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Ila Safari Lodge

Central Kafue, Zambia - Part of the Green Safaris collection

Home > Accommodation > Zambia > Kafue National Park > Ila Safari Lodge

Ila Safari Lodge

Part of the Green Safaris collection

PROPERTY FACILITIES

Pool

Wi-Fi

Disabled Access

Library

Eco-Friendly

AVAILABLE SERVICES

Laundry Service

Airstrip Transfer

COMFORT LEVEL/PRICE RANGE

Affordable

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Is the Ila Safari Lodge for Me?

The lodge is re-opening in March 2024.

Ila Safari Lodge is located on the banks of the Kafue River in an area of abundant wildlife and boasts 180 degree views out across the water.

From environmentally friendly, locally sourced building materials and solar-powered electricity to development of Zambia’s first electric game drive vehicle, Ila is a truly environmentally conscious safari experience.

There are 10 Luxury Safari Tents that are individually designed to mesh with their wild surrounds and open to sweeping views of the Kafue River. Families can also enjoy a private space of Kafue wilderness with a stay in the larger suites.

Ila Safari Lodge Photo Gallery

Ila Safari Lodge Rooms

The Ila Safari Lodge has 6 rooms. Select a room for more details.

Luxury Tent

Luxury Family Tent

Luxury Tent With Bath On Deck

Room facilities

Coffee/Tea

En-Suite

Safe

Gowns

Mosquito Net

Outside Shower

Lounge Area

Balcony

Fan

Pure Cotton Linen

Activities offered by Ila Safari Lodge

Activities on site

Night Game Drives

Game Drives

Walking Safaris

Bird Watching

Fishing

Activities off site

Boat Cruise

Cultural Tour

Ila Safari Lodge Restaurants

Ila Boma

The dining area at Ila Safari Lodge is set in the U-shaped boma on the edge of the Kafue River offering guests a beautiful view at Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

We serve flexible meals that revolve around activities and we serve primarily international fusion food with a local influence. A typical day will be as follows:

Kindly note times differ seasonally but this will be communicated to you on arrival.

Early Morning:

Wake to the gentle sounds of our night porter calling “knockie, knockie”. He would have delivered a flask of hot water to the rear of your tent in case you would like to take a moment and enjoy a hot beverage on your deck amidst the wakening calls of the birds. You will then be collected by your guide and escorted to the main building.

Here you will enjoy a sumptuous continental breakfast around a fire where fresh toast is prepared on the coals and a pot of porridge bubbles away. Shortly afterwards you will set off on your game drive or walking safari (available May to November).

For those of you enjoying a later activity a full African breakfast will be available in the main restaurant until 10h00.

The Lazy Midday Hours:

After returning from your adventure in the wilderness you will have a chance to freshen up after which a brunch/lunch will be served from around 11h30 until 14h00.

For those of you who don’t want to waste a moment please feel free to arrange a stroll around our green facilities or an energetic walk to the road with your guide. If you are booked on an all-inclusive basis you are welcome to book the boat for a midday boating safari or even try your hand at a bit of fishing.

For those who which to soak up the peace and tranquility either relax on your tent deck or join us in the main area for a swim or a catch up with friends and family over wifi.

At 15h30 an afternoon tea will be served to replenish your energy levels before starting off on your afternoon activity.

After dark:

Dinner is served in the main restaurant from 19h30 until 21h00. Dine by romantic candle light high above the river and listen to the night sounds while being spoilt by splendid cuisine proudly prepared by our team of chef.

Please feel free to invite either your guide or any member of the management team to join you if you wish to swop tales of your adventures and life away from the bush.

Retire to the crackling fireplace under the stars in the bar area for a night cap and feel yourself relax and unwind after a thrilling day in the African bushveld.

CHEFS
Our chefs are locally born and all have had many years experience living and working remotely. Morris heads up the kitchen and is a star chef.

DIETARIES
We cater for all dietary requirements including limited Halaal.

Ila Safari Lodge Videos

More about Ila Safari Lodge

Game Drives

Alongside our 3 game viewers we are the proud owners of Zambia’s very first ‘Electronic Landrover’ (eLandy). This vehicle allows you to experience all the sights and sounds of the bush in near silence and with a sense of environmental care. The eLandy is kept close to camp and operates in the Game Management Area for short drives or the relatively common ‘dinner table dash’ to investigate what that sound in the night was or how close those lion calls are!

Our eLandy aside we have three top of the range game viewers which reside on the park side of the river. It’s a quick float in a boat over to them which is always a nice way to start the morning!

Our guides are all masters of their craft, spend a morning or afternoon exploring the park with them and see what you can find. Regular sightings include lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, a wide range of antelopes including roan, sable and zebra, hippo, crocodile, warthog, genet, jackal, mongoose, every entertaining baboons and monkeys and a myriad of species of bird. Our rarer species are also on the cards including wild dog, cheetah, honey badger, civet, serval, bushpig, porcupine and bushbaby.

Boat Cruises

Had enough of the African massage?! Take a smooth and serene boat cruise either at dawn or for sunset on one of our boats. Staying on theme 1 of our boats are solar powered.

There is nothing quite like quietly drifting down the mighty Kafue river taking in the sights and sounds of the river with a breeze in your hair! Spend a relaxing few hours following the river bank to see what is living on the water or coming down to drink. Sunset from the water is particularly beautiful!

Walking Safaris

Want to be a bit more active?! Head out on a walking safari with one of our specialist walking guides and an armed Zambian Wildlife officer. Using footprints and spoor track game using your own two feet as power. Get up close and personal to nature and appreciate the smaller things that you may miss from a vehicle.

Fishing

Set out on the river with rod, tackle and one of our fishing guides to show you all the best spots. For experienced fishermen we can target specific species or if you just want to try your hand see if you can land a big bream. We have basic equipment available on site but recommend professional fishermen bring their gear.

Ila Community Farm

This project is situated at the Nalusanga Gate, the entrance to the Kafue National Park. The aim is to assist the community to grow a greater variety of fresh produce for their own consumption and for selling at the local market. Lodge owners and other travellers in the area will be able to purchase these products as they enter the park.