Right off the bat, a safari camp located in Botswana’s renowned wilderness makes it irresistible to the avid explorer. The people who scour the pages of outdoor adventure magazines looking for the gems in the category of African destinations are usually on the lookout for an unexplored area; something new to discover, a fresher air to inhale. The Chobe region in Botswana has for years been well-visited and with good reason. The Chobe National Park is a painter’s palate; a colourful array of birds adorn the treetops and the riverbanks, while earth’s terrestrial giants amble across the plains, and Africa’s predatory cats and canines stalk their prey amongst the dense riverine woodland.
Near here, we find the location for this week’s featured accommodation: Camp Kuzuma.
This vegetative splendour is surrounded by forest reserves; living a much more private life than that of the famous Chobe. These reserves boast a world of fauna and flora that house an abundance of wild animals within their lovingly protected borders. A much quieter existence is that of the Kuzuma Forest Reserve situated southeast of Chobe National Park, and 65km from Kasane, it straddles Botswana’s border with its neighbour, Zimbabwe. It is the busiest elephant corridor that joins the Chobe National Park and Zim’s elephant haven, Hwange National Park. An incredibly special role to play; opening the road for the world’s largest population of elephant.
Within the reserve, lightly lies Camp Kuzuma; an ecologically-conscious, canvas hideaway amongst the greenery of the forest, overlooking a bustling waterhole. This luxury accommodation in the rarely seen Kuzuma Reserve is ideally positioned for new discovery in Botswana. Our team mate, Carolynne, abandoned her live lion blogging at Haina Kalahari Lodge and took refuge in Botswana’s beautiful forest. While visiting Camp Kuzuma, she demonstrated her highly skilful camera work and captured some of the best sunsets she says she has ever seen. Bright pinks and burnt orange dyed the dusk sky, drawing out silhouettes of tall palms that reflected in the still surface of the water.
When asked to describe what stood out about Camp Kuzuma and the gorgeous forest it nestles in, Carolynne talked about Kuzuma’s own pan located on their 4000 hectare private concession, about a 20 minute drive from camp. It is here that the game drive takes an inspiring interval and guests on the safari are invited to enjoy a drink with the sunset and truly admire the peacefulness of their secret location. Carolynne had this to say about her sundown stop: “Even during the ‘quiet’ wildlife season you will see plenty of birdlife and the occasional predator. It’s an area brimming with activity. This is an area that boasts some of the best sunsets I have seen in a long, long time”.
Aside from its dream-like location, Camp Kuzuma offers its guests the ultimate breakaway in its style of accommodation. Matching the surrounding natural elements, the bedroom units and the main lodge are lifted lightly off the ground on wooden platforms, joined by interleading walkways and covered in subtle, green canvas, camouflaging this peaceful residence amongst its neighbourly trees. The interiors of the bedrooms reveal a slightly eclectic style of décor, with cow-skin headboards and black and white patterned, pull-back curtains to match an opulent armchair. The en suite bathrooms house high-back Victorian baths and are encased in dark, stone walls; adding richness and elegance to time spent in the bush. Spending an afternoon relaxing at the main camp area offers comfort in the lounge, the open bar area and a wide wooden deck adorned with a refreshing swimming pool and boasting a view of a floodlit waterhole, often visited by elephant and lion.
While on her Botswana adventure, Carolynne focused on the importance of a perfect safari; she took fantastic photographs, noted the abundance of birds and the tranquillity of the reserve, and she paid special attention to the quality of cuisine she received from Camp Kuzuma’s kitchen. When I asked her for a stand out moment, she responded with, “The food was exceptional!” Knowing Carolynne, a lot would have been resting on level of deliciousness of the food received, and I am pleased to say that the baked fish and salad she had for lunch was lovely, light and healthy to combat the decadent high tea that was chock-full of sweet and savoury delights. The guests were treated to a traditional South African braai (barbeque), which turned out “brilliantly done” sirloin steaks and created a campfire ambience not to be forgotten.
Camp Kuzuma is that getaway holiday that showcases the unseen and enlightens its visitors to the wilderness that is not so frequently ogled by viewers. Exceptional game viewing offers regular sightings of wildebeest, elephant, buffalo, roan, sable and giraffe, as well as, lion and leopard, which leaves little to long for. It’s been tried and tested, and Camp Kuzuma has delivered in the highest degree, making it our featured accommodation for this week and a real treasure for any Botswana traveller.
