Tucked away on its own private island in the eastern reaches of the Lower Zambezi, Chula is where safari purists go to disappear. Just five mesh-walled tents beneath towering Natal Mahogany trees offer front-row seats to one of Africa's last true wildernesses. This is owner-run, passion-fuelled safari at its most authentic – think bucket showers under the stars, breakfast around a crackling campfire, and guides who paddle these channels like they were born to do just that. It's deliberately simple, refreshingly remote, and completely captivating; the kind of place where hippos provide the morning alarm and elephants might just wander through camp for afternoon tea.
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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.
Paddling silently along the 'Discovery Channel' while elephants bathe mere metres away – it's just you, your canoe, and Africa's giants in their private spa.
Book both Chula and sister camp, Kutali, for the ultimate Zambezi odyssey – you can actually canoe between them, camping wild-style as you island-hop downstream.
There are no night drives here – once the sun sets, you're properly marooned on your island paradise until morning.
Chula Island Camp is owned by Classic Zambia for which Conservation is a central mission, ensuring the symbiotic thriving of nature and local communities. Their organisation, Musekese Conservation, combats poaching in Kafue National Park, and they invest in guide training to nurture stewards of Africa's parks, led by renowned trainer Kyle Branch. Sustainability is ingrained; camps run on solar power, waste is managed consciously, and local procurement minimises ecological impact. Through skills training and employment, Classic Zambia empowers communities, reducing reliance on illegal activities like poaching.
Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch
Chula Island Camp can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Zambia trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Zambia trips featuring Chula Island Camp or get advice and suggestions from one of our Zambia specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Chula Island Camp start from around $750, or US$750, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
Glide down the Zambezi by boat, spotting elephants and tiger fishing to your heart’s content.
