Enjoy great food around a warm fire next to the peaceful Kafue river
Feel like an intrepid explorer in this rustic camp set in the heart of one of the world’s largest nature reserves
Location
Mayukuyuku Camp sits right inside Kafue National Park, along a tranquil stretch of the Kafue River, in one of Zambia’s most remote and rewarding wildlife regions. It’s a peaceful, unhurried kind of place where elephants wander past camp and hippos grunt contentedly from the water. You’re surrounded by nature from the moment you arrive, and with very few other vehicles around, this corner of Kafue feels wonderfully off-grid.
Rooms
There are just four classic safari tents here, each with its own private veranda overlooking the river, a perfect spot for early morning coffee or watching the sun dip behind the trees. Tents are thatched for natural shade, with comfortable beds and simple open-air en-suite bathrooms. For those looking to pitch their own adventure, the camp also offers a small, shady riverside campsite with hot showers and clean, well-kept facilities.
Amenities
The camp is relaxed and personal, with a central lounge and dining area where guests gather for homestyle meals and stories around the fire. Don’t expect flashy – this is all about the essentials done right, with friendly hosts and freshly baked bread rather than buffets. It’s peaceful, welcoming, and full of charm.
Activities
Game drives here feel like a proper bush adventure – often with no one else in sight. You’ll head out with experienced guides to track lions and leopards, explore on foot, or drift along the river by boat. Birding is superb too, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot wild dogs. We love how activities are flexible and tailored to you – with just a few guests, the pace is always your own.
Sustainability
Run by the Zambian-owned Kafue Camps & Safaris, the lodge prioritises hiring staff from surrounding villages and offers work placements for hotel and catering graduates. On the conservation front, Mayukuyuku operates within Kafue National Park, one of Zambia’s largest and most biodiverse protected areas, and aligns with efforts by African Parks and Zambian authorities to combat poaching, manage fire risks, and maintain vital wildlife corridors.
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Best places to stay in Kafue National Park
Kafue National Park Trip Inspiration
When to go to Zambia
Find out the best time to visit Zambia with our month by month guide.
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
January
January is a good time to visit Victoria Falls, but the rest of the country is very humid and wet leading to many camps shutting during January.
February
February remains wet, so its a good month to visit the thundering Victoria Falls, however only a few camps stay open for boating and walking. The rains have created lush vegetation, during this time of year it is alive with the sound of migratory birds in their breeding plumage, an excellent time for birders to visit Zambia.
March
If you want to witness Vic Falls at its fullest, March is the month to visit, with huge volumes of spray often obscuring the view. The birding is still magnificent in March, and camps offer fantastic value for money as there are no crowds.
April
In April the weather starts to dry, however rain remains a prominent feature of April. In the Lower Zambezi National Park, lush vegetation is at its thickest making animals more difficult to spot. April is seen to be the best time of year to witness the rarely seen Wild Dog in South Luangwa National Park.
May
May is a mixed month, the onset of the dry season means rains are unlikely, however access to certain camps is tricky due to sodden grounds. Game viewing in South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi begin to improve as the vegetation things and waterholes begin to dry up, forcing wildlife together.
June
June is a great time to visit Zambia, the ground starts to dry out and camps are offering excellent deals and there are few visitors to share safari vehicles so you may have some areas to yourself.
July
July is high season, temperatures rise and all the camps are officially open. If you want to see game then South Luangwa is the best option, whereas the Lower Zambezi is perfect for river cruises and fishing.
Victoria falls is at its best, without being overly wet and clouded with spray.
August
August's hot and dry weather kicks off what Zambia is famous for, walking safaris. It is the prime time to combine game viewing with Victoria Falls.
September
Temperatures sore in September reaching high 20's making the long days particularly pleasant. This month sees Carmine Bee Eaters arrive, flocks of hundreds nest in river banks providing a thrilling spectacle of colour and sound.
October
October sees temperatures sore again, game viewing is best done in the early mornings to avoid the hot midday sun.
November
November brings the start of the rainy season, but the good news is the sporadic showers are not too disruptive and visitors get to see dramatic skies and stormy skies brewing. Temperatures are high and it can be humid, but the mixed weather brings great value stays. Plus many young animals are being born, making it a fantastic time to see the parks come to life.
December
The rainy season is in full force in December, grasslands begin to lengthen, foliage thickens and game viewing becomes a little trickier. The rivers rise and dependant on water levels travellers can visit 'devils pool' at Vic Falls, providing high excitement and a head for heights needed if you want to get close to the drop off.
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