Owner managed and run by Shenton Safaris, Mwamba Bush Camp is set on the banks of the Mwamba River, a tributary of the Luangwa and enjoys views of perennial water-holes. The 3 reed and thatch en-suite chalets are uniquely designed with two large skylights (protected by mosquito gauze) allowing you to experience sleeping under the stars. They also have solar lighting, flush toilets and bucket showers. Mwamba provides back-to-nature simplicity with essential comforts.
Meals are served in the bush-style dining/bar area or chitenje, set under the deep shade of huge ebony trees. A spectacular sunset viewing-point on top of a large termite mound (the anthill lookout) and a glowing campfire under the stars complete the camp's friendly and personal atmosphere.
There are 2 hides overlooking waterholes inside the camp. Puku, bushbucks, giraffe, elephants and birds are often seen from camp. There is also a resident female leopard who is often fund in and around camp and the Mwamba pride of lions are often seen.
Owner managed and run, Shenton Safaris are long established in the Luangwa valley. 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 wife Jules and her team of attentive staff take care of all your comforts in camp. Much of the fresh produce used in the kitchens is grown in the Shenton Plot near Mfuwe airport and hand crafted materials are used in the rooms.
The nights around Kaingo and 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 camps. Elephants are never far away and are especially fond of the tamarind and ebony fruit. There are resident hippo in the waterholes that graze on the river banks at night, completing the picture. The game surrounding the camps 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 pride, which consists of six beautiful lionesses and two classically dark maned males, sometimes with cubs as well.
Fantastic leopard sightings are also common due to the thick riverine bush, attracted by the large numbers of impala and puku in the open glades around camp. Elephants use the waterholes regularly and there is a family of elephants who visit the waterhole next to the honeymoon chalet at Mwamba to drink and mud themselves in the afternoons.
Another appeal of both camps is the excellent walking area. 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 guests explore this vast, untouched part of the park.
Fly camping can be enjoyed while at Mwamba Camp. This involves a game drive and walking safari to a remote location, where dinner is prepared before a night spent beneath the stars - a true bush experience. This needs to be booked in advance.
