Chisa Busanga Camp is in the heart of the Busanga Plains, in Northern Kafue National Park. Sitting on a small tree lined island, overlooking vast flood plains and dambos* that teem with wildlife. Chisa Busanga Camp is open from 1st May to 14th November every year.
*Dambos are seasonally waterlogged, grassland areas found in the headwater regions of drainage systems or alongside streams.
Chisa Busanga Camp is entirely solar-powered and is the only camp in the Busanga Plains to operate Silent Safaris. Where electric game drive vehicles (which are also recharged with solar power) with no intrusive engine noises enable guests to get that much closer to the wildlife. Back up diesel vehicles are kept at all camps.
Once Green Safaris founder Vincent Kouwenhoven found this gem of a site in the Busanga Plains, he wanted to create accommodation that would be unique and unforgettable for guests. And yet nonintrusive to the local wildlife. The challenge was to create a structure that could be built in the middle of a seasonal floodplain without harming the environment. Then came the idea to base the design on the weaver bird nests in the area. Chisa is perhaps the first property in Africa to adopt not only its shape, style, and structure from nature. But also its materials and building processes.
Nests
The 4 Chisa nests were raised at least four meters off the ground to minimize the impact on the local ecology and wildlife. Wooden steps lead you to your haven in the trees. One of the Nests is closest to the main building and incorporates a simple metal lift so that travelers with limited mobility can easily reach the Nest. Like its namesake, each Chisa room has a large circular opening at the front that maximizes its stunning view over the Busanga Plains. And gives you a bird’s eye view from your Nest.
Everything inside each Nest is magnetized around this view. From the large bed to the indoor/outdoor shower and cozy seating nook. Each Nest is also lit from within by a large, handmade chandelier from Katundu in Malawi. Each chandelier comprises strings of seeds in another subtle nod to the weaver birds. There are Evening Breeze cooling systems for hotter months. While feather duvets and hot water bottles are provided during the colder months.
Filter coffee, a variety of tea, and cookies are in the Nests. Hot water is delivered early morning by flask and can be requested at any time of the day.
Hidden away in the trees, the Chisa Busanga Nests weave together luxury and romance while immersing you in the enchanting wilderness of the Busanga Plains. Wake up to elephants walking through the mist that rises off the drying floodplains below. Fall asleep knowing that you sleep a little closer to the stars.
The nests have Evening Breeze cooling systemsOne Nest has an electrically operated lift for mobility restrictions
The magic of Busanga Plains
The park is known to be one of the best places in Africa to find leopards, especially on night game drives. It is also home to one of the last populations of cheetahs in Zambia. It has one of the largest populations of wild dogs. Busanga Plains has more lions than beds for travelers!
The romance of the Busanga Plains is a wild and marvelous thing. The rosy mist that rises in the mornings when the floods are still receding. The herds of elephants stirring it up as they walk across the plains. The prides of muddy lions* catching their breath together.
*This is quite unusual as cats don’t normally like water so quite a sight.
Chisa Busanga Camp Activities
E-Mountain Bike Safari
Experience the wonders of Busanga quietly and at a comfortable pace from the seat of an electronic mountain bike. With an experienced guide sharing their knowledge of the bush. The guides know all Busanga’s secrets, including spots for breathtaking views and great birding opportunities. As you crisscross through this enchanting landscape on two wheels, you will be creating lifelong memories.
Please note this activity has currently been suspended due to the growth in the number of lions over the past 5 years. This is a fantastic win for African Parks and conservation! We have left it here as there are still efforts to renew the permits in the future.
Arriving back at camp for breakfast after an eBiking safari
Walking Safari
Slow down to nature’s pace as your knowledgeable guide and armed scout leads you on a bush walk that immerses you in the natural beauty of Busanga Plains. The guides are from neighboring communities and know the secrets of Busanga in every detail. A maximum of six people can go on a walking safari and the minimum age is 14.
