Private Air Safaris Zambia
Welcome to Zambia. This is perhaps the continent’s greatest hidden gem for outstanding wildlife and wilderness experiences. It offers so much diversity and beauty. Good news is it’s easily reached with international flights into Lusaka coming down from the Middle East, UK and Europe – Ethiopian Airlines and Emirates are popular choices. From Australia, you’d fly into Johannesburg and connect with a flight to Lusaka.
Zambia reigns supreme when it comes to exclusive use safari houses. By day, explore the wilderness with your private guide and 4×4 vehicle and by night, sip your favourite drink on your private deck under the African night sky with a campfire crackling.
Zambia also boasts one of the best flying and safari circuits in Africa. It’s stellar safari regions are serviced by scheduled light air flights and charter flights are readily available. Our favourites are South Luangwa National Park, famous for walking safaris. Lower Zambezi National Park is on the list for its canoeing and boating safaris, tiger fishing and beautiful river setting. Liuwa Plain National Park must get a mention because of its remoteness and true vastness. A Zambia holiday would not be complete without a visit to UNESCO World Heritage Site, Victoria Falls, “The Smoke that Thunders”.
Let us take you through some of our top exclusive use and boutique accommodation picks for the best private air safaris in Zambia.
Luangwa Safari House
South Luangwa National Park marks the end of the Great Rift Valley and is one of Zambia’s finest wilderness areas. The Luangwa river meanders through riverine woodlands and large open plains. So it’s always an epic safari experience for all ages.
Luangwa Safari House was designed by Neil Rocher and sits on the edge of a lagoon system that’s regularly visited by elephants, giraffe, impalas and many other species. It’s a vital food and water source for the animals – so you don’t even have to leave home to experience safari life!
The spacious home is truly stunning, hanging between twenty-five enormous leadwood poles. The entire front side is open so you can take in the views. Décor is gorgeous – safari casual chic we like to call it! You’ll want to flop on the lounge with a book when you’re not out with your private guide and vehicle on safari. Each of the five bedrooms are ensuited with private verandahs, so nobody draws the short straw here!
Activities available included day and night game drives, walking safaris led by knowledgeable guides and a National Park scout, and seasonal boating to explore the lagoons during Emerald Season (December to April).
Another activity highlight is a visit to Kawaza Village. You go into the village, learn about local life and see the school. It’s a hugely rewarding experience and families love it because their children get to see local rural Zambian life.
This is ideal for families – note children under 7 are not permitted for safety reasons because there are no fences around the property.
Image courtesy of Robin Pope Safaris
Chongwe House
Welcome to your private two story, four bedroom safari home in Zambia’s Lower Zambezi. Chongwe House’s setting is spectacular, nestled on a stretch of the Chongwe River with a mountain backdrop. You’ll feel right at home here with beautiful décor, a large pool, deck and lounge areas for total relaxation.
When you’re not relaxing by the pool you’ll be out exploring the wilderness with your private guide. Activities are as abundant and diverse as the wildlife itself! You can experience game drives, walking safaris, boating, canoeing safaris and tiger fishing. There’s also a wildlife hide and sleep out under the stars for the brave!
This is a seasonal camp, usually open between April and November. It’s the perfect additional to private air safaris in Zambia as it’s just a 15 minute drive from Royal Airstrip.
Image courtesy of Time+Tide
Robin’s House
Located on the banks of the Luangwa River, upstream from sister camp Nkwali, Robin’s House is an exclusive and private escape that is perfect for families and groups of friends. Nestled amongst the trees in the heart of the wilderness, Robin’s House guarantees fantastic views of the river and the wildlife rich South Luangwa National Park.
Here you will be treated to luxury and indulgence, with your own private team looking after your every need. Head out each day for tailored safari activities with your private guide and vehicle, and return home to scrumptious meals prepared by your own private chef.
