge-Mfuwe Lodge on the outskirts of the Park.
Their open concept main lodge is a favourite with the locals- well not your typical human locals– elephants walk through Mfuwe Lodge to eat the fruit from a wild mango tree located in the lodge’s courtyard, typically from late October to mid-December. They follow an ancient pathway that existed before the lodge was built, and a particular family has learned to walk directly through the open-air reception instead of going around, a behavior passed down through generations. If you travel during those times you can see elephants walk through the lodge yourself.
Farah’s tipWant to see elephants walk through Mfuwe Lodge? Plan your trip between late October and mid-December, when the wild mangoes are ripe.
Their open air, lounge, dining, and bar areas overlook two lagoons and the wallowing hippo and thirsty wildlife will keep you entertained. There are 18 air-conditioned chalets scattered around the gardens and secluded verandas outside each providing a lovely vantage point for the comings and goings. Inside, each chalet there is a comfortable sitting room, imperial King or twin beds, and a spacious en suite bathroom with walk-in shower.
Not to forget the spa that is located at the Lodge and yes, their massages are so good after a long day on a game drive or a long walking safari, under the African skies.
We also got to enjoy a night at the Director’s House as well that is also located on the grounds of Mfuwe Lodge. The house has two spacious, interconnecting bedrooms (both with ensuite bathrooms), an enclosed garden with a private pool and a firepit, pizza oven, and braai area. In the heat of the day, relax on the verandah with a book or take a dip in the pool – and watch out for the resident monkeys who sometimes wander through the gardens!
Kapamba bushcamp
After spending a few days at Mfuwe Lodge we packed up along with a bottle of the most amazing homemade chili sauce- ( I did guard that bottle with my life) all secure in the jeep
We moved deep into the Wildlife Park to the next camp called Kapamba.
Surrounded by some of the park’s richest wildlife, the central living and dining area at Kapamba huddles under matumi and sausage trees, opening onto an extended deck with a swimming pool. Cool, contemporary, and utterly original, the open-fronted bedrooms boast wide verandas and twin showers with views of the river. At night, pull closed the wrought-iron shutters and enjoy the sights and sounds of the night without worrying about unwanted visitors. Right under the stars, in their tree houses- which are called Salas. It was incredible.
Sleeping under the stars is a whole new level of sleep- I had the best sleep of my life while being in Zambia.. the clean air and the silence and tranquility- it really does something to you and your body you feel rejuvenated.
Let me tell you how cool it was to see elephants just walking across your camp or pass the swimming pool while you are swimming, just so surreal!
Is a safari in Zambia safe?
I can be honest and tell you that I was scared to make this kind of journey something unknown to me, an unknown country, what’s going to happen when I land, where will I go, what will I do? Will someone try to hustle me? Will I get kidnapped???
If you have that same feeling, let me tell you there is no need to be scared or have doubts on this kind of journey with our tour partners. From the moment I stepped on the ground in Zambia, and I saw our Agent in Lusaka holding up a sign with my name on it- they made me feel at ease- they took care of everything for us until it was time to catch our flight to the Bushcamps. There was no hesitation after that. I knew I was in good hands. I was from start to finish.
A day on safari
This kind of trip is not a typical Vacation- you are on a strict schedule as well as strict rules.
Once night falls you are escorted right to your chalet/Room. You cannot be loud or roam around alone. There are night guards patrolling 24/7. So, if you do ever need anything there is someone right there. You just get their attention by flashing the flashlight.
This is what our days consisted of while we were on safari:
- 05:30 – wake-up call
- 06:00 – light breakfast (cereals, fruit, muffins, toast, tea, coffee, etc.)
- 06:30 – morning guided walking safari – drive a short distance, then park vehicle and walk 2 – 3 hours, or Game drive upon request – stopping for tea and biscuits along the way
- 11:00 – brunch
- 16:00 – afternoon tea
- 16:30 – afternoon/evening safari – game drive to sundowners and snacks at a pretty spot in the Park, followed by evening game drive (afternoon walks may be available upon request)
- 19:45 – return to camp to freshen up before dinner
- 20:00 – dinner
After brunch there is a siesta time when the animals and people sleep in the shade – you can relax in the lounge, enjoy a siesta in your chalet, read your book on the deck – just relax during this quiet time of the day
It’s a long day but it went by so fast that we didn’t even feel exhausted with all the excitement and adventures. Every day was a different experience. Every day we got to see different animals and learn about the way they live. Every night was my favourite time when we got to go back out at sunset and do a night drive- to see the animals out at night and being under the stars- scary and exciting at the same time. The best experience ever.
