MWAMBA CAMP – SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

Mwamba Camp is set on the banks of the Mwamba River, a tributary of the Luangwa River. The camp is sited on a former poachers campsite under huge evergreen ebony trees and enjoys shady views of perennial water-holes, both of which have hides perched over them for fantastic photographic opportunities or simply quiet times viewing the animals.

Mwamba Bush Camp has just 4 reed and thatch chalets which are uniquely designed with two soaring skylights (protected by mosquito gauze) set into the roof allowing you to experience sleeping under the stars.

A highlight of your stay at Mwamba is the chance to sleep out on the Numbu Starbed. The platform is set in a vast open savannah plain about 15 minutes from Mwamba Bush Camp and is furnished with a comfortable bed, mosquito netting and warm duvets.

LOCATION

The camp is located in the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. Access from Lusaka is via around an hour by aircraft to Mfuwe Airport where you will be met and transferred approximately 3 hours to camp.

CAMP

Mwamba means heaven in the local Nyanja language and the relaxed and rustic designs of Mwamba with hidden luxury items make you at home in the bush.

Mwamba’s chalets are created with interwoven bamboo walls and thatch roofing and have a viewing deck over the dry Mwamba River and a complete private outdoor ensuite bathroom. The chalets are accessed by a path network that runs behind the chalets.

Large fly-wired skylights provide incredible views of the night sky and the complete absence of generator noise – the camp is solar powered – means you can hear leopard calls, lions roaring or the incredible owls that visit regularly.

The outdoor bathrooms are stunning – each chalet takes its name from the surrounding flora. Gardenia, Fig, Ebony and Sausage all have incredible outdoor showers, flush toilets and running water.

The bush-style chitenge is set under the deep shade of huge ebony trees and there is a spectacular sunset viewing point on top of a large termite mound and a glowing campfire under the stars. You can enjoy the private access to Mwamba’s in-camp hide, the Last Waterhole Hide, just a short walking distance from the chalets.

Mwamba runs on 100% solar power and the camp has 24/7 lighting.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE

The South Luangwa is one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world and the concentration of game around the Luangwa River and its oxbow lagoons is among the most intense in Africa. Dense thickets and vast numbers of plains game creat a perfect habitat for leopard.

The game around Mwamba is excellent; large herds of buffalo, zebra, eland and in particular Cookson’s wildebeest – one of the last herds in the South Luangwa National Park are found on the plains and in the Mopane/Crocodile bark woodlands close to camp. They are followed by the “Mwamba” lion pride.

The nights at Mwamba Bush Camp are filled with wildlife action. Bats and owls (Pearl spotted and Scops in particular) set up the background sounds together with whirring cicadas. Puku and Impala alarm calls are often followed by the grunt of a leopard or whoop of a hyena as they pass through camp. Elephants are never far away and are especially fond of the tamarind and ebony fruit within the camp. There are two resident hippo in the waterholes that graze on the riverbank at night.

Game drives – start from camp and guides are quick to react to the alarm calls of baboons or impalas. They last approximately three and a half hours and are offered morning and afternoon. Morning game drives leave around sunrise with a tea break on the route, and the evening game drive departs after afternoon tea with a stop for a sundowner around sunset time. The drive will continue into the night to observe the nocturnal animals.

Walking Safaris – setting out from camp, a group of no more than six guests are escorted by a professional walking guide and an armed ZAWA scout. This system of two people leading the walk has proved to be very safe over the years.

A typical walking safari has a duration of approximately 3 hours and there are some beautiful walks around camps that highlight the specialities of the area. A large part of a walking safari revolves around tracking animals – from big cats to a multitude of wildlife such as Kudu, Eland, Elephants, Giraffe and the endemic Cookson’s Wildebeest.

Walks bring you closer to the smaller things, the incredible flora, bird life, and arthropods. You will see most of the big game but not always necessarily as close as you will from the vehicle.

Photographic Safaris – the camp pays special attention to your photographic experience by providing all guests with bean bags, dust covers for their camera gear and of course there are our world renown photographic hides.

Photographic Hides – are just one of the elements that make the two camps so special. These hides are used regularly by National Geographic, BBC and Discovery channel for numerous photographic shoots and the making of wildlife documentaries.

The hides provide an up-close-and-personal view into the lives of the animals enabling you to watch them undisturbed in their natural environment. There are number of hides at the two camps including Hippo hide, Elephant hide, Carmine bee-eater hide, Mwamba’s waterhole hide and sometimes additional mobile hides

Numbu Star Bed – the Numbu platform is set in a vast open savannah plain about 15 minutes from Mwamba Bush Camp. The sleeping platform is beautifully set with a queen size bed, warm duvet, large mosquito net, washing basin, lanterns and radio. A bush toilet (long drop) is available on the ground, under the platform. The guide and an armed scout will spend the night in a nearby boma and will be equipped with a radio in case of a change of heart. An extra charge applies and prior reservation is recommended.

MWAMBA IS CLOSED FROM NOVEMBER THROUGH TO THE 19TH MAY EVERY YEAR

THE CAMP WELCOME FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGED 12 YEARS AND OLDER. PLEASE NOTE THAT CHILDREN HAVE TO BE 12 YEARS OR OLDER TO PARTICIPATE IN WALKING SAFARIS