Mchenja Bush Camp, Time + Tide - Norman Carr Safaris, Zambia, Luangwa River, 5 Safari Chalets

Mchenja, meaning ebony, is a luxurious, elegant and stylish camp situated in a stunning ebony grove overlooking a sweeping bend in the Luangwa River. Each room has an outdoor shower and indoor bath with river views. Elephants are known to drink from the pool and lions and leopard are seen wandering around the nearby ebony grove. Game viewing in this area is superb and night drives are usually very worthwhile.

The camp features 5 spacious octagonal shaped safari chalets. Each chalet is elegantly furnished, with an open air bathroom, hot and cold shower and Victorian style bath tubs. The rooms have mosquito screen windows, thatched roof with superb viewing decks overlooking the Luangwa river. The Victorian style tubs have direct views of the river.

There is a central lounge built around a fallen old ebony tree. The main lounge is where guests can enjoy lunch. Dinner is served by the riverside under the stars. Alongside the main lounge is a small pool where guests can relax after a day's activities and enjoy the views around the camp. You can enjoy the views of the river or game over ice cold drinks or cocktails from the bar at the main lounge.

Mchenja is the only camp that operates in the wet season. Guests can enjoy a boat cruise down the waterways of Luangwa River and spot games. Enjoy walking safari through South Luangwa National Park, birding, or day and night game drives. It is closed from November to January and during April. Open : 20 May - 7 November.

Children under the age of 12 years are not accepted at Mchenja Bush Camp, as this is the minimum age for walking. Ages 12 to 16 are asked to be with an adult at all times, as the camp is in a wildlife-dense area.

Major international airport is in Lusaka, capital of Zambia - the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. Other major airports are in Livingstone or Lilongwe in Malawi. Mfuwe Airport is the next stop, where you are met by a staff for a game drive to the camp.

Mchenja is the perfect destination to complete a walking or driving safari that has combined stays at a number of Norman Carr Safaris’ camps. For those seeking a little more comfort and pampering, combine a longer stay here with a number of nights at Chinzombo, the wildly luxurious camp on the banks of the Luangwa River.

Need to Know

• Open 20 May - 7 November


• Custom-made grass and canvas safari chalets


• 4 doubles or twins


• 1 x 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom family room (sleeps up to 3 kids)


• Runs on solar power


• No internet or phone signal


• 2.5 hour drive through village and National Park from Mfuwe Airport