Busanga Plains walking safari
E-Cruiser Game Drive
Blend into the quiet of nature in the e-Cruiser. This allows you to experience all the sights and sounds of the bush in near silence and with a deep sense of environmental care. Go unnoticed as you watch elephants walking through the mist at dawn. Water-loving lechwe jumping the streams. Or a lion mother feeding her little cubs.
For clients with mobility issues, the front seat of the game drive vehicle can be used.
Lechwe
Birding
Keep your eyes and ears open because you don’t want to miss seeing some of the 470 bird species that call the Busanga Plains home. The endemic Chaplin’s barbet and endangered grey crowned and wattled cranes find sanctuary within the Busanga Plains. Along with Pel’s owls and African finfoots. The lesser kestrel and Montagu’s harrier are summer migrants. While Ross’s turaco and black-backed barbet are some of the area’s ‘specials’. Secretary birds are abundant.
When is the best time to visit Busanga Plains?
For most of the year, the Lufupa River overfills her outspread branches and seasonally narrow channels in the Busanga Plains. This turns the grasslands into inaccessible floodplains and the roads into lily-covered lagoons. Leaving only a few dotted islands around to wait for the water to recede again.
The Busanga Plains is only accessible between May to mid-November when the floods have receded enough to allow for road transport. This is slightly earlier than some other camps in the area. What this means is that when the floods of the Busanga Plains do subside (usually between early June and the middle of November), they reveal miles of open grasslands and draw thousands of herbivores to munch on the verdant, misty vegetation. And where the herbivores go… well, so does everyone else. The wide open grasslands and endless horizons also ensure easier game viewing. Those five 1/2 months offer some of the best game viewing in Southern Africa. Thousands of red lechwe and puku assemble along the receding water channels that shelter hippos and crocodiles.
By June, the grounds are still cool and damp from the rapidly vanishing waters. There is an elephant corridor very close to Chisa Camp. So first thing in the mornings, early birds (guests) can snuggle up in their nests and watch as herds of elephants make their silent, ponderous way through billowing mists, clouds of which are turning gently pink in the sunrise as the wild world wakes up for the day.
How to get to Chisa Busanga Camp?
Access to Chisa Busanga Camp is best by plane. Lusaka to Busanga airfield or vice versa takes approximately 1 hour and 45 min. A flight from Livingstone would be about 2 hours direct but often will stop in Lusaka.
From Busanga to Ila Safari Lodge (Chunga Airfield) or vice versa is approximately a 20-minute flight or 5-hour drive.
Chisa Busanga Camp Accommodation Rates
Camp closure: Closed 15th November – 30th April each year.
2025 & 2026 Chisa Busanga Camp Rates
All Nests
Green Season: 1st May – 30th June and 1st – 14th November 2025
$1,055
High Season: 1st July – 31st October 2025
$1,350
Green Season: 1st May – 30th June and 1st – 14th November 2026
$1,160
High Season: 1st July – 31st October 2026
$1,485
40% Single Supplement applies all year.
Rates are per person sharing and include:
Accommodation, meals, selected activities, laundry, and non-premium drinks.
Levies, service charges, and taxes.
Park fees and bed levies.
Transfers to and from airfield.
Rates Exclude:
Premium drinks, international travel, activities not listed, and other incidentals.
We require that all guests arrange fully comprehensive travel insurance.
Travel to camp unless booked on Wings and Wheels.
Child Policy
Chisa Busanga Camp allows children from 9 years. There is one camp bed that can be added to one of the nests for a child. 9-15 years pay 50% if sharing with 2 adults. 16 + pays the full adult rate.
Get 2 free nights at the cheapest property (from above) on stays of 9 nights.
Valid during the Green Season in 2025 (1st May – 30th June and 1st – 14th November).
Pay 3 Stay 4
Get a night free on safari at Sausage Tree Camp, Potato Bush Camp, Chisa Busanga Camp, and Shawa Camp.
Valid during the Green Season in 2026 (1st May – 30th June and 1st – 14th November). Can be combined with other specials. Includes Wings and Wheels.
