Chula Island Camp

At the centre of camp is a stretch-canvas tent where director's chairs circle a communal table and the bar stays honest – no fancy cocktails, just cold Mosi and proper G&Ts. There's something wonderfully old-school about gathering here after a day's adventures, swapping tales while the resident fish eagle calls overhead. A small library offers dog-eared field guides for the curious, while solar panels quietly power the basics. It's purposefully pared-back, letting the wonders of the Zambezi take centre stage.

These aren't just tents; they're 270-degree viewing platforms wrapped in mosquito mesh, where dropping the canvas sides feels almost criminal. Each one comes with proper beds (twin or double), crisp linens that surprise in their luxury, and the kind of simple touches that matter – bedside lights for late-night reading, shelves for your kit, and directors' chairs positioned perfectly for coffee at dawn. The open-air bathrooms deliver hot bucket showers on demand, flushing loos, and copper basins.

Walking safaris reign supreme here, led by guides who read the bush like a beloved book. But it's the water activities that truly set hearts racing – silent canoe safaris drifting past wallowing hippo pods, boat cruises chasing golden-hour light, and tiger fishing that'll test your mettle. Game drives require a quick boat hop to the mainland, making them feel earned rather than expected. For the truly adventurous, multi-day canoe trails can be arranged where you'll fly-camp under the stars.