Mawimbi Bush Camp Remains Fully Operational Following Main Guest Area Fire
Mawimbi Bush Camp in Zambia’s Kafue National Park remains fully operational following a fire in its Main Guest Area, with no injuries reported and rebuilding plans underway ahead of the 2027 season.
Close to midnight 8th September 2026, fire broke out in the Main Guest Area at Mawimbi Bush Camp, our owner-built and owner-run camp in Kafue National Park, Zambia.
It is with real sadness that we share this news - Mawimbi has been built with enormous care by a team who love this unique place, in the heart of Kafue. Seeing it affected this way has been hard on all of us.
What matters most, always, is people - we can confirm that everyone, guests and team alike, is safe. No one was injured in the fire. We worked side by side without pause from midnight until 7:30am to contain the fire to the Main Area alone. Every other building, and the bush around it, was protected. We couldn't be prouder of our team’s courage, quick actions and perseverance.
Mawimbi remains fully operational. Guests are being welcomed into our second lapa area with our signature delicious meals being served. All activities (game drives, walking safaris, river trips) continue as normal, and not a single reservation through to our end-of-season close has cancelled. The response from our guests speaks volumes - that we share the belief in conservation-led tourism and in the value of small, independently-run camps in Zambia's wilderness areas.
We're working with specialists to assess the damage and plans for the rebuild of the Main Guest Area are underway, to open next season on the 1st April 2027.
Our commitment to our team, our guests, and Kafue National Park is unchanged. Wildlife sightings at Mawimbi have been exceptional from a pride of lions walking through our camp, to leopard passing within 30 metres of the lapa, a herd of elephants bathing in the dambo to a pack of 30 wild dog with pups playing by the roadside. We’re blessed.
Zambia's wild spaces are stunning, especially the wild Kafue National Park, where you may go a day without seeing a vehicle. We’d invite you to add Mawimbi Bush Camp into your itineraries for discerning guests who love intimate and bespoke camps, and welcome you to be part of our next exciting chapter.
Mawimbi’s main guest area will be restored, and we can't wait to welcome you to this beautiful part of Kafue. Join us and be a part of Mawimbi’s journey, as we rebuild with passion and commitment, one guest at a time.
With our sincere thanks,
The Mawimbi Team
About Mawimbi Bush Camp
Mawimbi is an owner-built, owner-run safari camp in the heart of Kafue National Park, Zambia. Set on a private concession, Mawimbi Bush Camp offers game drives, walking safaris and river trips across one of Africa's largest and least-visited wilderness areas. Its four exclusive tented suites each enjoy uninterrupted views of the Kafue River, while a natural wetland bordering the camp draws abundant wildlife right to its doorstep - contemporary luxury, in a remote and unique setting.
