Ila Safari Lodge

Ila Safari Lodge is located the Kafue River, Central Kafue, within the Hook Bridge area, near Chunga Head Quarters.

Our 10 Luxury Safari Tents are individually designed to mesh with their wild surrounds and open to sweeping views of the Kafue River. Families can also enjoy a private space of Kafue wilderness in our two larger suites.

Open from 3rd March 2022.

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THE COUPLE TENTS (sleeps 2)

With nature’s generous help, the Ila Luxury Couples Tents bestow upon you and your loved one privacy, tranquility and a touch of romance.

A raised wooden walkway leads to your tent, which is expertly hidden in the Kafue wilderness. King or twin beds pair with outdoor and indoor seating areas that are all designed for a modern under canvas safari experience.

Double vanities set in local woods with brass and copper fittings finish off the open, river-facing en-suite bathroom. We promise your only neighbours will be the hippos wallowing below!

Six of the eight tents allow for twin bed configurations so are great for friends travelling together.

OUR FAVOURITE PART

Even bath-time at Ila can be a little wild. With the tents having either an outdoor shower or bath, you never know what might fly or wander past as you enjoy an open-air lather.

THE FAMILY TENTS ( sleeps 4)

Panoramic views across the Kafue River make you feel the immediacy of your surrounds, while modern outdoor and indoor furnishings bring you the comforts of home in the Ila Luxury Family Tents.

Enclosed in our Family Tents are two bedrooms separated by a curtain so that each tent can sleep a family of four. An extra bed can be added for a third child. The bathroom and toilet are separate from the bedrooms and both tents have a luxurious indoor bath and shower.

Sleeping in a tent in the African bush is a memorable experience for both big and small. These tents are also ideal for two couples sharing as both rooms can comfortably fit king size beds.

OUR FAVOURITE PART

The magic of Kafue National Park flows through the tents at Ila. Tune into it as the cool breeze blows in off the river, birds twitter in the overhanging trees around you, and the warm African sun filters through the windows in the morning.

The tents are incredibly spacious and known for their iconic ‘bath on deck’.

Family Tent

The Couples Tent

Property Facilities

24-hour Security
Activity Desk
Bar
Battery Charging Facilities
Communal Dining
Disability Services
Eco Friendly
Laundry Service (Complimentary)
Library
Mobile Connectivity
Pool
Restaurant
Secure Parking

Room Facilities

Balcony / Deck
Bath
Disabled Rooms
Dressing Gowns
Electrical Outlets
En-Suite
Fan
Laundry Service (Complimentary)
Lounge Area
Mosquito Nets
Outside Shower
Pure Cotton Linen
Safe
Shower
Tea / Coffee
Verandah
Wheelchair Friendly

Activities on Site

Bird Watching
Boating
Fishing
Game Drives
Game Viewing
Game Walks
High Tea
Night Drives
Safaris
Walks (Guided)
Wildlife Tours

Activities Nearby

Bird Watching
Boat Cruises
Boating
Child Friendly Activities
Cultural Tours
Fishing
Game Drives
Game Viewing
Game Walks
River Cruises
Safaris
Walks (Guided)

Adventure Boat Cruise

Explore Kafue at dawn and dusk in one of our three standard 4 x 4 game drive vehicles that are sturdy enough allow you to venture through less explored parts of the park. You are in for some excellent game-sightings in Kafue, including African wild dog, cheetah and four of the Big 5. We limit our game drives to six passengers to give everyone a window seat, although they can be converted for nine when necessary for large groups.

E Cruiser Game Drive

Blend into the quiet of nature in our e-Cruiser, which allows you to experience all the sights and sounds of the bush in near silence and with a deep sense of environmental care. The e-Cruiser is kept close to camp and used for short drives or the fairly common ‘dinner table dash’ to investigate exactly how close those lion calls are!

ACTIVITY MINIMUM AGE
Game drives 6+ (children under 6 may only attend if a private vehicle is available)

E Boat Safari

Cruise quietly along the Kafue River in our solar-powered e-Boat and watch as birds dive for fish, crocodiles bask in the sun and elephants splash in the shallows. Pods of hippos are part of the Kafue River ‘furniture’ as are African fish eagles and a wide variety of waders. A treat for birders is spotting the ever-elusive Pel’s fishing owl.

Walking Safari

Slow down to nature’s pace as your knowledgeable guide and armed scout leads you on a bush walk that immerses you in the beautiful and biodiverse landscapes of Kafue. Stepping out on your own two feet allows you to get up close to nature and appreciate the smaller things you may miss from a vehicle.

