Travel & Tourism Awards 2024 | 23 Since it opened 20 years ago in 2004 and was completely rebuilt in 2018, Lion Camp in Zambia has served as one of the country’s best safari accommodations, with this ten-suite Camp being situated in a beautiful, yet remote area of South Luangwa National Park. Such remoteness is integral to providing guests with an authentic safari experience, and it also serves as the foundation for a personal, peaceful getaway in this serene and nature-filled corner of Southern Africa. General Manager Vicky Nel tells us more about this excellent accommodation and the distinctions that have led to it achieving this award. Safari Camp Accommodation of the Year 2024 - Eastern Zambia thoroughness extends to the quality of both cuisine and accommodation, something corroborated by hundreds of testimonials that have resulted in Lion Camp being voted as South Luangwa National Park’s number one attraction on TripAdvisor. This unique approach to managing clients holistically but from a distance is cherished, and Vicky believes it contributes to the high percentage of return guests. At the heart of this approach is a devoted and long-serving 38-strong team, with many members having been with the business now for more than a decade. Such unwavering dedication has proven key as the team manage many of the challenges that stem from the remoteness of their location, which in some ways serves as double-edged sword. While the location is beautiful and perfect for those guests seeking a faithful safari adventure, being located inside a national park means that the team are not allowed to grow their own produce, and the closest supply is in the capital city of Lusaka, which is nine hours away from the site’s closet village, Mfuwe, which itself is approximately two hours from the lodge. Undeterred by this, Vicky tells us, “if one approaches challenges as opportunities, these opportunities eventually improve the unique experiences we offer our guests.” Putting this ethos into action, Lion Camp now does business with a local farmer in Mfuwe, giving him the necessary seeds to grow all of the site’s salads, herbs, and vegetables, before the crew at Lion Camp buy them back from him, creating a sustainable business plan. On the back of these strict food restrictions, the company chefs have become masters at crafting five-star cuisine with as little food waste as possible, all while retaining the emphasis on meals that are fresh, healthy, and tasty. Excellent food is a necessity after a day out exploring nature, and another service Lion Camp provides sees a professional photographer on-site that can be booked to go along with guests and guide them through how to best utilise their equipment to take some truly stunning photos. This personal approach is present way beyond just the optional photographer offering and is best apparent through Lion Camp’s rule that there should not be more than four persons to a vehicle (unless of course they are a private group travelling together). Itineraries are never set beforehand, as a group’s allocated tour guide will gauge the best interests and requirements of the collective and plan activities accordingly. In short, those who feel they would enjoy abundant game viewing in a remote, natural setting of South Luangwa National Park need look no further than Lion Camp for a luxury getaway. Operating in the midst of an untouched paradise and with its own ecosystem in tow, Lion Camp in Eastern Zambia is renowned for its remoteness and run by a loyal team of knowledgeable and friendly experts who are certain to provide guests with the experience of a lifetime. Until they have so much fun that they decide to come back in the future to see this innate beauty all over again. Contact: Vicky Nel Company: Lion Camp Email: [email protected] Web Address: https://lioncamp.com/ iles away from the hustle and bustle of Zambia’s inner-city life, every suite situated within Lion Camp is complete with its own private deck, solidifying the contrast between the total tranquillity afforded by the countryside and the commotion that dictates our everyday lives with work and other responsibilities. Thus, as Vicky tells us, “here you can re-connect with your inner self and enjoy nature in its natural form”, and it is this which truly embodies the sense of luxury innate within Lion Camp. Vicky eloquently explains, “Lion Camp’s luxury is not in the silverware, but in the holistic experience offered to our guests.” While nature is of course the driving force behind this experience, the team strive to fill in the gaps with a keen focus on the personal, managing guest needs and expectations but similarly affording them unobtrusive attention, allowing them to be at one with their surroundings. Similar M
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