4 Best Hotels in Zambia

The legend of a great white-maned lion that used to call this area its home lives on in the name of this camp, which is Shona for the "king of cats." If you're looking for an African adventure of the original epic variety, then you need to stay at Old Mondoro. The game-viewing sizzles with close-up sightings of elephants and leopards in trees. Old Mondoro is decorated in old-school-safari style with showers and baths, all lit by romantic lanterns. Tents with wide timber verandahs are open (with canvas flaps at night) to maximize views of the surrounding floodplains, woodlands, and a complex maze of waterways and hippo paths. The smell of freshly made bread introduces a back-to-basics bushveld kitchen repertoire that includes generous portions of hearty, flavorful meals. The entire experience manages to be marvelously satisfying without any fuss or complication. Old Mondoro is also a 1-hour motorboat ride from its similarly spectacular sister camp, Chiawa.

This is the most environmentally friendly property on the Zambezi. The island makes use of solar power for heating, all the gray water is recycled, the secluded chalets are constructed mainly from sustainable forests, and there's a strict 10-guest maximum. Each of the island's five chalets is raised on a wooden deck built artistically around the existing trees, and they are all completely open to the river with spectacular private views. Each guest can plan a completely private itinerary. There's absolutely no electricity on the island, but it's barely noticeable. If your party takes Sindabezi exclusively, the guide, boat, and land vehicle are at your disposal. Dinner is served by lantern and candlelight on a sandbank or wooden deck under the stars.

Spread out along the banks of the Zambezi River, the tents are set up on stilts, surrounded by a wooden deck that you can sit on and watch the world and the Zambezi River go by. The word "tent" is used liberally as the accommodation at Toka Leya resembles anything but camping. The well-appointed en suite safari-style tents are remarkably spacious and join up to the main dining, bar, and pool area via a raised gangway, keeping guests out of the way of visiting hippos and elephants. Toka Leya is in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, where a handful of Zambia's remaining white rhino live. A game drive through the national park is a must. Priding itself on its greenness, the camp has incorporated several eco-friendly systems. There's great fishing on the river and you can arrange for a guide to take you out on a fully equipped boat.

If you're looking for a truly idyllic African experience, this is it. Tongabezi was designed to perfectly complement the natural beauty of the Zambezi—but you'll still find indulgent offerings and personalized service at every turn. Standard cottages are spacious, cream-and-ocher rondavels featuring private verandahs. Three houses are built into a low cliff and incorporate the original riverine forest canopy; one house hugs the water with a private deck extending over the river; and the Nuthouse is entirely enclosed and also has an exclusive plunge pool. King-size beds set into tree trunks and covered by curtains of linen netting, oversize sofas in the sitting areas, and large claw-foot bathtubs on the private decks are all unashamedly indulgent. Every room has a personal valet who caters to your every whim. The lodge also has in-house masseuses. Tongabezi offers various excellent meal options, including a romantic candlelit san pan (pontoon boat) floating on the Zambezi (with waiters delivering each course by canoe), as well as a number of private decks.