Lion Camp: Our full report
Lion Camp is located in the remote north of South Luangwa National Park, a three hour drive from Mfuwe Airport.
The camp reopened in May 2018 after extensive refurbishment and we are delighted to see that, while the style and aesthetics may have changed, the service and wildlife viewing has not and all hit a very high standard in this remote section of the park.Lion Camp's location in the park is well away from the main Mfuwe area, so visitors see relatively few other game-viewing vehicles when out on drives. Game densities immediately around the camp are excellent, with the Hollywood lion pride its most renowned local residents.
Plenty of animals are drawn to the lagoon in front of camp as well – so even during siesta you can watch out for wildlife. In one lunchtime, we saw elephants, impala, zebra, warthog, puku, bushbuck and a lovely herd of kudu come down to drink here.
At the heart of Lion Camp is a big thatched main building with polished wooden floors and, in the centre, a large recessed firepit surrounded by chairs. Brightly covered fabrics adorn the wooden chairs and sofas, which are grouped in separate seating areas overlooking a long narrow swimming pool (a relative rarity in South Luangwa) with sunloungers, and the open plain beyond. An extensive welcoming bar sits to one side, and a large billiards table, and adjacent is the dining area, which extends out towards and around the pool, with tables dotted around for individual dining. A library and a very good shop complete the picture.
Two-metre-high wooden walkways link the main area to nine solidly built chalets, themselves raised on wooden platforms, leaving the ground free for game to wander through. With high thatched roofs, wooden frames and canvas walls, the chalets are spacious, light and airy. Each has lovely views over the plain, and glazed double doors that open out onto a small private deck with a couple of wooden chairs – a great spot to do some game viewing. Two more spacious suites have a larger deck area, and one has its own star bed platform, accessed by a staircase to one side of the deck, a great addition for a night under the stars.
Inside the chalets, double or twin beds are draped in mosquito nets, with an 'Evening Breeze' air conditioning unit in each. Each chalet also has a standing fan as well as a couple of easy chairs and a wardrobe. An extra bed can be added if required - though two chalets also have an interleading platform and lounge area for families.
Separated from the bedroom by a floor-to-ceiling wooden partition and curtain is the bathroom - mesh 'windows' overlook the river or plains, with a basin, rainfall shower and toilet behind the partition. With wood-panelled walls the bathroom feels a little dark, especially when compared to the bright and breezy bedroom areas.
Safari activities at Lion Camp include a choice of walking safaris, 4WD game safaris and night drives. Typically there are two activities per day, each lasting around 3–4 hours and led by a fully qualified guide, and for each you'll have a choice of what you do. As with all of the Luangwa's camps, all walking safaris are accompanied by an armed scout, as well as your guide. On our last visit in October 2023, we thought the guiding at Lion Camp was very good, and the guides were experienced and knowledgeable.
Our view
Lion Camp's facilities are impressive, with an attractive and well designed main area featuring the significant luxury of a swimming pool. Its food and service were also very good, and the chalets comfortable, albeit a little less 'safari' than some purists might like. Whilst the larger size of the camp and its infrastructure might not appeal to those looking for a simple bush experience, Lion Camp is great value compared with its neighbours for this comparatively remote northern area of the park, especially during the peak season.
Zambia expert
Geographics
- Location
- South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
- Ideal length of stay
- 3 – 4 nights
- Directions
- Lion Camp is about a three-hour drive from Mfuwe Airport, through South Luangwa National Park.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- We have always enjoyed good food when visiting Lion Camp – and our most recent stop in October 2023 was no exception.
Typically, a light breakfast is served before the early-morning activity. This normally consists of a selection of cereal, fruit, yoghurt, porridge and toast, with coffee and tea.
You'll then have brunch at around 11.00am when everyone has arrived back in camp after their morning activity. There are set options to choose from, including a cooked breakfast, yoghurt and fruit and eggs to order.
After siesta, a light lunch is served around 3.00pm.
