Life at Hornbill
Life here is shaped by the bush itself — bird calls at dawn, fireside evenings, and the chance of wildlife passing close by after dark. Days can be as busy or as quiet as you like, from game drives and birding to simply stargazing with the Milky Way overhead.
What we Offer
Hornbill isn’t about luxury for its own sake. It’s about living close to nature with just the right level of comfort: fresh sheets, hot water, a fire to gather round, and a team who know how to look after you. Add in the birds, the stars, and the bush all around, and that’s what we offer — simple, genuine safari living.
Region & Experiences
The Region
Southern Kafue is quieter, wilder, and full of character — from the riverine woodlands that cradle our camp to the open Nanzhila Plains just a drive away. This corner of Kafue is part of one of Africa’s largest national parks — a protected wilderness about the size of Wales or Massachusetts, stretching across three provinces of Zambia. With four of the “Big Five” and over 500 bird species, the park offers something extraordinary in every season: lush greenery and dramatic storms in the rains, golden grasslands and easy game-viewing in the dry months. Though some roads can be challenging when the rains arrive, Kafue remains accessible by road and by air, and its changing moods are part of the adventure.
Birding
From hornbills that give the camp its name to the unmistakable call of fish eagles along the river bend, the canopy here is never quiet. The Nanzhila region is a birder’s dream, home to everyday favourites and rarities alike. Spoonbills sift the shallows, knob-billed geese gather on the water, and the shy black-cheeked lovebirds — a real tick on any birder’s list — can be spotted in the trees nearby. Whether you’re a seasoned twitcher or just someone who enjoys birdsong with your morning coffee, Hornbill offers a front-row seat to one of Africa’s richest birding spectacles.
Wildlife & River Moments
Explore Kafue’s wilderness at your own pace. Game drives are self-driven in your own vehicle, though our camp scout is always happy to ride along and share insights about the bush. Lions, leopards, hyenas, buffalo, antelope, and countless bird species call this area home — every drive holds the promise of a surprise.
A short walk from camp brings you to our small dock on the bend of the Nanzhila River. It’s not a swimming spot (our resident hippos and crocs wouldn’t approve), but it’s perfect for photographers, bird lovers, or simply anyone wanting a quiet moment by the water while fish eagles patrol overhead.
Stargazing & Fireside Living
When night falls, the fire pit becomes the heart of camp — glowing embers, quiet chatter, and the vast Milky Way arcing overhead in one of the clearest night skies you’ll ever see. But the nightlife here isn’t just above you. Leopards may pad silently past, hyenas sometimes call or nose around for forgotten braai scraps, and the bush itself comes alive with owls, nightjars, and the eerie calls of bush babies (or “Pookies,” as they’re fondly known here). Around the fire, you’ll quickly realize the dark hours in Kafue are every bit as captivating as the daylight.
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