ACTIVITY MINIMUM AGE
Walking safaris 12+

Breakfast

Tuck into a breakfast lovingly made by our guides who know all the best spots to watch the sun rise over the park. This is not your average breakfast setting and it gives you a real taste of Zambia.

Sunset and Lunch Cruise

Get treated to a fabulous lunch or watch the sun set on the banks of the Kafue River from the comfort of our solar-powered e-Boat. ‘Sunshine-power’ means that this boat is not only eco-friendly, but it also glides over the water in total silence so you can soak up the meditative sounds of the wild while you dine.

Fishing

Enjoy a couple of hours with a rod and reel down at the Kafue River, surrounded by birdsong and a cool breeze. One of our fishing guides will show you all the best spots, including where specific species, like bream, barbel and pike, are generally found. We have basic equipment available but if you are a professional, we suggest bringing your own gear.

Infinity Pool

Take a dip in our rim flow infinity pool while enjoying stunning views of the Kafue River and bush beyond. The nearby well-stocked bar and cosy camp fireside are always a source of festive fun, and the riverside drop deck opens out to the expansive Kafue wilderness.

RATING

TYPE

Lodge

NO. ROOMS

10

CHECK-IN TIME

11h00

CHECK-OUT TIME

10h00

SPOKEN LANGUAGES

English

AVAILABLE SERVICES

Airport Shuttle (Available)

Credit Card

SPECIAL INTERESTS

Adventure, Birding, Fishing, Flora, Gourmet, Hiking, History & Culture, Indigenous Culture / Art, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine

Fly Johannesburg/Nairobi/Dubai to Lusaka.

Flights per seat available direct from LVI (Flight time is 1 hour – 1 hour 20 minutes), LUN and other parts of the Kafue.

Road Access – Lusaka to Ila Safari Lodge – 4 hours.

Chunga Airstrip – 40 minutes.

Ila to Busanga Plains – 5 hours.

HE HEART OF WESTERN ZAMBIA

Kafue National Park, the largest and oldest park in Zambia, is one of the last great expanses of remote and unspoiled wilderness in Africa. The possibility of a wildlife moment awaits you around the next tree or bend in the Kafue River.

REMOTE WILDLIFE REFUGE

Largely unexplored with pockets of pristine bush, Kafue National Park is the wild heart of western Zambia.

Kafue was established in the 1950s by the legendary Norman Carr and is the country’s largest and oldest national park.

Its wide collection of natural habitats house an incredible diversity and density of big game and bird life, including endangered species like the African wild dog and wattled crane.

THE SECRET OF KAFUE NATIONAL PARK

Hidden away in northern Kafue National Park lies the Busanga Plains, a seasonal wetland ecosystem famed for its wide variety of antelope species and large prides of lion.

WILDLIFE

These include several prides of lion, cheetah and the ever elusive leopard. If you’re lucky, you may even see packs of the endangered wild dog. Other common sightings in the park include buffalo, zebra, hippo and various antelope species like impala, puku, sable, hartebeest, bushbuck, roan and waterbuck.

ROOMS

10x Tents

FROM PRICE

US$250 – 500

ILA SAFARI LODGE PART OF

Green Safaris

MIN AGE

N/A

MIN AGE ACTIVITES

Game drives 6+ (children under 6 may only attend if a private vehicle is available)
Walking safaris 12+

OFFER

Book 5-6 nights - 10% discounted.
Book 7-9 nights - 20% discounted.
Book 10 nights or more - 30% discounted.

CLOSURE DATES

Closed 30 Jan to 2 Mar 2023 inclusive.

LAST UPDATED

18/10/2023

Ila Safari Lodge

Some of the animals found in this area.
Kafue National Park, Zambia.

A head of buffaloes – Ila Safari Lodge

The elephant – Ila Safari Lodge

The Lion – Ila Safari Lodge

Leopard – Ila Safari Lodge

The Hippos- Ila Safari Lodge

Sable – Ila Safari Lodge

Waterbuck – Ila Safari Lodge

Roan – Ila Safari Lodge

Springbox- Ila Safari Lodge

Bushbuck -Ila Safari Lodge

Hartebeest – Ila Safari Lodge

Some of the birds found in this area.
Kafue National Park, Zambia.

Black-cheeked lovebird – Credit Dick Daniels

Böhm’s bee-eater – Credit Nathan DeBruine

Brown-headed apalis – Credit Nik borrow

Chaplin’s barbet – Credit Nick Hudson

Chestnut-backed_Sparrow-Weaver – Credit By Nigel Voaden

Collared palm-thrush – Credit Zak Pohlen

Denham’s bustard – Credit Bernard

African Finfoot – Credit Wikipedia

Clink Tour link button below to view details and decide which Safari Package you would like to do and contact us for the booking.

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