Best 11 Safari Lodges in Zambia: Travel Guide

By Marcus Richard | Update on: Apr 22, 2025

Zambia, dubbed the "Real Africa", is a region of breathtaking animals and natural beauty. Zambia's gorgeous national parks, diversified ecosystems, and plentiful animals make it a safari enthusiast's dream destination. To help you make the most of your safari vacation, we've produced a list of the top 11 best safari lodges in Zambia. These lodges provide outstanding experiences, beautiful lodgings, and near contact with animals, resulting in a fantastic adventure into the heart of Africa.

Explore the top 11 best lodges in Zambia

Explore 11 Best Lodges in Zambia for tourists

Zambia is an excellent and beloved destination for seasoned safari-goers and first-timers alike, inclusive of national parks such as South Luangwa National Park, which is renowned for walking safaris across its wildlife floodplains, and the ever-famous Victoria Falls, Kafue National Park, Lochinvar National Park, among others. Planning your African travels might be daunting, but to assist you, we've compiled the 15 top Zambia Safari Lodges to stay at the destination.

1. Msandile River Lodge in Zambia

Located in the South Luangwa National Park, Msandile River Lodge offers a unique riverbank lodging experience, providing a perfect setting for wildlife watching and sightseeing.

At Msandile River Lodge, you can expect a high level of comfort and safety. The lodge features a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, a bar, and a garden. The staff is kind and attentive and ensures your safety, making you feel secure and comfortable during your visit. The cuisine is excellent, and everything runs efficiently.

With the highly knowledgeable and caring personnel at the park, you can embark on a safari and return to a ready lunch, enhancing your trip with the guidance of professional guides and instilling confidence in your safari experience.

Msandile is one of the best safari lodges in Zambia

2. Royal Livingstone Lodge

The Royal Livingstone Lodge, located on the Zambian bank of the Zambezi River, provides a stay fit for royalty. From the exclusive butler service that ensures every need is satisfied to the hotel's prime position on the Zambezi River, the Royal Livingstone offers 5-star service and unparalleled experiences.

Its closeness to one of the world's natural wonders and the restored luxury steam train that provides a stylish and comfortable tour of Victoria Falls ensures that adventure is always nearby. With diverse vistas of the savannah vegetation and your ability to explore the private outdoor spaces, soak in nature delights.

3. Mfuwe Lodge

Stay at Mfuwe Lodge is one of the best things to do in Zambia

Mfuwe Lodge is located in South Luangwa National Park, one of Africa's richest animal habitats. The area is well-known for its walking safaris, which allow tourists to enjoy up-close animal encounters while traversing the rocky terrain in pursuit of large game.

This is the ideal starting point for the exhilarating activity, and you'll almost certainly spot animals before leaving the camp, as a variety of species frequently frequents the neighboring lagoon. When you visit the park in November, you could be lucky enough to run across the local herd of elephants in the lobby as they make their way to the mango trees.

The lodge's staff members are kind and loving in character, so the buffet of food is made on time, and the lodge offers swimming activities, free WIFI, and entertainment to its clients, making the stay at the destination fascinating.

4. Royal Chundu Lodge

Royal Chundu lives up to its name, offering a luxurious vacation suited for the aristocracy. This magnificent resort on the banks of the famous Zambezi River consists of two lavish properties: River Lodge and Island Lodge. Both elegant, contemporary lodges provide breathtaking views of the surrounding nature and every creature's comfort and facility imaginable. The icing on top of this magnificent getaway is its proximity to the ever-popular Victoria Falls - a utopia for every sort of tourist.

5. Thorn Tree River Safari Lodge

Thorn Tree River Safari Lodge is a luxury resort for tourists

Thorn Tree River Lodge is located on the banks of the famous Zambezi River, about 20 minutes from Victoria Falls. Thorn Tree, a notable luxury resort, provides an elite experience.

Thorn Tree River Lodge is one of Zambia's most modern lodges on the Zambezi River. Thorn Tree River Lodge, made of local lumber, stone, and repurposed railway sleeper wood, features an eco-friendly design that blends nature with 21st-century modernism. Its excellent position allows you to easily access all of the Falls' attractions, such as sunset cruises, kayaking, nature walks, tracking white rhinos, and, of course, awe-inspiring views of Africa's most potent cascade, while also providing you with peace and tranquillity on the riverbank.

