ZAMBIA ADVENTURE WITH BUSHCAMP COMPANY
I recently returned from the most extraordinary trip to Zambia with my travel buddy, SheShe. I’m still soaking it all in. Though I’ve been to Africa before, this experience with Bushcamp Company was completely different….. absolutely unforgettable. Their properties are all located inside South Luangwa National Park. This area is known as one of the best places in all of Africa to view wildlife, thanks to its seven distinct habitats and incredible biodiversity. You can really feel that as soon as you set out…. wildlife everywhere in the peace and quiet.
Bushcamp has two lodges, and six camps. We stayed first at Mfuwe Lodge, second camp Chindeni, and finally Kukaya Lodge (see the map above). Each one offered its own stunning setting and next-level luxury. Imagine glamping, but elevated with incredible food, plush accommodations, and views that took our breath away. What really made this trip unique were the twice-daily game drives (our guide called them that, and not safaris), one at sunrise and another in the late afternoon that extended into the dark. These drives gave us the best chance to see Zambia’s amazing wildlife, and we did….. around 30 different animals! The leopard stole my heart! Such a graceful and powerful creature.
But what made Bushcamp special, was their mission. Founder Andy Hogg has created something far beyond a travel experience. He and his team are deeply involved in humanitarian efforts throughout the region. Bushcamp has funded nearly 300 clean water wells in surrounding villages, supports local schools by paying student tuition, as well as provide meals at the school, and runs a working farm that provides 90% of the food served in the camps. The Bushcamp Company also sells elephant keyrings, their iconic logo inspired by the herds that pass through Mfuwe Lodge. These colorful keepsakes aren’t just souvenirs, but part of a fundraising initiative called Keyrings for Conservation. They bring in around $100,000 per year to Bushcamp’s conservation and community-mission projects. It’s rare to see luxury and purpose woven together so seamlessly.
OUR DAY TO DAY JOURNEY BEGINS…
DAYS ONE AND TWO – MFUWE LODGE
After nearly 30 hours in the air, we were picked up at the airport and driven about 45 minutes to the jaw-dropping Mfuwe Lodge. We were welcomed with a glass of fresh fruit juice and a quick tour of the property, which included the most gorgeous spa, inviting common areas, and a pool with a view. Then we were shown to our private villas……. WOWZERS! These aren’t just rooms, they are beautifully designed overlooking a lagoon off the Luangwa River, complete with a sitting area, gorgeous back patio, and a spacious bathroom!
Right outside my door? A troop of playful baboons that were super entertaining! We even had some hippo drama one afternoon, happening right in front of our chalets. Two males were at each other, which if you’re not aware can be the most aggressive of all the animals. Staff was always there to watch out for us, and we always felt very safe. Each night of our trip, we had escorts to and from our rooms, as an extra precaution.
Our guide throughout the trip was Suzyo Zimba. He was INCREDIBLE. There wasn’t ever anything he didn’t know….. from the animals and their behaviors, to the layout of the land, the plants, literally everything! I asked him one day if he ever got lost out driving us around, because he’d go back and forth, and around and around. He said no, he knew the park like the back of his hand…. and he did! He was so accommodating, and would always ask how long we wanted to be out, and if we were up for the next drive. LOVED Suzyo!!
That afternoon, we were treated to a 30-minute massage at the spa, which overlooks the water. You’ll see from the picture below, how dreamy it was! The setting was as calming as the massage. It was so relaxing after two days of travel. We loved it so much, we booked for the next day! Later, we went on our first game drive…. and WOW! In just a few hours we saw elephants, zebras, crocodiles, hippos, warthogs, water buffalo, impala, and even an African Fish Eagle. Our guide explained that animals see the jeep as a whole, not individual humans. As long as we stayed inside the vehicle, we were always safe. This was sort of mind-boggling when we were just feet away from the leopards!
