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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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...
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...
Bushbuck Chalet is a peaceful stone-built retreat offering authentic old safari character within the heart of the wilderness. Thoughtfully designed for comfort and privacy, the chalet features a romantic four-poster bed draped in a traditional mosquito net, creating a timeless atmosphere reminiscent of classic African safari...
Hidden deep within the bush beside an ancient anthill, Mukango Chalet is a secluded and spacious retreat designed for guests seeking complete privacy and immersion in the wilderness. Elevated views from the nearby hilltop overlook the surrounding floodplain and dambo, creating a natural viewing platform where...
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...
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Everything included. Nothing to organise.
$420 / pppn (no single supplement)
(Stoney House & Mukango House)
$120 / pppn
Elevated comfort, full board included.
$260 / pppn (Chalets)
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.
Approximately 4–5 hours' drive from Lusaka. Reliable safari-equipped transport transfers available directly with our professional Zambian drivers. Comfortable, scenic, and fully supported.
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.
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