When referring to Zambia’s national parks, Kafue often feels like a forgotten sister – overlooked but packing enough personality and beauty to steal the show! While everyone is flocking to the poster-perfect South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi, or snapping selfies at Victoria Falls, Kafue sits quietly, holding a gossip-worthy secret: it’s basically three parks wrapped into one.

Thanks to African Parks, Kafue has conservation credentials, and its well-managed, wildly luxurious camps offer open spaces and charming views that practically beg you to put down your camera. So, you might wonder why it’s not the star attraction? Some gems are just too special to stay hidden forever!

Konkamoya

I hopped on the trusty Malawian Airlines, whisked away from Lilongwe to Lusaka in just one hour, a breezy direct flight. As airlines go, it was a budget-friendly delight, and it skilfully avoided a night in Lusaka’s bright lights. We landed just before noon. No layovers, no fuss – just simple, speedy travel.

My guide, David, was ready and waiting to take me to southern Kafue – first stop, Konkamoya, meaning “follow the wind”. I decided to channel my inner rally driver and “test” the roads myself. Spoiler alert: the roads turned out to be pretty good. The vehicle exceeded my expectations, and the 6-hour drive was as pleasant as a long road transfer can be. For those with deeper pockets and tighter schedules, there’s always the fancy-pants option of flying into Ngoma Airstrip, which is just a modest 30-minute hop from Konkamoya.

My time at Konkamoya was a delightful experience. Andrea and Caterina, a charming Italian couple, own and manage the camp, which is no surprise given the exceptional Italian cuisine on offer. With only four luxury safari tents and no other camps in sight for miles, Konkamoya felt like a private concession, providing an intimate and exclusive experience.

Konkamoya offers breathtaking views of the Itezhi-Tezhi Lake, and is often surrounded by herds of elephants enjoying the lake (and the pool). The area is rich in plains game, including herds of elephants, side-striped jackals, buffalo, lions, wild dogs, leopards and exceptional birdlife. As a zoologist, conservationist, and photography enthusiast, Andrea often joins game drives. He was kind enough to offer to drive me to my next destination, Kaingu, a 3-hour drive away.

Kaingu

Welcome to Kaingu, another gem in our collection of owner-managed properties, situated beautifully on the banks of the Kafue River. This place is a natural spectacle, featuring rapid whirlpools, meandering channels, charming islands, and an abundance of picturesque beauty. The journey to Kaingu is an adventure in itself—a scenic 10-minute boat ride across the river.

The early mornings at Kaingu are a treat, with crisp temperatures giving way to breathtaking sunrises. The misty veil rising from the river creates a truly magical atmosphere, making the chilly start worthwhile. For adventure seekers, Kaingu is a treasure trove of exciting experiences. Take a leisurely stroll to the sunset viewpoint for a breathtaking panorama, or embark on a thrilling river safari to spot incredible wildlife.

If you’re looking for even more excitement, paddle through the tranquil waters in a canoe or cast your line for an angler’s paradise. With such a diverse range of activities, your adventure itinerary is set for unforgettable experiences at Kaingu.

Musekese

The journey from Kaingu was seamless. My guide, Israel, treated me to a delightful morning game drive, setting the tone for the day. Upon reaching the Lifupa gate, Raquel from Classic Zambia warmly greeted me and escorted me to Musekese. As one of four camps in the Classic Zambia Portfolio, Musekese is part of a family of unique experiences.

From the gate, we embarked on a three-hour drive to Lifupa Harbour, followed by a 10-minute boat ride to Musekese Harbour and a final 5-minute drive to the heart of Musekese Camp. The journey flowed smoothly, with each step leading to a new and beautiful experience. For those who prefer a quicker route, Lifupa Airstrip is just 5 minutes from Lifupa Harbour.

Musekese is a truly remarkable spot, perched above a scenic floodplain that attracts an array of wildlife. Watching herds of elephants becomes a daily ritual, while spotting Puku and Lechwe adds an extra layer of enchantment. Bird enthusiasts will find themselves in paradise. On our first day, we were lucky enough to witness a remarkable leopard sighting, followed by a memorable bush dinner and topped off with a lion kill right in camp. It felt like nature was putting on a show just for us.

The excitement continued on day two with a charming river cruise on their new photography vessel. It’s an ideal way to enjoy lunch or sundowners while spotting hippos, crocs, and elephants in their natural environment. And as if on cue, the lions decided to pay another visit to the camp that night. It was truly a wild and wonderful experience in every sense.

Musekese is also a conservation beacon, dedicated to protecting the surrounding biodiversity. Their efforts in anti-poaching, habitat preservation, and community education ensure thriving wildlife populations, including elephants, Puku, Lechwe, leopards, and lions. Every game drive and river cruise showcases the success of their conservation work. By supporting Musekese, you’re contributing to these essential conservation efforts and supporting the area’s natural beauty and diversity.

The journey from Kaingu was seamless. My guide, Israel, treated me to a delightful morning game drive, setting the tone for the day. Upon reaching the Lifupa gate, Raquel from Classic Zambia warmly greeted me and escorted me to Musekese. As one of four camps in the Classic Zambia Portfolio, Musekese is part of a family of unique experiences.

From the gate, we embarked on a three-hour drive to Lifupa Harbour, followed by a 10-minute boat ride to Musekese Harbour and a final 5-minute drive to the heart of Musekese Camp. The journey flowed smoothly, with each step leading to a new and beautiful experience. For those who prefer a quicker route, Lifupa Airstrip is just 5 minutes from Lifupa Harbour.

