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Puku Ridge Camp, named after the Puku antelope that graze the floodplains in its view, is perched on a ridge in a remote part of the South Luangwa National Park at one of its most beautiful locations. The camp was rebuilt completely in 2019 in an African canvas/chic style that blends in completely with its gorgeous environment. This is a luxury camp with every comfort yet is intimate and friendly with just eight tents, offering the authentic safari experience that many people long for.
The Park is abundant with elephants, giraffes, leopards, lions, wild dogs, buffalos, zebras and various antelope species – many of which will be easily spotted as you lounge on your balcony or eat dinner. This stunning area can also be explored on foot with park rangers and tracking guides, and at night offering a chance to see some of the more elusive animals, such as leopards, genets, and honey badgers. Sunset is a perfect time to enjoy a cocktail in the bush, or on the banks of the Luangwa River in the company of one of Africa's largest hippo populations.
Puku Ridge Camp
Virtual Tour of Puku Ridge, South Luangwa National Park
Puku Ridge Rooms
8 identical rooms comprising of canvas, thatch and decking all overlooking the beautiful Puku Ridge floodplain and its seemingly endless parade of wildlife.
All rooms have super-king beds draped in mosquito nets that can be separated into generous 3/4 single beds, lounge area, tea/coffee/minibar, air conditioning, overhead fans, bath, his & hers washbasins, his & hers wardrobes, indoor & outdoor shower, plunge pool, sweeping, curved decks and star/day bed tower.
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Private Vehicle Available, Restaurant
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath, Dressing Gowns, En-Suite, Fan, Hair Dryer, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Mosquito Nets, Outside Shower, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower
Services
Credit Card
Lions and leopards are often seen in the area around the camp, as are buffalo, giraffe, zebra and elephant. For big game like this, guests really need a vehicle to get up close and here in the South Luangwa, travellers have the privilege of going on game drives at night. Guests are always amazed how much can be seen when they go down to the river for sundowner cocktails before leisurely driving back to camp. Bush babies in the trees stand out with their enormous eyes, puku and impala scarcely notice as vehicles pass by. Guests often see hyena and leopard in the early evenings and are able to get very close in Puku Ridges' specially designed 4 x 4 vehicles. On the open plains below the camp there are always grazing herds of antelope and of course they attract the predators that every guest wants to see.
Also available are night drives which employ Chiawa Safaris' unique, award-nominated spotlight protocol, where a red filtered spotlight is used to find and watch the nocturnal action, and a diffuse filtered spotlight is used to help with the photography, ensuring that night drives are low impact on the wildlife which rewards our guests with more natural behavior and better wildlife sightings.
Walking is the best way to see the bush around Puku Ridge Camp. The South Luangwa is home of the walking safari and it remains the best way to experience the sights and sounds of the bush. Puku Ridge's experienced guides love showing guests the indicators of the wild, 'rewinding' the action of the last few hours from just a few small give away signs. See where an elephant stopped to browse, where a leopard scratched a tree or a pangolin rolled into a ball. Accompanied by an armed game scout and taking careful note of the wind to mask any scent. There's nothing like seeing lion tracks or the giant footprint of an elephant to make guests relish the comforts of camp. The area is home to 60 mammals and over 400 bird species, making it one of the top birding destinations in the world.
Puku Ridge Dining
Although not yet operational for even a season Puku Ridge has quickly earned its reputation for some of the best dining in the entire South Luangwa, if not in Zambia. Some guests have remarked that the meals are better than they have received in Michelin starred restaurants ...
