Our Expert’s Recommendations for Places to Stay on Safari in Zambia. Where Wild Frontiers and Sophisticated Retreats Converge. In the heart of Southern Africa, Zambia remains one of safari’s best-kept secrets—a land where rivers run wide and free, wildlife thrives undisturbed, and travelers are invited to step off the well-trodden path and into a world of raw authenticity. Unlike its more commercialized neighbors, Zambia offers a genuinely wild safari experience, where luxury is measured not only by thread counts or plunge pools, but by the intimacy of moments shared with nature.
This is a country defined by its natural abundance. From the roaring majesty of Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, to the lush floodplains of the Lower Zambezi, and the predator-rich valleys of South Luangwa, Zambia speaks to the soul of the true safari enthusiast. It is here, amidst sweeping landscapes and timeless rivers, that some of Africa’s most refined yet grounded safari camps and lodges quietly shine.
For those planning a journey into Zambia’s untamed heart, the selection of where to stay plays a critical role. Our experts have curated a list of exceptional safari accommodations that combine strategic location, superior guiding, conservation commitment, and a sense of place that is both luxurious and unpretentious. Each property chosen not only offers a roof under the stars, but a portal into the rhythm and drama of Africa’s great wilderness.
Time + Tide Chinzombo – South Luangwa National Park
In the storied wilderness of South Luangwa, regarded as one of the most game-rich parks on the continent, Time + Tide Chinzombo stands as a beacon of modern design woven seamlessly into the wild. The camp’s sleek architecture and natural materials reflect a philosophy of eco-luxury, where style serves the environment, not the other way around.
Each villa is equipped with its own private deck and plunge pool, overlooking a bend in the Luangwa River where hippos wallow and elephants cross at dusk. What distinguishes Chinzombo is its balance—offering serene sophistication without losing the tactile connection to the bush. Guests enjoy exclusive access to some of the most productive game areas in the park, guided by some of Zambia’s most seasoned professionals. Walking safaris, for which South Luangwa is globally famed, become deeply immersive when led from this exceptional base.
Sausage Tree Camp – Lower Zambezi National Park
Along the tranquil, wildlife-laden banks of the Zambezi River, Sausage Tree Camp offers a more fluid safari experience—one where the daily rhythm is shaped as much by water as by land. The camp’s position in Lower Zambezi National Park, a UNESCO-recognized ecosystem, means sightings of elephants swimming across the river, leopards stalking at night, and lions basking on sandbanks are routine, not rare.
At Sausage Tree, personalization takes precedence. Each guest is paired with a private guide and vehicle, and the camp’s bush gym, wine cellar, and riverside dining elevate the comfort level without alienating the rawness of the environment. The property’s signature “sunset canoes,” gently drifting past pods of hippos and crocodiles, remain among Zambia’s most ethereal safari moments. This is a place where the river dictates the pace, and guests are invited to let go and move with nature’s current.
Shumba Camp – Kafue National Park
For those drawn to wilder, less-traveled corners, Kafue National Park offers endless horizons and a more exclusive safari experience. At its center lies the Busanga Plains, a seasonal floodplain that bursts into a vibrant mosaic of wildlife during the dry months. It is here that Shumba Camp—meaning “lion” in the local language—claims its position as one of Zambia’s most dramatic stays.
Built on raised wooden platforms to remain above the flooding waters, Shumba provides not only stunning panoramic views but also intimate encounters with Kafue’s diverse fauna, including cheetahs, lions, leopards, and rare antelope species. The guiding is exceptional, and the camp’s efforts toward sustainable operations have made it a flagship of low-impact luxury. When dawn breaks over the misty plains and the silence is broken only by the calls of cranes and lions, guests at Shumba feel they have stepped into a forgotten world untouched by time.
Tena Tena – South Luangwa National Park
If the heart longs for a more traditional, tented safari experience that emphasizes storytelling, solitude, and authenticity, then Tena Tena offers the perfect retreat. Run by the legendary Robin Pope Safaris, this camp embodies the old-world charm of safaris past, with canvas walls, flickering lanterns, and campfire evenings that echo with tales of the bush.
Situated in the remote Nsefu sector of South Luangwa, Tena Tena offers access to areas teeming with wildlife yet free from traffic. The guiding is immersive, the camp atmosphere is communal, and the setting—under a grove of mahogany trees along the Luangwa River—is serene and spellbinding. There is a focus here on slow safari, where the rewards are found in patience, silence, and deep attention. For those seeking connection—both with nature and within—Tena Tena is a place where the bush speaks clearly.
Chongwe River House – Lower Zambezi
For families or private groups seeking total exclusivity without compromise, Chongwe River House presents a unique architectural wonder on the Lower Zambezi’s edge. Sculpted out of locally sourced materials and inspired by natural forms, the house feels like a living sculpture nestled in wilderness. Its flowing walls, open spaces, and stunning river views make it an ideal sanctuary for those desiring privacy, while still enjoying the services of a full safari team, including a private chef and guide.
Game drives, boat safaris, fishing, and canoeing are all part of the experience here. Yet the real magic lies in the house itself—a place where art, luxury, and nature merge seamlessly. It is rare to find such aesthetic ambition in the heart of the wild, and even rarer to find it married so effectively with world-class safari service.
Nsolo Bush Camp – South Luangwa Walking Trails
Those drawn to the purer forms of safari—unplugged, unfiltered, and fiercely wild—will find their home at Nsolo Bush Camp. This is one of the original bush camps in South Luangwa and still one of the most revered. Its rustic chalets, perched above the Luwi River’s dry riverbed, offer minimal distractions and maximum immersion.
The camp is a key part of a legendary walking trail circuit, where guests hike between remote bush camps with expert guides and armed scouts. At Nsolo, wildlife encounters occur not through a window or from a vehicle, but eye-to-eye and heartbeat-to-heartbeat. This is Zambia at its most elemental—a place where each sound in the night, each footprint in the dust, holds ancient meaning.
Why Choosing the Right Camp Matters
In a destination as diverse and ecologically rich as Zambia, the choice of accommodation shapes not just your level of comfort, but your very relationship with the land. Some camps emphasize exclusivity, others prioritize intimacy. Some highlight modern design, others echo safari’s earliest traditions. But the finest lodges all share a core commitment to sustainable tourism, conservation ethics, and the preservation of authentic wilderness experiences.
Zambia’s remoteness ensures that overcrowding is never a concern. Instead, visitors are rewarded with space—space to think, to breathe, to observe. And within this space, the right camp can elevate a safari from memorable to transformational.
Book Your Zambian Safari Journey with WildHorn Africa
As Zambia continues to emerge as one of Africa’s premier safari destinations, the demand for curated, meaningful travel has never been greater. Navigating this untouched terrain requires not only local expertise, but a passion for crafting journeys that are immersive, ethical, and unforgettable.
WildHorn Africa offers travelers a bridge into this world—bringing together the finest camps, expert guides, and personalized service to create bespoke safaris with soul. Whether you’re drawn to the majestic solitude of Kafue, the predator-rich plains of South Luangwa, or the serene waterways of the Lower Zambezi, WildHorn Africa ensures your journey is designed with integrity, insight, and inspiration.
For travelers ready to go beyond the usual and discover Africa’s hidden wild sanctuaries, the path begins here.
Book your Zambia safari through WildHorn Africa—and let the adventure unfold naturally, authentically, and beautifully.
