The Bushcamp Co

What The Bushcamp Co does

The Bushcamp Company is a privately held Zambian luxury safari operator founded in 1999 and headquartered in Mfuwe, operating the largest portfolio inside South Luangwa National Park. It runs eight properties: two gateway lodges (Mfuwe Lodge and the Villas at KuKaya, opened 2023) and six intimate bushcamps (Kuyenda, Chamilandu, Chindeni, Bilimungwe, Kapamba, Zungulila) located within a 140,000-acre exclusive concession. The company employs over 200 staff, almost all local Zambians from the Luangwa valley, including senior guides with 20+ years of tenure who also examine new guides on behalf of Zambia's Department of National Parks and Wildlife.

The product is the Bushcamp Circuit: multi-night, multi-camp safari journeys priced at $565–$1,136 per person per night all-inclusive (accommodation, meals, scheduled activities, laundry, house drinks). Ancillary revenue comes from optional add-ons (professional photography, photographic vehicle hire, bush spa, bush fly camp, private guide hire) and a branded merchandise shop whose proceeds fund conservation. The company distributes exclusively through a direct reservations team and a global network of travel-trade advisors and tour operators, with no OTA presence. A 54-hectare farm supplies fresh produce to all camps, supporting farm-to-table dining and an on-site guest experience.

The operating model combines high-ADR hospitality with a strong conservation and community platform: the company co-founded the Luangwa Conservation & Community Fund (now supported by 11 operators), Conservation South Luangwa, and the Charity Begins at Home 501(c)(3), collectively raising over $7M since 1999 and funding 295+ boreholes, 1,300 students, and 4,000+ daily school meals. The business has been owner-operated since 2023 (Brooke and Corby Robertson) following founder Andy Hogg's retirement in December 2025, and has since added senior operational and revenue/trade-relations management (January–February 2026 appointments) to formalize commercial functions.

Name

The Bushcamp Co

Legal name

The Bushcamp Company

Website

https://bushcampcompany.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Bushcamp Company is a privately held Zambian luxury safari operator running eight camps and lodges inside South Luangwa National Park, serving high-net-worth international travelers seeking multi-night walking-safari circuit experiences across a 140,000-acre exclusive concession.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Safari Lodging and Guided Wildlife Experiences

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Safari Lodges (Big Five/Game Reserves) (THAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Safari Lodges & Tented Camps (THAAAHAC), Safari & Wilderness Luxury Resorts (THAGACAD), River & Wetland Lodges (Delta/Okavango-style) (THAGAIAG)

Keywords

• Luxury safari lodges
• Walking safari experiences
• Safari accommodation packages
• Wildlife conservation tourism
• South Luangwa National Park

Headquarters

HQ city

Mfuwe

HQ country

Zambia

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Safari Accommodations: Revenue primarily from multi-night safari accommodation packages across 8 properties (Mfuwe Lodge, Villas at KuKaya, Family House, and 6 bushcamps). Pricing varies by season, property type, and length of stay. Packages include accommodation, most meals, scheduled game drives, walking safaris, house drinks, laundry, and VAT.
2. Add-on Experiences and Services: Supplementary revenue from specialized activities including professional photography services, Heritage Club Collection experiences (Dinner with Dr. Livingstone, Bush Fly Camp, Scout School Visit, Champagne at Sunset, The Farm Table), specialized photographic vehicle hire, and spa treatments at Mfuwe Lodge.
3. Merchandise: Online shop selling branded merchandise including sweatshirts, fleeces, and t-shirts. All net proceeds applied toward conservation work in Luangwa River valley.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Bushcamp Company operates eight safari properties inside South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, comprising two gateway lodges (Mfuwe Lodge, Villas at KuKaya), the Family House at Mfuwe Lodge, and six remote bushcamps (Kuyenda, Chamilandu, Chindeni, Bilimungwe, Kapamba, Zungulila). It sells multi-night, all-inclusive safari packages that include accommodation, meals, scheduled game drives, walking safaris, night drives, sundowners, and conservation contributions, complemented by add-on experiences such as spa treatments, photographic safaris, and the Heritage Club Collection.

