Zambia is home to some of the best quality safari experiences on the continent. The lodges are across the board more of a rustic barefoot luxury experience, than super glitzy. Of course though, there are very luxurious options out there if that is your style. The essence of a Zambia safari though, is not in the added creature comforts like private pools, spas and gyms, but luxury can be found in the quality of the overall safari experience – a high bar which has been set across the country. Zambia is home to some of the most knowledgeable guides on the continent, and as such, it is a place for the seasoned safari goer who wants a wholly enriching wilderness experience.
Even though some of the rustic lodges are not flashy, Zambia’s excellent dedication to phenomenal high-quality safari and truly world-class wildlife areas means that even in their shabby-chic glory, lodges here still can come with a price tag. Not to the extent that, say, safari-ing in Botswana does, but it is not the most economical option either. Good quality lodges range from $800 per person per night, up to $1,500 per person per night.
You can escape the crowds more than you could think possible on a Zambia safari. One of the best lodges for this is Mwaleshi Camp – tucked away in the wilds of the remote North Luangwa National Park; this is a very open wilderness experience, like camping, but with an ever so Zambia twist. The structure is made up of reed, and so it leaves absolutely no footprint on the surrounding nature. It is a unique experience, and although the accommodation is fairly basic – nothing about the experience ordinary. It offers the very best of the walking safari purity Zambia is so heralded for. For this unique and truly classic camping experience you are looking at around $700 per person per night.
A classic example of a company which is dedicated to safari, and not so fussed about the glitz and glam is the Norman Carr walking safari lodges - Nsolo, Mchenja and Luwi. Intrepid, authentic, and classic, this is a one of a kind barefoot luxury safari experience which is best done by those who are obsessed with untangling the mystery that is the African bush from a raw and authentic perspective – on two legs! The camp experience is all about immersing yourself in nature and an excellent guide to show you a safe way to navigate it on 7km walks, moving from lodge to lodge. For this old school Zambia, excellent quality safari experience you are looking at forking out around $950 per person per night.
Although Zambia is all about getting back to the basics of safari magic, there are a few options for those who love the life of luxury too. Chinzombo is located not far from the gates to the South Luangwa National Park, and offers chic luxury in one of the best wildlife destinations in Africa. Leopard around every turn and returning to the comfort of absolute luxury in the bush means Chinzombo is also one of the most expensive lodges in Zambia at $1,500 per person per night.
If you want the best of Zambia’s untouched and remote wilderness without compromising on every luxury under the sun, then Liuwa Plains and King Lewinika is one of the best experiences for this on the continent – truly fit for a king! It costs to go somewhere this remote and wholly luxurious though, and as such, Lewinika comes in at around $1,500 per person per night and when you put expensive (and irregular) flights on top of this, it is definitely the most premium option out there for a Zambian safari.
The best authentic Zambia safari camp
You can escape the crowds more than you could think possible on a Zambia safari. One of the best lodges for this is Mwaleshi Camp – tucked away in the wilds of the remote North Luangwa National Park; this is a very open wilderness experience, like camping, but with an ever so Zambia twist. The structure is made up of reed, and so it leaves absolutely no footprint on the surrounding nature. It is a unique experience, and although the accommodation is fairly basic – nothing about the experience ordinary. It offers the very best of the walking safari purity Zambia is so heralded for. For this unique and truly classic camping experience you are looking at around $700 per person per night.
The best authentic Zambia safari lodge
A classic example of a company which is dedicated to safari, and not so fussed about the glitz and glam is the Norman Carr walking safari lodges - Nsolo, Mchenja and Luwi. Intrepid, authentic, and classic, this is a one of a kind barefoot luxury safari experience which is best done by those who are obsessed with untangling the mystery that is the African bush from a raw and authentic perspective – on two legs! The camp experience is all about immersing yourself in nature and an excellent guide to show you a safe way to navigate it on 7km walks, moving from lodge to lodge. For this old school Zambia, excellent quality safari experience you are looking at forking out around $950 per person per night.
The best luxury Zambia safari lodge
Although Zambia is all about getting back to the basics of safari magic, there are a few options for those who love the life of luxury too. Chinzombo is located not far from the gates to the South Luangwa National Park, and offers chic luxury in one of the best wildlife destinations in Africa. Leopard around every turn and returning to the comfort of absolute luxury in the bush means Chinzombo is also one of the most expensive lodges in Zambia at $1,500 per person per night.
If you want the best of Zambia’s untouched and remote wilderness without compromising on every luxury under the sun, then Liuwa Plains and King Lewinika is one of the best experiences for this on the continent – truly fit for a king! It costs to go somewhere this remote and wholly luxurious though, and as such, Lewinika comes in at around $1,500 per person per night and when you put expensive (and irregular) flights on top of this, it is definitely the most premium option out there for a Zambian safari.
