John's Camp

At the heart of the camp is a single, open-sided canvas tent set beneath trees overlooking a floodplain towards the Zambezi River. Inside you'll find the necessary creature comforts: a living room with a couple of comfortable sofas and canvas chairs, and kerosene lamps. It's a simple space with great views and an intimate atmosphere. Meals are typically eaten outside beneath the tree canopy, and drinks are enjoyed around the campfire. The charming staff are smilingly efficient.

Five double Meru-style tents lie along the riverbank, facing the waterway and the escarpment beyond. All are double-canvas structures with mesh sides to let in the breezes. The interiors are simple, although there's pure luxury in the crisp white linen and comfortable mattresses – welcome after an action-packed day! Each tent has an en-suite bathroom with running water, flush toilet and overhanging safari-style bucket shower, and a tea station stocked with hot water to make you feel right at home.

John's Camp is only open during the dry season, from 1 April to 30 November (it's also the best period to view game). Twice-daily drives and walks are the primary safari options, interspersed with fishing excursions if you're a fan. You'll be captivated by the wildlife and landscapes of this area – wild dogs hunting, lions lazing in the dry riverbed, elephants standing on their hind legs to browse tall acacias, hippos aplenty and 400-odd species of birds.