Product overview

The Bushcamp Company is a portfolio of eight safari camps and lodges operating inside South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. The portfolio consists of two gateway properties (Mfuwe Lodge, Villas at KuKaya, and The Family House) positioned at the park entrance, and six intimate bushcamps (Kuyenda, Chamilandu, Chindeni, Bilimungwe, Kapamba, Zungulila) set deep within a 140,000-acre exclusive-use wilderness area. The circuit is designed to be experienced sequentially, progressing from gateway lodges into deeper wilderness. Additionally, the company offers diverse safari experiences including game drives, walking safaris, night drives, sundowners, spa treatments, and the signature Elephant in Reception event. The Bushcamp Heritage Club Collection provides curated heritage experiences, while The Farm supplies fresh produce across all properties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mfuwe Lodge: Award-winning gateway lodge to South Luangwa National Park with 18 thatched chalets, spa, swimming pool, located just inside the park entrance.
• The Villas at KuKaya
• The Family House at Mfuwe Lodge
• Bushcamps (Signature and Classic)
• Bush Spa

Products and services

• Mfuwe Lodge Award-winning gateway safari lodge set between two lagoons just inside the park entrance with 18 thatched chalets, spa, swimming pool, and famous elephant crossings during mango season (October-mid-December). Target guests are luxury safari travelers and families seeking an authentic South Luangwa experience.
• Villas at KuKaya Exclusive retreat of six spacious thatched villas overlooking the Luangwa floodplain, designed for privacy with private plunge pools, dedicated guide and vehicle for each villa. Targets families and small private groups seeking a flexible, private safari.
• The Family House at Mfuwe Lodge Private sanctuary within Mfuwe Lodge grounds featuring two interconnecting bedrooms, private pool, garden, firepit, pizza oven, and braai area. Designed for families and small groups wanting exclusive-use accommodation.
• Chamilandu Bushcamp Signature bushcamp with three thatched treehouse-style chalets elevated above the riverbank on stilts beneath ebony trees along the Luangwa River, with wildlife hides overlooking a lagoon.
• Chindeni Bushcamp Signature bushcamp with four elevated tents beneath ancient ebony trees overlooking a permanent lagoon with Chindeni Hills as backdrop, regarded as one of the most picturesque camps in the portfolio.
• Bilimungwe Bushcamp Signature bushcamp with four thatched chalets raised on wooden decks beneath mahogany trees overlooking a permanent waterhole that attracts wildlife throughout the day.
• Kapamba Bushcamp Classic bushcamp with four open-fronted stone-and-thatch chalets along the Kapamba River, featuring star beds for sleeping under the African sky.
• Zungulila Bushcamp Remote bushcamp with four classic Meru-style safari tents set deepest in the wilderness beneath ancient winterthorn trees near the Kapamba River headwaters.
• Kuyenda Bushcamp Heritage bushcamp with five thatched rondavels around a natural spring, representing authentic Luangwa walking safari traditions.
• Game Drives Safari game drives exploring the rich diversity and incredible wildlife of South Luangwa National Park in open four-wheel drive vehicles, included in safari packages.
• Walking Safaris Walking safaris led by expert guides and armed scouts, exploring the birthplace of the walking safari on foot through diverse habitats inside South Luangwa National Park.
• Night Drives Evening game drives offering the rare opportunity to observe nocturnal wildlife behaviors in South Luangwa National Park, permitted inside the national park concession.
• Private Guide and Vehicle Hire Exclusive private safari experience with dedicated guide and vehicle for personalized scheduling and pacing, available as an add-on to a standard safari package.
• Specialized Photographic Safaris Safari experiences using modified photographic vehicles with open sides and custom seating designed for optimal wildlife photography positioning, with an in-house professional photographer available.
• Bush Spa Treatments Spa treatments offered at the Bush Spa cantilevered over a hippo lagoon at Mfuwe Lodge, available as an add-on service to safari stays.
• Bushcamp Heritage Club Collection Curated heritage experiences inspired by early explorers, including Dinner with Dr. Livingstone, Bush Fly Camp, Scout School Visit, Champagne at Sunset, and The Farm Table.
• Community Visits Cultural experiences visiting the Mfuwe community, including Tribal Textiles workshops, Kawaza Village visits, school visits, and the Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust.

