The best accommodations Zambia

Located along the last Zambian bay on the lake, this superb private beach is only accessible by boat, in 30 minutes from Mpulungu, or in 5 minutes from Isanga Bay Lodge which is accessible by 4x4. A small Robinson-like paradise consisting of a stone chalet on the hillside and 3 reed bungalows on platforms overlooking the lake. All are simply furnished, but have private bathrooms. Kitchen available. Activities: Kalambo Falls and snorkeling mainly.

With its white sand, coconut trees and thatched umbrellas, Isanga Bay recreates a totally seaside atmosphere. The 6 elegantly shaped chalets and huts are built of natural materials and are set on stilts facing the lake behind the beach. They are spacious and have one double and two single beds, a bathroom and a veranda. On the program: bird watching, snorkeling, excursions to the Kalambo Falls, canoeing, boat trips... The birdlife is particularly interesting.

The lodge is located in the Shiwa Ng'andu reserve next to the Kapishya hot springs. It offers a natural flowery and paradisiacal setting of 6 charming chalets. The products of its farm are cooked in the proposed dishes. The activities offered: visit of Shiwa Ngandu manor, safari, hot springs, spa with view on the river, hiking, rafting, rock paintings, mountain biking... Can be combined with a stay at Buffalo Camp (North Luangwa), 4 hours from Kapishya.

Charlie and Jo Harvey have completely restored the manor house and fitted out, on the^second floor, 5 rooms to welcome visitors. A must in terms of "British" refinement in the heart of the African bush. In addition to the wooden furniture, the paintings and the period fireplace where every evening there is a flambé, they have added bathrooms with cast iron bathtubs. Meals are served in the dining room or the English gardens. Game drives, boating on the lake, horseback riding or swimming in the Kapyshia hot springs are all included.

This quiet self-catering lodgeis located on the banks of the Luwombwa River, west of the park. More rustic than Wasa Lodge, and also less expensive. Three pretty brick chalets with private bathrooms welcome visitors under their palm roof. Two have a capacity of 5 beds on two floors. Activities are centered on fishing (especially tiger fish), boat rides and canoeing. The place is excellent for bird watching. You have to prepare your meals on the spot, in a perfectly equipped place.

This is the main camp, 12 km from the park entrance, on the shores of Lake Wasa, and a 2-hour walk from Fibwe Observatory. Ilhouses the park offices and even if you sleep elsewhere, you can have lunch or dinner here. Ilhas 4 comfortable chalets with shared bathrooms, and 3 more luxurious huts with private bathrooms and verandas. With its traditional architecture and palm roofs, it blends into the scenery. In the evening, the camp is lit with lanterns and the atmosphere becomes magical. The lake is home to hippos and many birds.

The lodge is located a little way out of town, on the edge of the lake, past the market and on the other side of a hill. A popular address among budget travelers and campers. First of all, the owner Charity and her son Marino welcome you very well. On the spot, campers can enjoy a nice place to set up their tent or van. On the other hand, basic huts with common sanitary facilities are proposed for small budgets. Simple meals can be ordered in advance.

Located 30 km before Mkushi coming from Kapiri Mposhi, this farm offers travelers 10 lovely cottages with warm and cozy decor, impeccably maintained and equipped with all the necessary comforts. The camping area is located in a pleasant shady area, as is the property's large garden surrounded by an indigenous forest where walking paths have been laid out. The restaurant serves tasty farm products. The badminton court is available to guests, nice on vacation.

Tongabezi in Mosi-Oa-Tunya Park is a must for the wealthy traveler. On one side, 5 nice round cottages with white walls and thatched roofs; on the other side, 4 vast houses with terracotta colors. All designed in natural materials (wood, stone and wrought iron), with fabrics in ethnic patterns. Gourmet meals are served on the banks of the Zambezi River. The swimming pool, set in a natural rock, is a marvel. Spa. Activities included: visit of the falls, Livingstone, safaris, canoeing and cruising on the Zambezi, village visits...

An intimate and charming lodge lost in the nature upstream of the Zambezi River, to live a natural, chic and bohemian vacation. In total, 5 cottages perched in the trees and three-bedroom cottages designed for families (from 10 years old). A luminous and refined architecture, made of wood, stone, thatch and other natural materials, very nice bathrooms with island bathtub for the most luxurious ones and a deck overlooking the river. Nice pool. Canoe trips, sunset cruise and horseback riding included. Wifi.