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Chongwe River Camp - Lower Zambezi
Chongwe River Camp wasn’t quite our thing (although we had a great time anyway). We felt it was a little geared towards first-timers, a bit ‘touristy’. The Fred Flintstone pretend-mud walls sort of set the scene, we thought, and the guiding was a little cynical. They worked pretty hard to persuade everyone in camp to do the same activity at the same time, (on one occasion resorting to fibs to achieve this) which was strange as they had no shortage of guides… On the other hand, the Cassia Suite was lovely, and camp manager Flossie is a lovely friendly lady. No specific problems, just not our ideal camp. - V. John
Our Rating:
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Cost: $785
Chongwe River House - Lower Zambezi
Our View
Chongwe River House does have that certain Flinstone feeling to it - it is quite a remarkable and unique design. Having been refurbished recently, the house is a destination in itself - one that would cater perfectly for families or small groups who want to have all the benefits of a private home. The location is just as superb with fantastic activities on offer giving you the full picture of what the Lower Zambezi has to offer. We can certainly assure you that Chongwe River House is one of a kind, and ultimately a breath of fresh air from typical lodge design!
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,200
Crocodile Camp - South Luangwa
Our View
As with all of the Remote Africa safari camps, the standard of guiding and simple approach to safari accommodation is what sets this camp apart from virtually everywhere else. Guiding here is up there with the best in Africa. The camp is rustic and simple yet don’t be put off, Crocodile is actually finished to a very high standard. A safari connoisseur's choice and a camp from which so many other bush camps should learn lessons from!
Our Rating:
Cost: $685
Edward Selfe - South Luangwa
Our View
Edward is a professional guide and photographer living full-time in the Luangwa Valley. First and foremost, he's a naturalist and his love is for the park, its inhabitants and the pleasure of being immersed in the park's wild places. He has built a loyal following of guests who like to be hosted by a guide who can lead walking and driving safaris and is also a professional photographer.With 7 years of guiding experience in the South Luangwa National Park, he puts together tours which are both a classic safari and a specialist photographic experience. He plans each safari around making the best of the photographic opportunities on offer, but also ensures that even clients without cameras will enjoy the tour by sharing his knowledge of wildlife and animal behaviour.
Our Rating:
Cost: $575
Flatdogs - South Luangwa
Had deliberately chosen Flat Dogs as something a bit different from Old Mondoro & Tafika primarily because wasn’t sure how the girls would find the camps. Thought they might want something a bit larger with the chance of more company plus the pool. Whilst they certainly enjoyed the pool at Flat Dogs they much preferred the seclusion/exclusivity of the smaller camps. Tree House was a great location with some great viewings of elephants & giraffe in particular. However, the fact the tree was fruiting inevitably attracted vervet monkeys & baboons & we had a few interesting encounters with them! Alice also experienced a close encounter with 1 of the vervet monkeys when it leapt on to our table & stole her food at lunchtime. The staff were great & ensured she was ok & replaced her food.dn’t fault the camp or levels of service but the volume of vehicles in that area probably lets it down. We had some great sightings particularly wild dog, my favourite, but within minutes the vehicles start to queue. I do think that some guides develop their skill in spotting other vehicles rather than game! I guess it is a classic case of what you pay is what you get.
We enjoyed it but were ready to move on.
- C Gee
Our Rating:
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Cost: $300
Kaingo Camp - South Luangwa
Our View
Overlooking the wild Luangwa River deep within the prime safari area of the South Luangwa National Park, Kaingo has a more relaxed and personal feel to it than most camps in Zambia and offers some of the best game viewing opportunities in the area.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,030
Kakuli Bush Camp - South Luangwa
Pleasant “classic” small bush camp (5 tents) … again, exactly what we like. And again, tents are comfortable with decent beds, good mossie nets, inside and outside shower, solar hot water. No wifi at all and mobile connection is like Mchenja a bit hit and miss while driving in the park. Food was good and plentiful. Wine & beer good and plentiful. All meals are “communal” with an option to dine separately if required. Standard of guiding (we had Philemon) was very good. Activities are games drives and walking. Again - there is water in the river but insufficient for boating activities. Given the temperature (by 9.00 getting too hot to walk) we again compromised by taking a shortish walks (from ~6.00 until ~8:30) then meeting a vehicle for a further couple of hours game drive. Vehicles were similar to Mchenja. Typically we were 2 to a vehicle and 4 on a couple of occasions. We did NOT walk between camps (too hot).Typically evening game drives were followed (after sundowners) by a night drive with spotlight.- T. Black
Our Rating:
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Cost: $1,050
Kapamba Bush Camp - South Luangwa
Our View
Out of the Bush Camp company this property is a slightly different design with concrete walls as opposed to thatch walls like the other camps but the location is stunning overlooking the Kapamba river and the guiding as ever is great. If you are looking for a typical bush camp old school camp this may not be the one for you but the open fronted rooms are a unique style in the Luangwa valley and the camp location offers excellent game viewing.Our Rating:
Cost: $870
Kapani - South Luangwa
Very good.On arrival advised no room ready for several hours.Then for first night only standard room available with the Lagoon suite then being available for the next 3 nights.Communications from management not the best but the everything else very good,even the tree crashing through the roof of the bar…..- L. Frost
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Cost: $420
Kasaka River Lodge - Lower Zambezi
Our family of 4 had the most amazing time at KRL - thank you so much to all the staff for making our stay so special. Our guide was so incredibly well-informed and entertaining on the subject of all the flora and fauna (and even an expert on the night sky). We saw just about everything we hoped to see in Lower Zambezi - lions, zebra, hippos, elephants, crocs, baboons, various species of antelope, buffalo etc etc. - Jo W
Our Rating:
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Cost: $590
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