You can expect a selection of warm food as well as salads, such as chicken peri-peri kebabs, veggie burgers, butternut and tomato gratin, Greek salad, bok choi and apple slaw, all served with freshly made bread. A light dessert generally follows this - we enjoyed a delicious lemon meringue pie on our last visit.
On returning from the evening game drive there are canapés around the bar, followed by a three-course plated dinner. A typical meal could be a starter of Thai fishcakes with mango and onion salsa, lentil soup or spring rolls, followed by something like a fillet steak served with mushrooms and potatoes, or perhaps with cauliflower cheese. We also had a really tasty Thai chicken curry. This is then finished off with a dessert, such as sticky toffee pudding, chocolate and vanilla cream trifle, or apple and berry pie with custard. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- No
- Drinks included
- Soft drinks, house wine and local spirits are included in the rates, but note that fine wines, champagne and imported spirits and liqueurs are charged as extras.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Lion Camp welcomes children of seven years and older, but a private vehicle must be booked for families travelling with children aged 7–12.
- Property’s age restrictions
- Children of seven years and older are welcome.
- Special activities & services
- None
- Equipment
- None, but an extra bed can be put in the chalets for a child sharing with parents, and there is a 'family chalet' which comprises of two interleading rooms.
- Generally recommended for children
- No - this is a remote camp and we feel that it is only suited to older, sensible children. We recommend this camp for well-behaved children of 7 years and older.
- Notes
- Children will need to be constantly supervised by a parent or guardian as the camp is not fenced and game wanders freely throughout.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Lion Camp
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Lion Camp 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.
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
94% success
93% success
40% success
27% success
7% success
7% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- The camp has a back up generator.
- Communications
- There is no cellphone reception. The camp has limited WiFi in the main area.
- TV & radio
- No
- Water supply
- Borehole
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- There is a doctor based at Mfuwe Lodge, about three hours' drive away. Lion Camp has links to a flying-doctor service for medical emergencies.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- There is a night porter on duty.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers in the main area, the chalets and on board the game-drive vehicles.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Night drive
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- A complimentary laundry service is included.
- Money
- There is no currency exchange available.
- Accepted payment on location
- Lion Camp accepts Zambian kwacha or US dollars cash as payment, but guests are welcome to tip in other foreign currencies. Cards are not accepted.
Other lodges in South Luangwa National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Tafika
One of the best camps in Zambia, Tafika is naturally built, combining excellent service and food with top guiding skills for a superb wildlife experience.
Nkwali
On the banks of the Luangwa River, with its own access to the national park, the intimate Nkwali is open year round.
Kaingo Camp
Small and owner-run, the riverside Kaingo occupies a a quiet but excellent game area, with a series of wildlife hides and a focus on photography.
Nsefu
One of the Luangwa's oldest camps, Nsefu is a great safari camp in a remote, beautiful and game-rich location with top-rate guiding.
Mwamba Bushcamp
Small, remote and owner-run, Mwamba offers first-class walking, 4WD safari drives and superb hides, with excellent guides and a real bush feel.
Tena Tena
One of the Luangwa's best camps, in a beautiful, remote bush location, Tena Tena is very small, exceedingly well-run and has top-rate guiding.
Chikoko Tree Camp
Chikoko Tree Camp is an excellent small, rustic bushcamp that concentrates on walking safaris, and is run by a top-quality operation.
Big Lagoon Camp
Big Lagoon Camp is a great little rustic bushcamp built to high standards that focuses on excellent walking safaris, with the emphasis on top wildlife guides.
Luangwa River Camp
Luangwa River Lodge is a small and consciously stylish lodge in the Mfuwe area, overlooking the Luangwa River and the South Luangwa National Park beyond – an area renowned for great game.
Flatdogs Camp
A relatively big safari camp, Flatdogs offers value for money with great guiding and good food in a comfortable, relaxed setting.
Kapani Lodge
Kapani Lodge is now the main office base for Norman Carr Safaris, one of the Luangwa's oldest safari operations.