These guides are so good- they keep you safe through your whole game drives. You have a driver, a spotter with the bright light as well as the park ranger.
The beds and the food
I had this vision in my head that I would be sleeping in some tent on the ground in a horrible bed, eating food that would be so boring and would I be hungry throughout the stay.
The beds and the bedding were soo good- I may have wanted to take the duvet home with me. When I say I may have- I did try to see if I could sneak it into my backpack. but sadly, it didn’t fit, and I had to settle for taking a picture of the tag so I could hunt one down and buy one for my bed.
What I like about the camps, is that they are small so you are only with a small group of people at a time. Your guides have meals with you and they socialize and get to know you. It’s so great. It’s very personalized. There were 4 of us guests and then our 3 guides along with the camp staff so they got to really know what we liked, and hand delivered coffee every morning!
The food at the camp is so good I honestly didn’t think that I would be fed so well…I was. We had gourmet meals, we had locals’ favourites, we had the most decadent desserts and treats at teatime. We had coffee and snacks in the middle of the wildlife park. We made our own pizza from scratch in the middle of a safari and cooked it in an authentic pizza oven. Let me tell you Zambian cooking is so flavourful.
Not at all as how I imagined it would be. It’s fresh!! Fresh from the farm that they have. So, it’s not only hotel and guides that the Bushcamp employs but they have farmers as well- its truly a company that makes a difference for their community.
There is so much I can say and want to say. Which is good because then you will come back for the next blog to read about our actual safari experience! I hope this was entertaining and maybe gives you an idea to travel to Zambia to experience something different.
Planning your own Zambia safari
Ready to see South Luangwa for yourself? Here’s what we tell clients who are planning a safari in Zambia.
- When to go: the dry season (roughly May to October) is the classic time for game viewing, as animals gather near the river and lagoons. October is the hottest month, and the green season brings lush scenery, baby animals and fewer visitors.
- Check camp seasons: some of the smaller bushcamps close in the rainy season, so if you want to stay at a camp like Kapamba, plan around its open dates.
- Getting there from Canada: expect two or three flights. Farah flew Toronto to Addis Ababa to Lusaka, then took a small plane into Mfuwe.
- Pack light and soft: small planes have strict luggage limits, so bring a soft-sided bag and neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, green and beige) for walking safaris.
- Health and entry: check the current entry requirements before you book, and visit a travel clinic well ahead of your trip to ask about malaria prevention and vaccines.
- Add another stop: Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River make an easy add-on before or after your safari.
Farah’s tipBring a good pair of binoculars and a flashlight or headlamp. You’ll use the binoculars on every drive, and the flashlight is how you signal the night guards from your room.
Ready for something different? Email Farah at fkaba@travitudetravelgroup.ca for a quote on your own Zambian safari.
FAQs
How do you get to South Luangwa National Park?
Farah flew from Toronto to Addis Ababa, on to Lusaka, and then took a small plane to Mfuwe, about 24 hours of travel in total.
When do elephants walk through Mfuwe Lodge?
Typically from late October to mid-December, when elephants come to eat fruit from a wild mango tree in the lodge’s courtyard.
What is a typical day on safari in Zambia?
A 5:30 a.m. wake-up, a morning walking safari or game drive, brunch and a midday siesta, afternoon tea, then an afternoon and evening game drive before dinner at 8 p.m.
Is a safari in Zambia safe?
Farah felt completely at ease. Local partners met her on arrival and took care of everything, guides keep you safe on every drive, and night guards patrol the camps 24/7.
When is the best time to go on safari in South Luangwa?
The dry season, roughly May to October, is best for game viewing because animals gather near water. From late October to mid-December you may also see elephants walking through Mfuwe Lodge for the wild mangoes.
What should I pack for a safari in Zambia?
Pack light in a soft-sided bag for the small plane, with neutral-coloured clothing, comfortable walking shoes, a warm layer for early mornings and night drives, sunscreen, a hat, binoculars and a flashlight.