Perched at the top of Batoka Gorge 220 meters above the Zambezi River, the lodge offers a magnificent view of the canyon below the falls. It is named after a rare bird of prey that flies here and has 7 bright and warm bungalows. The reed structure contrasts harmoniously with the neat furnishings without unnecessary frills. A pretty garden, a small pool and a family atmosphere complete the setting. Activities include visits to the falls and the town, the unmissable "Sunset cruise", hiking and visits to nearby villages.

Without doubt, the most refined and elegant address in town, a true boutique hotel in the heart of Kitwe. In a beautiful colonial style house, the 30 rooms are very spacious and decorated with care, mixing old and new classical styles. All look out onto the pool and garden and have pleasant terraces. Beautiful wooden furniture and ethnic objects decorate the lounges, bar and restaurant, the whole is very warm. Good table which proposes in particular very tasty Indian cooking.

This lodge, located right in the center of Senanga but on the banks of the Zambezi, is the best local place to stay. It offers simple, well kept, but aging rooms (a renovation would be welcome), as well as a nice view on the Zambezi plains. It is anyway the only option in the area, apart from small local guesthouses that are even less recommendable. Campers can ask permission to stay in the garden. Lively bar. Possibility of catering, the plates are very tasty.

This classy lodge is very popular with Gavin Johnson's fellow South Africans, who take advantage of the private airfield. By road it is located about 50 km from Sesheke and the same distance from Sioma. In total: 8 safari tents set up under the trees on the banks of the Zambezi, with a teak veranda to enjoy the view. Dinners are served around the campfire. Activities are really focused on fishing, but boat and canoe trips are possible, as well as safaris in the Sioma Ngwezi Park, between April and December.

The best local address in Shesheke outside the lodge towards Sioma. The pension is located behind the church of Saint Kizito, on a very pleasant site on the edge of the Zambezi, dominated by a big baobab tree and covered with a nice lawn. It has 6 basic but comfortable cottages with private sanitary facilities at very reasonable prices. The infrastructure for the campers is impeccable. Possibility to eat or have a drink. Canoe rental, warm welcome... Nothing to say, except that on weekends a local bar plays music a little loud.

Set around a few trees, Mwaleshi Camp is located on the banks of the eponymous river, 10 km from the confluence with the Luangwa River where the other Remote Africa camp in this park is located: Takwela Camp (opened in 2019). As in any bush camp, the reed chalets combine comfort and rusticity, and the services are of a high quality. In addition to game drives, the camp offers day trips to Mwaleshi Falls and a day trip to the Bangweluu swamps. Visitors stay a minimum of 2 nights. Can be combined with camps in South Luangwa.

Pioneer Camp is a haven of peace built in the middle of nature, 18 km from the city center, in the spirit of bush lodges. You can choose from safari tents or more luxurious hard-wall chalets. These rooms are under straw roofs, bright and modern, with wax coloring. As a bonus, there is a great campsite with electricity included and well maintained sanitary facilities with hot water. The lounge restaurant, under a huge roof, is very welcoming. Close to the airport, on the eastern road leading to Chipata and Malawi.

Run by Dutchmen Peter (photographer) and Kirsten, this camp near the park entrance is refined. The double or family chalets, facing the Luangwa River, combine natural materials, afro arty decoration and well-made furniture. Other options: rustic safari tents on platforms, immersed in the forest. The campsite has a lawn (with barbecues and cold water), platforms and tented huts. Swimming pool by the river. Good music at the bar, inventive cuisine with exotic flavors. All-inclusive formula possible.

What a transformation: Flatdogs Camp has been revamped and is now a beautiful and luxurious lodge at the gateway to the park and Mfuwe. A good compromise in price, since it is just at the entrance of the park, near Mfuwe, arranged on an exceptional site on a vast ground overhanging the Luangwa river, crossed by elephants and hippos. The small swimming pool with its deck is a paradise. There is a choice of spacious double tents with bathrooms, family chalets, a two-bedroom tree house and a family tent with a private plunge pool.

A small guesthouse that has grown and now has about thirty rooms distributed in different buildings within a vast and beautiful garden planted with pine trees in which campers can settle. Bright, pleasant, the less expensive rooms are organized around a patio. Others are real apartments with veranda, living room and small kitchen. All have a bathroom, TV, fan, small fridge and kettle. The set is old but the prices are reasonable. Billiards at the bar at the entrance.

