Ila Safari Lodge

On the Kafue River, Central Kafue, within the Hook Bridge area, near Chunga Head Quarters.

There are direct flights from Johannesburg/Nairobi/Dubai to Lusaka, which is approximately a three-and-a-half-hour drive away. Flights per seat are also available to the Chunga Airstrip (40 minutes away) from Livingstone, Lusaka and other parts of the Kafue.

The drive from Lusaka to Ila Safari Lodge is approximately 3.5 hours.

The Chunga Airstrip is a 40-minute drive away from Ila. Chisa Busanga Camp, one of our other gorgeous properties hidden in the Busanga Plains is a 5-hour drive through the National Park from Ila Safari Lodge.

This is a Malaria area and Ila Safari Lodge takes every precaution to ensure guests are not bitten by mosquitoes. We employ regularly maintained, amply sized and custom made mosquito nets, fans and supply repellent. Our guests are advised to cover their arms and legs as much as possible and certainly early in the mornings and late in the afternoons.

Please consult your health care professional regarding prophylactics for malaria at least 6 weeks before your trip or as early as possible.

The highs fluctuate between 25°C and 35°C throughout the year and the lows between 2°C and 5°C.

During summer: The months from August – April are warm (high 20°C’s) with temperatures reaching their upper limit for the area during October (around 35°C).

The rainy season: Zambia is prone to short, spectacular thunderstorms (usually late in the afternoon) and our rainy season generally starts towards the end of November/December and continues until around mid – March, but this does vary from year to year. Temperatures are still warm.

An African winter: May – July and into August. Winter is typically cool at night and in the mornings although you can expect it to be lovely and warm during the day. In winter months it is advised that you do bring warm clothes especially for the mornings and evenings.

Accommodation and main building have ramp access and game drives can take place from the lodge where the client is made comfortable in the front of the vehicle so no steps or ramp is required. Family tents have ramp access and open showers/toilets. Shower chairs are also available. Boat access only if the client is carried by our willing staff.

Master and VISA only.

Visas are required for most passports. If you are interested in also visiting Zimbabwe or Botswana, we would suggest you research the Kaza visa before you land. Most visas can be purchased at the airport or border – please confirm with your embassy whether it is advisable for you to apply for a visa before departure.

Many of our staff members are 1st Aid trained. Please ensure your medical insurance is up to date – should serious medical attention be required Speciality Emergency Services will attend to guests. For Covid-19 specific information please head to our Covid-19 information page.

Your luggage allowance will most likely be determined by the smallest carrier on your route. Please be aware that many charter flights (small planes) will only allow 12 kg per person. Luggage allowance on International flights (from Johannesburg for instance) will be anything between 20 and 30 kg on Economy tickets.

Four of Africa’s Big 5 are found in Kafue (rhino is absent), with large numbers of buffalo and elephant seen near the Kafue River that has plenty of hippo and crocodile. Africa’s highest population of wild dog find refuge in Kafue as does another endangered predator species, the cheetah.

WiFi is available in the main lodge areas.

Of course! Speak to our team for any requsts for private experiences and they will be more than happy to arrange something magical.

Guests consistently recommend a minimum 3-night stay, but if you live closer to home we do have a number of people coming from Lusaka for the weekend.

You can generally find Airtel and MTN signal.