Robin’s House truly feels like home, with two spacious ensuited rooms and a main area filled with cozy couches. The house also boasts a large open deck where you can sit back with a drink in hand while the children splash about in the private swimming pool.
There are a wide variety of activities to enjoy here, from tailored day and night game drives, boating along the Luangwa River, guided walking safaris to get up close to Zambia’s bush and wildlife, and visits to Kawaza village and school. A great activity, for children especially, is a visit to the Wildlife Education Centre, which works to educate the local children of the Luangwa Valley on wildlife and conservation. Also on offer is a visit to Tribal Textiles, where you will find beautiful and unique locally produced hand-painted textiles, perfect for souvenirs and gifts.
The team at Robin Pope Safaris have also been active in supporting their local communities through out the current Covid crisis. August saw the Robin Pope team participate in Walk Luangwa, an ambitious 350+ kilometres walk through Luangwa National Park to raise much needed funds for wildlife conservation and communities bordering the national park.
Image courtesy of Robin Pope Safaris
King Lewanika Camp
Time + Tide’s King Lewanika Camp is an escape into some of Zambia’s most stunning and unspoilt wilderness. The camp is located in the Luiwa Plain National Park, one of Africa’s earliest protected areas and first preserved by King Lewanika of the Lozi people in the 1880s.
The camp is run entirely on solar power, for minimal environmental impact, and uses a combination of natural materials in its design to retain that genuine safari camp feel. While not an exclusive use camp, King Lewanika is a small and intimate camp with only six villas, including a two bedroom family villa. It also has the advantage of being the only permanent camp in the Liuwa Plain National Park. This exclusivity blesses guests of King Lewanika with a truly authentic safari experience, free of the crowds with just you, the wildlife, and the remote wilderness for company.
Liuwa Plain National Park is a photographer’s dream, with spectacular natural beauty and a veritable gold mine of wildlife. Liuwa Plain is home to rare species including the endangered wattled crane, along with impressive hyenas in packs of up to 50, the second largest wildebeest migration on earth, and the famous Lady Liuwa lion pride.
Activates is this remote wilderness paradise include day and night game drives, walking safaris, seasonal canoeing safaris, seasonal spectacular wildflower blooms, scenic helicopter flights, and sleep outs under the vast night sky.
King Lewanika Camp operates from mid October to mid July, and is the perfect camp for those seeking exclusivity, breathtaking natural landscapes, spectacular wildlife, and a sense of pure freedom and remoteness.
Image courtesy of Time+Tide
The River Farmhouse
What better way to end your private air safaris Zambia adventure than with a few nights at the famous Victoria Falls? Located just 35 minutes from Livingstone is Waterberry Zambezi Lodge, a small and secluded lodge perched on the banks of the Zambezi River with views of Zambezi National Park.
Set away from the main part of the lodge, which boasts seven elegant cottages, is the River Farmhouse. Built on the site of the old colonial farm, the Farmhouse is great for families or small groups looking for that extra bit of privacy and tranquility while they explore Victoria Falls and surrounds.
The Farmhouse has four bedrooms, two twins and two doubles, and a spacious and homely main area that faces out over the river. It also comes equipped with its own kitchen where your private chef will prepare meals for you to enjoy out on the terrace with a drink in hand. With a personal team of staff on hand to assist and your own exclusive boat and guide for river cruises and fishing, the River Farmhouse truly is the perfect place to sit back and relax.
For those looking to head out and explore, the Farmhouse offers a number of activities including tours of the Falls and Livingstone, cruises along the grand Zambezi River, fishing and birding, and rural village visits to learn more about the local community. Additional activities such as helicopter flights, canoeing, game walks and more are available at an extra cost. And for those wishing to simply sit back and relax, the Farmhouse boasts a private pool, sun loungers, a fire pit, and access to beautiful gardens and walking paths.
The River Farmhouse is a truly welcoming property with friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere, and is a fantastic place to unwind after an exciting and fun filled Zambia safari.