McBrides' Camp

Owner operated by the Mcbride family, it provides are friendly warm atmosphere. Chris Mcbride is known for his lion research, having started his fascination by writing his thesis on the subject in 1941 he has since written a book called ”The White Lions of Timbavati”. The camp is small, with just 5 thatched chalets.

The west bank of the Kafue River is a roadless wilderness. McBrides’ specialize in walks and walking safaris in this area. The camp is found in one of the last true wilderness areas in the park, where there are no roads and virtually no signs of humans.

This intense wilderness quality, so hard to find nowadays, together with the full complement of various forms of life, mammals, birds, fish, reptiles is what McBrides' Camp offers.

The accommodation consists of seven private thatched two person chalets with en suite bathrooms. Beds have mosquito nets and each chalet has hot and cold running water, modern ablutions with a shower.

Each chalet has a unique view, either of the river or the bush. A comfortable verandah allows one to view the many species of birds and wildlife from the chalet.

Daily morning walks from the camp, returning for a mid-morning brunch. These are modestly-paced, investigatory strolls to allow for a close scrutiny of whatever presents itself on a particular morning, a lion roar, an antelope alarm call, which could include the full range of life forms in the area; birds, insect, mammal; as well as the ecology of various vegetation types in the area. These walks are fascinating, and your guides have been engaged in such activities, though not continuously, for approximately forty years.

In the afternoons, you may choose to go on another walk in a different area or for a ride on the river in the famous double decker Fish Eagle; an ideal way to enjoy the river and its sights. Or perhaps you would like to go fishing. Yellow-belly bream, the largest bream are famous for their fighting and eating qualities and abound in the area. Or you may decide to rest in the camp, from which game and bird, withover 300 species bird viewing is excellent.

McBrides have a new, official, bush or satellite camp near the river 14 kilometres downstream from our present camp. An ideal base for bush walks, the Bush Camp overlooks a traditional buffalo drinking place, from which at least 9 well-used game paths converge on the river. Herds of up to 400 to 600 drink there. There is a healthy pride of golden lions in the area as well, and the spot is pristine and very wild.

This camp is rustic but comfortable, and caters for a maximum of eight people. It can be reached by a 3.5 hour drift on our pontoon boat, the Fish Eagle, with good game viewing, especially in the dry season, from the upper deck; or by a 3.5 hour walk from our camp. Guests can also chose which option to use for the return to our camp.

Fishing is also excellent in this area, with bream of various species usually being the most sought after catch.