10 Best-value Luxury Zambia Safari Lodges & Camps

By Philip Briggs

There is no shortage of outstanding safari lodges and camps in Zambia. Whether you’re looking for the ultimate rustic camp with minimal walls and maximum bush ambience or a more traditional luxurious retreat with all the modern comforts, Zambia has plenty of options for everyone. Making sense of it all can be a little daunting, so here goes with some of our favorite Zambia safari lodges and camps.

The accommodations below are not ranked in a specific quality order.

158 Zambia Safaris

1. Mukambi Safari Lodge (Kafue NP)

Mukambi Safari Lodge Mukambi is a superb gateway for exploration of the vast Kafue National Park

Mukambi Safari Lodge, on the east bank of the Kafue River, is an excellent springboard for exploring Zambia’s largest national park. Visitors can choose between three types of accommodations: thatched chalets, luxury standing tents, or a two-bedroom riverside villa aimed at families. All units have queen-size or king-size beds with walk-in mosquito nets and shaded private decks facing the river. Amenities include an infinity pool, a spa and massage room, and a craft shop selling items made by a local women’s community group.

Wildlife likely to be seen on game drives, boat cruises and guided walks includes lion, leopard, jackal, elephant and a good variety of antelope and birds. The camp also has a resident African wild cat (one of Africa’s most seldom-seen carnivores) and hippos are plentiful on the river.

11 Mukambi Tours

2. Chundukwa River Lodge (Victoria Falls)

Chundukwa River Lodge Chundukwa is an owner-managed lodge with a homely feel and a wonderful riverfront setting

Situated on the Zambezi River 25km/16mi upstream of the mighty Victoria Falls, Chundukwa River Lodge stands on a large farm that houses the area’s biggest and oldest stable. As might be expected, horseback rides are a popular activity here, but the property is also great for walking, running and cycling. This small lodge (only five cottages) combines a luxurious feel with an African warmth that is reflected in the earthy decor, colorful fabrics and easy welcome extended by the Zambia-born owner-managers.

There is also a fair amount of wildlife around: hippos graze on the grass at night, otters breed in the ponds, monitor lizards lurk in the undergrowth, and birds are all over the place.

Chundukwa Tours

3. Kafunta River Lodge (South Luangwa NP)

Kafunta River Lodge Kafunta is a long-serving family-run lodge offering chalet accommodations on the Luangwa River

One of the Luangwa Valley’s most luxurious lodges, Kafunta has been owned and managed by the same vastly experienced Australian-German couple since it was established in 1998. It comprises 10 stilted thatched chalets and suites set along the east bank of the Luangwa River facing South Luangwa National Park. Kafunta is a great base for walking safaris, which can incorporate stays at a pair of isolated bush camps that are run by the same company. Less energetic visitors can relax in an infinity pool that is fed by natural hot springs. Or from a photographic hide located below the main deck you can watch elephants come to drink.

Kafunta Tours

4. Baines’ River Camp (Lower Zambezi NP)

Baines’ River Camp This small camp is the perfect luxury base for safaris in wildlife-rich Lower Zambezi National Park

Situated just outside Lower Zambezi National Park, this idyllic camp comprises eight chalet suites and a two-bedroom family cottage perched on the north bank of the mighty Zambezi River. The chalets have been outfitted with incredible attention to detail. Every unit has a private dressing area, air-conditioning and a fan, as well as a private river-facing balcony. Baines’ is known for its immaculate service and gourmet food, but the guiding is equally outstanding. Activities include canoeing, boat trips and game drives in a park famed for its concentrations of elephant, hippo and buffalo. Lion, leopard and African wild dog are also regularly sighted in Lower Zambezi.

Baines' Tours

5. Toka Leya Camp (Victoria Falls)

Toka Leya Camp Stylish Toka Leya combines a luxury feel with a bush setting on the Zambezi River close to Victoria Falls

Part of the reliably fabulous Wilderness group of upmarket bush properties, Toka Leya Camp stands on the bank of the Zambezi River a short distance upstream of Victoria Falls. It is located in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, so there is usually plenty of wildlife in the area, most visibly hippos and elephants. Accommodations are in 12 massive tented suites, each set on a private wooden platform with a deck facing the river.

