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Lolebezi
Lolebezi
Lolebezi
Lolebezi
Lolebezi
Lolebezi
Lolebezi
Lolebezi
Lolebezi
Lolebezi

Lolebezi: Our full report

Tucked in an acacia forest, beside the broad Zambezi, Lolebezi is an alluring camp with a distinctly luxurious décor.

Located within Zambia’s marvellous Lower Zambezi National Park, Lolebezi is the park’s newest safari lodge (opened in June 2022), and consciously set out to be an enticing, contemporary safari destination. International architects and designers, talented local craftspeople and the experienced team from Africa Bush Camps combined their skills to create this striking riverfront camp, and the result is terrific: youthful, edgy, stylish and rooted in in African stories.

Stylish accommodation is in four signature suites and two double family suites.

The four signature suites are wonderful, glass-fronted, contemporary spaces. Their calming, air-conditioned interiors, filled with beautiful Zambian basketry and weaving, plush fabrics and comfortable furniture, are extremely stylish. A muted palette of green and neutral hues is easy on the eye, with sumptuous beds featuring a halo of hand-crafted beads, a mini-bar, lounge seating and ample space.

There’s a huge timber and sage-coloured bathroom complete with a glorious green bath, an indoor and outdoor shower and a beautiful stone vanity unit.

But the ultimate ‘wow’ is the panoramic river view. A opening, glass wall runs along the whole front of each suite affording a stunning waterfront vista and easy access onto the wide, private deck. Spanning the length of the suite, and complete with loungers, a thatched ‘sala’ seating area, and a spectacular infinity plunge pool overlooking the Zambezi River, not to mention the passing elephants who regularly come to drink and cool off at the river’s edge.

The open-sided main area is the hub of social activity at Lolebezi. A cool, cushioned riverfront lounge, quirky sculptural lights, a dining room and a striking, green-marbled bar perfect for selecting sundowners and enjoying a nightcap. Just beckoning you to pull up a jade velvet bar-stool and chat about the day’s safari sightings, it’s a great hangout before heading down to the intimate, waterfront firepit for some Milky Way star-gazing, or taking the spiral stairs to the raised walkway for some splendid canopy views.

Activities at Lolebezi are varied and flexible. There are opportunities for game drives, guided river excursions by boat or canoe, walking safaris and fishing. For guests keen to exercise, there’s a gym, whilst those keen to be pampered can enjoy spa treatments. Open-air cinema evenings can be arranged, bird-watching trips are possible and catch-and-release fishing for the Zambezi’s finest tiger fish, bream and vundu.

Children of all ages are warmly welcomed at Lolebezi (though only over 16s can go canoeing and on walking safaris). The Ngwana Club offers some engaging safari activities for the youngest visitors, with camp nature walks, cookery and bushcraft all on the agenda.

Almost all of the camps in the Lower Zambezi National Park are seasonal: closing when the rains make the roads impassable. Lolebezi plans to open year-round, but driving is unlikely to be possible during sections of the Green Season (November – April), when activities will be limited to boating safaris.

During this time, when the river is high and fast, we recommend that travellers do not go canoeing because of the speed of the current.


Our view

We expect Lolebezi to be a beautiful camp with a unique style all of its own, in what we know is a superb location in a fantastic national park: a real riverside gem. Stylish accommodation is matched with strong African roots and great guiding.

We have plans to visit Lolebezi in its first few months of opening, so do get in touch for the latest information. Knowing its sister camps well though, we’d expect this camp to deliver excellent safaris for all, be you honeymooners or families.

Amanda Bond

Amanda Bond

Country manager: Zambia

Geographics

Location
Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia
Ideal length of stay
Three or four nights would be a usual stay, though longer would be possible. Travellers will often visit the Lower Zambezi after spending time in South Luangwa.
Directions
Lolebezi is accessed by light aircraft from Lusaka (30mins) or Livingstone (1.5-2hr); it is then a 15min game drive from Jeki Airstrip or a 1.5hr boat cruise from Royal airstrip to camp.
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Full Board & Activities
Food quality
At the time of writing, Lolebezi is just opening so we have not had a chance to sample the food.

Our experience of other camps run by African Bush Camps suggest that it will be fresh and delicious though, with meals served in various locations and afternoon tea available before the afternoon activity.

All food served is Halaal-friendly and special dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.
Dining style
Individual Tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Drinks included
All drinks that are stocked in camp, including premium brand spirits and champagne.

Guests are given a water bottle that is filled up for them before activities etc. Bottled water is available on request.

