Nestled in the heart of Southern Africa, Zambia stands as an untapped oasis of wildlife and scenic beauty. This diverse country offers not only an array of animal encounters and natural wonders but also a plethora of charming accommodations.
From rustic camps nestled amidst the wild to luxury lodges overlooking stunning landscapes, Zambia has something to match every traveler’s preference. In this article, we explore the top 15 camps and lodges in Zambia, based on location, amenities, customer service, eco-friendly practices, and guest reviews.
Royal Livingstone Hotel
The hotel offers a stunning view of the Victoria Falls, also known as “The Smoke That Thunders”. Its unique location makes it a perfect base for exploring the falls and surrounding areas. It’s approximately 15 minutes drive from Livingstone Airport.
The Royal Livingstone offers 173 spacious en-suite rooms, each with its private veranda overlooking the river. The colonial-style decor of the rooms blends seamlessly with African tribal accents, making it a true epitome of luxury in the wild.
The hotel provides a range of amenities including a swimming pool, a spa offering a variety of treatments, fine dining restaurants, and bars. There’s a sundeck where guests can relax and view the spray from the nearby Victoria Falls. Additionally, they offer a complimentary Wi-Fi service, 24-hour room service, and laundry services.
There are plenty of activities guests can participate in, such as sunset cruises on the Zambezi River, helicopter rides over the falls, game drives, and guided walking safaris. The hotel also offers unlimited free access to the Victoria Falls via their private entrance.
The Royal Livingstone is committed to sustainable tourism practices. They have water-saving procedures in place and are dedicated to reducing their energy consumption.
The Royal Chundu Lodge
The Royal Chundu Lodge is an award-winning luxury lodge located in Zambia, set along the tranquil banks of the Zambezi River, near Victoria Falls. It is recognized for its private and exclusive accommodation offerings, as well as its dedication to protecting the surrounding environment and community.
Royal Chundu is nestled on a private stretch of the Zambezi River, offering serene river views and easy access to nearby attractions. The lodge comprises two locations: the River Lodge, with ten riverfront suites, and the Island Lodge, which is exclusively situated on Katombora Island and offers four spacious villas.
Both the River Lodge and the Island Lodge offer luxuriously appointed suites and villas. Each unit features a private deck for exclusive views of the river and surrounding landscapes. The decor blends African tradition with colonial elegance.
Royal Chundu offers a wealth of amenities. Guests can enjoy world-class dining featuring local ingredients, relax in infinity pools, and make use of complimentary Wi-Fi. The lodge also offers a spa, providing various treatments that imbue a sense of relaxation and rejuvenation.
A wide range of activities is offered, from canoeing on the river and bird watching to cultural village tours and guided walks. The proximity of Victoria Falls allows guests to experience one of the world’s natural wonders conveniently.
Thorntree River Lodge
Thorntree River Lodge is a luxury accommodation located in Zambia’s Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, along the banks of the Zambezi River. This lodge is known for its beautiful design, which blends modernity with a traditional African ethos, and for its commitment to environmental sustainability.
The lodge is set in the heart of Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, just a short distance from the world-renowned Victoria Falls. The positioning of the lodge offers guests an exclusive, serene retreat with beautiful views of the river and its wildlife
Thorntree River Lodge offers nine luxurious suites and two family units, all of which are river-facing, enabling guests to enjoy the picturesque views of the Zambezi River from their private decks. The rooms are beautifully decorated, combining a contemporary design with rustic elements inspired by African culture.
The lodge’s amenities include en-suite bathrooms, private plunge pools, a communal pool, a fitness center, a dining area, and a spa. There’s also a library with a wide array of books for those looking for a quiet retreat. Guests can also enjoy free Wi-Fi.
Guests can indulge in a variety of activities that range from game drives in the national park and river cruises, to visits to Victoria Falls and cultural village tours. Other available activities include fishing, bird watching, rhino tracking, and canoeing on the Zambezi.
Kaingu Safari Lodge
Kaingu Safari Lodge is a popular accommodation option located in Zambia, more specifically in the Kafue National Park, which is known for its vast wildlife and stunning landscapes.
The lodge is nestled along the banks of the Kafue River, in one of the most beautiful areas of the park. The setting provides guests with a tranquil retreat amid unspoiled nature.
Kaingu Safari Lodge offers a variety of accommodation options, including luxury safari tents and family houses. Each unit is designed to blend into the surrounding environment while offering comfort and picturesque views of the river.