Quantifiable outcome

• Mfuwe Lodge voted #2 in Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2025 - Top 10 Safari Lodges in Africa
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Luangwa Conservation and Community Fund (LCCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal charity supported by 11 South Luangwa safari operators. A portion of each guest's stay contributes to this fund, supporting wildlife protection, community programs, and conservation initiatives in the valley.
• Charity Begins at HomecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) charity founded by The Bushcamp Company to fund boreholes, school meals, new classrooms, tree planting, and scholarships for local children. Manages conservation and community contributions from guests.
• Conservation South Luangwa (CSL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization working to protect South Luangwa's wildlife through anti-poaching operations, K9 units, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, and conservation education. BCC supports through annual conservation funds.
• Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZambian government body overseeing national parks. BCC works with DNPW for park operations, road maintenance, infrastructure, and wildlife management. Armed scouts from DNPW accompany all walking safaris.
• Tribal TextilesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtisan workshop in Mfuwe offering batik classes, retail store, and café. Available as cultural visit option for guests from Mfuwe Lodge and KuKaya.
• Kawaza VillageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraditional village offering cultural day visits providing insight into Kunda culture and village life. Long-standing cultural tourism partnership.
• Chipembele Wildlife Education TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation education centre on the Luangwa River. Available as cultural/educational visit option for guests.
• Proflight ZambiaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorZambian airline providing scheduled flights connecting Lusaka to Mfuwe International Airport (MFU), the primary access point for South Luangwa National Park.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Robin Pope Safaris: Long-standing South Luangwa safari operator offering mobile and lodge-based safaris inside the national park. Most directly comparable peer: same park, same walking-safari heritage tradition, and overlapping luxury traveler segment.
• Shenton Safaris (Kaingo Camp): Family-run South Luangwa operator with Kaingo Camp and Mwamba Bushcamp inside the park. Closest direct competitor on intimate bushcamp count, walking safaris, and photography positioning.
• Norman Carr Safaris: Historic South Luangwa operator tracing directly to Norman Carr, the pioneer of the walking safari whose tradition BCC explicitly inherits. Competes for the same walking-safari heritage story and the same guests.
• Time + Tide Zambia: Zambia-focused luxury safari operator with properties in South Luangwa (Chinzombo) and Liuwa Plain. Comparable luxury positioning, multi-property circuit model, and conservation focus.
• Sausage Tree Camp: Boutique South Luangwa safari operator with luxury tented suites on the Luangwa River. Direct overlap on guest profile (luxury safari travelers), guided walking safaris, and park-based night drives.

Broad incumbents

• Wilderness Safaris: Largest luxury safari operator in Africa with a wide portfolio across Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and Kenya. Competes for the same HNW traveler in South Luangwa and beyond, with materially deeper digital/trade infrastructure.
• &Beyond: Luxury safari and lodge operator across southern and East Africa with strong brand recognition, conservation footprint (CCAfrica), and global trade network. Overlaps directly with BCC on luxury travelers seeking multi-country itineraries.
• Singita: Ultra-luxury African safari and conservation brand with private reserves in South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Rwanda. Competes for the same top-of-pyramid HNW guests with comparable nightly rate points and conservation-led storytelling.
• Sanctuary Retreats (Part of Carnival): Luxury safari and river-cruise operator across Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, Botswana, and Namibia with properties including Sanctuary Zebra Plains in South Luangwa. Competes directly in the same park for the same guests.

Regional players

• Chiawa Safaris: Owner-run safari operator in Zambia's Lower Zambezi National Park with comparable guiding heritage and luxury tented-chalet positioning. Does not overlap geographically with BCC but is a frequent combination for guests booking multi-park Zambia itineraries.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/BushcampCo
• Facebookfacebook.com/186272212903
• Instagraminstagram.com/bushcampcompany

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Bushcamp Co