Named after the famed 19th-century explorer and artist, Thomas Baines, the lodge embraces the spirit of exploration and luxury in the African wilderness.
Baines’ River Camp is an exclusive safari lodge nestled on the banks of the Zambezi River in Zambia’s breathtaking Lower Zambezi Valley. Offering a unique blend of adventure and relaxation, Baines’ invites guests to immerse themselves in unforgettable experiences, from thrilling game drives and walking safaris to world-class tiger fishing and river cruises. Named in honour of the renowned 19th-century explorer and artist, Thomas Baines, the lodge embraces the spirit of exploration and luxury in the African wilderness.
Each suite is designed for maximum comfort, featuring breathtaking river views that offer the perfect retreat after a day of exploration. Whether it’s for a wildlife safari, fishing excursion, or a serene escape in nature, Baines’ River Camp is the perfect destination for travellers seeking an authentic and luxurious African experience.
At Baines’ River Camp, we value authenticity, personalised service, and sustainability. We are committed to delivering exceptional experiences that connect our guests with the beauty of the African wilderness, while preserving the natural environment and uplifting the local community. Integrity, respect for nature, and a deep passion for wildlife conservation are at the heart of everything we do.
Tim “Bwana” Featherby was more than a man; he was a visionary whose legacy stands as a testament to his indomitable spirit and tireless dedication. Known to many as “Bwana”, a term of deep respect in the African wilderness, Tim was the driving force behind the creation of Baines’ River Camp – a piece of land that, under his stewardship, was transformed into a sanctuary of luxury and tranquillity on the banks of the lower Zambezi.
Craig and Di Featherby are the passionate and committed owners of Baines’ River Camp, where they continue a proud family legacy of excellence. The camp, originally envisioned and established by Craig’s father, Tim “Bwana” Featherby, has flourished under their stewardship, with Craig and Di building upon its foundation to deliver an unparalleled safari experience. Together, they have crafted a distinctive blend of luxury, adventure, and environmental stewardship, ensuring that each guest at Baines’ River Camp experiences the beauty of the Lower Zambezi in a meaningful and unforgettable way. Their dedication to conservation and their deep love for the African wilderness is reflected in every aspect of the camp, making it a truly remarkable destination.
Camp Managers (Front-centre & Front-right)
Food and Beverage Manager (Back-left)
Maintenance Manager (Back-right)
Head Guide (Front-left)
Leonard Kalio brings over 30 years of guiding experience and an unmatched knowledge of the Lower Zambezi region, where he was born and raised. As the former head of the Lower Zambezi Guides Association, Leonard has been instrumental in setting the gold standard for guiding in the area, with all lodges now holding their guides to the standards he has defined. Leonard offers insights that go beyond the ordinary, from the smallest details of animal behaviour to the broader ecosystem. As the first qualified walking safari guide in the region, Leonard provides guests with an immersive, off-the-beaten-path adventure that is as rare as it is unforgettable. His dedication to both conservation and guest satisfaction makes him an invaluable asset to Baines’ River Camp, and a favourite among all who have the pleasure of exploring the Zambezi wilderness with him.
Chief Operations Officer
Scott Brown, as a 22-year-old, was part of the initial team who constructed the lodge. Today, he is the Chief Operations Officer at Baines’ River Camp. With years of experience as a professional hunter and guide across Southern Africa, Scott has developed an intimate understanding of the region’s ecosystems and a dedication to preserving its natural beauty. His journey from guiding guests to overseeing operations has equipped him with the expertise needed to manage the complex logistics of a luxury safari lodge.
Scott’s hands-on leadership is vital to the smooth operations of Baines’ River Camp. From guest services to conservation efforts, his comprehensive knowledge of safari logistics underpins the camp’s success. Under Scott’s direction, Baines’ River Camp continues its journey towards becoming the premier destination in the Lower Zambezi, delivering an exceptional blend of adventure, luxury, and sustainability.