The lodge provides a range of amenities, including an open-air dining area and a lounge where guests can relax and enjoy the serene environment. There’s also a ‘star-gazing’ deck and fire pit for evening relaxation.
Guests at Kaingu can enjoy a variety of activities designed to immerse them in the natural beauty of the park. These include game drives, bird watching, fishing, nature walks, and river safaris. The lodge also offers unique experiences like photographic safaris and cultural visits to local schools.
Kaingu Safari Lodge is committed to eco-friendly practices. They aim to minimize their environmental impact by using solar energy, managing waste responsibly, and sourcing locally produced goods. They are also involved in community projects, contributing to local schools.
Royal Zambezi Lodge
Royal Zambezi Lodge is a luxury safari lodge located on the banks of the Zambezi River, at the edge of the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia.
The lodge has a spectacular location, with the mighty Zambezi River on one side and the Lower Zambezi National Park on the other. Its position makes it an excellent base for exploring the park and enjoying the river.
The lodge offers a selection of elegant and spacious suites and tents, each with their own private viewing deck. They are designed to blend in with the surrounding wilderness while providing all the comforts of a luxury resort. Some accommodations even include private plunge pools and outdoor showers.
Royal Zambezi Lodge provides several amenities, including an award-winning spa, a dining area with a fantastic view of the river, and a fully stocked bar. Guests can enjoy both indoor and outdoor dining experiences and have access to a well-equipped fitness center.
A wide range of activities is available for guests, including guided game drives in the Lower Zambezi National Park, canoeing, tiger fishing, walking safaris, and sunset river cruises. The lodge’s position by the Zambezi River allows for unique water-based wildlife viewing experiences.
The Royal Zambezi Lodge is committed to sustainable and responsible tourism. They work closely with the local community, providing employment and supporting local businesses. The lodge also focuses on conservation efforts, contributing to the preservation of the surrounding wildlife and ecosystems.
Shumba Camp
Shumba Camp is a luxurious safari camp located in Zambia’s Kafue National Park, one of the largest national parks in Africa known for its rich biodiversity. The camp is managed by Wilderness Safaris, a renowned operator in southern Africa.
The camp is situated in the Busanga Plains, a region within Kafue National Park known for its seasonal floodplains and exceptional wildlife. Shumba Camp offers stunning views of the surrounding plains and is a prime spot for watching the region’s diverse wildlife.
Shumba Camp features six spacious safari tents built on raised platforms, each with a private viewing deck. The tents are luxuriously furnished, blending elegance with the traditional safari aesthetic.
The camp offers a range of amenities including a dining area, a bar, and a comfortable lounge where guests can relax. Additionally, Shumba Camp provides laundry services and the option of in-room massage treatments for an extra level of comfort.
Guests can enjoy a variety of activities that include game drives, walking safaris, and hot air balloon flights. The Busanga Plains are famous for their large prides of lions, as well as a variety of other species like cheetahs, wild dogs, buffalo, and a wide array of bird species.
Shumba Camp is committed to sustainable tourism practices. It operates on solar power, minimizing its impact on the environment. Moreover, Wilderness Safaris, the operator of the camp, is involved in various conservation projects and community development initiatives.
The River Club
The River Club is a boutique, luxury lodge located in Zambia on the banks of the Zambezi River, just 18 kilometers upstream from the renowned Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The River Club’s exceptional location offers a tranquil setting with stunning river views, yet it’s conveniently close to the adventure and activities available at Victoria Falls.
The lodge features 11 spacious and individually decorated suites, referred to as “chalets”, which offer guests comfort and privacy. Each suite has a private deck with views over the Zambezi River.
Amenities at The River Club include a wellness center with a gym and spa, an infinity swimming pool, tennis courts, and a library. The main area of the lodge houses a dining room, lounge, and bar, all overlooking the river. There’s also a gift shop featuring a range of traditional Zambian handicrafts.
The River Club offers a variety of activities. These include tours to Victoria Falls, sunset river cruises, game drives, fishing excursions, and visits to the local Simonga Village for those interested in cultural experiences. The lodge also offers tours of Livingstone town and museum.
The River Club is committed to responsible tourism. It uses environmentally-friendly practices, supports local communities through various initiatives, and is part of the Pack for a Purpose program, encouraging guests to bring supplies for local schools and clinics.
Leopard Lodge
Leopard Lodge is a luxury accommodation situated in Zambia, near the Kafue National Park. The lodge offers a unique blend of comfort and wilderness adventure, making it an exciting choice for travelers seeking an authentic African safari experience.
