Travel and Tourism Awards 2025 | 29 For more than two decades, Lion Camp has been operating a remote, ten-suite lodge in the heart of South Luangwa National Park. Offering a personal, peaceful, and truly authentic safari experience, each of Lion Camp’s suites come complete with a private deck that offers panoramic views of the plains encompassing the lodge. Kicking back on a deck chair with a glass of wine, guests can reconnect with both their inner selves and nature, swapping the bustle of modern life for a tranquil safari paradise. Best Safari Lodge 2025 – Zambia such as an en-suite bathroom, an internal cooling system, free Wi-Fi, and superior linen, with the deluxe options going one step further and boasting an outside bath, coffee station, and mini bar. Lion Camp offers different dining areas around the lodge where guests can enjoy cuisine that is as authentic as their surroundings, with Africanfusion food being a constant theme and the basis for all of these, nutritious meals. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner can all be eaten in locations throughout the lodge, with Lion Camp’s in-house chefs impressing constantly through their fresh, immaculately presented meals. A choice selection of wines perfectly complements the food, which itself is of fivestar quality and made daily to minimise waste. Despite its consistent culinary excellence, the food situation at Lion Camp is one of its main challenges. Due to its location in the middle of a national park, the team are forbidden to grow their own produce, with the closest supplier being in Lusaka, which is around 11 hours from the location. Lion Camp does make the most of these difficulties however, supplying a local farming family in Mfuwe with seeds to grow the likes of herbs and vegetables, before buying the produce back off them in a mutually beneficial transaction. As this shows, Lion Camp’s remote location – whilst perfect for guests – does cause some unique challenges to arise. Recognising this, the 38-strong team at the helm are also experts in everything from renovations and repairs to general maintenance, with the pursuit of perfection serving as a guiding principle. The culture within this team is equally special, resulting in a low staff turnover. Many members of the team have been with Lion Camp for more than ten years, and their happiness and expertise lead to satisfied guests. Finally, moving away from the lodge itself, Lion Camp’s best-in-class status is bolstered by a commitment to deliver the best safari experience to its guests. It achieves this with help from a team of experienced guides, as well as five safari vehicles which serve all ten of its suites. Guests will be allocated a guide with his vehicle for the duration of their stay to ensure a personalized safari experience. They will also feel the benefits of inherent flexibility which means that there are no set itineraries, and guests can plan their safari activities around a schedule designed to suit them. These bespoke safari and game drive experiences, as well as the unique wildlife photography opportunities they offer, serve as the cherry on top of what is already South Luangwa’s premier safari lodge experience. As a result, Lion Camp is a fitting recipient of this award. Contact: Vicky Nel Company: Lion Camp Web Address: https://lioncamp.com/ Primarily bordered by the Luangwa River to the east and the Muchinga Escarpment’s steep banks to the west, Lion Camp is located at the top of end of Lion Plans in the northernmost section of the approximately 9,000 km2 South Luangwa National Park. The three-hour car journey from Mfuwe Airport goes by quickly thanks to the comfortable and air-conditioned vehicle that guests are a collected in, with a stop in the bustling village of Mfuwe offering a chance for a bathroom break and to immerse one’s self in local culture. The last stretch of the journey is completed in an open vehicle, upon request, offering guests a first glance at the game that will form an integral part of their stay. Arriving at the site itself, the care and attention to detail behind every building and walkway is immediately clear, with fenceless surroundings allowing wildlife to move around the resort’s grounds as if the buildings were invisible. At the very heart of Lion Camp is its main lodge, comprising a pool, a bar, a coffee station, a reading area, and plenty of seating. The multifaceted luxury exemplified by Lion Camp can be seen further through its ten suites, which are built from a combination of timber, canvas, and thatch. Comprising eight luxury and two deluxe suites, all spaces are fully bespoke and have been meticulously designed to ensure maximum relaxation and privacy. All suites offer luxury touches P
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