Lion Camp, South Luangwa National Park — Local services in Muchinga Province

Lion Camp was our second stop on a 10 day safari to Zambia. The first stop was Amanzi in Lower Zambezi where we saw incredible wildlife and wondered would Lion Camp and South Luangwa offer the same opportunities. We were not disappointed our 5 days at Lion Camp were awesome, we experienced incredible wildlife sightings both from the camp and on our game drives. We were collected from Mfwue International Airport having flown with Proflight from the Jeki airstrip in Lower Zambezi. If you are intending visiting both of these national parks the Proflight route from Lusaka flys via Jeki airstrip to Mfwue but not the other way round, so my advice would be to go to Lower Zambezi first and then onto South Luangwa. The trip from Mfwue to Lion Camp is just under two hours. On arrival at the camp we were greeted with warm African hospitality, a damp towel to freshen up, a local cocktail and a lovely smile. The camp overlooks a watering hole and there are always animals to watch from your room, the hide or from the main lounge. Our guide Robert was lovely, his ability to spot wildlife while driving and understand their behaviour was excellent. He also took time to position the jeep so that as a budding amateur photographer I could get some different angles and make the most of the glorious early morning or late evening light to capture my images. On our first game drive we were treated to seeing a pride of lions with 5 small cubs. The cubs were very playful and the photo opportunities brilliant. Our safari encounters continued to offer up the unexpected as we saw a pack of wild dogs, African elephants, Thornicrofts giraffe, Crayshaws zebra and Cookson's wildebeest. We saw yellow baboons and impalas vying for the same space on the flood plains by the river, as well as kudu, bushbucks and puku roaming the varied landscapes of South Luangwa. Photo opps were not restricted to the larger animals I also got to see and photograph an abundance of birds from the Little Bee-Eater to the African Fish Eagle. There were forests of African Ebony trees where the early morning light glowed red through the branches. We saw the famous Sausage tree with its heavy hanging fruit and Baoba trees both naked and raw and full of life with leaves and fruit. The Zambezi Fig tree appeared to be a favourite for Leopards to lounge on the wide branches. Each time we passed by the Luangwa river we saw hippos playing and snoozing as well as numerous crocs scattered among the hippos. However, the highlight of our 5 days at Lion Camp was when we tracked the Leopard Chiphadzua (More Beautiful than the Sun) on an evening game drive. We first spotted Chiphadzua by a group of safari vehicles, it looked like she was hunting Guinea Fowl for supper. The jeeps tracked her for a while and when nothing happened departed. Our guide told us she had a 3 month old cub called Tapiwa (The Given) and could be making her way back to the cub at the end of the day, so we decided to stay with Chiphadzua. Our guide anticipated her moves and we followed her for over an hour. Then just as dusk was descending she hunched down on her back legs and let out a piercing 'oof' sound and our guide heard a faint reply in the distance. Over the next few moments we were privileged to watch mum and cub reunite at the end of the day. They rolled together, licked each other and cuddled up, this was the most remarkable experience and one never to be forgotten. Our patience and Robert's skill made this encounter possible and showed that sometimes waiting for that special moment can really pay off. One evening we were treated to a camp supper on the plains of South Luangwa watching herds of buffalo, impala and zebra wonder around in the distance. We had drinks and food and the dining area was surrounded with blazing iron baskets each with the Lion Camp emblem glowing red. On our final game drive at Lion Camp we saw a pride of lions and cubs protecting a buffalo they had brought down in the early hours. The kill was spotted from a distance as the vultures were swarming in the sky above. The Managers at Lion Camp Vicky and Wayne were always friendly, helpful and enthusiastic, as was Dottie and all of the other staff, nothing was too much trouble. If you are considering a trip to South Luangwa look no further than Lion Camp it offers everything you would expect from a safari and more. There are numerous links on Instagram to see what Lion camp offers and these include: Dazmental, Wayne in the Wild...

