The camp owners don’t mind this place being known as a stepping stone between the Zambian capital and the camps located in the more remote regions of Kafue National Park.
It’s just 4 hours by tarmac road from Lusaka to Ila Safari Lodge, which you’ll find on the eastern bank the Kafue River. Many guests choose to stay here first before venturing deeper into the wilder reaches of the the park, which is Zambia’s biggest.
As well as its accessibility, Ila is respected and renowned for just how much effort has gone into building and running an environmentally and sustainability focused destination. All building materials were locally sourced, and the lodge’s electricity supply is driven by solar power.
Parked up somewhere in camp is Zambia’s first electric 4x4 e-Cruiser designed for greener game drives. This has since been joined by a whole fleet of similarly eco-conscious vehicles, plus an e-Boat. Small wonder that Ila won the Best Zambian Eco-Lodge award when it opened back in 2016.
The lodge is home ton10 riverside tents, each on elevated wooden decks and made with canvas walls and timber, topped off by thatched roofs. Your ensuite will either be inside or outside, your bed a double or twins, with bedside tables. All tents have a private deck offering views of the river you’ll likely stare and smile at, and want to photograph or paint (see later). The two family tents have 2 bedrooms instead of the usual 1, separated by a curtain.
Ila also has Safari House – a 7 bedroom villa that’s ripe for exclusive bookings by a big family or group of friends. It has a central lounge and dining area plus a private plunge pool out on its deck.
Sssshh. Hear that? Can’t hear anything? That’s you out on a game drive in one of those near-silent e-Cruisers we mentioned, exploring the surrounds. Minimising the impact human visitors have on the wildlife is a big, big priority at Ila. To prove it, you can also choose an e-Boat cruise, or a walking safari, or even a birdwatching expedition, all of which will do much to expand your knowledge of local wildlife and little to disturb it.
As for the species you can expect to see on your various travels? Leopard, lion, hippo, buffalo and elephant are frequently sighted by camp visitors, along with wildebeest. You might get lucky and see wild dog too. A greater range of species will be available for you to spy the deeper you head into the national park.
While staying in the lodge, you can take part in fishing on the river, and easels, paper and brushes are provided if you fancy painting the spectacular scenery on offer all over camp.
The main shared area of camp was completely rebuilt following a fire in 2023, so there’s an unmistakable modern look and feel to the two large domes formed from woven bamboo.
Under these unique roofs is where you can eat, drink and relax in the dining room and lounge. Head up the stairs to the open air terrace, where you can enjoy a private meal plus the chance to take in the star-filled sky and views of the plains, woods and water. It has been known for lunches to be served aboard the camp’s e-boat too, if you fancy a different eating experience.
Also on the river – yes, actually floating on the river - is the camp’s spa, a truly memorable and utterly relaxing place for a treatment or two. After which you might want to get into the water in the camp’s infinity pool and then dry off around the fire with a drink in hand.
Activities make the most of the beautiful setting on the banks of the Kafue River, with a mix of land- and water-based experiences. Guests can enjoy game drives, boat cruises, walking safaris, fishing and seasonal river activities, all offering different ways to explore Kafue National Park and its wonderfully wild landscapes.
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We had the most amazing family holiday, everything worked so perfectly, the arrangements and accommodation was spectacular!
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We are a group of four from Romania and spent 3 unforgettable weeks in Namibia. We can't recommend them enough, and for any future travels in Namibia or other parts of Africa, we will definitely use their services again.
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From the time we put the key in the ignition till we boarded the plane in Windhoek nothing went wrong.
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It was a fantastic experience, everything was very well organised, went smooth and according to expectations. It was our first self drive in Africa and it was a great, unforgettable time.
