Hippo Mine Tours at McBrides Camp
Discover the Forgotten History of Kafue National Park
Kafue National Park is best known for its wildlife, wilderness and extraordinary river systems, but hidden within this vast landscape are traces of a very different chapter in Zambia’s history.
Near McBrides Camp lies the abandoned Hippo Mine, a historic copper mining site linked to the early development of commercial mining in Zambia. Today, the site stands quietly within the wilderness, its remaining structures and traces of human activity slowly being reclaimed by nature.
For guests staying at McBrides Camp, a visit to Hippo Mine offers a fascinating contrast to the traditional safari experience. It is not only a journey through the bush, but also a journey into the human history of this remote part of Kafue National Park.
"Some places in the wilderness tell their story quietly. Hippo Mine is one of them."
McBrides Camp Historic Safari Experience
A Historic Mine in the McBrides Area
Hippo Mine is associated with Zambia’s early copper-mining history and remains one of the most interesting historic sites in this section of Kafue National Park.
The area around the mine tells a story of exploration, hardship and isolation. Long before modern safari tourism reached this part of the Park, miners and workers lived and operated in a remote wilderness environment where access was difficult, wildlife was abundant and conditions would have been challenging.
Today, the abandoned mine site provides a rare opportunity to reflect on the people who once worked in this area and the role that early mining played in Zambia’s wider history.
Guided Tours from McBrides Camp
McBrides Camp offers guided visits to the Hippo Mine site as part of the broader safari experience.
The tour is normally conducted by vehicle and allows guests to explore the surrounding area, view the remains of the old mine site and visit the grave sites of former miners connected to the area.
The experience is quiet, respectful and atmospheric. It is not presented as a conventional tourist attraction, but rather as a historic wilderness visit that helps guests understand another layer of the landscape they are travelling through.
The Grave Sites of Former Miners
One of the most moving parts of the Hippo Mine visit is the opportunity to view the grave sites of former miners.
These graves are a reminder that this remote area was once home to people who lived and worked under difficult conditions, far from the comforts of towns and modern infrastructure. Their presence adds a human dimension to the wilderness and helps guests appreciate that Kafue’s history is not only about wildlife, rivers and conservation, but also about the people who passed through and helped shape the region’s story.
Guests are asked to treat the grave sites with complete respect. McBrides Camp regards this part of the visit as a place for quiet reflection rather than casual sightseeing.
"A visit to Hippo Mine is not only about ruins. It is about remembering the people who once lived and worked in this remote wilderness."
Historic Sites in Kafue National Park
A Safari with More Than Wildlife
A visit to Hippo Mine is often combined with a game drive through the McBrides area.
The route may offer opportunities to see wildlife, birdlife and the varied habitats that make this part of Kafue National Park so special. Elephants, antelope, hippos, raptors and other species may be encountered along the way, depending on season, conditions and wildlife movements.
The result is a safari activity that combines history, wilderness and wildlife in a way that few camps can offer.
For guests interested in Zambia’s past, conservation history, remote landscapes or unusual safari experiences, the Hippo Mine tour is one of the most distinctive activities available from McBrides Camp.
Responsible Visits to a Historic Site
Because Hippo Mine is an abandoned site, visits are conducted with care.
Guests are guided through safe viewing areas and are requested not to disturb structures, graves, artefacts or natural surroundings. The aim is to preserve the character of the site while allowing visitors to appreciate its historical importance.
McBrides Camp believes that places like Hippo Mine should be visited respectfully and remembered properly. They form part of the wider story of Kafue National Park and deserve to be treated with the same care as the wildlife and wilderness that surround them.
Why Visit Hippo Mine?
A Hippo Mine tour is ideal for guests who want to experience more than a standard safari itinerary.
✓ A rare historical experience inside Kafue National Park
✓ A visit to an abandoned early copper mining site
✓ A respectful stop at the grave sites of former miners
✓ A chance to understand the human history of the McBrides area
✓ A guided wilderness drive through a remote part of the Park
✓ A deeper appreciation of Kafue’s layered past
Experience Hippo Mine with McBrides Camp
McBrides Camp is privileged to operate in one of the most remote and atmospheric sections of Kafue National Park.
For many guests, the Hippo Mine visit becomes an unexpected highlight — not because it is dramatic or polished, but because it is real. It is a quiet reminder that the wilderness holds stories far beyond what is seen on a game drive.
To enquire about staying at McBrides Camp and visiting Hippo Mine, please contact us directly.