Lolelunga Private Reserve, Zambia

Lolelunga Private Reserve

Accommodation Type

Luxury Safari Lodge / Private Reserve

Number of Rooms

7 intimate luxurious suites

Location

Kasempa District, Northern Zambia 30 km north of Kafue National Park

Setting

30,000-hectare fully fenced private reserve with 13 km of Lunga River frontage

Who It Is Best For

Conservation-minded travelers, families, safari purists, private groups, wildlife photographers, and those seeking exclusive wilderness immersion

Travel Mood

The Adventurer, The Seeker

Main Activities

Game drives, walking safaris, canoeing, catch-and-release fishing, birding, sunset river safaris, conservation experiences

Signature Feature

Zambia’s first fully fenced private reserve, pioneering cheetah reintroduction and rewilding success

Lolelunga Private Reserve

A 30,000 hectare private reserve in northern Zambia

In the remote wilderness north of Kafue National Park, where the Lunga River carves its way through forests and floodplains, Lolelunga Private Reserve offers something rare: untamed Africa, restored with intention. This is Zambia’s first fully fenced private reserve, a 30,000 hectare conservation success story where wildlife has returned, ecosystems are healing, and guests become part of something far greater than a safari.

Overview

Lolelunga is not simply a lodge set in the wild. It is a rewilding project brought to life through vision, investment, and long term commitment. Once devastated by poaching, logging, and destructive fishing practices, this land has been painstakingly rehabilitated over the past four years. Indigenous species have been reintroduced following detailed ecological research, from puku and red lechwe to sable, roan, kudu and zebra. Most notably, cheetahs have returned to this region for the first time in decades, with successful breeding already marking a hopeful new chapter for Zambia’s population. Plans to strengthen rhino conservation are underway.

The reserve spans 30,000 hectares with 13 kilometres of river frontage along the Lunga River. Forests, swamplands and open plains create a rich biodiversity corridor where guests encounter the Big Five, rare antelope such as the elusive sitatunga, over 270 bird species, and thriving river ecosystems where otters, hippos, crocodiles and elephants gather. Every game drive, walking safari or canoe excursion unfolds within a landscape that feels both vast and deeply personal.

Accommodation is intimate and purposefully understated, hosting a maximum of 14 guests across king rooms, junior suites and a family suite. Interiors blend stone, timber and woven textures in clean, uncluttered compositions that prioritize comfort and immersion over excess. The main lodge opens to sweeping river views, with a rim flow pool on the bank, a fully equipped gym, spa, and multiple dining spaces. The Ngoma Deck offers private dining or an unforgettable sleepout under the stars, where the rhythm of the river replaces any need for distraction.

What sets Lolelunga apart is the integration of conservation, community and luxury. The reserve supports local employment, education, healthcare and infrastructure initiatives, including schools, clinics and boreholes that provide access to clean water. This is not a place where wildlife is simply observed. It is a living model of how ethical tourism can fund restoration, empower communities and protect fragile ecosystems. Here, where you stay becomes part of a much larger story.

Photography courtesy of Lolelunga Private Reserve.

“Lolelunga is more than a lodge; it is a blueprint for responsible travel, proving that conservation and community prosperity are one and the same.”

— Jennifer Beattie, Director of Sales & Marketing

Tips & Recommendations

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Nearest Airport

Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Lusaka

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Getting There

Private charter flights operate from Lusaka, Livingstone, Lower Zambezi airstrips, and Mfuwe. Flight times range from 45 minutes to two hours. The Lolelunga airstrip is five minutes from the lodge.

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Best Time to Visit

The dry season offers prime wildlife viewing as animals gather along the river. Green season brings dramatic skies, bird migrations, and lush landscapes.

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What to Bring

Neutral safari clothing, binoculars, camera equipment, and an open mind ready to understand conservation beyond the surface.

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Staying at Lolelunga

Do not rush your days. Rise early for the stillness of dawn drives. Spend slow afternoons by the river. Ask questions about the rewilding process. Reserve the Ngoma Deck for one night. Lolelunga reveals itself most deeply to those who seek meaning beyond the spectacle.

Nearby Attractions

Lolelunga Private Reserve

Lolelunga Private Reserve - 1.2km

A 30,000-hectare private conservation reserve along the Lunga River dedicated to wildlife restoration, immersive safari experiences, and community-driven conservation.

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