The sublime Kafunta River Lodge spreads its refined luxury on the banks of the Luangwa. Access to the park is from the south, via a small reserved ferry. Imagine yourself in the lovely pool watching the giraffes drink from the floodplain. Or watch a herd of elephants taking a mud bath in front of your terrace. Restaurant, pool, designer lounge with distinguished sofas and boma. The stilt cottages and two suites were renovated in 2019. Small massage room. Can be combined with Island Bush Camp and Three Rivers Camp.

The only address in the park accessible to independent travelers in 4x4 and self-drive, this campground is located in the northern part, on the side of the Muchinga escarpment, about 1 km from the park entrance marked by the Mano Scout Camp. It is very basic, organized for campers to be completely self-sufficient in terms of food and drinking water. It has barbecue areas and a solar power generator, cold showers and dirt pitches under the trees.

Managed by Shenton Safaris, this bush camp is located 7 km north of Kaingo, another claw camp. It is located in a picturesque area frequented by many wildebeest and elands. The 4 reed cabins are decorated with beautiful batiks from the Tribal Textile workshop and the roof is designed in such a way that you can sleep under the starry sky. You feel like you are in the heart of the wilderness. Observatories have been installed nearby. The safari guides, led by Derek Shenton, are particularly attentive to photographers.

Well located in the park at the junction of the Luangwa and Mwamba rivers, this small lodge run by the Shenton family has 6 comfortable chalets, including 2 "honeymoon" chalets. Each has a terrace overlooking the Luangwa River. In the lounge, one can notice the magnificent bar carved in a chigomier trunk. Its privileged location offers beautiful game drive & walk. Kaingo has opened a number of observatories to photograph the hippos in their intimacy and an elephant hide allows, in addition to admiring the pachyderms, to spend a night on a platform.

Reopened in late 2019 after a total facelift by Chiawa, this design and aesthetic camp has nothing to do with a bush camp. Eight safari tents are all equipped with a star bed in an adjacent tower, a refreshing plunge pool, but also wifi and even air-conditioning, a rarity in the rooms and appreciated when it is 40°C. The terrace of the lounge restaurant facing the flood plain is sublime, the meals refined. Its isolated position in the heart of the park guarantees exceptional game drives in this area populated by leopards.

Located within the South Luangwa National Park, set back from the river but overlooking the valley from a hilltop, this lodge was the private residence of President Kenneth Kaunda for the duration of his term. Today, it is under the management of Chiawa Camp as is the exclusive Puku Ridge Camp in the heart of the national park. It is currently undergoing a complete renovation. The new lodge with a spa is scheduled to open in 2023.

In a most charming setting, the 6 thatched chalets with whitewashed walls offer a superb view of the Luangwa River. The décor is seductively rustic. The open-air bathrooms are very pleasant. The lodge is located in the Lupanda Game Reserve, in the middle of ebony and acacia trees that regularly attract elephants and giraffes. For families, there are two superb houses, Robin's House and Luangwa Safari House, with their round architecture. Can be combined with a stay at Nsefu Camp and/or Tena Tena Camp.

Here, the focus is on African culture and local life. This family-run bed and breakfast puts Africa in the spotlight, with its earth-colored walls, its swimming pool cut in the shape of the continent and its restaurant set up under a hut. It is also possible to cook for yourself. The rooms are simple and basic, but clean, with private bathroom, TV, fan. Chalets are also available for families (two double beds). Traditional dances are organized as well as excursions to the market. Good reception. Wifi access.

Just 10 minutes from Livingstone in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, this luxury Sanctuary Retreats lodge features 10 chalets perched in the canopy of ebony trees on the water's edge. The interior is decorated in a refined ethnic colonial style. Bathrooms are open-air and there are stunning views of the Zambezi from the terrace. The cottages are connected to the reception and restaurant by suspended walkways. Two activities per day are included, with a choice of: visit of the falls, game drive in the park, walking safari, boat, canoeing, village tour...

It is the most southern lodge of the park, in a little visited area and quite difficult to access (5 hours from Lusaka and 3 hours from Livingstone). It is drowned in the vegetation: we are in real immersion in wild Africa. It is also a judicious stopover if you have chosen to cross the whole park by the Spinal Road from north to south until Livingstone (it takes 48 hours minimum). Visitors can choose to stay in one of the 3 cottages or one of the 3 safari tents.

On the banks of the lake Itezhi-Tezhi, not far from the eponymous village and at the border of the park, big granite rocks are strangely invested by a baobab and frequented by damsons, a nice show! Pleasant campground. The 13 chalets perched on these rocks are basic, but air-conditioned, comfortable and affordable, with a nice view of the lake. Visitors can enjoy a swimming pool, a rarity in Kafue. Boat rental and game drive are optional. We like here to alternate safaris in the park and local life.

This large lakeside complex is reminiscent of a vacation village in the bush, with its 24 chalets, swimming pool, tennis courts... The splendor of yesteryear is a little outdated and the establishment deserves a refreshment, but the view is breathtaking and its old-fashioned charm is there. Visitors living in the surrounding campsites can have a meal or a drink here. However, it is not located in the park (no "tax" to pay per night). You have to leave your car at the parking and take a ferry to reach the lodge and back in the morning.

Located on the left bank of the Kafue River, Kaingu Safari Lodgehas a beautiful lounge bar, 4 elegant and comfortable safari tents on teak platforms with thatched roofs, and a family suite. All overlooking the riverbank and the river. Well equipped campsite. Kaingu organizes game walks, game drives in the park, boat and canoe trips over several days. Activities for children. To get there: take Spinal Road to the car park, then the lodge sends a boat.

Beautifully located on the banks of the Kafue River, on the edge of the park, it can be reached by car directly from the east. From the west (Spinal Road), leave your car at the parking lot and you will be picked up by boat. Camping is available, as well as thatched chalets and safari tents. Pleasant verandas with a view of the water and the sound of hippos in the background. The owners have launched an eco-volunteer program to protect the environment and develop local communities.

The friendly Chris and Charlotte McBride are African bush specialists (Chris McBride is the author of books on lions) who fell in love with Kafue Park. Located inside the park, their bush nest consists of a campsite and 7 chalets made of palm leaves and reeds, with rattan furniture. A simple and functional bush camp in intimate contact with nature. If game walks are preferred, game drives and boat cruises on the Kafue River are offered. The Carl Joseph lion has elected his territory around the camp, roars guaranteed!

This remote lodge on the northern edge of the park is located on the banks of the Kafue River, 4 km from a beautiful hot spring where you can bathe. The atmosphere is family friendly as there are only 5 brick and thatched chalets comfortably furnished in an African style with teak furniture. The lodge has a bar and a restaurant with a nice deck overlooking the river, but meals can also be taken in the bush. All the classic activities are offered: game drive, walking safari, boat ride, canoeing or fishing.

The only address located on the edge of the Chunga lagoon, this exceptional lodge promises absolute privacy with nature. The 6 large safari tents mounted on a teak platform are warm and elegantly decorated. They have a separate lounge area and an open-air shower. Among the activities proposed, the balade of the lagoon on the lagoon is a necessity. Splendid sunsets from the common room. 

A peaceful haven on the banks of the Kafue River. It is run by Pippa, the charismatic "old lady" of Kafue who will tell you about her African adventures. The camp is affordable, with barbecues. There are also four rustic and rather expensive safari tents with outdoor bathrooms. The restaurant is very good, with the chef making sure to cook fresh and varied ingredients. Activities: game walk, game drive and boat on the Kafue River to see hippos and crocs. Three elephants often visit the camp, be careful when opening your tent in the morning!

Cited as one of the most beautiful lodges in Africa, the Sausage Tree has abandoned the traditional safari tents for vast Bedouin tents with open-air bathrooms. Inside; more classic African teak wood furniture. The Sausage Tree is so exclusive that each guest has a radio and a butler. The table is gourmet and lunches are organized at the water's edge. It is not uncommon to see an elephant or a buffalo pass by while lounging in the pool. Can be combined with the Potato Bush Camp nearby.

Full-board guests are accommodated in large safari tents, with adjoining reed-walled sanitary facilities, or in new stone cottages. There are also rustic self-catering tents and a campsite with 7 pitches, each with a shower, toilet and sink. The main lounge, open to the Zambezi River, is a great place to relax, decorated with hippo statues and animal paintings by South African artist Michelle Decker. Nice pool. Mvuu Lodge offers, among other things, a canoe safari from 1 to 3 days, fishing.

The 6 stone and thatched huts are scattered along the Zambezi River, shaded by mango and bougainvillea trees. The colors of the fabrics and batiks contrast with the whiteness of the walls, the natural materials are used in an elegant Afro style. Also; a family house with three suites. The restaurant has a real pizza oven. Turquoise infinity pool overlooking the Zambezi River. On site: boating, canoeing, safari, fishing... You can visit the school that the lodge has built and which houses 60 students.

Mondoro means "lion" in the Shona language, as legend has it that an old white lion once made his home here. This real bush camp is located in the heart of the park and is often used as a complement to a stay at Chiawa Camp. The quality of the services is just as exceptional, but the structures are more rustic, because here we dive into the wild bush, which is very rich in wildlife. The eight tents have a very simple furniture, they are lit with lanterns and the showers are with buckets of hot water on demand. A little extra adventure!

2 km from the M9, this pleasant camp is easy to access. It has 8 traditional huts with ethnic colors, a 4 person villa and 4 safari tents with richly decorated windows immersing guests in a "natural" atmosphere. In this beautiful setting: two swimming pools and a beautiful view on the river. Mukambi also has a bush camp, the Fig Tree Bush Camp (from 1/05 to 30/11) which has 4 safari tents, and a luxurious bush camp with 4 tents in the Busanga Plains: the Mukambi Plains Camp (from 1/07 to 31/10).

This lodge is located on the other side of the park, where the Luangwa River defines its eastern boundary, 20 km from Luangwa village and near the fabulous Mpata Gorge. The large garden with trees is pleasant, but the interior of the chalets lacks character and is more reminiscent of a hotel room than a bush lodge. This address is recommended for fishing enthusiasts. Interesting cultural visits can be organized in the surrounding villages as well as at the Mozambican border, a historical place infamous for the slave trade.

A secluded paradise lies halfway between Livingstone and Chobe NP in Botswana. It is located on two forest-covered islands in the middle of the Zambezi River, near the Siansimba Waterfalls. The 6 chalets are grouped together on one island, connected to the restaurant and reception (on the other island) by a system of suspended wooden walkways. The teak wood and canvas chalets open onto a balcony overlooking the swirling river. The cuisine is excellent and creative. Relax by the pool during the day and by the fire in the evening. Spa.

One can choose between one of the 5 chalets built with natural materials or one of the 2 safari tents with open-air shower. In addition to the safaris in the Busangas Plains, one can visit the Hippo Mine, the first copper mine of the country classified as national heritage or bathe in a hot spring at sunset, barbecues are sometimes organized in the evening. A great moment of relaxation! Hippo Lodge manages Hippo Lunga Camp, a bush camp located on an island, a little upstream on the Lunga River, with 6 safari tents.

Certainly the most exotic of the large hotels in the center, located in a tropical garden full of jacaranda trees. The establishment belongs to the Indian hotel chain Taj and a good part of its clientele is made up of businessmen from that country. There are 193 rooms in a modern 8-story building, rich in modern woodwork, some with balconies and suites with whirlpools. The gym (with sauna, steam room, spa squash and whirlpool) is perfect, as is the pleasant grill restaurant.

A very affordable address for the standard offered. This old colonial 3 star hotel, central and wooded, offers 102 warm and even "pop" rooms and suites with colorful neon lighting, retro chairs mixed with local furniture. Each room has a private bathroom, air conditioning, satellite TV, a small refrigerator and thermos flasks for tea and coffee. Its strong point: a pleasant swimming pool in the courtyard, two restaurants (good Western, Chinese and Indian cuisine) with, on certain evenings, folkloric shows. Casino, discotheque, tour agency.

An institution in town for budget travelers. The private rooms, spread around the garden, are equipped with a bathroom, air conditioning and a mosquito net. Fawlty Towers, a nod to the famous Monthy Python series, has a large swimming pool in the vegetation, an affordable restaurant, a bright lounge, a lively bar and a pool table. The whole place is clean and well kept, including the dormitories. The staff is welcoming. Its agency, Adventure Africa, offers all activities at reasonable prices.

This resort is popular with Lusaka conventioneers, who come here to immerse themselves in nature. The 47 well-decorated rooms are set in a large garden perfect for walking. A lovely pool overlooking the lake guarantees a refreshing break, while a children's pool with slides is nestled in the palm trees. The restaurant serves renowned cuisine in a large colonial-style room. Spa, gym, tennis courts, children's games and boat rides, there is no lack of activities.