Head of Reservations
Brilliant game viewings and so much more - the complete safari/Africa experience - I would highly recommend Baines River Camp for a complete safari experience including fantastic game drives, canoe trips, island sundowners and exciting boat trips to the national park where you... read more have the chance to see the animals in a way we had never done before.
The camp is extremely well managed with Zena, Stefan and David at the helm. Their attention to detail was extremely impressive, as was their 'can-do' attitude. Nothing was too much trouble and they did everything in their power to fill every waking moment with great experiences . having said that we also had time to chill by the beautiful pool and do some exercise (mats and weights gratefully provided by the Lodge)
The food and wine were excellent and the location is very special.
The game viewing was fantastic and we were extremely lucky to have Jimmy and Peter who made up the 'dream team'. Both were extremely knowledgeable, had first-class interpersonal and communication skills, a 'sense' of where the best game was and were very funny and great company throughout.
All the other staff were also excellent and I would like to mention Granpa Leonard, Felix, Andrew, Emmanuel and Gift but could go on ..
The rooms are extremely comfortable with everything imaginable provided.
Second time back! - When I think of Lower Zambezi, I think Baines' River Camp. What a beautiful place with amazing staff; and the food.. exquisite! I was there for my birthday and they... read more put on the most wonderful surprise. I would definitely go back over and over again- pure luxury and professionalism. See you next time Baines'!
Always the best stay in Lower Zambezi! - Baines River Camp never fails to give the most luxurious and friendly experience of the Lower Zambezi!
All the staff and Management there go above and beyond to make... read more your experience memorable, always friendly and approachable!
No better way to enjoy the beautiful Lower Zambezi than with Baines.
An Unforgettable and Truly Magical Stay - We spent six wonderful nights at Baines River Camp as part of our honeymoon, and it was honestly the best place we have stayed throughout all our travels.
The... read more camp is in the most beautiful setting on the Zambezi, with spacious, comfortable rooms and every detail thoughtfully taken care of. The food was consistently excellent, and the entire team made us feel genuinely welcome and incredibly well looked after. Their warmth, kindness, the cleanliness and personal attention made the experience even more special. The location was just magical.
The activities were exceptional. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, and every experience felt personal rather than rushed. One of our most meaningful moments was visiting the local village, where we were able to deliver care parcels and sweets for the children. Our walking safari was another unforgettable highlight.
Our final day could not have been more magical, ending with the most amazing bush dinner beneath the African sky. It was the perfect ending to a truly extraordinary stay.
Amazing experience!!! I would definetly return - Amazing experience in Lower Zambezi Baine’s River acamp is a great place to stay they had the greatest safaris for the real adventure people, also we did a... read more boat ride safari and some fishing they had a night ride that is amazing to experience the animals and the forest at night they had staff was amazing very friendly and kind This place is so clean and peacefull the rooms are 10/10 If you really want to experience animals, landsacape and real Africa you have to come here . Pd: special greeting to Jacob, Rafael and Gib great guides!
Beautiful Camp on the Zambezi - The Baines River Camp is situated along the Zambezi River with amazing views of the flowing waterway, floating hyacinth, and lazy hippos. The lodge and cabins are top notch. The... read more bedrooms are incredibly comfortable and we especially enjoyed the outdoor showers. The staff is always attentive and met all of our needs. The food was delicious for every meal, we never felt hungry, and the drinks from the bar were amazing. We had an opportunity to visit one of the islands in the river to watch the sun set and enjoy a gin and tonic with a few snacks. Each day you'll have an option to go on a game drive or go canoeing. The guides were all extremely knowledgeable and were able to take us to see everything that we could possibly want to see. Luke and Moses were especially outstanding as guides go. One note: the camp is located about an hour boat ride outside of the National Park. If the opportunity presents itself, don't pass up on a chance to spend a full day in the park. It takes a bit of coordination but the ability to stay out all day was awesome. We got to sit and have lunch in a forest, surrounded by all manner of wildlife, and enjoyed some wonderful conversation. That memory will stick with me for a lifetime.
