Beautiful bush luxury deep in a remote part of Zambia’s South Luangwa, Bilimungwe is the ultimate safari getaway. One of The Bushcamp Company’s intimate and exclusive seasonal camps, it is set overlooking a series of waterholes near the Luangwa River, attracting a multitude of wildlife in the dryer season from May to December. An award-winning resident guide takes guests on bush walks and game drives discovering and learning about the wildlife, from lions to leopards, elephants to birds and insects. Relax in the shady lounge under a mahogany tree and watch ‘bush tv’ as more animals come to drink, while you sip sundowners in comfort.
There are just four beautiful thatched suites raised on stilts to look out over one of the waterholes.
Incredibly spacious, they are elegant in an understated way that stays close to nature with reed walls and screen doors that keep you connected with the myriad sounds of the wilderness. Big king size or twin queen beds are draped in mosquito netting, brightened by African textiles against the rich wooden floors and hand-made furniture. Solar lights and solar heated water are the only mod cons, but who misses civilisation when you can shower either indoors or outside with a view of elephants drinking, and snuggle into smoothest linen with a hot water bottle, listening to hippos wallowing nearby.
The small size of the camp and the fact that The Bushcamp Company are the only operators is this remote area of the park means that wildlife sightings are exclusive on the game drives with no other vehicles to be seen. Leopards prowl the plains, and all the Big Five except for the rhino are frequently sighted, as well as many plains game and birds. Bushwalks explore the landscape closer to camp, encountering smaller creatures from mongoose to elephant shrew and are incredibly informative. The camp chef produces miracles of delicious cuisine, from cakes for afternoon tea to gourmet feasts for dinner, and all the staff are warm and friendly, ensuring that guests experience the wonder of this pristine piece of wilderness Africa in safe and authentic safari style.
