Mwamba Bush Camp by Shenton Safaris is often combined with its sister camp Kaingo Camp, and ideal for those looking for a small and intimate, no-frills camp. Three traditional reed houses with large open-air bathrooms sit on the dry Mwamba River riverbed and offer simple but homely accommodation.

The chalets are equipped with a kind of skylight (protected by a mosquito net) inviting guests to lay back and gaze at the stars. Each chalet has a small canopy with two chairs and a table, and takes its name from the tree under which it is located: ‘Fig', ‘Ebony' and ‘Sausage'. There is no main building as such; the bar is open-air and the lounge consists of several chairs and a table on an area surrounded by reeds.

Located just 50 m from camp, a hide looks out onto a small waterhole, which attracts a variety of wildlife.

- Images of Mwamba Hide

Another idiosyncratic Shenton feature is the lookout situated atop a termite mound in the camp - perfect for a sundowner or intimate dinner.

Mwamba Bush Camp is situated in the northern part of South Luangwa National Park, on the edge of the dry Mwamba River riverbed and 20 minutes drive from the Luangwa River and Kaingo Camp. Vehicle transfer time from Mfuwe Airport is approximately 3 hours.

The area between Kaingo Camp and Mwamba Camp is spectacularly beautiful with a highly varied terrain that supports a huge variety of wildlife. Animals can be seen at the river, in the lagoons (Fish Eagle and Pelican lagoons being the largest), on the dry, sweeping plains (Lion Plain, for example) and in the ebony and mopane woodlands. Derek Shenton's father was a park ranger here and he has passed on a rich wealth of knowledge to his son.

The game drive area covers the Fish Eagle Lagoon, a huge ebony forest, the largest open plain in the national park and, of course, the banks of the Luangwa River - such a highly varied terrain obviously supports a corresponding variety of wildlife. Together with hyena, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, kudu, impala and even the odd wild dog, two large lion prides and some ten leopard also make this region their home. South Luangwa is a birdwatchers paradise.

Large colonies of bee-eaters can be photographed on the banks of the Luangwa River throughout September and October.

Thornicroft's giraffe, Cookson's wildebeest and Crawshay's zebra are unique to South Luangwa National Park.

The camp offers three activities per day: a game drive in an open 4x4 vehicle, a walk with an armed ranger and a night drive. Those who still have the energy can be driven out to one of the hides at midday and brought back to camp for lunch at about 13:30.

Guests may also wish to spend a night sleeping under the stars on a mattress and mosquito net. The fearless are driven out to the hide after dinner at Mwamba before the real adventure begins!

Transfer to Kaingo Camp can be made on foot. The walk takes around 3 hours (steady pace) and is tackled early due to the heat, particularly in October when temperatures soar. Luggage is taken on ahead by vehicle. The walk offers guests the possibility of encountering lion, elephant, hippo and buffalo.

Mwamba Camp was built by Derek Shenton. His father, Barry Shenton, played a huge role in Zambia, particularly in the founding of South Luangwa and Kafue National Parks.

SwissAfrican Travel Service
Dammstrasse 27
8702 Zollikon
Zurich, Switzerland


Telephone: +41 (0)44 451 40 51