The main activity on offer, unsurprisingly, is a day visit to the incomparable Victoria Falls. But the camp is also ideally positioned for game drives to look for Zambia’s only white rhinos and boat trips and birding on the Zambezi River.

Toka Leya Tours

6. Mfuwe Lodge (South Luangwa NP)

Mfuwe Lodge South Luangwa’s flagship lodge houses guests in 18 luxurious chalets overlooking a beautiful lagoon

Mfuwe Lodge is the perfect base for safaris in South Luangwa National Park. You don’t need to go far to see lots of animals when staying here. All 18 chalets, carefully positioned in the shade of ancient mahogany and ebony trees, have views over a large lagoon that attracts thirsty animals in the Dry season. Wildlife viewing is superb in the surrounding area, with big cats, especially leopards, stealing the show. In November, you might even see elephants wandering through the lodge’s reception area in search of wild mangos.

Mfuwe Tours

7. Busanga Plains Camp (Kafue NP)

Busanga Plains Camp This small seasonal camp stands in the prime wildlife-viewing territory of Kafue National Park’s Busanga Plains

As Zambia luxury safari camps go, it doesn’t get more ‘bush’ than Busanga Plains Camp. This small seasonal bush camp is located in the middle of the famous Busanga floodplains in Kafue National Park. The camp consists of just four safari tents with open-air bucket showers and a rustic communal area around a campfire. While the surroundings are humble and in perfect balance with nature, the service and food are fit for a king. Don’t think you’ll be slumming it here.

Busanga Plains Tours

8. Tongabezi Lodge (Victoria Falls)

Tongabezi Lodge Enjoy classy cottage accommodations in wooded riverfront grounds upstream of Victoria Falls

Tongabezi Lodge is an award-winning ecolodge set in large leafy grounds that run down to the Zambezi River just 12km/7mi upstream of Victoria Falls. It comprises a dozen individually decorated cottages and houses, all of which ooze style and offer atmospheric views to the river. The garden, which houses a gorgeous infinity swimming pool, is a true bird-watchers’ delight.

You can take an ecofriendly electric dhow (a modern take on a traditional sailboat) onto the river to see hippos, crocodiles and even more birds. Tongabezi is also a great base for day trips to Victoria Falls and a host of other memorable excursions, from white-water rafting to game drives.

Tongabezi Tours

9. Time + Tide King Lewanika (Liuwa Plain NP)

Time + Tide King Lewanika Set on the wild Liuwa Plain, this world-class lodge is fit for the king after which it is named

The remote Liuwa Plain National Park in the far west of Zambia is one of Africa’s last great wilderness areas. It is also home to Time + Tide King Lewanika, an alluring lodge named after the local monarch who first offered protection to the area back in the 1880s. The only catered accommodations in Liuwa Plain, King Lewanika has six solar-powered canvas and wood cottages with immense interiors furnished in vintage safari style. The lodge offers guided game drives, bush walks and canoe safaris. Highlights include Africa’s second-largest wildebeest migration, plentiful lions and spotted hyenas, and some amazing bird watching.

King Lewanika Tours

10. Ila Safari Lodge (Kafue NP)

Ila Safari Lodge One of the most luxurious lodges in Kafue National Park boasts a fabulous riverside location and green ethos

Ila Safari Lodge offers luxury tented accommodations in Kafue National Park. The tents seamlessly blend into the wild surroundings while offering sweeping views of the Kafue River. However, Ila’s main claim to fame is its minimal carbon footprint and outstanding eco-credentials. It boasts solar-powered electricity, locally sourced building materials and the development of Zambia’s first electric game-drive vehicle. Vegetables are grown in a community garden, and the friendly staff are local villagers who have been trained on-site.

Ila Tours