Leopard Lodge is located on the banks of the Kafue River, offering stunning views of the water and surrounding landscapes. It’s positioned in a game management area (GMA) on the outskirts of Kafue National Park, which is renowned for its diverse wildlife.
The lodge offers several safari-style chalets, each designed to blend into the natural environment while providing modern comforts. All chalets feature en-suite bathrooms and private decks overlooking the river.
Leopard Lodge provides various amenities, including a swimming pool, a dining area, a bar, and a lounge. The dining experience features a variety of cuisines, with a particular focus on traditional Zambian dishes.
The lodge offers a wide range of activities, including game drives, bird watching, walking safaris, and fishing in the Kafue River. Boating safaris are also available, providing a unique perspective on the area’s rich wildlife and natural beauty.
Leopard Lodge is dedicated to sustainable tourism practices. They focus on minimizing their impact on the environment and contribute to local community projects. The lodge also plays an active role in conservation efforts in the surrounding area.
Chichele Presidential Safari Lodge
The Chichele Presidential Lodge, often referred to as Chichele Presidential, is a historic hotel located in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. Originally built in the 1970s as the private retreat for the President of Zambia, it now operates as a luxurious safari lodge.
Chichele Presidential is set atop a hill in the South Luangwa National Park, offering stunning views of the park’s lush valleys and diverse wildlife. The lodge’s elevated position gives guests a unique, panoramic perspective on the area.
The lodge offers ten elegant suites, each tastefully decorated with a colonial style that harkens back to its presidential past. Each suite features a four-poster bed, air conditioning, a private veranda, and an en-suite bathroom.
Chichele Presidential offers a variety of amenities including a swimming pool, a fitness center, a main lounge, a bar, and a dining area. Additionally, the lodge provides full room service and laundry facilities.
The lodge offers a wide range of activities designed to help guests experience the unique wildlife and natural beauty of the park. These include game drives, night drives, walking safaris, and bird watching excursions. With South Luangwa National Park known for its high concentration of game, guests often have the chance to see elephants, antelopes, lions, leopards, and a wide variety of bird species.
Kaingo Camp
Kaingo Camp is a premier safari camp located in the heart of South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. Known for its exceptional wildlife viewing and personalized service, it offers guests an immersive and intimate African safari experience.
The camp is situated on the banks of the Luangwa River, providing beautiful views and easy access to the park’s abundant wildlife. The area is particularly renowned for its high density of leopards.
Kaingo Camp features six chalets, each designed to blend with the natural environment while providing comfort and luxury. The chalets are spacious, offering a bedroom, an en-suite bathroom, and a private deck overlooking the river. They also feature a unique open-air bathtub for an outdoor bathing experience.
Kaingo Camp offers a range of amenities including a dining area, bar, and lounge. The camp also provides laundry services for the convenience of its guests. There’s a strong emphasis on gastronomy, with meals carefully prepared using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Kaingo Camp offers a variety of activities focused on wildlife viewing. These include day and night game drives, walking safaris, and birdwatching. One unique feature of Kaingo Camp is their photographic hides, strategically placed for amazing close-up photography of wildlife, particularly hippos, elephants, and a wide array of bird species.
Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma
Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma is an upscale lodge located in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia. The lodge is named after David Livingstone’s faithful friends Sussi and Chuma, and it’s just a short distance from the world-renowned Victoria Falls.
The lodge is built on a dramatic bend of the Zambezi River in the heart of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. This location not only offers stunning river views but also easy access to the impressive Victoria Falls and the town of Livingstone.
Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma provides 12 luxury treehouses, connected by wooden walkways. Each treehouse is enveloped by Jackalberry trees and offers a private view of the Zambezi. In addition, there are two private houses, each with two bedrooms, perfect for families or small groups.
The main lodge features a spectacular raised bar, lounge, dining area, and a swimming pool. The lodge offers full-board including meals, drinks, and a selection of activities. It also provides services such as laundry and transfers to and from Livingstone airport.
The lodge offers a variety of activities. Guests can enjoy game drives, walking safaris, sundowner cruises, and fishing on the Zambezi River. Trips to Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and cultural visits to the local communities are also available.
Puku Ridge Camp
Puku Ridge Camp is an intimate and luxurious safari camp located in the wildlife-rich South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. Named after the Puku antelope that inhabit the floodplains, it offers a stunning combination of comfort and wilderness experience.