Special interests

Honeymoons
A stylish spot putting an African twist on a contemporary camp in a stunning riverfront location. Private plunge pools, romantic starlit dinners, indulgent suites and a raft of memorable activities.
See ideas for Honeymoons in Zambia

Children

Attitude towards children
Children of all ages are welcomed by Lolebezi, though they must be over 16 years old to take part in walking activities.
Property’s age restrictions
No minimum age
Special activities & services
Lolebezi make a point that it has guides who are great with children and can offer alternative and slightly tailored activities such as fishing, cookery or nature walks around camp.

They can also offer child-minding from one of their housekeeping team, but note that this will not be someone who is specially trained in child care.
Generally recommended for children
Yes – but it's really best for older children who are also sensible and careful, ideally at least 12 years old. The rooms are completely open to the river and the camp is unfenced so parental supervision is necessary at all times.
Notes
Children must be supervised at all times by their parents/guardians, as dangerous big game, including large predators, wander freely through camp. The camp is adjacent to the river which is home to many large hippos and crocodiles.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Lolebezi

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Lolebezi have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

Buffalo

100% success

Eland

100% success

Elephant

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Leopard

100% success

Lion

100% success

Spotted Hyena

100% success

Wild dog

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Aardvark

0% success

Cheetah

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Sable antelope

0% success

Communications

Power supply notes
Each tent has individual solar panel to power lights. However there is also a generator for battery charging.
Water supply
Borehole

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
Senior staff and guides have medical first-aid training. The nearest medical facility is in Lusaka and the camp has links to a flying- doctor service.
Dangerous animals
High Risk
Fire safety
There is a fire extinguisher in each tent.

Extras

Disabled access
On Request
Laundry facilities
Lolebezi has a good laundry service.
Money
There is no currency exchange here. There are safes in the tents.
Accepted payment on location
If you wish to tip, which is optional, then bring cash with you. Cash is accepted in any major currency and the camp has an old-fashioned swipe card machine for Visa and MasterCard, but not Amex.

Other lodges in Lower Zambezi National Park

Alternative places to stay in this same area.


Old Mondoro Bushcamp

Old Mondoro Bushcamp

For an intimate safari in the Lower Zambezi, with superb guiding, Old Mondoro is up there with the best.


99% (128 reviews)
Chongwe River Camp

Chongwe River Camp

A blend of the stylish and traditional in a most picturesque site in the Zambezi Valley, Chongwe River Camp offers an excellent safari experience and real value for money.


96% (122 reviews)
Chiawa Camp

Chiawa Camp

One of Zambia's top safari camps, Chiawa is family owned and run, offering superb service and a flexible approach from a location well inside the Lower Zambezi National Park.


98% (93 reviews)
Sausage Tree Camp

Sausage Tree Camp

Sausage Tree is a high-quality safari camp offering a luxurious stay and excellent personal service deep inside Zambia's Lower Zambezi National Park.


98% (44 reviews)
Potato Bush Camp

Potato Bush Camp

Potato Bush is located right in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park, with privately guided activities taking you on game drives, walks, boat trips and canoeing.


100% (19 reviews)
Anabezi Luxury Tented Camp

Anabezi Luxury Camp

Anabezi Luxury Tented Camp offers a high degree of understated luxury in a very lovely, quiet part of the Lower Zambezi with outstanding wildlife.


98% (21 reviews)
Amanzi

Amanzi

Opened in 2015, Amanzi is an intimate and rustic yet luxury camp in a very quiet area of the Lower Zambezi, with plenty of wildlife and good birding.


96% (10 reviews)
Kutali Camp

Kutali Camp

Kutali Camp offers the opportunity to experience the wilderness of Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park, in this simple tented camp located on Kulefu Island.


95% (8 reviews)
Chongwe River House

Chongwe River House

Chongwe River House is a stylish four-bedroom house designed for the exclusive use of families and small groups, affording the ultimate in flexibility on safari.


100% (8 reviews)
Kasaka River Lodge

Kasaka River Lodge

Kasaka River Lodge is a relatively simple, family-friendly camp. It's outside the Lower Zambezi National Park and, with a recent change of ownership for the better, it offers a great-value safari destination.


93% (6 reviews)
Chula Island Camp

Chula Island Camp

Chula Island Camp offers the opportunity to experience the wilderness of Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park, in this simple fly-camp located in a natal mahogany grove on a small island on the Zambezi River.


95% (4 reviews)
Royal Zambezi Lodge

Royal Zambezi Lodge

This family-friendly lodge is located just on the outskirts of the Lower Zambezi National Park, in a great location overlooking the river.


No reviews yet

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