Authentic.

Untamed.

Unpretentious.

A True Wilderness Escape on the Kafue River

Private Chalets & 2 Safari Tents
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Local Zambian Team
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Natural Hot Spring
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Road Drive from Lusaka
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Our Philosophy

For Those Who Seek
the
Real Africa ,
Not a Staged Production

Established as one of the pioneering lodges on the east bank of the Kafue River, Hippo Lodge is an unpretentious sanctuary in northern Kafue National Park. We cater to returning safari enthusiasts and seasoned international travellers who appreciate raw, untamed nature, without the crowds.

To preserve the tranquillity of the safari experience, internet access is available in the main lodge area only — allowing the chalets and surrounding bush to remain peaceful, quiet, and wonderfully disconnected. A gentle invitation to unplug, unwind, and experience Africa without interruption. There are no rigid commercial schedules here. Each day unfolds naturally and is shaped collaboratively with our experienced Zambian guiding team, tailored around the movement of wildlife, changing conditions in the bush, and whatever experience takes your fancy in the moment.

Why Safari Specialists Love Hippo Lodge

  • Guided by Experience, Shaped by Wilderness

    Accompanied by our highly experienced guides and National Parks game rangers, each safari unfolds according to the rhythms of the wilderness itself. No staged encounters. No tourist circuits. No scripted safari experience — only authentic, unscripted Africa as it has always been.

  • Exceptional Birding & Fishing

    Renowned destination for 300+ bird species, including the elusive African Finfoot, Crowned Eagle & Pel's Fishing Owl. A twitcher's delight. Fly fishing is a must for the dedicated fisherman and catch-and-release angling is strictly enforced with the use of barbless hooks being encouraged.

  • Exceptional Price-to-Value Ratio

    Thoughtfully positioned in the mid-range safari market, offering exceptional value without compromising comfort, privacy, or authenticity. Stay in private, en-suite stone chalets overlooking the Kafue River, where understated luxury meets the raw beauty of the wilderness. Wake to the sounds of the river, unwind on your veranda beneath ancient trees, and experience an intimate safari atmosphere designed for couples, families, and discerning travellers seeking a more personal connection with nature. Honest, transparent pricing with no hidden fees — simply genuine hospitality in one of Zambia's most unspoilt wilderness settings.

The Chalets & Safari Tents

The Chalets & Safari Tents

Ideal for Couples

Honeymoon House

Built from locally sourced stone and thoughtfully positioned at the edge of the Kafue River, Honeymoon House is an intimate and deeply romantic retreat designed for couples seeking privacy, stillness, and connection to the wilderness. Inside, the chalet blends old safari character with understated comfort, featuring...
Chalet

Munjili House

Perfectly suited to families or small groups, Munjili House offers a spacious and relaxed safari retreat immersed within the surrounding bushland. The chalet combines privacy with generous shared living spaces that open directly onto sweeping river views and the natural rhythms of the Kafue wilderness. Thoughtfully...
Ideal for Couples

Imberbe House

Imberbe House is a spacious and private one-roomed thatched chalet perfectly positioned along the riverbank, offering uninterrupted views across the tranquil waters of the Kafue River. Surrounded by mature trees and the quiet atmosphere of the bush, the chalet provides an authentic safari setting designed for...
Ideal for couples

Bushbuck

Bushbuck is a rustic and airy one-room chalet built from stones gathered from the old Hippo Mine, giving it a timeless character deeply connected to the history of the area. Spacious, warm, and full of old safari charm, it offers a relaxed and comfortable stay in...
Ideal for couples

Mukango

Hidden deep within the bush beside an old anthill and a quiet viewing bench overlooking the floodplain, Mukango is a secluded two-room chalet made for slow days, crackling fires, and the timeless rhythm of safari life. Surrounded by open wilderness and shaded by the trees, it...
Ideal for couples

Stoney House

Set quietly along the banks of the Kafue River, Stoney House is a peaceful and private riverside retreat ideal for families, couples, and returning guests seeking a relaxed safari experience. The villa features a spacious verandah, outdoor dining area, fire pit, and barbecue space overlooking the...
Chalet

Classic Safari Tent 1

These rustic safari tents remain part of the original camp, carefully preserved to hold onto the old safari spirit and quiet charm of earlier days. Simple, comfortable, and deeply connected to the surrounding bush, they offer a more traditional and unhurried safari experience. Each tent features...
Wilderness Adventures

Unscripted Safari Experiences

Kafue boasts the greatest species diversity of any national park in Zambia. Whether exploring remote bush tracks, drifting quietly along the river, or walking through the wild on foot, every experience at Hippo Lodge is personally guided by our qualified Zambian team, ensuring an authentic, immersive, and deeply personal safari.

Walking Safaris

Walking Safaris

Walk silently on foot through raw wilderness with a qualified guide and an armed National Parks ranger. Learn track interpretation, traditional plant medicine, touch and feel a deep connection to the Earth with every step.

Boat & Sunset Cruises

Boat & Sunset Cruises

Glide quietly down the Kafue River as dawn breaks over the wilderness, the cool morning mist rising gently from the water while fish eagles call in the distance and the bush slowly comes to life around you. As evening falls, savour sundowners beneath glowing African skies while elephants wander silently to the river's edge and hippos stir beside the banks — an intimate and timeless safari experience shaped by the untamed rhythm of wild Africa.

