Wilderness Busanga Bush Camp newsletter – June 2024

Our guests enjoyed afternoons of relaxation, revelling in the thrills and happiness of their morning drive followed by brunch, while they waited to head out on their afternoon drives. Most guests spend their siesta time at the main area, as it is truly amazing to be here watching the lechwe on endless parade, the hippos doing their thing and a multitude of birds showing off their beauty. 

Sundowners are truly magic at Wilderness Busanga Bush Camp, with guests watching the sun slowly sink into the pastel-clouded sky, softly welcoming the evening and getting ready for stargazing. Our pool area is wonderfully serene and we often set up sundowners here. 

The opportunity to have a massage in camp is a great help for our guests who have travelled long distances to relax. They are told about our masseuse upon arrival, and time is created for her to meet the guests and explain in detail the different kinds of massages she offers. Last year was the first season we offered it, and it was so well-received that it was re-introduced this season.

This was a month of game drives since the plains are too dry for boat cruises. June was filled with sightings that left our guests delighted, ensuring their stays were memorable.

They found it amazing to spot the different families of lions, and especially the two dominant males, Mohawk and General.

The prides patronised our camp from time to time too. Yaya the lioness has four cubs that provided endless entertainment for our guests, wowing them with memorable photo-opportunities near our pool deck area. The lions were also often seen roaring, and passing by our camp, leaving our guests with great stories to tell. 

At night it was fairly quiet, though hippos, hyenas, leopards and all kinds of nocturnal animals could still be heard.

Another highlight this month was seeing the well-known fastest land animal, the cheetah. It is always breath-taking to see this sleek, beautiful, small-headed animal hunt down her prey at 80 to 98 km/h and kill it by suffocation. However, watching her having to rest after a hunt before she can eat is worrying, in case she loses out on her meal after such a heroic battle.

Other sightings included jackals, waterbuck, bushbuck, puku, wildebeest, mongooses, porcupines, oribi, sable, crocodiles, grey crowned cranes, wattled cranes, and dark-capped bulbuls, among many other different species.

We were privileged to host His Excellency Mr Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia, alongside the former Prime Minister of the Republic of Ethiopia, His Excellency Hailemariam Desalegn, at Kapinga Camp next door to BBC. The function was hosted by African Parks and we provided the hospitality services. This was quite the milestone, because within a short period of time, a function of great magnitude was put together successfully and everyone was happy. Twenty-one tents were set up for guests to sleep in and the main area was well turned out. The doctor on site tirelessly checked on our guests’ well-being, while the kitchen put out finger-licking meals. The drinks were on point, confirming the 5-Star service.  

Camp Manager: Richard Mwansabamba
Assistant Manager:  Kennedy Lubinda 
Guides: Pyben Mbewe, Willard Kalyanongo
Housekeeping: Paggy Kilumelume, Phillimon Kalembelembe, Richard Zulu
Maintenance: Clement Mumba
Kitchen: Lemon Lungwa, Mose Njobvu, Deozy Munuma, Alexander
Waiters: Winnerd Sampa, Fickson Jatwa, Chiyambi Kafuti