Wilderness Busanga Plains camp newsletters – August 2025

Shumba winter weather

Daytime temperatures have started picking up slightly, and we had an average minimum temperature of 10° Celsius, and an average maximum temperature of 30° Celsius.  This month was characterised by strong winds around mid-morning, with warm to hot temperatures in the afternoons. 

Kafue lion drama 

There were a lot of exciting predator sightings in the Busanga Plains this month. Last season, the three Nkala Boys male lion coalition travelled all the way from the southern part of Kafue National Park to the Busanga Plains, seeming to leave their permanent territory in the south. We are hopeful that with the high lion population in the Busanga Plains, the cheetahs will continue to thrive.

 
The newest lion mother, Tukiya, and her two cutie cubs were sighted from our beautiful Shumba main area deck from time to time, being taught by their mother to swim across the Lufupa River channel. This brought a lot of joy to our guests this month. We are very positive that the two cuties will make it to adulthood, in time for the dark rain clouds that will be forming in just a couple of months.  

Special guest moments

As always, our guests at the heart of our business, and as such, we have enjoyed treating them to bush brunches and romantic private dinners for couples celebrating anniversaries, as well as our famous Zambian boma nights and special bush sundowners.

Guest Comments

“Thank you so much for the hospitality you have all given us, especially Fred’s drinks. Thank you for the birthday celebrations and the dancing!” – TL, Seattle USA

“This camp is fun, I enjoyed my stay here”. DK, Livingstone Zambia

Staff in Camp

Management: Evidence, Dawid & Rose 
Guides: Isaac and James 

Newsletter by Evidence

August weather at Busanga Bush Camp

Our August temperatures were rather cold in the mornings, warming up during the course of the day then dropping drastically again in the evenings. Guests piled on the layers for their drives, then peeled them off as they returned to camp, close to midday. 

Our lowest temperature started at around 5° C, soaring up to 30° at the highest. 

Busanga game drives and sightings

We had a relatively busy month hosting guests of many nationalities including Columbian, American, English, and local Zambian tourists, comprised of a big family of Indian origin.

As we opened the season, we saw that the small cubs we left last season have grown into real deal lions. It is always nice to monitor the growth of these cats, and seeing them is always a highlight of a game drive – especially the different prides moving about with their cubs. 

Our ‘main man’ Mohawk has spent most of this season in the papyrus area with a number of females. Meanwhile the central area, near the Busanga Plains (which Mr Mohawk dominated) was at some point taken over by a nomadic lion called Sobongo (a local Kaonde name, which means hunter). This was short lived, as a highly annoyed Mohawk came back to our central area to reaffirm his dominance, roaring through most nights until morning. We believe Sobongo the hunter has fled, as none of the guides has seen him since. The morning roars were in full view of our guests as we gave them the back story – spectacular.

The 2025 season has already been such a marvel for big cat sightings, and most of our guest have had the chance to see leopards and cheetah on their game drives. Keen photographers have literally been spoilt for choice in this regard.

We have also had elephants every second day, moving from the western side of the camp to the north-east, heading to the Lufupa River to drink. This normally happens when the guests are having their high tea right across from camp on the acacia island – as they are preparing for their afternoon game drive!

We link up after the game drive over our bush TV (the camp fire place) to recap on how everyone’s day was, share amazing knowledge, pictures, stories while sipping on favourite beverages. Normally our experienced guide and camp manager are present.

Guest activities

In terms of activities and wildlife sightings, I must say it’s actually been exciting this season – we have had a number of photographers who have been really pleased with our guides.  

Our resident guides were on their leave breaks, but the relief guides Amon & Lineker were equal to the task. Guests took brilliant pic of birds, aquatic animal, lions, cheetah, and leopard to mention just a few. 

In the middle of activities we set up sundowner drinks just before sunset, and served lovely gin & tonic, the famous ‘Mosi’ beer, and any other beverages, as we watched the African sun go down.

For an alternative sundowner, we set up a bar with snacks on the swimming pool deck, and as the guests drive down towards camp the sun is setting and they discover a fine set-up for them outside. 

One of the outdoor activities I fancy is a lovely brunch that we set up at the former Kapinga Camp, just a few kilometres away from BBC. The camp has lovely shade, and after an early morning drive guests are keen to cool off with a cold drink and good meal from Chef Lemon. From here, guests head back to our camp for their siesta. 

Staff in camp

Camp Manager: Richard Mwansabamba
Assistant Manager:  Kennedy Lubinda 
Guides: Pyben Mbewe, Leniker/Amon
Housekeeping: Paggy Kilumelume, Kennedy Baswene, Richard Zulu
Maintenance: Clement Mumba, Mathews
Kitchen: Lemon Lungwa, Mose Njobvu, Deozy Munuma, 
Waiters: Winnerd Sampa, Fickson Jatwa, Chiyambi Kafuti.