Kafue, Busanga Plains, Wilderness Shumba, Anantara Kafue River Camp, Ila Safari Lodge, Lions, Leopards

By: Emma Seaman

It's become something of an annual tradition for our family to head into the bush to celebrate my birthday. The challenge each year is finding somewhere new to explore. This year, however, there was another important reason for choosing our destination. My younger son Matthew's girlfriend was visiting us from Scotland, and as this would be her very first safari, I wanted to take her somewhere I knew would deliver unforgettable wildlife encounters. The Busanga Plains certainly did not disappoint. In fact, they exceeded every expectation, rewarding us with sightings we never imagined we'd be lucky enough to experience.

We decided to make the journey a road trip, breaking up the long drive with a stop at the brand-new Anantara Kafue River Camp. Although the property has not yet officially opened to guests, as the finishing touches are still being completed, the suites and main areas were ready. We were fortunate enough to enjoy an extensive tour with Anil Kumar, who is overseeing the project. With a wealth of experience managing luxury five-star properties around the world, Anil's passion for the camp was evident.

This is, without question, a spectacular property. Set on a breathtaking stretch of the Kafue River, every detail has been thoughtfully designed. The luxurious river suites feature private plunge pools, massage rooms and even telescopes for enjoying the surrounding wilderness whilst the Horizon Terrace Suites offer breathtaking views and a very unique experience with a lift taking you up to your Suite. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast of fresh fruit, waffles and pancakes prepared for us specially by their executive chef, accompanied by an excellent cup of coffee before we set on our way.

By the time we reached the Busanga Plains, the sun was beginning to set and the birds were settling in for the evening. Pyben from Wilderness Shumba met us and safely guided us into camp, although not before making a quick detour to see some lions and an unexpected porcupine sighting!

At camp, we received a wonderfully warm welcome from Evidence, Thomas and Malitela. Having worked for Wilderness Zambia for many years, it was incredibly special to see so many familiar faces and to be remembered by people I had worked alongside. After settling into our beautiful rooms, we enjoyed a delicious dinner before turning in for an early night, excited for what lay ahead. The following morning, after a leisurely continental breakfast around the campfire, we headed out on our first game drive with Pyben.

I have found myself asking, how do you describe the highlights of a trip when every single moment we experienced was one?

We were treated to incredible sightings of lions, a leopard, the Mitengo pack of African wild dogs, wildebeest, zebra, lechwe, puku, roan, oribi, warthogs and an astonishing variety of birdlife, including Goliath herons, wattled cranes, vultures and countless others. Every drive delivered something extraordinary. Our night drives revealed elusive serval cats, while an excursion to the southern plains rewarded us with larger herds of wildebeest and zebra. Only the cheetahs managed to evade us, although some of our fellow guests were fortunate enough to see the resident brothers.

Pyben was an absolute pleasure to spend time with. His enthusiasm, knowledge and genuine love for the Busanga ecosystem were infectious, and his excitement whenever we encountered one of the area's rarer sightings—particularly the leopard—made each moment even more memorable.

For my birthday, the team created an evening I will never forget. They transformed the boma into a beautiful private dining setting before surprising me with a specially baked birthday cake, and a custom made birthday card with messages from some of the team. As they sang around the fire, I found myself genuinely moved. It was one of those heartfelt moments that reminds you that safari is about so much more than the wildlife—it's about the remarkable people who make every stay so special.

All too soon it was time to leave the Busanga Plains and make our way to Central Kafue for a final night at Ila Safari Lodge. The contrast between the two experiences was perfect. Here, our focus shifted from game drives to the river, with a peaceful sunset cruise followed by an early morning fishing excursion. Once again, we were treated to exceptional hospitality, delicious food and excellent guiding from Douglas and his Ila Safari Lodge team.

Don't be surprised if you see the Busanga Plains featuring far more often in my recommendations from now on. I've always loved this part of Kafue National Park, but returning reminded me exactly why it holds such a special place in my heart. The combination of vast open floodplains dotted with tree islands, remarkably few vehicles, exceptional wildlife viewing, outstanding birding, a variety of accommodation and genuinely heartfelt hospitality makes Busanga one of Zambia's most magical safari destinations. If you're looking for an authentic wilderness experience that consistently delivers unforgettable moments, Busanga Plains should be at the very top of your list.