6. Ila Safari Lodge

Ila Safari Lodge is one of the best lodges in Kafue, providing luxurious tented accommodations in Kafue National Park. The tents fit into the natural surroundings while providing panoramic views of the Kafue River. However, its main claim to fame is its minimal carbon footprint and outstanding eco credentials, from solar-powered electricity to locally obtained building materials to creating Zambia's first electric game drive vehicle. Veggies are cultivated in a communal garden, and the welcoming personnel are locally trained locals.

Ila Safari Lodge is one of the best lodges in Kafue

7. Kaingu Safari Lodge

Kaingu Safari Lodge, a Zambia safari resort, is harmoniously constructed to blend in with the surroundings and gives a genuine Zambian welcome. Experience a Kafue River safari excursion that includes boats, cruises, canoeing, and fishing. Traditional game drives and hikes in Kafue National Park give excellent animal-watching opportunities.

Kaingu provides modest and quiet East African tented lodging in Zambia and campsites along the Kafue River. The tents are luxuriously decorated and positioned on terraces overlooking the river, providing comfort and tranquility.

This Zambia wildlife lodge was designed to be ecologically sustainable, and all of the structures reflect this goal, with minimal influence on the surrounding landscape. Kaingu Lodge offers guests an authentic African bush experience.

The climate in this area is temperate all year, and tourists can participate in various enjoyable game-viewing activities, including birding, cruises, and guided hikes.

Kaingu Safari Lodge is on a high plateau 1,200 m above sea level. This Zambia wildlife lodge is accessible year-round and well-connected by air and road. It is an excellent self-drive location.

Kaingu Safari Lodge is one of the biggest lodges in Zambia

8. Royal Zambezi Lodge

The Royal Zambezi Lodge, set against the spectacular mountain background of the Zambezi Valley Escarpment, boasts 3.5 kilometers of untouched river frontage on the northern bank of the Zambezi River. The resort is just across the river from Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Zimbabwe. It is only a short distance from Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia. The lodge's 15 spacious canopied tents are snuggled behind mature trees, each carefully positioned to maximize the enjoyment of the surrounding vistas while maintaining complete seclusion. After a long day fishing or following animals, the infinity pool overlooking the river is the perfect spot to rest and decompress.

9. Leopard Lodge

Leopard Lodge is a small family-run luxury Zambia game lodge in the Kafue National Park. It is located on the Kafue River in a region populated by elephants, lions, and leopards. The Lodge prides itself on providing personalized attention to each visitor.

This Zambian wildlife lodge in Kafue National Park includes expansive reception rooms and a huge river balcony. The accommodations are simple, ensuring an intimate safari experience. Each offers a magnificent view of the river and the surrounding vegetation.

Leopard Lodge provides a variety of fascinating activities, including classic morning and evening game drives in open vehicles, where you may encounter elephants and lions. are a fantastic way to explore this varied region while discovering many smaller species in the park. Boating adventures down the river and fishing are also available; you could catch dinner.

10. Tena Tena Safari Lodge

Tena Tena is one of the best lodges in nearby South Luangwa National Park

Tena Tena, which means 'temporary residence', is located in South Luangwa National Park's isolated Nsefu district. Guests are housed in six-room tents that maximize solitude and offer uninterrupted views of a beautiful stretch of the Luangwa River. The main space is designed around a gigantic termite mound under the shadow of an ancient mahogany tree. This home away from home provides the ultimate personalized safari experience in a rustic yet sophisticated setting.

Planning your trip to Zambia to stay at best safari lodge in Zambia

With the Zambia e-visa, you can easily plan your vacation in Zambia and stay at the best safari lodge. Obtaining an e-visa simplifies the visa process and ensures a seamless entry into the nation. Begin by going to the official Zambia e-visa website and filling out the online application form, including your personal and travel information. Once submitted, pay the required fees and wait for the visa to be processed. With the simplicity of an e-visa, you may begin your adventure to explore Zambia's wildlife and stay at the most incredible safari lodges in the nation. From the beautiful vistas of South Luangwa National Park to the pure wildness of Lower Zambezi National Park, these lodges provide sumptuous accommodations, knowledgeable guides, and unforgettable animal experiences. Whether you want to see elephants bathing in the Zambezi River or hunt elusive predators in the savannahs, the e-visa provides a smooth admission and fully immerses you in the majesty of Zambia's natural treasures.