Little Vumbura is gorgeous camp set on an island, well off the beaten track. This classic Wilderness Safaris camp is a favourite of ours and we have a big soft spot for using it over its big sister, Vumbura Plains. Little Vumbura only has 6 rooms whereas Vumbura Plains is made up of two, nine room camps. The difference in service is noticeable as main camp is a premier camp. But when it comes to the decision as to which one, there is no doubt that Little Vumbura has more charm.
Little Vumbura - The Details
Little Vumbura is set on a 60,000 hectare private concession which is shares with Vumbura Plains camp. However, it is located a good half an hours drive away and the joy is that you’re fully aware you are in the middle of nowhere. The camp is a classic Wilderness Safaris camp so you are not over pampered with luxury but the balance is just right. The camp is rather petit and sits facing out over a big flood plain and has a main channel running past it. The channel has water in it all year round therefore it is only accessed by a 4 minute boat journey.
The main area of the camp is divided up into four small parts. There is a dining area with separate tables and a small bar to accompany it. To one side is a boma area for evening fires and on the opposite side is a raised lounge area with a small walkway, leading to a private sala extension for a spot of private time. Then the pool sits behind all this and it too looks out over onto the water.
There are only 6 rooms in the camp which is the joy of it. All the rooms are identical except one honeymoon room which has an out door bath with a great view. Like all classic camps the rooms are enormous but have ample space to maintain that cosy feel. A big double bed on one side and the bathroom area on the other. The central section has a couple of arm chairs, a desk and storage space. At the foot of the bed is a sliding door that leads out to a decking with some chairs and a sofa.
The environment is varied in the concession; from river channels, lakes, lagoons, thick mopane forests and smaller ebony forest islands. Famous for great herds of sable that lurk in the drier areas, big herds of buffalo, large numbers of water buck and of course a good mix of predators. There are wild dog, leopard, lion, cheetah, hyena and the small nocturnal predators in the concession.
You can enjoy water activities year round at Little Vumbura, and game drives when the water is high can be done after a 20 minute boat ride to the vehicles. When the water is lower, then the vehicles are only a 4 minute boat drive away. Either way, the wildlife viewing is fantastic on game drives, and the boating always beautiful.