It’s good to note, that both lodges have internet. However the camps do not. This is wonderful if you want to totally unplug, but if you have to have access to the outside world…. you may want to stick closer to the lodges. Amy, who is over operations, was amazing to reshuffle our camp stays, and give us a couple more nights in the lodges, to finish up some last minute projects. She is amazing at her job, going above and beyond…. her passion for Bushcamp is palpable!
DAYS THREE AND FOUR OFF TO CHINDENI CAMP
Just when I thought my Bushcamp experience couldn’t get better….. it did! We left early in the morning for camp Chindeni, my absolute favorite of the trip. While Mfuwe Lodge was beautiful and comfy, Chindeni felt like the Africa I’d always dreamed of…. authentic, rustic, quiet, and tucked away in the heart of the wild. Chindeni has elevated tents, luxury in the middle of nowhere, and just four tented chalets available, creating a beautiful sense of peace and solitude.
On the way, we stopped at another Bushcamp property…. camp Bilimungwe. But first, we had our very first giraffe sighting. And not just any sighting…. this one came with some drama. A male giraffe casually walked up to another male and female, and before we knew it, he had stolen the girl! Our guide, Suzyo, narrated the whole thing like a wildlife documentary! WATCH MY REEL to catch a snippet of this wild romance in action!
The team at Bilimungwe greeted us with a charming welcome song and a refreshing glass of juice….. such a warm and personal touch. This camp is also small and intimate, with just four reed-and-thatched rooms. The crew at Bilimungwe treated us to a yummy lunch of hamburgers and salad, all with an incredible view of the forest.
Over the next two days, the wildlife sightings were spectacular…. elephants, hippos, crocodiles, baboons, the giraffes, and our first leopard on a nighttime game drive. One morning, we went on a walking safari, which turned out to be one of the most fascinating experiences. We learned about the little things…. animal tracks, insect life, plants, and even the “love language” of the forest. That’s where I found my treasured Guinea Fowl feather for my hat! Suzyo told us how scout ants lead their colony to termite mounds, collect termites, and bring them back to feed the rest. He also explained how some animals choose mates by scent (and that means smelling droppings). Funny and slightly gross, right??
Another fun fact I’ll never forget…. giraffe calves don’t have strong scent glands, but their mothers do. To protect the babies from predators, mothers actually sleep a good distance away from them so the predators won’t follow her scent to the calf. Nature’s parenting is brilliant! Another is that they typically begin breeding around the age of five. Over their lifetime, they’ll have about five to six calves. Their pregnancies last for 15 months!!
For safety, we had a scout with us on the walking safari, armed just in case something unexpected happened. Honestly, I never ever felt unsafe. And because our trip was private, just me and SheShe, we had the freedom to ask endless questions and get a really personal experience.
Bushcamp’s sundowner experience is peaceful, romantic, and yes (that word again)….. dreamy! I sadly missed out on this one because of an intense migraine. But just think…. sitting by the water with a drink in hand, watching the sun set, lanterns lit up around you is the perfect way to end a day in Zambia. Simply relaxing and unforgettable!
The afternoons at Chindeni were pure bliss! I’m not a nap-taker, but I happily indulged in siestas in my luxe chalet, with nothing but the sounds of the wild around me. Are you kidding? I’m telling you like MAGIC! Our night game drives (sundowners) were equally magical, watching the sky turn vivid shades of orange and red, with Suzyo always producing the most beautiful spreads of drinks and snacks. You can see that days three and four were everything I’d hoped an African safari would be!
DAYS FIVE AND SIX IN ZAMBIA
Our last stop with Bushcamp Company was Kukaya, their other lodge…. another exquisite collection with thatched luxury tents tucked into the beauty of the Zambian bush. SheShe and I shared one of the larger tents, with two separate bedrooms and a spacious living area in between. After several days off the grid, we were grateful for the Wi-Fi connection there, but even more grateful for the whole adventure itself!!