Musekese is a truly remarkable spot, perched above a scenic floodplain that attracts an array of wildlife. Watching herds of elephants becomes a daily ritual, while spotting Puku and Lechwe adds an extra layer of enchantment. Bird enthusiasts will find themselves in paradise. On our first day, we were lucky enough to witness a remarkable leopard sighting, followed by a memorable bush dinner and topped off with a lion kill right in camp. It felt like nature was putting on a show just for us.

The excitement continued on day two with a charming river cruise on their new photography vessel. It’s an ideal way to enjoy lunch or sundowners while spotting hippos, crocs, and elephants in their natural environment. And as if on cue, the lions decided to pay another visit to the camp that night. It was truly a wild and wonderful experience in every sense.

Musekese is also a conservation beacon, dedicated to protecting the surrounding biodiversity. Their efforts in anti-poaching, habitat preservation, and community education ensure thriving wildlife populations, including elephants, Puku, Lechwe, leopards, and lions. Every game drive and river cruise showcases the success of their conservation work. By supporting Musekese, you’re contributing to these essential conservation efforts and supporting the area’s natural beauty and diversity.

Chisa Bush Camp

From Musekese, my amazing guide, John D, took me on a final game drive before we crossed the river to the Lifupa airstrip for my brief 10-minute flight to the Busanga Plains. Harry, the ever-enthusiastic Green Safari Guide, greeted me at the airstrip upon my arrival at the Busanga Plains. With a friendly smile and boundless energy, he whisked me away on a delightful drive to Chisa Bush Camp.

Along the way, we were greeted by herds of wildebeest, sable, and zebra, all putting on quite the show, as if it were a private performance. To add to the perfection, there was a noticeable absence of Tsetse flies—perhaps they were on strike that day, or just figured we weren’t tasty enough!

Upon my arrival at Chisa Bush Camp, a charming bush retreat with cozy nests for guests, I was warmly welcomed by the vibrant camp managers Timothy and Faith. Their warm smiles and genuine hospitality made me feel instantly at home. The unique bird nest chalets offer comfortable accommodation, accompanied by modern touches and a charming public area. The wildlife in the region is truly remarkable. During our stay, we unfortunately didn’t see the resident leopard, who seemed to be playing hide and seek. A good reason to come back.

We were fortunate enough to catch a breathtaking glimpse of a cheetah and spent hours observing the fascinating dynamics of the various lion prides roaming the area. One of them was the beautiful lioness Princess, who shared the spotlight with her adorable cubs. And of course, let’s not forget the majestic herds of elephants—always capable of providing an excellent ‘trunk show’.

Shumba Camp

Harry kindly escorted me across the plains to Shumba Camp, where I would spend my next few nights. With a taste of what the area had to offer, I was hoping to spend more quality time with Princess and her young cubs. Both previous sightings had been in bad light or thick bush… third time lucky?

And there she was, lounging under a tree on a small island. Were the cubs hidden behind her? We stayed at a respectful distance, holding our collective breaths, hoping she would reveal her little ones. Eventually, she started walking in the opposite direction, prompting us to carefully follow her for about 30 minutes. And then, in the most perfect golden sunset light, out came the four adorable cubs, ready to put on a show. They frolicked, tumbled, and generally made us forget about every problem we ever had, turning our wait into an unforgettable hour-long spectacle. What an incredible moment to be alive—nature’s own prime-time entertainment, brought to you commercial-free!

Shumba Camp is the epitome of luxury in a prime game-viewing area, with lions as our closest neighbors and the cozy Busanga Bush Camp not too far away. Reconnecting with Evidence, a familiar face from South Luangwa, was a delight. Isaac, our guide, was top-notch, weaving years of experience and captivating tales into our journey. After all, what’s a safari without a good story or two?

The game-viewing vehicles were comfortable, perfect for smoothly navigating the wild terrain without compromising on style. All in all, Shumba offers a classy, top-tier experience that left us itching to plan our next visit.

Ila safari Lodge

As my time in the Kafue came to a close, Isaac drove me to Busanga Air Strip (approximately a 45-minute game drive from Shumba) for a brief 25-minute hop south to Chunga Air Strip, leading up to one final night at Ila Safari Lodge—the other gem in the Green Safaris crown.

I cherished my last day at Ila Lodge, marveling at the stunning rebuild after an unfortunate fire turned the main area into something akin to a very exclusive bonfire night in 2023. The team didn’t miss a beat, and I even got to catch up with another old friend, Killian, from his South Luangwa days. Apparently, everyone worth knowing migrates within the safari circuit!

A beautiful game drive rounded out the day, where every rustle in the bushes whispered a new story of the savannah. Dinner under the stars had that seasoning of magic you just can’t find in a five-star restaurant.

I could have taken the short flight from Chunga Airstrip to Lusaka, but I chose the road transfer with my trusty guide, David. The miles seemed to disappear effortlessly as our conversation flowed like a river. With the safari gods on our side, we arrived just in time for my 2 pm flight to Malawi.

In Lilongwe, our trusted Crafted Africa guide, Kennedy was ready and waiting. He escorted me home just in time to catch the sunset with my lovely wife. Maybe she’ll get invited next time 

I couldn’t help but chuckle at how seamlessly adventure and comfort intertwined on this journey. The Kafue may have bid me farewell, but it is really so close and easy to combine with Malawi.