Pioneer Camp: www.pioneercampzambia.com: Pioneer Camp was where my family started their first business in Africa. We purchased the lodge, renovated and built new chalets on the land and completely re designed the place. The lodge offers Safari style chalets nestled in 30 acres of woodland and beautiful gardens. The food at the lodge is mostly barbecue style and is famous for its generous steaks and fresh vegetables often just picked from the garden.

We sold the business to one of my closest friends who I started my adventure in Africa with when I was 16. Paul Barnes is a wonderful host and also a partner in Pioneer Safaris. He will tell you everything you need to know about your adventure ahead and will give you some safety tips for travelling in Africa's wilderness: Paul and I both studied as Safari guides and Paul's knowledge of the bush is very advanced. In my opinion Pioneer Camp is the best place to start and finish every adventure; it's only 20 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from Lusaka the Capital of Zambia.

Kaingu Safari Lodge: www.kaingu-lodge.com: Kaingu Safari lodge was the first lodge I worked at and holds some very special memories. The lodge sits in one of the most beautiful positions on the banks of the Kafue river in a truly pristine wilderness environment.

The chalets look over the river and are completely private from each other. Some of the most memorable elephant viewings I have experienced have been from the decks of these chalets. The Elephants often cross from Island to Island right in front of the lodge.

Here you will not see other vehicles, you will not hear boats dashing past. All you will hear is the noise of the bush, unchanged for thousands of years. This really is a "must" visit, the tranquility of the area is truly grounding.

The Hosts and staff of Kaingu top off the whole experience, offering fantastic cuisine both European and traditional Afrikaans " Braii style". The guides are incredible and can read the bush like a book.

Busanga Plains Camp: http://mukambi.com/busangaplains. Busanga Plains Camp is one of those very special and exclusive once in a lifetime experience. The camp is located way north in the magnificent Kafue Park. The area is only accessible for roughly half of the year making it one of the wildest places in Zambia. The area also benefits from a very strict management system only allowing a lucky few operators to take tourists into this vast open wilderness.

I was lucky enough to travel to the Busanga Plains and was overwhelmed by the open areas teeming with all kinds of wildlife. Within 15 minutes of being on the plains we had spotted Cheetah, Roan and many other plains game.

The hosts at this remote lodge will pamper you, the food is wonderful and the campfire stories are captivating. All in all an excellent experience.

Hippo Lodge : www.hippolodge.com . Hippo lodge is situated on the North West side of the Kafue. Here there are fewer lodges than on the other side of the river making it again a more exclusive environment.

The lodge sits on the banks of the river, and has been built and designed beautifully. The chalets are simply stunning and to me almost feel like something Salvador Gaudi would have designed for the African Bush. The food is again brilliant, and the hosts will happily set up a bush dinner for you. The hosts will also take you to some magical Hot Springs to wind down after a day of game viewing. This lodge offers something for everyone, river activities, game drives, walking safaris and of course just relaxing to the symphony of the bush orchestra.

The area is also renowned for its strong prides of Lion often voicing their presence when the sun sets; this may sound scary but its an unbelievable sound that you will never forget.

Mukambi Safari Lodge : www.mukambi.com . Mukambi Safari lodge is a gateway to the Giant Kafue National Park. The lodge has a restaurant, bar and even a resident warthog! When I last visited there was a resident Hippo at the Bar ( No really ! I'm not being rude!), the owner of the lodge persuaded the Hippo the leave. This was the closest I have ever been to either a hippo or a warthog and was an experience in its own!

The friendly staff at Mukambi will happily look after you and guide you through as much of your Kafue experience as you wish. This lodge is most defiantly the Hub of Kafue and a great place to start!

Kanyemba Lodge www.kanyemba.com. Kanyemba lodge is a great starting point and has a new Island camp on a private island opposite the main lodge. The cuisine has an Italian twist and the managers are fantastic hosts, this is a great gateway to the rest of the park!

The Owner is a wonderful host and guide. There are trips to the island or sunset cruise's up the mighty Zambezi. The tiger fishing here is also wonderful and the views are out of this world.

Sausage Tree Camp www.sausagetreecamp.com. I stayed at Sausage tree Camp a few years ago, it is simply one of those places that leaves you in awe! The service is impeccable, the rooms are lavish and the location is just breathtaking. I have taken the following words from a review on the lodge that may help get the ethos across:

Sausage Tree Camp is the epitome of bush chic offering a civilized approach to a true bush experience with lavish attention to detail. This exclusive safari camp, voted number one on the BBC Holiday Programme's 'Ten Best Luxury Destinations', specializes in the very best game viewing with the highest international standards in luxury and service.

If you are seeking a safari that offers 5 star service then this is the lodge for you! There is a fly-in option for those not wishing to travel by land and air transfers can also be arranged to other destinations in Zambia such as Livingstone and the mighty Falls.

Luangwa Wilderness Lodge www.luangwawilderness.com Luambe National Park is very small and just has one lodge. This makes the experience very personal. Here you will find diversity unlike anywhere else I’ve seen in Zambia. There are a few species that are only found in that area and on the plains you may even see Serval cats jumping to catch prey.

I took a trip to this park several years ago and was completely amazed by the diversity and landscape changes on the journey up to it. I highly recommend combining either Lion Camp or Flat Dogs Camp with Luambe.

Lion Camp www.lioncamp.com overlooking Lion Lagoon, is one of the few privileged lodges to be situated deep inside the South Luangwa National Park, one of the finest game and bird viewing wilderness areas in Southern Africa.

A maximum of 18 guests can be accommodated in 9 canvas-and-thatch chalets which are raised up on stilts. Each chalet features a private balcony, stylish interior and en-suite bathroom.

A system of lighted boardwalks link the chalets to the heart of the lodge; where a central boma with a fireplace is surrounded by the library, a small curio shop, thatched seating areas, and the bar. There is also a lower viewing deck and an infinity swimming pool to cool off in.
This is a great place to see Leopard and Lion.

Flatdogs Camp www.flatdogscamp.com is perfectly situated, being both on the edge of the beautiful South Luangwa River and at the entrance to the Luangwa National Park. The Camp truly has something for everyone, from the smaller chalets to the magnificent tree houses.

Flatdogs Camp has a great selection of food and a stylish and lively bar famous throughout the Valley! There is a swimming pool and beautiful grounds in which to relax between activities.
I highly recommend this lodge for anyone wanting to have a more social holiday and as a great start to your South Luangwa Safari.
Jess and Ade are fantastic hosts and a hive of information regarding the Park. I have spent many great evenings here and really enjoy the laid back environment this camp offers.

Tongabezi Lodge www.tongabezi.com is a romantic hideaway on the banks of the Zambezi River just upstream of Victoria Falls. The lodge offers a selection of houses and cottages, each beautifully furnished using local materials. Guests can dine beside the river or on their private terrace.

Privately owned and run, Tongabezi combines an exclusive ambience with the warmth and hospitality of the people of Zambia. Luxury safari trips are included, both on the river and in the bush.

Tongabezi is a perfect destination for honeymoons, weddings and special celebrations. the lodge offers thrilling boat trips to Livingstone Island, where David Livingstone caught his first glimpse of the mighty falls. Guests can also stay on our private island, Sindabezi, an exclusive camp on the Zambezi.

When I visited the lodge a few years ago, I was astonished by the high level of service and quality of the chalets and houses. This lodge really does stand out and is in my opinion one of Zambias finest! I highly recommend staying at this lodge at either the start or finish of your African adventure!