An unforgettable family experience at Baines’ - Our family spent five nights at Baines’ River Camp, and it’s safe to say it was the best family holiday we’ve ever had.

From the moment we arrived, the... read more staff made us feel incredibly welcome. What stood out immediately, and remained consistent throughout our stay, was the level of service. We genuinely never had to lift a finger. Whether it was a drink, a meal, or anything else we needed, it was taken care of seamlessly and often before we even had to ask.

The rooms were immaculate, always clean, perfectly maintained, with air conditioning that worked flawlessly (a must in that climate). Laundry was handled daily without any fuss, and it was the small details that really elevated the experience. Everything just worked, effortlessly.

The setting itself is breathtaking. