Luxury Zambia Safari Lodges & Camps

Zambia is the historic home of the African walking safari, offering some of the most authentic, untamed, and deeply immersive wilderness accommodations on the continent. Unlike other major safari destinations that have shifted heavily toward large-scale commercial resorts, Zambia’s premier wilderness hubs—South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi, and Kafue National Park—have intentionally preserved an intimate, low-impact model of small luxury lodges and seasonal deep-bush camps.

1. Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

&Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp is an ultra-luxury safari outpost located in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, not Zambia. Meaning “Place of the Giraffe”, this intimate and elegant camp is situated on an exclusive 25,000-hectare private wildlife concession bordering the world-renowned Moremi Game Reserve.

The &Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp in Botswana is renowned for its luxurious lodging and breathtaking views of the surrounding Okavango Delta. Nxabega offers its visitors a unique and exclusive African safari experience together with some of the best game drives and birding possibilities in the region.

2. Duba Plains Camp | Okavango Delta

Duba Plains Camp is another flagship ultra-luxury safari destination located in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, not Zambia. Part of the elite Réserve Collection by Great Plains Conservation, this highly exclusive camp is tucked away on a 33,000-hectare private concession in the furthest northern reaches of the Delta.

The camp was co-founded by famous National Geographic filmmakers and explorers Dereck and Beverly Joubert, who filmed many of their iconic wildlife documentaries (such as Relentless Enemies) right on this property.

Duba Plains Camp is a small camp located in the remote northern region of the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Duba Plains Camp is surrounded by vast grasslands that are abundant in the game and seasonal floodplains. The camp, which can only be reached by light aircraft, is well known for its resident lion pride and their never-ending conflicts with the numerous buffalo that roam the area.

3. Sanctuary Chief’s Camp | Moremi Game Reserve

Sanctuary Chief’s Camp is an award-winning, ultra-luxury safari property located in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. It sits inside the exclusive Mombo Concession on Chief’s Island, which is the largest landmass in the Moremi Game Reserve.

Known colloquially as the “Predator Capital of Africa,” this specific pocket of the Delta offers world-famous concentrations of lions, leopards, and wild dogs.

Sanctuary Chief’s Camp is a super-luxurious bush lodge situated on Chief’s Island in the exclusive Mombo Concession of the Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. The indisputable “predator capital of Africa” is the Moremi Game Reserve, a part of the Okavango Delta that has been walled off. The wild dog, lion, cheetah, and leopard all inhabit this region.

4. Vumbura Plains | Okavango Delta

Wilderness Vumbura Plains is another premier, ultra-luxury safari property located in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Operated by the acclaimed ecotourism brand Wilderness, this flagship property sits within the 60,000-hectare private Kwedi Concession in the far northern reaches of the Delta.

What makes Vumbura Plains entirely unique from properties like Sanctuary Chief’s Camp or Duba Plains is its specific positioning where the permanent Delta water channels meet dry African savannah. This allows it to offer the most diverse, dual-ecosystem wildlife viewing in the region.

In the far north of the Okavango Delta, Vumbura Plains is a wonderful camp that is located in a private concession that borders the Moremi Game Reserve. The Vumbura Reserve has a huge crossing area of about 24,000 hectares with a wide range of habitats and species.

5. Chiawa Camp

Always outstanding game reports and one of our favourite camps in the country, it is a candidate for best luxury camp anywhere. In fact, we have yet to get any negative comments from our guests — many of our more seasoned backpackers say Chiawa is their best camp, anywhere. Chiawa is a very fantastic camp and whilst the level of luxury is more than it’s sister, Old Mondoro, the accent is not on the luxury but more on the attentive personnel, amazing cuisine and the outstanding guiding. Chiawa is all about the experience and the optimal vacation would be to pair Chiawa and Old Mondoro to obtain the finest Lower Zam has to offer.

6. Old Mondoro

Old Mondoro Camp is an intimate, world-class luxury safari bush camp located in Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park. Owned and operated by the pioneering Cumings family (who also run the nearby sister property, Chiawa Camp), this camp is famous for delivering a deep, unfiltered “back-to-the-bush” experience. It trades overly polished resort aesthetics for rustic bush elegance under a grove of massive winterthorn and acacia trees.

There is something really special about this little place and it’s hard to say exactly what it is. The intimate environment in camp, the kind staff, the amazing cuisine, the incredible guiding, the magnificent location; it really is the gem of the Lower Zambezi and we think it epitomises everything that Zambia is and should be.

7. Mwamba Bush Camp

Mwamba Bush Camp is an authentic, deeply immersive luxury eco-camp located inside Zambia’s world-renowned South Luangwa National Park. Owned and operated by Shenton Safaris, this intimate camp was established in 1995 on an old poacher’s site to push poaching out of the area.

All in all this is a terrific tiny camp for travellers that like the true safari experience with an emphasis on wildlife photography. Mwamba Bush resort is also owned and run by the Shentons, and like Kaingo, Derek’s enthusiasm for authenticity on safari is evident throughout the resort.

8. Wilderness Shumba

Wilderness Shumba is an ultra-luxury, flagship safari property located in the remote northern sector of Zambia’s Kafue National Park. Perched on a verdant, tree-covered island, it overlooks the vast Busanga Plains—a spectacular wetland ecosystem often called the “Plains of Plenty”.

Wilderness Shumba is arguably one of the greatest campgrounds in Kafue and takes its name from the prides of lion in the area. Shumba is highly remote, situated in the center of the Busanga Plains Wilderness. With few travellers exploring this area it is also very exclusive. It is a nice vacation yet there is a lot of focus on the animals around the camp and the activities provided. Wilderness Shumba operates between 1st June and 31st October each year. If you’d want something more primitive, sister camp Wilderness Busanga Bush Camp is worth considering.

9. Tena Tena Camp

Tena Tena Camp is a legendary luxury safari camp located inside the quiet, highly exclusive Nsefu Sector of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. Meaning “temporary home” in the local language, this iconic outpost was opened in 1986 as the very first property founded by safari pioneers Robin and Jo Pope.

This is a cosy little camp owned and maintained by Robin Pope Safaris and has a really pleasant feel. Robin Pope Safaris operate a variety of authentic camps in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi and the company is dedicated about responsible tourism which makes it a bit of a favourite with The Bespoke African Safari Co. Accommodation, all meals, a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks and laundry service are included in your stay. Open May 22 to October 31.

10. Wilderness Busanga Bush Camp

Wilderness Busanga Bush Camp is the intimate, sister property to Wilderness Shumba, located deep in the heart of the Busanga Plains within Zambia’s Kafue National Park. While Shumba caters to travelers seeking ultra-luxury resort creature comforts, Busanga Bush Camp is intentionally designed for seasoned safari enthusiasts who crave an unpretentious, deeply authentic “back-to-the-bush” ecosystem experience.

The camp is a major popularity with safari aficionados searching for an authentic experience and less flashy accommodation than other options to be found in the vicinity. Wilderness Busanga Bush Camp is also cheaper than its sibling camp, Wilderness Shumba Camp and we genuinely love the site of this camp.

11. Chichele Presidential

Chichele Presidential Lodge is a historic, ultra-luxury safari sanctuary situated in the prime heart of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. Originally built in 1972 as a private holiday retreat for Zambia’s founding president, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, this prestigious property has been completely reimagined, demolished, and rebuilt from the ground up.

Reopened as an architectural masterpiece, the lodge is owned by Chichele Safaris and operated by the award-winning Chiawa Safaris team (the same experts behind Old Mondoro and Chiawa Camp). It uniquely blends grand presidential history with cutting-edge, contemporary eco-luxury.

12. Kaingo Camp

Wilderness Kaingo Camp is the flagship property of Shenton Safaris, located deep inside the remote northern sector of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. Named after the local Nyanja word for leopard (“kaingo”), this award-winning camp was founded in 1992 by safari pioneer Derek Shenton.

It is globally celebrated as a premier destination for serious wildlife photographers and enthusiasts who crave proximity to raw nature without sacrificing luxury. The camp sits nestled inside a magnificent, shady grove of ancient ebony and mahogany trees, overlooking a sweeping, hippo-filled stretch of the perennial Luangwa River.

13. Zungulila Bushcamp

Zungulila Bushcamp is a charming, ultra-exclusive safari property located in the remote southern sector of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. Owned and operated by the highly respected The Bushcamp Company, it is celebrated as the circuit’s deepest wilderness outpost.

Perched beautifully on a raised knoll, the camp evokes a classic, vintage “Out of Africa” romance from a bygone era, looking out directly over a natural, spring-fed floodplain and a sweeping bend of the Kapamba River.

14. Thorntree River Lodge

Thorntree River Lodge is a highly acclaimed contemporary eco-luxury sanctuary located on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. Operated by the premium safari brand African Bush Camps, this modern oasis sits tucked inside the riverfront section of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, located just 12km upstream from the precipice of the iconic waterfall.

It beautifully bridges the gap between raw wilderness and 21st-century architectural luxury. The lodge features tented roof structures that pay homage to authentic Africa, while the interiors highlight sleek wood, local stone, and clean geometric designs.

15. Shawa Luangwa Camp

Shawa Luangwa Camp opened in 2021 and provides exceptional experiences in the South Luangwa! The camps amazing collection of silent electric vehicles will be a big appeal for guests for game drives. Shawa Luangwa is the fourth property in the Green Safaris portfolio alongside Ila Safari Lodge, Kaya Mawa & Chisa Busanga Camp. It’s named the Jacob Shawa after a well-known safari guide recognised in Wanderlust’s World Guide Awards. Green Safaris is a favourite at The Bespoke African Safari Co. It is proud of its sustainable design and of caring for local wildlife and communities. The camp is open from June to November each year and accommodation is on a full-board basis.

16. Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma

Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma is an exclusive, award-winning luxury boutique lodge situated on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. Named in honor of Dr David Livingstone’s faithful companions, Sussi and Chuma, the property is owned and managed by the elite Abercrombie & Kent Sanctuary Retreats portfolio.

It is built along a dramatic, fast-flowing bend of the Zambezi River within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, located just 12km upstream from the world-famous waterfall to provide an exceptionally private safari base completely away from the main tourist crowds.

17. Puku Ridge

Puku Ridge is an award-winning, ultra-luxury tented safari camp located deep within a remote sector of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. Co-managed by the highly respected Chiawa Safaris group, this elegant property is built along a hillside overlooking the Kakumbi Dambo floodplain. It offers sweeping views of a wildlife-rich lagoon and waterhole where elephants, lions, leopards, and herds of native puku antelope gather daily.

18. Potato Bush Camp

Potato Bush Camp is an intimate, highly acclaimed luxury tented safari property located on the banks of the Zambezi River inside Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park. Operated by Green Safaris, it serves as the sister property to the ultra-luxury Sausage Tree Camp located just upstream. While sharing the same game-rich environment, Potato Bush Camp is specifically celebrated for its highly personalized atmosphere and family-friendly focus, making it widely considered the best value-for-experience camp in the Lower Zambezi valley.

19. Nsefu Camp

Nsefu Camp is a legendary, historically significant safari property located in the exclusive Nsefu Sector of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. First established in 1951 by the iconic conservation pioneer Norman Carr, Nsefu holds the proud distinction of being Zambia’s very first photographic safari camp. Operated today by the esteemed Robin Pope Safaris, the property sits beautifully on a sweeping meander of the Luangwa River, maintaining a timeless charm that blends understated elegance with unparalleled wildlife access.

20. Lolebezi

If you’re after an extremely stylish yet intimate lodge, located along the Lower Zambezi, then the fresh and latest addition to the African Bush Camps portfolio, Lolebezi, is a terrific option. The camp is named after the owner’s son ‘Lole’ and of course the majestic River Zambezi, ‘bezi’. It is designed to deliver a wild, secluded and opulent experience on one of the most spectacular stretches of river in Africa.

African Buch Camps, created by expert safari guide Beks Ndlovu, specialises in tented camps and lodges across Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Accommodation will be reserved on a full board basis including all meals, a choice of alcoholic and soft drinks, all activities and laundry service.