All is lush and beautiful in the flood plains. It’s late Afternoon and a mist rises from the ground as a pride of lions majestically walk through the clear marsh, clearly on the hunt. Their target is a herd of Lechwe gathered by a pool of water for a drink. This is a scene any avid photographer would love to capture. This is the Busanga flood plain, one of the few unspoilt and untouched areas of Kafue National Park. The wetlands stretch on as far as the eye can see, interrupted only by the silhouette of a fig tree in a few places and a papyrus island. Right on the edge of these untamed plains lays Busanga Bush Camp, a seasonal luxury camp site run by Mukambi Safari Lodge.

Busanga Bush Camp offers a full service excursion to this famous wetland area which includes professional guide and chef. It offers a calm retreat and serene views of the Flood plains where you can view Lions and other predators on the hunt. The Cheetah especially makes for a fascinating watch as it glides over the plain in pursuit of its prey. Other interesting animal sightings of note in this area include Leopards, Blue Wildebeest Buffalo, Reedbuck, Oribi and Warthog. The camp is the perfect place from which to catch a glimpse of all the sights and to be enthralled by the sounds of the truly wild plains.

The Busanga flood plains take up the northern part of Kafue National Park and cover a massive 750 square kilometres. The area is fed by several rivers and streams that burst their banks during the rainy season, flooding the entire area. The water later recedes during the dry cooler months, revealing a vibrant grassland that attracts all kinds of herbivores like Sitatunga, Red Lechwe and Puku.

The camp is also the perfect spot for bird watching, with an endless array of colourful wild wetland fowl on display. The plains are home to the Wattled Crane, Grey Crowned Crane, Rosy-Throated Longclaw and Fullenborn’s Longclaw. One can also sight the lappet-faced, white-backed, hooded and white-headed vultures.

For those who love to experience all the action of the plains much more closely, you can take a long adventurous 6 hour drive through the plains with the very knowledgeable and experienced tour guides. Game drives are operated twice a day, at sunrise and in the evening, just a little before the sun sets. A sun set over the plains is an unforgettable experience with warm, vibrant hues all around. A walking safari and boat cruise is also available, best for viewing the bird life and occasionally elephants and small antelope. For an even more grand view, you can take to skies in a hot air balloon. Rides were introduced in August 2017 to provide guests with an aerial experience of the flood plains in all its majesty.

Upon returning to the camp, you will find a sumptuous fire cooked meal spread and all ready for you. Your meal is served to you on a raised wooden platform encircled by paraffin lanterns. Breakfast is a full English breakfast; you also have the option of a packed breakfast to take with you on the game drives. Full Lunch and dinner is also served at the Camp, with delicious offerings of juicy grilled steaks and fish, all accompanied by a choice of fine wines.

Busanga offers four large, furnished tents where you can wind down and fall asleep to the thunderous roars of lions in the distance. The tents all have open air en-suite bathrooms, with hot water, overlooking the plains.

The camp is open only during the dry season, which runs from May to December. You can choose from a range of holiday packages for your stay, from an entire Kafue experience, which includes stays at Mukambi Safari Lodge, Fig Tree Bush Camp and Busanga Bush Camp. You could also chose a safari to any of the camps and lodge individually or have a tailor made safari experience.