Bushcamps Visit
by Michaela Strachan - BBC Wildlife Presenter


I am a huge fan of the African Bush and my childhood dream was to be Joy Adamson!! Staying at the Bushcamps was definitely the nearest I've got to that dream. Sitting outside my tent on the verandah writing my diary whilst watching an elephant take a cool afternoon bathe in the lagoon was a magical 'Born Free' memory.

Surprisingly I had never been on a walking safari before. It is an experience that anyone who loves the bush just has to do. You become part of the environment. Your senses are completely heightened. There's nothing quite like coming across a pride of lions lounging around in the early morning light to get your adrenalin going and wake you up!!

On a walk you really appreciate the beauty of Luangwa. You see things that you don't notice when you're in a vehicle. I got fascinated with tracking animals by checking out their prints and dung. In fact I became a bit obsessed with poo! I guess that's the children's presenter side of me coming out!!

I also loved the idea of moving camps every couple of nights. We started off at Kuyenda, then onto Chamilandu and ended up at Chindeni.

All the camps are impeccably run - attention to every detail, completely individual and all add a new bush experience. At Kuyenda I heard eles munching right outside my room, you didn't want to fall asleep incase you missed anything!

The night time sounds of the bush were as fascinating as the daytime sightings. And sitting on an outside loo whilst watching birds in the sausage tree above contemplating the indignity of being knocked out by a giant sausage fruit whilst having a pee was definitely a unique experience!!

Chamilandu was just stunning and if I had to choose, probably my favourite. Waking up to a beautiful sunrise over the river which was always stacked full of birds was unbeatable.

Chindeni was just as gorgeous and there is always something very romantic about staying in a tent, even a luxury one, especially when it offers such an incredible view.

The food was fab, the wildlife was abundant, the guides were incredibly interesting, the walks were special, the bushcamps were stunning and the whole experience was unforgettable. If you love wildlife the Luangwa valley needs to be high up on the list of must dos and I can't recommend the Bushcamps enough. I would definitely go back. As you can probably tell, I'm a bit of a fan!!

An experience certainly not to be missed.

-  Michaela Strachan 

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