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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Mchenja Bush Camp - South Luangwa
Mchenja was equally impressive. Lovely facilities, great guides, excellent food, (even brand new Land Rovers. Very posh.)- T. Harding
Our Rating:
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Cost: $1,050
Mfuwe Lodge - South Luangwa
Our View
We're a bit undecided about Mfuwe Lodge - it is inside the main gate which is a huge bonus and means the wonders of the park are right on the doorstep. However, it also mean the entrance road is also on the doorstep to one stretch of the chalets - avoid the 'buffalo' line or you'll have safari traffic disturbing you when you're trying to siesta. Having said that, it's a great lodge - it's on the big side and not to everyone's taste, so depends what you're after, but it's got some great guiding and works well as an overnighter before heading into the bush camps. It's also famous for the elephants walking through the reception later in the year - quite a spectacle!
Our Rating:
Cost: $870
Mwaleshi Camp - North Luangwa
Stephen was FANTASTIC. Not only was he incredibly knowledgeable, but also a whole lot of fun. We were so lucky to have met him and have him exclusively - as I said, the whole stay was quite magical in every single instance. I think that next time, (if we're so lucky), we'll have to visit Tafika, Crocodile and Chicoko - they all sound amazing.- S St. Thomas
Our Rating:
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Cost: $705
Nkwali Camp - South Luangwa
Our View
Nkwali competes with Norman Carr’s Kapani Lodge for title of the best value camp in the Mfuwe area of the Luangwa. This area is a great introduction to the Luangwa due to the quality of game viewing on offer. However the camp is not an example of the bushcamp style that the valley is famous for. As a result we often book clients into Nkwali before a few days in bush camps. Overall, a great camp but one to be used in conjunction with somewhere else.
Our Rating:
Cost: $645
Nsefu Camp - South Luangwa
Nsefu was “rugged Africa" with lots of game including leopards. Following stampeding buffalo that were being hunted by lions at night was an adventure.- W McClenahan
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Cost: $750
Nsolo Camp - South Luangwa
The Norman Carr camps were absolutely fantastic, the guiding especially. Innocent Tembo is reason enough to visit Nsolo on his own. We did a sleep out under mossie nets one night and this must rate as our best ever safari experience.- John. V
Our Rating:
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Cost: $950
Old Mondoro Bush Camp - Lower Zambezi
A very special place, so full of soul. Ryan & Pam were great hosts & all the staff were great with the girls (including extra hot water bottles & ‘beanie’ hat for Lucy on the cold morning game drives, special cooked breakfast for them both on final morning & involved them in conversations). Food was excellent & topped off by a surprise bush lunch & also a birthday cake for Claire. Watching & listening to 1 of the males roar, just feet away from us is a memory that will last with us all forever (so too the sound of 3 giggling girls, who, after all the excitement needed a comfort break on the trip back to camp!) Loved the variety of activities at OM. Just to top off the whole experience as we headed to Jeki for our flight out we came across a beautiful black manned lion with the remains of a male waterbuck he’d killed. - C Gee
Our Rating:
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Cost: $1,390
Potato Bush - Lower Zambezi
Our View
Potato Bush is a young camp and usually they need a few years to teethe. But given the experience of the management and team behind the running of the camp, it has really taken off well. It may be pricey but it ticks a fair amount of boxes and all in all, depending on what you're after, this is a nice camp and most would say that it's worth the high price tag.
Our Rating:
Cost: $840
Puku Ridge - South Luangwa
Our View
Although Sanctuary Retreats are renowned for slightly over the top camps and lodges, Puku Ridge is a proper safari camp in a seriously reliable park. The South Luangwa is known for its small, wild and slightly rough-round-the-edges camps; Puku Ridge is possibly a bit too neat, and therefore lacking in character for us, but it's very comfortable and its game location plays a big role in making this a good quality 4 paw camp.
Our Rating:
Cost: $785
River Club - Livingstone and Victoria Falls
Our View
The River Club is in our view the finest property at Victoria Falls. Quite an honour considering the quality of the competition! What really sets this place apart from all its competitors is not so much the quality of the rooms but the character and atmosphere in camp. Having said that, it might not be for everyone in terms of being very well manicured and with a colonial theme for the design. The views are absolutely stunning (the best by far!), the grounds are immaculate, giving guests areas to escape the crowds. A real bonus is the fantastic hosting by the owner Peter Jones – dinner is always entertaining and you really do feel part of a home, especially when Peter's in camp.
Our Rating:
Cost: $746
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