McBrides Camp · Kafue National Park · Zambia
Kafue National Park Accommodation
Seven unique, personal safari chalets. One extraordinary wilderness.At the meeting of the Kafue and Mushangashe Rivers, McBrides Camp offers something increasingly rare: genuine wilderness, the comfort of a beautifully simple thatched chalet, and a safari that feels entirely your own.
Wake to African Fish Eagles, explore by boat or game-drive vehicle, and return to good food and warm hospitality. This is accommodation in Kafue National Park with the soul of a traditional African safari.
chalets
Where to stay in Kafue
More than a place to sleep
Kafue National Park is one of Africa's great wilderness areas. Across its vast floodplains, woodlands and rivers, travellers can choose from seasonal tented camps, established safari lodges, smaller bush camps and self-drive campsites.
Choosing accommodation is really about choosing the kind of safari you want. Busanga is known for its open floodplains; other areas offer woodland drives or easier travel connections.
McBrides is for guests who want a quieter, more personal stay beside a permanent river, with wildlife, birding and water-based safaris all part of the experience.
Compare the different areas of Kafue →Our corner of the park
Two rivers. Very few neighbours.
McBrides lies in the north-eastern part of Kafue National Park, near the confluence of the Kafue and Mushangashe Rivers.
Riverine trees, woodland and open dambos create varied habitats for animals and an extraordinary selection of birds.
The camp is unfenced. The river sets the pace, and wildlife moves through the surrounding landscape on its own terms.
We keep the atmosphere relaxed and personal, never crowded or over-commercialised.
True safari luxury is having time: time to listen, to look, to linger beside the river, and to feel a long way from ordinary life.
The accommodation
Seven unique and personal thatched chalets
Our seven chalets take their character from the bush around them. Individually styled rather than a row of identical hotel rooms, each offers a peaceful place to retreat without losing the feeling of being in Kafue National Park.
Traditional thatch & charm
Natural materials and a relaxed safari style give each chalet its own personality. The design belongs to the landscape rather than competing with it.
King-size beds & fine linen
Comfortable king-size beds, quality linen and mosquito nets make the chalets a welcome haven after an early drive or a long day on the river.
Ask about your preferred sleeping arrangements.
Private en-suite facilities
Enjoy your own en-suite amenities, with the convenience and privacy that matter in a remote safari camp.
Outdoor stargazing showers
Showering in the open air, with the sounds of the bush and a canopy of stars overhead, is one of those simple pleasures guests remember.
The wilderness at your door
Birdsong, river breezes, distant hippo calls and the rhythms of an unfenced safari camp replace the noise of a conventional hotel.
Small, warm & personal
Only seven chalets means there is room to be yourself. We favour individual attention and unhurried hosting over a big-lodge experience.
Travelling as a family or with friends? Ask our bookings team about the chalet arrangements best suited to your group.
A complete, hosted safari
It is not just the chalet. It is everything around it.
At McBrides, your day might begin with coffee and an early game drive, continue with a leisurely brunch and afternoon tea, and finish with a sunset boat cruise before dinner and stories by the fire.
Our standard lodge offering is designed around the whole experience, so you can spend your time enjoying the bush rather than arranging every meal and outing.
- Accommodation in one of seven thatched safari chalets
- Brunch, afternoon tea and dinner
- Two guided safari activities per day in the standard lodge package
- Game drives and Kafue River boat safaris
- Birding and other guided experiences according to conditions
- Camp Wi-Fi, tea, coffee and drinking water
- Warm, attentive hospitality in a small wilderness camp
Walks, night drives and other activities depend on operational conditions, safety and availability. Rates, park charges, transfer arrangements and exclusions should be checked in your quotation.
Beyond your chalet
Explore Kafue by river, vehicle and on foot
A great Kafue National Park lodge should place you close to the experiences you came for. At McBrides, each day offers a different perspective on the wilderness.
Game drives
Search woodland, dambos and riverine habitats for elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, antelope and the smaller stories that make a safari memorable.
Discover our game drives →Boat safaris & sunset cruises
Travel slowly along the Kafue River, where hippos, crocodiles, kingfishers and Fish Eagles bring the water to life.
Discover river safaris →Walking safaris
With an experienced guide, discover the tracks, plants, birds and details of the bush that a vehicle can so easily pass by. Subject to conditions.
Explore walking safaris →Exceptional birdwatching
Look for African Finfoot, Pel's Fishing Owl, African Fish Eagle, Giant Kingfisher and a wealth of other river and woodland species.
Explore Kafue birdwatching →Plan your stay
When to stay at McBrides Camp
We welcome guests from 1 March to 30 November. Each part of the season has its own character; the right time depends on what you most want to see and do.
Green-season beauty
Green landscapes, dramatic skies, bird activity and wonderful photographic light. A rewarding time for travellers who love the atmosphere of the bush.
Cooler days, clear mornings
Cooler safari mornings, comfortable days on the river and gradually thinning vegetation as the dry season develops.
Wildlife and the river
Hotter conditions and declining inland water often draw more wildlife activity towards permanent rivers and remaining water sources.
A minimum stay of two nights applies; we recommend three or four nights to enjoy the river, drives, birding and a little unhurried time in camp.
Read our complete seasonal safari guide →Arriving in the wilderness
Getting to McBrides Camp
Part of the charm of McBrides is its location away from the busy safari circuits.
The camp can be reached by road from Lusaka, normally taking around five to six hours depending on the route and conditions.
Private airstrip access may be arranged subject to current permissions, availability and flight arrangements.
If you are driving, please obtain up-to-date directions directly from our team rather than relying solely on ordinary online maps.
How to get to McBrides Camp →A quick word about the camp
Beautifully wild, genuinely unfenced
McBrides is not a fenced resort. Wildlife can move through the camp and surrounding riverside habitat, which is part of the magic of staying here.
Please follow staff guidance, especially after dark.
If you are comparing other styles of accommodation in Kafue National Park, our Kafue lodge guide and campsite information will help you choose the experience that suits you best.
Frequently asked questions
Kafue National Park accommodation FAQs
How many chalets does McBrides Camp have?
McBrides Camp has seven unique, personal thatched safari chalets. Our small size helps keep the atmosphere intimate and the guest experience attentive and unhurried.
Do the chalets have private bathrooms?
Yes. Our chalets have private en-suite facilities, including outdoor stargazing showers that add a memorable open-air element to the traditional safari experience.
What is included in a stay at McBrides Camp?
Our standard lodge package includes accommodation, brunch, afternoon tea, dinner and two guided safari activities per day.
Wi-Fi is available in camp. Confirm the exact inclusions, exclusions, park charges and transfers when booking.
What is the best time to visit McBrides Camp?
McBrides operates from 1 March to 30 November. March and April offer green scenery and excellent birding, while the dry season brings progressively thinner vegetation and increased importance of permanent water sources.
Can I arrange boat safaris and game drives from the lodge?
Yes. Boat safaris on the Kafue River and guided game drives are core parts of the McBrides experience.
Other activities such as guided walks and night drives can be arranged subject to operating conditions and safety requirements.
How many nights should I book?
Our standard minimum stay is two nights. We usually recommend three or four nights so you can experience different safari activities and still enjoy time relaxing at camp.
Classical safaris from yesteryear
Seven individual chalets. Two rivers. The Kafue wilderness at your doorstep.
Come for the wildlife, the river and the extraordinary birdlife. Stay for the genuine hospitality, quiet evenings and simple pleasure of waking up in a place that still feels wonderfully wild.