Zambia’s most luxurious safari camp, Puku Ridge, is is officially open and bringing game-changing amenities to the bush. For the first time in the history of South Luangwa National Park, visitors will enjoy air conditioning, sip a cappuccino from a premium espresso machine, and stay connected with in-room Wi-Fi. “Hopefully what we’ve achieved is to attract the more adventurous … traveller without forgoing creature comforts and safety,” says Grant Cumings, owner of Chiawa Safaris which co-owns Puku Ridge, along with Chichele Safaris.

The eight-tent camp, located within the remote 3,500-square-mile park, features something no other camps in the area have: electricity. Puku Ridge has it because its nearest neighbour is Chichele Presidential Lodge. Built as a retreat for Zambian royalty, Chichele has power lines supplied with hydropower. “We could rely on solar energy like in our other camps,” says Puku Ridge’s general manager Kayla Johnstone. “But why not take advantage of the power to provide guests with an experience they normally can’t have here?”

Puku Ridge also boasts the park’s only camp with a private star bed for each tent. Guests climb an outdoor staircase leading to the roof where an alfresco sleeping area, complete with mosquito netting, awaits. At other camps, guests have to reserve the property’s lone star bed in advance, go with an armed scout as it’s usually not on site, and use the bush as the bathroom.

Every tent at Puku Ridge is en-suite with tub, double sinks, and indoor and outdoor showers. The most lavish water feature is the back deck’s private plunge pool overlooking a massive flood plain frequented by baboons, elephants, giraffes, lions, and puku — the impala’s furry cousin for which the resort is named. Much of this animal activity is the result of Puku Ridge’s popular watering hole, which fronts the elevated open-air lobby and restaurant. But the best views of the thirsty herds come from the camouflaged viewing hide below.

Most camps have hides. However, they’re usually off-site and guests can only visit them with an armed scout. Since South Luangwa National Park is the birthplace of the walking safari, Puku Ridge guests can walk down a flight of stairs and find themselves eye-to-eye with a leopard cub lapping up water or a bull elephant taking a bath.

Thanks to the pandemic, the park is quiet right now. Rates at Puku Ridge start at $730 per person per night and include transfers between camp and Mfuwe, game drives, walking safaris, national park/conservation fees, and meals and drinks.

Source: Travel and Leisure