Potato Bush Camp is an intimate, family-friendly camp in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park. It offers a secluded safari with understated luxury. A variety of activities are led by some of the best Guides in the business. With exceptional wildlife viewing and a location that is second to none.
All guest rooms are serviced by Muchindas (Butlers) who look after guests from tea/coffee in bed at wake up in the morning, to taking meal orders and arranging laundry.
Potato Bush Camp is perfect for family or group bookings looking to have a private escape on an exclusive-use basis.
Safari Tents
Potato Bush’s Safari Tents are a haven of comfort and coziness. Elevated with a safari twist. Each is extremely spacious with en-suite bathrooms, twin showers and twin basins, and a clawfoot bathtub. Large folding doors lead onto a private balcony where an immense hammock and private plunge pool overlook the Zambezi River. Two of the Luxury Safari Tents are furnished with king beds, whilst the third is a twin room. All beds are nestled within a vast four-poster mosquito net and come equipped with a fan.
Safari Tent
Family House
The two bedroom Family House is 21 meters wide, all the better for embracing the views of the Zambezi River. It offers a huge central living area between the bedrooms, making this an ideal location for families as well as groups of four adults. Both bedrooms have their own en-suite bathrooms with twin showers, twin basins, and a large clawfoot tub (with a view). An extra bed can be added to either room. Not to be outdone by the bedrooms, the central area boasts a wooden dining table, a fully stocked bar and fridge, and a welcoming lounge area, and the balcony offers a large plunge pool.
Family House main bedroom
Potato Bush Camp Activities
A standout attraction of the Lower Zambezi is the variety of activities. Safari game drives in search of big game, slower walks to see everything you would miss on a vehicle safari, boating safaris, fishing excursions, or canoe trips. Interspersed with surprise bush experiences. All combine to create lasting memories.
Game Drives Day & Night
Game drives are the most successful way to see a good variety of wildlife, both large and small. Visiting more areas, and witnessing the diversity of the Lower Zambezi National Park you can appreciate the unspoiled wilderness of Zambia. A larger area can be covered in a shorter time frame, increasing the chance of finding great game. The vehicles also allow those ‘up close and personal’ experiences. The team of professional guides will ensure that it is not too close!
Game drive with lion
Night drives are the perfect way to experience the nocturnal animals. Including the elusive leopard, genet, civet, porcupine, and giant eagle owl. The big cats tend to be more active at night and you may find yourself following lions on the hunt. Other common sightings include honey badger, African Wild Cat, and even the occasional sighting of the very rare Pangolin. Your guide will also point out the constellations of the Southern night sky.
Genet
Walking Safaris
Walking is the perfect way to search for the smaller creatures. Learn about the trees, and plants, while examining the different tracks and signs. Led by a professional walking guide and National Parks Wildlife Officer, walking is carried out in small groups. Taking advantage of the cooler morning temperatures, you will take a game drive from camp to an open area where the walk begins. Beware, not only do you see the smaller things on foot it is also not uncommon to see a lion on the bush walks.
Canoeing
The Lower Zambezi is renowned for its spectacular canoeing on the Zambezi, “The Chifungulu Channel”. Led by one of the highly qualified canoe guides, explore the banks of the river, where game can be seen from a totally different perspective. Looking UP rather than down! Canoe trips vary in length. However, a one-hour canoe trip is a great prelude to an evening game drive. No experience or particular strength is required. It is an effortless drift, as the flow of the Zambezi pushes the canoes along. Rather than a workout, this is a time to relax, listen to the sounds of the huge variety of birdlife, and admire their sheer beauty. Canoeing is available for 15 years and older.
Fishing
The Zambezi River is host to some of the most spectacular freshwater sport fishing in the world. With plentiful Tigerfish (Hydrocynus Vittatus, Latin for “striped river dog”) and Tilapia amongst others. Potato Bush Camp offers both spinning and fly fishing. Both are strictly on a catch and release in accordance with the principles of the National Park.
The most sporting and certainly the most fun fish to catch is the famous Tigerfish. A relative of the infamous piranha, Tigerfish have large carnivorous teeth, can grow to 15kg / 33lb (the camp record 11.3kg), and are renowned for their strength and spectacular “leaping out of the water” fighting performance.
Fishing is successful all year round, however, the warmer months (September – December) are definitely the best time to catch Tigerfish. This is the breeding season when the fish are more active, feeding more regularly, and are far more aggressive. The water level is typically lower and the visibility is at its very best. The Lower Zambezi has the finest Tiger fishing in the world.
Fly Fishing
Boat Cruises
Scenic boat cruises are a very relaxing way to view the game that comes down to the river to drink and bathe. While also taking in the unique water wildlife. Until the Zambezi River is explored by boat, it is impossible to truly appreciate the huge hippo pods and crocodile populations. Lucky guests have experienced the truly memorable sight of elephants crossing the Zambezi, from Mana Pools National Park to the Lower Zambezi National Park. To view the most amazing sunsets in Africa, floating sundowners (Gin and Tonic are de rigueur!) in the middle of the Zambezi are a must!
This can also provide a photographic opportunity for that perfect African sunset. Potato Bush Camp operates scenic boat trips on river cruisers. They are the perfect boat for the Zambezi River as sandbanks make navigation on the water very difficult.
Boat safari
Birding
There is something for the novice and experienced bird watcher alike. Whether you enjoy waking up to the booming call of the impressive Ground Hornbill. Or watching the flittering of tiny Redbilled Firefinches. There are approximately 500 species of birds in the Lower Zambezi National Park! From waders on the shores of the Zambezi River to wattle eyes in the Miambo woodland in the escarpment. Some of the special and more interesting birds in the area are Saddlebill Stork, African Skimmer, Rufous Bellied Heron, Bee Eaters, Black Crowned Night Heron, Amethyst Sunbird, and Jamsons Firefinch just to name a few.
Carmine Bee Eaters
Making a difference
Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ) is a non-governmental organization that is dedicated to conservation. Their four major programs all align with the core focuses of the Green Safaris Conservation Foundation: Wildlife Protection, Environmental Education, Community Empowerment, and Reintroduction and Research. Guests at Potato Bush Camp are invited to experience the vital work that they are doing in one of the last remaining wildernesses in Africa.
Potato Bush Camp Accommodation Rates
Camp closure: Closes 1st December – 31st March inclusive
2025 & 2026 Potato Bush Camp Rates
Safari Tents
Family House – Minimum 3 x adults or 2 x adults and 2 x children
Green Season:
1st April – 30th June
1st – 30th November
$975
High Season:
1st July – 31st October
$1,430
40% Single Supplement applies all year.
Rates Include:
Accommodation, meals, selected activities, laundry, and non-premium drinks.
Levies, service charges, and taxes.
Park fees and bed levies.
Transfers to and from Jeki airstrip.
Morning and evening game drives with private guide and vehicle.
Morning and evening boating safaris.
Walking safaris when available. The minimum age limit of 12 years old applies. Kindly note these are not private.
A selection of out of camp picnics and meals.
Zambezi Tiger Fishing.
Canoeing – water level dependent.
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.
Massages.
Child Policy
Potato Bush Camp allows children from 9 years. 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.
