Zambia’s Wild Soul: Where to Safari in Unrivalled Privacy and Elegance
Zambia’s Wild Soul: Where to Safari in Unrivalled Privacy and Elegance
Blog post with #NANANtravel Blog PostsZambia is where Africa speaks in subtle tones. It doesn’t demand attention—it earns it. For those who seek more than sightings and snapshots, this is a land that offers wild elegance, solitude without compromise, and luxury crafted with restraint. Here, it’s not about ticking off boxes—it’s about deep connection, quiet beauty, and experiences that feel personally designed, because they are.
Why Zambia? Authenticity Without the Crowd
For seasoned safari-goers or first-time explorers seeking privacy, Zambia remains one of the continent’s best-kept secrets. Its national parks—South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi, and Kafue—are vast, unspoiled, and uncrowded. This is a country where game drives don’t follow a convoy and sundowners are enjoyed without interruption. Instead, you find handcrafted journeys, remarkable guiding, and accommodation that redefines what luxury in the wild can feel like.
The best safaris don’t scream for attention—they whisper unforgettable moments. Zambia is rich with them.
South Luangwa: The Original Walking Safari in Refined Style
South Luangwa National Park is not only the birthplace of the walking safari; it remains its most exquisite stage. Here, each footstep is an invitation into the wild, guided by masters of their craft who interpret the land with grace and insight.
Where to Stay:
- Time + Tide Chinzombo – A striking blend of modern design and wilderness immersion. Each villa features a private pool, open-plan bathroom, and views over the Luangwa River that often include elephants. Service is seamless, and guiding is among the finest in Africa.
- Kafunta River Lodge – Perched on stilts above the plains, it offers not just sweeping views but also access to a natural hot spring and a photographic hide. It strikes a perfect balance between authenticity and comfort.
- Time + Tide Nsolo – A quiet triumph of bush-camp simplicity, Nsolo is built along the seasonal Luwi River, with just a handful of open-front chalets raised on wooden decks. It’s ideal for guests who want to truly walk with the wild. The atmosphere is intimate and grounded in the traditional Zambian safari style, yet elevated with warm, personalised service and exceptional guiding.
- Lion Camp – Situated deep in the remote northern reaches of South Luangwa, Lion Camp offers unmatched wildlife viewing from a secluded, stylish base. Its suites are spacious, open to the elements, and elegantly minimal, connected by raised walkways and overlooking a floodplain where lions, leopards, and wild dogs often roam.
Lower Zambezi: River Encounters in Effortless Elegance
To the south, Lower Zambezi National Park unrolls like a private paradise along the banks of its namesake river. Canoe safaris, river cruises, and game drives reveal landscapes teeming with life—yet you’ll rarely see another vehicle.
Where to Stay:
- Anabezi Luxury Tented Camp – Deep within the park, Anabezi features 12 spacious tented suites, each with private plunge pools and front-row views of waterholes and wildlife corridors.
- Sausage Tree Camp – With personal butlers, grand tented suites, and gourmet dining under the stars, this is one of the region’s most refined offerings. Every element, from guiding to design, is delivered at the highest level.
- Royal Zambezi Lodge – Privately owned and perched on the Zambezi’s edge, Royal Zambezi delivers a seamless blend of classic safari style and modern elegance.
- Time + Tide Chongwe Camp – Set at the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi Rivers, this riverside lodge is renowned for canoe safaris, tranquil riverfront suites, and its relaxed yet refined atmosphere.
Kafue & Busanga Plains: Remote, Rare, and Remarkable
Kafue National Park, particularly its Busanga Plains, offers some of the most dramatic and unspoiled safari landscapes in Africa. This is a region for those who want to go deeper—to feel the expanse, to watch wildlife in solitude, and to surrender to the rhythm of nature.
Where to Stay:
- Chisa Busanga Camp – With nest-like rooms perched above the plains, this innovative camp is equal parts design statement and wildlife sanctuary. It’s solar-powered, community-run, and visually unforgettable.
- Busanga Bush Camp – Tucked into a wild corner of the plains, this camp delivers everything Kafue promises: wide skies, predator-rich plains, and silence broken only by nature. It’s intimate, authentic, and perfect for returning safari-goers seeking something truly off-grid.
Access is seasonal, but for those who plan ahead, the reward is unmatched. Busanga is not about polished safari; it’s about pristine wilderness, curated with care.
Victoria Falls: A Graceful Beginning or Ending
Zambia also offers proximity to one of the natural wonders of the world—Victoria Falls. For those who wish to combine safari with spectacle, a few nights near Livingstone provides a gentle landing or a memorable finale.
Where to Stay:
- Tongabezi Lodge – This iconic riverside retreat combines romance and adventure. Cottages and houses are individually styled, service is personalised, and activities range from private island picnics to helicopter flights over the Falls. It’s ideal for honeymooners or travellers looking for a softer bookend to their safari.
- The Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara – Steps from the Falls, this colonial-style hotel offers a rare blend of grandeur and proximity. Think high tea on manicured lawns, private decks overlooking the Zambezi, and zebra grazing in the gardens. It’s ideal for those seeking traditional elegance with seamless access to one of Africa’s most iconic landmarks.
- Royal Chundu – Located upstream on a quieter stretch of the Zambezi, Royal Chundu is a sanctuary of stillness and soul. With river lodges and island villas suspended over water, it offers complete seclusion with refined service and cuisine that celebrates local Zambian flavours. A perfect place to unwind after the rhythm of safari.
Designing the Journey: Sequencing for Flow and Contrast
A well-structured Zambian itinerary is like a symphony—each destination offering a distinct movement, building towards a crescendo of experience.
A recommended flow:
- Start in South Luangwa – Grounded, sensory, and quietly powerful.
- Move to Lower Zambezi – Fluid, graceful, and intimate.
- Add Kafue for depth – Remote, rare, and dramatically different.
- Close at Victoria Falls – A soft exhale, a grand finale.
Each lodge, flight, and transfer is handled with precision, allowing you to immerse fully without needing to manage a single detail.
When to Go
June to October offers the best wildlife visibility, while November to April brings verdant landscapes, dramatic skies, and abundant birdlife. Each season has its rewards—and we tailor every journey to match not just the calendar, but your preferences, energy, and purpose.
The Nanan Travel Signature
In Zambia, the difference lies in nuance. The right room placement, the perfect sundowner spot, the guide whose stories echo long after you return. We take care of it all—not just the obvious, but the invisible. The moments you don’t realise were planned, but remember forever.
Our itineraries are not templates. They are handcrafted narratives shaped by first-hand knowledge and a deep understanding of what true luxury means: not excess, but exactness. Not grandeur, but grace.
Ready to Breathe Africa?
Africa awaits, with its vast horizons and timeless beauty. Let us design a journey for you—seamless, sophisticated, and entirely your own.
Reach out and let’s begin your African story—crafted with care, delivered with distinction.