Mchenja Bushcamp
Set in a shady ebony grove on the banks of the Luangwa, Mchenja is a smart tented bushcamp. It combines well with Kakuli and Nsolo – its sister camps with a focus on walking safaris.
Kakuli Bushcamp
Beside the Luangwa River, Kakuli is a comfortable tented bushcamp offering 4WD safaris and walking safaris – the best of which are camp-to-camp walks linking Kakuli with its nearby sister camps.
Nsolo Bushcamp
Nsolo is a small, comfortable bushcamp overlooking one or two pools in the usually dry Luwi riverbed. It concentrates on walking safaris in an interesting and diverse area, led by a knowledgeable guide.
Kafunta River Lodge
Kafunta is a laid-back, friendly and good-value lodge on the outskirts of South Luangwa National Park.
Luwi Bushcamp
In a remote part of the South Luangwa National Park, Luwi is a rustic bushcamp whose emphasis is on walking safaris with great guiding and a chance of seeing some rarely seen and elusive antelope.
Robin Pope mobile
RPS mobile safari camps are at the heart of their set-itinerary walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park, which start and finish at a permanent camp.
Puku Ridge
Puku Ridge is a luxurious designer camp set in a stunning location, high on a hill overlooking a floodplain within South Luangwa. Explore from here on 4WD safaris and walks.
Kapamba Bushcamp
In the remote far south of South Luangwa National Park, Kapamba is a small and very comfortable bushcamp offering good walks and game drives.
Mfuwe Lodge
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Kuyenda Bushcamp
Kuyenda Bushcamp is a classic bushcamp with particularly delightful hosts and offers top-class walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park.
Luangwa Safari House
Luangwa Safari House is a vast and very smart four-bedroom house specifically designed for families and small groups, and offering an exclusive and flexible safari experience.
Three Rivers Camp
In the remote far south of South Luangwa National Park, Three Rivers Lodge sits at the confluence of three of the valleys rivers.
Island Bush Camp
Island Bushcamp is a good-value, rustic, walking-only camp, in arguably one of the most remote parts of the South Luangwa, well away from all other camps.
Bilimungwe Bushcamp
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Chinzombo
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Chindeni
Chindeni Bushcamp is a very modern and minimalist camp, which is a far cry from your traditional bushcamp and unlike most of the other camps in South Luangwa.
Robin's House
With your own expert guide, private vehicle, chef and valet, the two-bedroom Robin's House offers an exclusive, flexible safari experience – and is open year round.
Kawaza Village
Kawaza Village – beside the South Luangwa National Park, offers guests the rare opportunity to appreciate local village life. Visit for a few hours or stay overnight.
Chamilandu Bushcamp
A comfortable little bushcamp, Chamilandu has a picturesque setting by the Luangwa River, in an area with a range of habitats to explore on foot and by 4WD.
Mwamba Camp-out
The Mwamba-Camp Out allows you to have an incredibly adventurous night in the bush, sleeping under mosquito nets with activities led by some of the best guides in Zambia.
Zungulila
Zungulila is a small, comfortable tented bushcamp with an emphasis on walking safaris, in the remote southern section of the South Luangwa.
Shawa Luangwa
Opened in June 2021, Shawa Luangwa Camp is a small, intimate and rustic camp, with a good location in a remote section of the South Luangwa National Park.
Luwi Riverbed Sleepout
For an adventurous night in South Luangwa National Park, come and sleep out in the bush, around a campfire, with an experienced guide and game scout.
Chichele Lodge
Currently in the final stages of an extensive rebuild, Chichele Presidential Lodge stands high within the park, with superb views, and is due to reopen in early 2025.
Nkonzi Camp
A simple and rustic bush camp, Nkonzi has a strong focus on walking safaris in this remote section of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park.
Chikunto
Chikunto Safari Lodge is a more traditional property in the South Luangwa National Park, sitting on a peninsula of land created by the meandering Luangwa River.
