A charming, remote camp in the African wilderness, Island Bush Camp is an excellent place to go to experience the African bush on foot.
Location
Nestled beneath towering mahogany trees on the banks of the Luangwa River, with views stretching to the Chindeni Hills and the Muchinga Escarpment, Island Bush Camp offers a wonderfully peaceful escape deep within South Luangwa National Park. The journey in itself is part of the adventure, a scenic drive winding through woodlands and riverine habitats that set the tone for your time in the bush.
Rooms
The camp’s five charming chalets are raised on stilts, blending effortlessly with the natural surroundings. Each one is open-fronted, inviting the sights and sounds of the river right into your space. The en-suite bathrooms are refreshingly rustic, with bucket showers and flushing toilets, all designed to bring you closer to nature without compromising comfort. Solar lanterns cast a soft glow come evening, adding to the camp’s authentic feel.
Amenities
At the heart of Island Bush Camp is the open, thatched lounge and dining area overlooking the river. It’s the perfect spot to relax after a day in the wild, whether you’re sharing stories around the firepit or enjoying a drink from the bar. The food here is simple and hearty, cooked over an open fire or wood stove, and we love that you can even take part in a ‘kitchen safari’, a unique chance to see how bush cooking comes to life.
Activities
What truly sets Island Bush Camp apart is its focus on walking safaris. Accompanied by experienced guides and armed scouts, you’ll explore the bush at a slow, immersive pace, discovering the smaller details of the ecosystem and tracking wildlife footsteps up close. There’s also the option to walk between Island Bush Camp and nearby Three Rivers Camp, deepening your connection with the landscape. While game drives are less frequent here, the walking experience offers something truly special for nature lovers.
Sustainability
The camp operates on solar power, keeping its footprint light while embracing off-grid living. What we love most is their genuine commitment to the local community: from supporting schools and health clinics to providing jobs and training for local people. Kafunta Safaris works closely with villagers to foster conservation-friendly practices, helping to safeguard both wildlife and livelihoods.
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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.
Speak to a Zambia expert today
and start planning your tailor-made holiday
Alistair
