Best hotels in Zambia

In the northernmost reaches of South Luangwa, a region so remote it's rarely visited, is the only mobile walking safari in the park. Run by expert operator Robin Pope Safaris, the five-night walking expedition leads you along the banks of the Mupamadzi River through an area that's renowned for its excellent, and totally undisturbed, quantities of game. Depending on exactly where the wildlife is, the camp will move up to three times, making sure you're always in the best spot for the most thrilling of experiences.

Renovated to perfection, Puku Ridge is a gorgeous safari lodge in the land of walking safaris, South Luangwa. Rebuilt with an even lighter footprint than before, the lodge has earned its place beside the private floodplain. Enjoy the shimmering view from your sky bed or alfresco dinner table and scan the waterhole for wildlife that seems to appear out of nowhere. As for the tents, they take glamping to new heights with a multi-level veranda, plunge pool, and outdoor shower. Run by true safari masters, Puku Ridge invites you to experience South Luangwa in its full glory.

Tucked into the terrain in the remote southern reaches of the South Luangwa National Park is Kafunta’s rugged little sister, the Island Bush Camp. With panoramic views stretching from the Chindeni Hills in the east to the Muchinga Escarpment in the west (and lots to look at in between) this is a wonderfully authentic little bush camp. With only 4 rooms, no electricity and whole lot of character a safari here is reminiscent of the old days and walking safaris are wild, private and truly eye-opening.

Set at the confluence of the Luangwa, Luzangazi and Kapamba rivers in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park, this lovely little bush camp plunges you into a pristine and otherwise hard-to-access wilderness. Only open during the dry season (from the end of May to early November), the area is best traversed on foot and you’ll enjoy a slower pace of life on walking safaris with the expert guides. Back at base, the camp is smart and stylish, with charming luxury tents on stilts built with their own viewing platforms and sleep-out decks. It's a sophisticated wilderness camp, worlds away from city life.

South Luangwa National Park in eastern Zambia is well-known for its potent game viewing and dense river-life. Drive along the Luangwa River, which forms the south-eastern border of the park, and see crowded pods of boulder-like hippos that practically stymie the river's flow. Zikomo Safaris is strung along the banks of the river, set behind a wide plain in an old-growth forest. The winsome hospitality of this family-owned lodge is deft but unfussy. With both chalets and campsites, Zikomo caters to a wide spectrum of travelers and their budgets. Good guiding and a lively restaurant atmosphere push this camp a notch above the rest.

Robin's House is an exclusive home away from home on the banks of Zambia’s impressive Luangwa River, set beneath a canopy of Ebony and Sausage trees. Formerly the family home and base for the well-known Robin Pope Safaris, this small thatched homestead offers a sole-use bush retreat with a dedicated team of staff on hand; a fabulous and relaxing safari experience, perfect for a family or small group of friends. The property falls within a game management area opposite South Luangwa National Park with a private pontoon over the river, making access to the Park quick and easy.

Built in the 1970s as a personal retreat for former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda and redefined in 2025, Chichele Lodge defines sophistication in the bush - especially after being completely rebuilt and reimagined. From its forested hilltop position, the lodge overlooks wildlife-rich floodplains and the Central South Luangwa Valley, a region well known for its game viewing and good network of tarred roads (this is the only section of national park that is open year-round). This elegant, well-established lodge feels more like a hotel than a bush camp, so it's perfect if your idea of a safari includes a desire for creature comforts and personal attention.

Follow elephant and hippo trails into the heart of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, renowned for its untouched wilderness areas, abundant wildlife, and once-in-a-lifetime walking opportunities. Big Lagoon Camp is a seasonal bush camp which operates during the dry season (generally end of May to beginning of November), with just three rustic chalets overlooking a peaceful bend in the Luangwa River. Simple facilities provide the basics for a comfortable bush break, with excellent hospitality and outstanding guides. All game viewing and exploring is done on foot, accompanied by an experienced guide; a liberating and adventurous, back-to-nature experience. This camp used to be called Crocodile River Camp and has been renamed to Big Lagoon Camp

This family-friendly tented home is the latest addition to Zambia's legendary Flatdogs Camp situated on the border of one of Africa's greatest game reserves: the South Luangwa National Park. Crocodile Nest is a private home, ideal for a party of 4, from where you can savor the African bushveld and embark on walking safaris, guided game drives and village tours. With nine thousand square kilometers of wilderness on your doorstep, you're guaranteed an unmatched game-viewing experience. Here you can choose to relax in the comfort of your private home or be social at the communal camp and restaurant area.

Tune into your surroundings with a digital detox at this teeny-tiny bushcamp in the heart of the South Luangwa. Simple but rustically stylish, the four tents are located in one of the least-visited and most game-rich regions of the park - simply open your tent flaps and you're in the heart of the wildlife-spotted wilderness. Explore on game drives, night drives and walking safaris (they're famously good in the South Luangwa and Nkonzi Camp is no exception) and then return to your bush home for dinner in the sandy river bed and whiskies around the camp fire.