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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Sausage Tree - Lower Zambezi
Our View
Sausage Tree is certainly in the running for the most opulently luxurious lodge in the Lower Zambezi. Whether this is actually a good thing, we will let you decide! The activities and guiding are set as high as any of the camps in the park and the location is good. To be honest, when compared with other lodges in Africa, Sausage is pretty great. However after the office vote, we have come to agreement that we prefer the slightly less opulent Chiawa Camp and adventurous travellers would certainly prefer the stunning Old Mondoro. But be under no misconception, this is still a great camp.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,080
Shumba Camp - Kufue
Our View
We vote Wilderness Safaris' Shumba Camp as Kafue’s best. It's in a great setting and has a real emphasis on the luxury experience. The area is visited by few guests so safaris here are very exclusive and the quality of guiding set very high. The Busanga Plains is famous for its predator concentrations and Shumba is set right in the best area….big game driving here is superb.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,173
Sindabezi Island Lodge - Livingstone and Victoria Falls
Our View
Sindabezi is a five roomed private island lodge in the centre of the Zambezi River. Owned by Ben Parker, the owner of Tongabezi, this is an old favourite in the office and a great lodge for the client wanting something close to a bush camp in Livingstone. Brilliant for groups wanting to be completely shut off from the rest of the world, but still accessible to getting the best out of the area.
Our Rating:
Cost: $635
Stanley Safari Lodge - Livingstone and Victoria Falls
Our View
Unique due to the fact that it is the only lodge in Livingstone that has a view of the actual Falls, Stanley Safari Lodge lacks the atmosphere of other lodges in the area simply due to the fact that it is not on the water. In a nutshell, the Zambezi is the reason to come to this area, and when staying at Stanley Safari Lodge you are absolutely miles from it! It is fairly good value and has recently been done up really nicely however the location puts the nail in the coffin and for that reason alone we recommend elsewhere.
Our Rating:
Cost: $540
Tafika Camp - South Luangwa
Second, I really enjoyed the time with animals and the guides were superb...especially Tafika. - R Schoettger
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $1,045
Tena Tena - South Luangwa
Our View
Having seen all the camps in the area and the fact it has been refurbished recently, there is no immediate ‘wow’ factor to Tena Tena when you arrive in camp. Tena Tena work on the experience more than the actual camp. Safari enthusiasts can really appreciate this camp with its great guiding and passion for the Luangwa valley itself which is infectious.Our Rating:
Cost: $765
The Royal Livingstone - Livingstone and Victoria Falls
The Royal Livingstone. This was a nice hotel with a fabulous location. The service is a bit hit and miss and it is a little pretentious. We ended up eating in the neighbouring 3 star hotel. I’m not sure what the rooms are like in the 3 star hotel but if they are ok then I would suggest that for families. I would give it 4 out of five.- G. Gibb UK
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $402
Tintswalo Siankaba - Livingstone and Victoria Falls
Our View
Tintswalo Siankaba is a tented lodge situated on the shores of the mighty Zambezi, not foo far from Victoria Falls. It is a brilliant blend of rustic and luxury Zambia in a magnificant location - and for a good price.
While some might opt to stay right in the bustle of the Victoria Falls, for others having a spoiling base is a priority. Don’t be fooled by its tented structure, Tintswalo Siankaba’s rooms boast glossy wood, old school elegance and four-poster comfort. While big hotels nearer the falls win on location, Tintswalo beats them all with its charming, intimate quality.
Our Rating:
Cost: $490
Toka Leya Camp - Livingstone and Victoria Falls
We stayed at Xigera, Dumatau and Toka Leya camps. The accommodations were superb, the guides wonderful AND amazing, and the wildlife viewing exceeded our expectations! What else can I say?- D. Budden
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $827
Tongabezi Lodge - Livingstone and Victoria Falls
Just to give you a little bit of feedback (i guess you’d appreciate for future customers), we had a wonderful stay at Tongabezi, where the location are food were the big strengths. Also the staff was always helpful, they demonstrated it specially when my husband injured his knee (while bungee jumping yes ha ha) and they drove us to the hospital and helped us out at any time so we could get everything sorted with a doctor at minimum cost. They were very kind and professional.- S. Garcia-Sineriz
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $831
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