Mchenja Bush Camp, & rates, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Our View

Although the whole idea of a bush camp is to be in the bush, away from all luxuries etc., there is a market that doesn’t want to lose the luxury! Mchenja caters for this market and does it damn well. This is a great camp in a great location – standards of guiding are up there with the best of the Time and Tide (Norman Carr) camps and this would be an ideal camp for a couple of nights after roughing it elsewhere.

Mchenja - The Details

Mchenja has a fabulous setting in South Luangwa and makes a great finish to the Time and Tide bushcamp walking trail, completing with some added comfort and style. It's only a couple of hours from Mfuwe Airport, but you still feel miles away from the hustle and bustle - there's plenty of wildlife to keep you occupied.

Overlooking a sweeping bend of the Luangwa River, the central area is stunning, designed and focused around a fallen ebony tree and a large plunge pool. Massive ebony trees (Mchenja) surround the camp, offering respite from the sun and spacious areas where each of the octagonal tents enjoy total privacy. The five rooms themselves are beautifully designed and subtley luxurious, with free-standing baths and outdoor en-suite bathrooms. Each room leads on to a manicured lawn that stretches out before dropping off into the Luangwa River.

Brunch is taken in the shade of the chitenje (lounge) with dinner mostly being served on the river bank under the stars. You can even enjoy a private dinner on the deck of your chalet if you are in the mood for something more romantic.

Most activities are operated around a walking safari in the early morning and a combination of walking and driving in the afternoon/evening. Safaris will usually have no more than 4 - 6 guests on one activity, depending on the number of people in camp.

Client Reviews

[94% BASED ON 3 REVIEWS]

Mchenja was equally impressive. Lovely facilities, great guides, excellent food, (even brand new Land Rovers. Very posh.)

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- T. Harding

Zambia -- exceeded all expectations. I'm told that Norman Carr is known for its guides and I would concur. Our guide was terrific - We had Brian at Mchenja. Brian is an old hand and is as good as any guides we have had on our trips.
Mchenja was my favorite because the wildlife was great. We saw both lion prides (13 and 9 respectively) and witnessed a successful night time hunt by the Hollywood pride. That was really something. They took down 2 puku and we watched 7 of the lions devour one -- it was not a pretty sight as the puku survived for a quite a while.

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- D Trice

Pleasant “classic” small bush camp (5 tents) … exactly what we like.Tents are comfortable with good beds, good mossie nets, outside shower, solar hot water. No wifi at all and mobile connection is a bit hit and miss while driving in the park – which is fine. Food was good and plentiful. Wine & beer good and plentiful. All meals are “communal” with an option to dine separately if required. Standard of guiding (we had Friday) was good, though not exceptional. Activities are games drives and walking. Given the temperature, we took a couple of shortish walks then were met by a vehicle for a further couple of hours game drive. There is water in the river but insufficient for boating activities. Vehicles were comfortable with 3 rows of seats and roofs to protect from the sun (these are apparently removable for keen birders who want to see the sky). Typically we were 2 or 4 to a vehicle (other guests preferred not to travel with “birders”). Typically evening game drives were followed (after sundowners) by a night drive with spotlight.

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- T. Black

Mchenja Bush Camp

Client Reviews

Client Reviews

Where to stay in the Luangwa Valley

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