A whole lifetime of desire fulfilled in just 3 days! - The safari guide, Jakob, is a wealth of knowledge. He basically knows nothing about the animals, insects, plants & trees, traditional yard such as teas & medicines, etc. Really amazing.... read more Both he and “Gibs” gave excellent guidance & information and took great care of us. The camp staff also met every need. Great experience that makes us want to return soon and often!
Wonderful stay on the Lower Zambezi - My husband and I stayed here for 4 nights in June. The managers Zena, Stephan, and David were very welcoming and took care to make our visit... read more special. Our cabin was extremely comfortable and thoughtfully laid out. The food provided by chef Frances was Wonderful! Our guides for water and land safaris- Peter and Jimmy- were very knowlegable. Our last night was very special with an offsite BBQ under the stars. This place goes the extra mile for its guests!
Brilliant game viewings and so much more - the complete safari/Africa experience - I would highly recommend Baines River Camp for a complete safari experience including fantastic game drives, canoe trips, island sundowners and exciting boat trips to the national park where you... read more have the chance to see the animals in a way we had never done before.
The camp is extremely well managed with Zena, Stefan and David at the helm. Their attention to detail was extremely impressive, as was their 'can-do' attitude. Nothing was too much trouble and they did everything in their power to fill every waking moment with great experiences . having said that we also had time to chill by the beautiful pool and do some exercise (mats and weights gratefully provided by the Lodge)
The food and wine were excellent and the location is very special.
The game viewing was fantastic and we were extremely lucky to have Jimmy and Peter who made up the 'dream team'. Both were extremely knowledgeable, had first-class interpersonal and communication skills, a 'sense' of where the best game was and were very funny and great company throughout.
All the other staff were also excellent and I would like to mention Granpa Leonard, Felix, Andrew, Emmanuel and Gift but could go on ..
The rooms are extremely comfortable with everything imaginable provided.
Second time back! - When I think of Lower Zambezi, I think Baines' River Camp. What a beautiful place with amazing staff; and the food.. exquisite! I was there for my birthday and they... read more put on the most wonderful surprise. I would definitely go back over and over again- pure luxury and professionalism. See you next time Baines'!
Always the best stay in Lower Zambezi! - Baines River Camp never fails to give the most luxurious and friendly experience of the Lower Zambezi!
All the staff and Management there go above and beyond to make... read more your experience memorable, always friendly and approachable!
No better way to enjoy the beautiful Lower Zambezi than with Baines.
An Unforgettable and Truly Magical Stay - We spent six wonderful nights at Baines River Camp as part of our honeymoon, and it was honestly the best place we have stayed throughout all our travels.
The... read more camp is in the most beautiful setting on the Zambezi, with spacious, comfortable rooms and every detail thoughtfully taken care of. The food was consistently excellent, and the entire team made us feel genuinely welcome and incredibly well looked after. Their warmth, kindness, the cleanliness and personal attention made the experience even more special. The location was just magical.
The activities were exceptional. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, and every experience felt personal rather than rushed. One of our most meaningful moments was visiting the local village, where we were able to deliver care parcels and sweets for the children. Our walking safari was another unforgettable highlight.
Our final day could not have been more magical, ending with the most amazing bush dinner beneath the African sky. It was the perfect ending to a truly extraordinary stay.
Amazing experience!!! I would definetly return - Amazing experience in Lower Zambezi Baine’s River acamp is a great place to stay they had the greatest safaris for the real adventure people, also we did a... read more boat ride safari and some fishing they had a night ride that is amazing to experience the animals and the forest at night they had staff was amazing very friendly and kind This place is so clean and peacefull the rooms are 10/10 If you really want to experience animals, landsacape and real Africa you have to come here . Pd: special greeting to Jacob, Rafael and Gib great guides!
Tel: +27 (0)33 342 7498
Whatsapp: +27 (0)82 806 4074
1 March – 30 November
1 Mar – 30 June & 1 – 30 November
1 July – 31 October