On the drive over, Suzyo’s eagle eyes spotted a leopard off in the distance….. a young female, maybe 8 months old. Seeing a leopard in daylight was truly special! She was so calm and unbothered by our presence just a few feet away. WATCH MY REEL HERE. I seriously could watch the leopards for hours. We got another chance too, on our afternoon game drive. As I said earlier, this was my favorite animal of the whole adventure!
Our final days were packed with wildlife magic! We spotted the stunning Lilac-breasted Roller, a small bird with seven vivid colors. Even more cool than that, was a pack of African wild dogs. These fascinating creatures have a 70% success rate when hunting, one of the highest of any predator. Their spotted coats of black, tan, and white almost look like they were painted by hand. Watching them run out in the wild was really fun to see! We probably followed them for a good 45 minutes. Suzyo knew just where to go when the disappeared into the brush. And then there were more hippos…. a fun fact from our guide: yes, they do eat the hippo meat! We learned that one hippo can produce 2.5 tons of meat, which supposedly tastes like beef. Who would have thought?
We thought we were on our way to Kukaya….. but SURPRISE!! We were treated to an amazing make-your-own pizza lunch, all set up next to the water. Not only was it delicious and unexpected, but one of those small moments that ends up being one of the highlights. Again, the attention to detail was never missed. Bushcamp knows how to do an African Safari vacation right!!!! Every single thing you could possibly imagine…. happened for us and more!!!!!
Once we were settled in at Kukaya, Suzyo arranged for us to visit Mfuwe School located in Mfuwe Village (Facebook here). This is a school that Bushcamp Company helps support, through boarding fees and food. In just the secondary school, there are 47 teachers and over 1500 students, with 500 of them who are boarding. There are just 23 computers, so only grades 8 and 9 have access to them. While we were there, we saw some of the students testing, and it was really inspiring to see their focus. The kids, all in uniform, looked so nice! One of Bushcamp’s most impactful contributions has been providing daily lunches. They discovered that when students stayed at school for lunch instead of going home, attendance dramatically improved! An incredible thing, to know that these kid’s education doesn’t get interrupted, and they are getting a full day of learning.
Suzyo also took us to see one of the water wells Bushcamp installed in a nearby village. These wells provide clean water for everyone, with the simple rule that it can’t be wasted. There were kids everywhere and so full of life! Their smiles and joy were contagious! At one point, a mother handed me her brand-new baby to hold….. a moment I will NEVER forget!
I was truly moved learning about the humanitarian heart of Bushcamp Company…. a vision born from Andy Hogg when he arrived in Zambia in 1992. Over nearly three decades, Bushcamp has funneled over $7 million into community and conservation projects. From providing lunch for around 4000 children daily, drilling nearly 300 clean-water boreholes serving tens of thousands, to offering scholarships to hundreds of students……. CHARITY BEGINS WITH THE GENEROSITY OF BUSHCAMP!!!
Seeing all this firsthand…. how thoughtful tourism can uphold communities while conserving wildlife, was a beautiful surprise for me. I came not knowing the depth of Bushcamp’s commitment, and left so inspired by how Andy and his team turned a safari business into a force for lasting social and environmental good!!!!
Very last thing we did, on our way to the airport, was visit Bushcamp’s impressive farm. Rows of sweet and delicious tomatoes (I tried one), papaya trees (did you know the fruit grows out of the trunk), lettuce, cucumbers, herbs, peppers, and so much more grow there. Another commitment to sustainability, and fresh local produce! Everyone involved is so proud… as they should be!
As our time in Zambia came to a close, I couldn’t help but reflect on how Bushcamp Company weaves together conservation, community, and unforgettable safari experiences. It’s not just about seeing incredible wildlife I learned…. it’s about the people, the land, and the care that goes into preserving both. I left with a heart full of gratitude, a mind full of beautiful images, and a deep appreciation for a corner of the world that will always feel like magic to me!!!! You can see why this wasn’t just a trip…… it was something totally next-level!!
REEL PART I ~ REEL PART II ~ REEL PART III
If you’re interested in booking with BUSHCAMP COMPANY the LINK IS HERE!
