Hippo Lodge Ltd — Hotel in Central Province

We've been visiting Hippo Lodge and this area for years and what a huge pleasure it was to return after being unable to travel during the COVID years. Hippo Lodge is still as special as ever. ||||We stayed for 9 nights in Honeymoon, the chalet right on the water's edge, and were looked after royally by the excellent all-Zambian team who run the lodge. The food and service is as fabulous as ever and the complete absence of WiFi (and minimal network access) meant we just sat back and enjoyed the remoteness of this beautiful place on the mighty Kafue River in the heart of the Zambian bush.||||Although sadly North Kafue National Park has suffered from years of poaching (don't expect to see huge numbers of animals), we saw game (a gorgeous black maned lion, lots of elephants both lone bulls and a breeding herd, all the usual small antelope and, of course, the resident herd of pretty little bushbuck and the warthog who grazes the irrigated lawns). We also heard lion and hyena so they were around too; and others staying at the camp saw an amazing five leopards.||||As always, the bird life was tremendous and we must have seen well over 70 different species even though we were a bit early for the arrival of all the migrants. It was such a joy to watch the small things like weaver birds building their nests and the male paradise flycatcher suddenly appearing with his magnificent long tail. ||||We spent most of our days on the river fishing (really good!) and bird watching which, to be honest, is probably not a bad place to be at this time of year because 1. it's hot, 2. it's dry and the river is where your most likely to see wildlife and 3. you're less likely to be pestered by insects.||||We also visited the old mine which dates back to 1913, one of the oldest in Zambia. Unfortunately it was ravaged by illegal miners a few years back but it's still worth a visit...as are the graves of the early prospectors (1905) which are beautifully tended by the Lodge staff. |||| We stayed at the Lodge as part of a trip visiting three lodges on the Kafue, essentially moving down stream as we went. All were lovely, all were different. Hippo Lodge is the perfect bush getaway to relax...on the most enchanting of Zambian rivers with all its attendant wildlife, in beautifully built chalets and with a wonderful team of people...

Beautiful location on the river with stunning birdlife. We didn’t visit in the best time for game as the Bush was thick and the grasses long and lush as the rains not so long finished so we didn’t get lucky with leopard or lion (although we heard them and spotted tracks) but we did see hyena on two occasions, once in the early morning and another on the night drive (it was quite scary with red eyes coming out of the darkness very close by but totally worth the thrill!). Nevertheless there’s plenty more to see with owls, mongoose and bush babies and fish eagles & elephants spotted across the river... plenty of hippos and crocs! We had an amazing stay and were looked after unbelievably well by all of the staff, can’t thank them enough. Big hearty breakfasts overlooking the river after a morning drive was the dream. We were very lucky to stay in the honeymoon house. The balcony onto the river bank is the perfect spot to sit and read. You will have no internet or phone reception (unless you’re on airtel) but you don’t need it here! Fishing on the river is an absolute must as well as an afternoon and/or evening bath at the...

An amazing place with even better wildlife. From the staff to the majestic Kafue river everything seemed to come together to make this a destination of a lifetime. ||Our stay in the 'A Frame' house (I forget the african name) was everything you need/want, clean comfortable with a luxurious and huge bad, placed in front of the window to make the most of breathtaking and uninterupted views over the Kafue river. ||We awoke every morning to the sound of hippo's calling, birds singing and lion roaring in the distance (sometimes pretty close as well).||The food was also amazing and pleantyfull, the only problem is finding anough room for every course.||We could not have asked for better game viewing during our stay. ||We spent alot of time on the river and the animals were there every day for us with many siteings of leopard, lion, elephant, water bufalo, monitor lizard and the list goes on, The birds were amazing also with many siteings of Skimmers and Malacite king fishers.||This realy was a trip of a lifetime, but we are already looking to book again.||||We would recomend this lodge to anyone...