Mwamba Bush Camp

In addition to Kaingo Camp, Shenton Safaris operate Mwamba Bush Camp, providing an opportunity to explore the park’s heartland. Wonderfully remote and peaceful, the site is a relaxed 3-hour bushwalk or 20 minute drive from Kaingo.

Set on the banks of the Mwamba River, a tributary of the Luangwa, the camp, sited under huge evergreen ebony trees, 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.

Meals are of the same high standard as Kaingo, and the bush-style dining and bar area or “chitenge” is set under the deep shade of huge ebony trees entwined with python vines. A spectacular sundowner spot on top of a large termite mound and a glowing campfire under the night sky completes the camp’s friendly and personal atmosphere.

Mwamba takes only 6 guests in 3 reed and thatch chalets, uniquely designed with two soaring skylights (protected by mosquito gauze) set into the roof allowing you to experience sleeping under the stars.

These three bungalows have huge outdoors en suite bathrooms with flush toilets and hot bucket showers. Lighting is all solar powered and the complete absence of generator noise means nothing interferes with the morning chorus or the midnight howls of the hyena. The accommodation reflects a thoughtful balance between back-to-nature simplicity and essential comforts.

The nights at Mwamba 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 river bank at night, completing the picture.

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 SLNP are found on the plains and in the Mopane/Crocodile bark woodlands close to camp). They are followed by the “Mwamba” lion pride.

Fantastic leopard sightings are also common due to the thick riverine bush along the Mwamba attracted by the large numbers of impala and puku in the open glades around camp.

Elephants use the Mwamba’s waterholes regularly and there is a family of elephants who visit the waterhole next to the honeymoon chalet to drink and mud themselves in the afternoons. There are also two young orphan bulls who visit camp.

At Mwamba you will be offered 3 separate game-viewing activities a day which may include walking safaris, game drives or time spent at a hide or blind (normally during midday).

Walking safaris are on of Mwamba greatest appeals. The land varies tremendously from wide open plains such as Lion Plain and Eland Plain, interspersed by shady Mopane/crocodile bark woodland with short grass (interspersed with waterholes and lagoons), and bordered by Combretum thickets along the Mwamba river. This is a classic area for walking safaris and the limited number of loops and game-viewing tracks makes it a pleasure for the guides to help you explore this vast, untouched part of the park.

Derek Shenton and his team of guides are able to combine their skills and intimate knowledge of the area to provide exciting and thought provoking safari walks and game-drives, while his attentive staff take care of all your comforts.