Kakuli Bush Camp

Kakuli Bush Camp is a small, seasonal bush camp at the confluence of the Luwi and Luangwa rivers in the northern sector of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park.

Kakuli Camp was completely redesigned and upgraded in 2008 and provides both attractive accommodation and a quality safari experience in a wild area of prolific game – and relatively few game-viewers.

While most of the bush camps in the northern sector are open only during the dry season (June to November), Kakuli is open from mid-January, when the South Luangwa is at its most lush, wildlife is abundant, a wealth of migratory birds join the resident species – and visitors are fewest. In the green season, Kakuli offers extended opportunities for walking and river safaris.

Accommodation

Kakuli Bush Camp has just five wooden-framed, canvas-walled rooms. Each room stands under a thatched roof. Mesh windows provide views over the river, as do the private terraces. Each tent has a private open-air bathroom, enclosed by walls of reed and separated from the bedroom by a proper wooden door. The camp runs on solar power.

There is nothing separating the camp from the bush. You are likely to see animals drinking at the lagoon and hear elephants, lion or hyenas wandering through camp at night – and there are lots of hippo in this part of the Luangwa River. 

Facilities

The open-sided, thatched chitenje (main area) stands on a wooden deck and is the centre of camp. Here you will find the well-stocked bar, a small reference library, and comfy seating.

Outside, the deck provides a variety of seating areas from which to watch the river and the wildlife it attracts. The campfire beside the main area is the place for a drink before dinner.

Activities

The area around Kakuli usually provides exceptional game viewing. It is renowned for its large lion prides, for leopard sightings, a diversity of buck, an extraordinary density of hippo – as well as elephant, zebra, spotted hyena and a staggering 700+ bird species in the green season!

Game viewing is by day and spot-lit night game drives, walking safaris and by boat (water level permitting). Each day, you can decide how you wish to do you game viewing.

Safari

Kakuli Bush Camp is often a stop on a walking trail through the South Luangwa, but it also makes an excellent base for people who want to experience the bush in a variety of ways. Kakuli can also be the final stop at the end of a walking safari from camp to camp along the Luwi River.

Location

Kakuli Camp is north of Mfuwe airport, about an hour’s boat journey upstream from Kapani or a roughly two-hour game-drive transfer from Mfuwe airport.