The camp is perched on a ridge with panoramic views over a floodplain and waterhole, which are frequented by a diverse array of wildlife. The South Luangwa National Park is famous for its high concentration of game, including lions, leopards, elephants, and over 400 species of birds.
Puku Ridge Camp features eight spacious and stylish safari tents, each with an en-suite bathroom and a private viewing deck. The tents are designed to blend seamlessly with the natural environment while providing all the comforts of a luxury hotel, including both indoor and outdoor showers.
The camp offers a dining area, a lounge, and a bar. There’s a star-gazing deck for after-dinner relaxation, and a small plunge pool for cooling off during the day. The camp is also equipped with a wildlife hide for close-up animal viewing.
Puku Ridge Camp offers a variety of activities to immerse guests in the surrounding wildlife. These include day and night game drives, walking safaris, and birdwatching. With its proximity to a frequently visited waterhole, guests can enjoy exceptional wildlife viewing right from the camp.
Chamilandu Bushcamp
Chamilandu Bushcamp is a charming and rustic camp located in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, one of the great wildlife sanctuaries in Africa. Its location and intimate size make it an ideal destination for those seeking a genuine and immersive safari experience.
The camp is strategically placed on the Luangwa River’s edge, offering an impressive view of the Chindeni Hills. It’s positioned in one of the park’s most wildlife-rich areas, giving guests excellent game viewing opportunities.
Chamilandu offers three airy and spacious tree-house chalets, each raised on stilts to provide magnificent views of the river and beyond. Each chalet is open-fronted, inviting the surrounding landscapes in, and features an en-suite bathroom.
The main area of the camp, built around a centuries-old ebony tree, features a lounge and dining area where guests can relax and enjoy meals. Due to the intimate size of the camp, the staff can provide highly personalized service to guests.
Chamilandu Bushcamp offers morning and evening game drives, guided walking safaris, and bird watching. Its location near the Luangwa River offers guests the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife, including herds of elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and an array of bird species. Night drives may reveal nocturnal species such as leopards and civets.
Chamilandu is part of the Bushcamp Company, which is dedicated to responsible tourism and committed to conservation and community support. They work to minimize their environmental footprint, support local conservation projects, and contribute to community development initiatives.
Chikunto Safari Lodge
Chikunto Safari Lodge is a luxurious accommodation located in the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. Offering an intimate and immersive safari experience, it’s an ideal destination for travelers seeking to experience Zambia’s diverse wildlife.
The lodge is strategically located on the banks of the Luangwa River, in one of the best game viewing areas of the South Luangwa National Park. The park is renowned for its high concentration of game, including elephants, leopards, lions, and a vast array of bird species.
Chikunto Safari Lodge features spacious and comfortable suites with a contemporary design that blends seamlessly with the surrounding environment. Each suite includes a private deck overlooking the river and an en-suite bathroom with a luxurious bathtub and shower.
The lodge offers a main lounge and dining area where guests can enjoy a range of delicious meals prepared with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. There is also a swimming pool for guests to cool off after a day of safari activities. The lodge prides itself on personalized service, aiming to cater to the individual needs of each guest.
The lodge provides a variety of activities to connect guests with the surrounding wildlife. These include game drives (both day and night), walking safaris, photographic safaris, and bird watching. The lodge’s location along the Luangwa River also allows guests to witness the river’s diverse aquatic wildlife.
Ila Safari Lodge
Ila Safari Lodge is a luxurious eco-lodge located in Zambia’s Kafue National Park, the country’s largest national park and one of Africa’s largest wildlife reserves. With its innovative eco-friendly design and focus on sustainability, the lodge offers guests a unique and guilt-free safari experience.
The lodge is beautifully located on the banks of the Kafue River, in the heart of Kafue National Park. The park boasts a rich variety of wildlife and is especially renowned for its bird species.
Ila Safari Lodge features ten tented suites, including two family suites. Each suite is designed for comfort and luxury, while maintaining a low environmental impact. The suites offer an indoor bathroom, outdoor shower, and a private deck overlooking the Kafue River.
The main lodge area includes a dining room, lounge, and bar, all offering stunning views of the Kafue River. There’s also a swimming pool for relaxation. The lodge is equipped with state-of-the-art solar power systems, ensuring 24-hour power supply.
Ila Safari Lodge offers a wide range of activities including game drives, boat safaris, walking safaris, and birdwatching. Unique to the lodge is the ‘eLandy’ – a completely electric safari vehicle, and the ‘eBoat’ for quiet and emission-free water safaris.