I recently stayed at Lion Camp for 3 nights. I wish I could have stayed for 7! I was met at Mfuwe Airport by the lovely Robert, who transferred me to the camp. I arrived on the late flight, which meant I only arrived at camp late that evening. Thinking I'd go straight to bed, I was surprised to be presented with a delicious lite supper (plus a very welcome glass of wine!) My top tip would be to do 4 nights if you are considering the late ProFlight arrival into Mfuwe, it will just give you more time to enjoy the camp and the amazing wildlife. ||The team at Lion Camp are incredible, so kind, friendly and professional. The team looking after guests in the "main area" of the lodge were great. Always smiling, friendly and ready to help. Brighton, Ronald, Esaya, Daniel, Mybin were all stars!||One of the things that can make or break a stay at a lodge is food. The food at Lion Camp was amazing! I am a vegetarian and sometimes get nervous when I travel to remote camps, but I had nothing to be worried about, every single meal was fresh and truly delicious. They even managed to pull off an outstanding surprise bush dinner for all the guests in camp. The Baked Yogurt Brulee was OUTSTANDING!! The wine selection is also top notch!||The rooms are stunning, with incredible views. Throughout the day I had various "visitors" walking by including elephants, puku, hippo, monitor lizard, zebra and amazing birds! Watching the open billed stork fish provided hours of entertainment.||It is always a joy to learn something new when you go on a game drive and our guide Mukupa was phenomenal. He was incredible with his knowledge of birds & wildlife and always placed the vehicle so that all guests could see. He was patient when guests were taking photos and always tried to ensure I got the best shot. We saw SO much including leopard, lion, ellies, eland, white tailed mongoose, porcupine, giraffe, buffalo, hippo, crocs and more! He also shared information on the incredible work they are doing with the local community which truly inspired me. ||There is a hide which is a fantastic place to observe animals from. I sat watching a mother elephant with her baby for ages. ||The management team Vicky, Wayne and Oscar were brilliant, and they run an incredible camp! Their eye for detail and interactions with both staff and guests was wonderful to see. Nothing was too much to ask, they went out of their way to ensure everything was perfect during my stay. ||I loved my time at Lion Camp and do hope to come...

Our Unforgettable Stay at Lion Camp – July 2025

My wife, parents, and I had the pleasure of staying at Lion Camp in late July 2025, and we truly had a wonderful experience. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with exceptional hospitality and warmth.

The safari drives were a highlight—exciting, well-organized, and full of unforgettable sightings. We were fortunate to see leopards, lions, elephants, giraffes, and zebras. Our guide, Robert, was fantastic. His sharp eye and deep knowledge of the bush made every drive special. He knew exactly where to go, ensuring we got incredible photos and videos—especially during some thrilling leopard sightings.

Vicky and Wayne were fabulous hosts. The rooms were spotless, beautifully designed, and thoughtfully equipped with everything we needed, including hot water and air conditioning to handle both cool mornings and hot afternoons. The bathrooms were luxurious and well-stocked with essentials.

The food was nothing short of exceptional. Every meal was immaculately presented, perfectly portioned, healthy, and absolutely delicious. Vicky’s culinary background shines through—you could tell how much care and passion she puts into every dish. It honestly felt like we were enjoying Michelin-star-level cuisine in the middle of the bush.

Wayne brought great energy to every interaction—his sense of humor and easygoing nature made us feel at home and always lifted our spirits.

A special shoutout goes to Maybin and the rest of the Lion Camp team. Maybin, in our opinion, was the “Chief Vibe Officer”—always upbeat, always smiling, and impossible to say no to when he was behind the bar. Chatting with him was always a highlight of our day.

The entire team at Lion Camp was outstanding—warm, attentive, and genuine. They created an atmosphere that felt like a home away from home, and we left with truly fond memories of everyone we met.

Thank you all for an amazing stay—we can’t...