Geothermal Hot Springs

Geothermal Hot Springs

The signature experience of Hippo Lodge. Just 1.5 km from camp lies a remarkable natural geothermal hot spring — crystal clear, completely sulfur-free, and hidden deep within the wilderness. Formed naturally over centuries, this sand-bottomed thermal rock jacuzzi offers a rare opportunity to soak in warm mineral waters while surrounded by the untouched sounds and stillness of the African bush. As elephants wander down to drink nearby and the evening light fades across the floodplains, the experience becomes less an activity and more a moment of complete immersion in wild Africa.

Custom Day & Night Drives

Custom Day & Night Drives

Explore the remote tracks east and west of the Kafue River in open-air, high-clearance 4×4 safari vehicles, venturing deep into one of Africa's last truly unspoilt wilderness areas. Exceptional game viewing opportunities include lion prides, elusive leopards, rare pangolins, and antelope species moving through the miombo woodland, floodplains, and riverine habitats that define the greater Kafue ecosystem.

Catch-and-Release Fishing

Catch-and-Release Fishing

For anglers, the Kafue offers a rewarding and authentic wilderness fishing experience. Target hard-fighting African Pike, Yellow Bellies, or Mud-suckers, and elusive bream species while drifting through quiet channels and river systems rich with birdlife and wildlife. Hippo Lodge operates a strict catch-and-release policy throughout the Kafue River system, with the use of barbless hooks encouraged in support of responsible and sustainable fishing practices.

Sunrises, Sunsets & Fireside

Sunrises, Sunsets & Fireside

The Kafue reveals a different kind of Africa — one measured not by schedules, but by light, silence, and the slow unfolding drama of the wilderness itself. From the first golden rays filtering through the miombo woodland at dawn to the fiery reflections melting into the river at sunset, each day delivers moments that demand you pause, watch, and simply absorb the raw beauty surrounding you. Here, the spectacle is not staged — it is timeless, natural, and endlessly captivating.

Pricing & Clarity

Packages & Rates

Pricing & Clarity

Packages & Rates

No hidden fees. We believe in high value and straightforward transparency to help international agents and direct clients book with confidence.

All rates are per person, per night. Park entry conservation levies and private charter air transfers are not included in standard rates.

Kafue weather conditions are dry and pleasant from May to November — our prime safari season. Early booking is recommended for peak periods. Green season specials apply from December to April.

For travel agents & tour operators: Trade rates and commission structures available on request. We work directly with international safari specialists.

Premium Safar
Hippo Deluxe
Elevated comfort, full board included.
$260 / pppn (Chalets)
  • - Accommodation
  • - Early light breakfast, brunch & dinner
  • - Snacks with tea/coffee throughout the day
  • - 1 activity per person per day
  • - No Single Supplement, Excludes Park Fees, Bednight Levies, Bar & VAT
Book This Package
Self-Catering Options (On request, not always available)
Hippo Self Cater
(Stoney House & Mukango House)
$120 / pppn
  • - Stoney House accommodates up to 6 guests with private kitchen
  • - Mukango accommodates up to 4 guests with an outdoor kitchen
  • - Dedicated staff — cleaning, laundry, kitchen help or chef, & fire wood
  • - Self-drive flexibility or book a guided safari activity
  • - No Single Supplement, Excludes Park Fees, Bednight Levies, Bar & VAT
Book This Package
Full Board Safari
Hippo Ultra
Everything included. Nothing to organise.
$450 / pppn (no single supplement
  • - All en-suite accommodation
  • - Early morning light breakfast, sumptuous brunch, & dinner. Tea, Coffee, & Snacks, & bar
  • - Daily activities — safari walks, game drives, boat cruises
  • - Experience the natural hot spring
Book This Package

Getting Here

Seamless Transfers & Access

Hippo Lodge is peacefully positioned on the eastern bank of the Kafue River within the remote northern sector of Kafue National Park — one of Africa’s last truly unspoilt wilderness regions. Whether arriving by road transfer from Lusaka or by charter flight into the nearby Hippo Airstrip, our team coordinates all logistics and transfers seamlessly, ensuring your journey into the bush is relaxed, smooth, and entirely stress-free from start to finish.

  • Scenic Road Access

    Approximately 4–5 hours' drive from Lusaka. Reliable safari-equipped transport transfers available directly with our professional Zambian drivers. Comfortable, scenic, and fully supported.

  • Convenient Charter Airstrip

    An unpaved airstrip lies under 2 km from the lodge. Fully accessible and open for chartered bush planes during the dry safari season from late May to November.

Check Availability

2026 Season Availability

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Tailor Your Trip

Contact Our
Safari Planners

Direct booking query. Expect a customised, personal safari response within 12–24 business hours from our Zambian team.

Reservations

reservations@hippolodgezambia.com

WhatsApp / Phone

+260 972 080 115

Location

East Bank, Northern Kafue National Park

Safari Enquiry

Plan Your Visit

Tell us about your ideal African wilderness experience and we’ll build a tailored package