The best safari camps in Zambia in 2026 are Time + Tide Chinzombo and Mchenja in South Luangwa, the Bush Camp Company's six bushcamps for walking, Robin Pope Safaris, Time + Tide Chongwe Camp and Chiawa Camp in the Lower Zambezi for canoeing and boating, and Tongabezi near Victoria Falls.
Zambia is the home of the walking safari, born in South Luangwa National Park, and its camps are small, owner-run and focused on guiding. South Luangwa is excellent for leopard; the Lower Zambezi adds canoeing, boating and tiger fishing; and Livingstone gives you Victoria Falls. Most camps open in the dry season (roughly May to October), and some run boat safaris when the rivers rise in the green season.
Prices per person sharing per night: $$$ $400–1,000 · $$$$ over $1,000.
Six tents with private pools on the Luangwa River.
Chinzombo has six large tents, including a two-bedroom family tent, under msikizi trees on the Luangwa River, each with a private pool and soaking tub.
Time + Tide runs walking safaris in South Luangwa from here.
Good to know: Combine with a Time + Tide walking camp.
Time + Tide Chinzombo, Mfuwe, Zambia
Five grass-walled rooms and a pool over the Luangwa; superb for carmine bee-eaters.
Mchenja has five safari rooms, including a two-bedroom family room, with grass walls and airy curtains, and a pool over the Luangwa River.
At the right time of year it is one of the best camps in the park for carmine bee-eaters.
Good to know: Visit around September and October for the bee-eater colonies.
Time + Tide Mchenja, South Luangwa, Zambia
Six bushcamps on 140,000 acres, built around walking.
The Bush Camp Company runs six bushcamps in an exclusive 140,000-acre area inside South Luangwa, starting from Mfuwe Lodge or the Villas at KuKaya. Walking is the centerpiece.
Camps include Bilimungwe, built around a waterhole, and Chamilandu, with elevated treehouses over the Luangwa River.
Good to know: Walk between camps on a multi-day itinerary.
Mfuwe Lodge, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Long-established operator with green-season boating in South Luangwa.
Robin Pope Safaris runs camps in South Luangwa and itineraries combining the Lower Zambezi and Victoria Falls. When the Luangwa floods in the green season, it runs boat safaris through lagoons and flooded ebony groves.
It is one of Zambia's best-known safari names.
Good to know: Ask about green-season boating for something few visitors see.
South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Eight classic tents with drives, walks, canoeing and tiger fishing.
Chongwe Camp has eight classic tents in the Lower Zambezi, where the small number of camps keeps the park uncrowded. Activities include game drives, walks, boat cruises, canoeing and tiger fishing, depending on the season.
It pairs perfectly with South Luangwa.
Good to know: Book a canoe trip on the Zambezi channels.
Time + Tide Chongwe Camp, Lower Zambezi, Zambia
An award-winning collection of camps on the Zambezi.
Chiawa Safaris runs an award-winning collection of remote camps in the Lower Zambezi, with conservation at their core and catch-and-release fishing on the Zambezi.
It is a long-running operator in the park.
Good to know: Ask about catch-and-release tiger fishing.
Chiawa Camp, Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia
A river lodge 12 km upstream of Victoria Falls.
Tongabezi sits on the Zambezi about 12 km upstream of Victoria Falls, with boat cruises, an electric dhow and fishing.
It is the classic way to end a Zambian safari.
Good to know: Visit the falls from the Zambian side in the morning.
Tongabezi Lodge, Livingstone, Zambia
South Luangwa for walking safaris and leopard, and the Lower Zambezi for canoeing and river activities along the Zambezi. Kafue is larger and wilder.
The dry season, roughly June to October, is best for walking and game concentrations. Some South Luangwa camps run boating safaris in the green season when the river floods.
Fly to Mfuwe via Lusaka; camps send vehicles to meet you. The Lower Zambezi is reached by light aircraft from Lusaka.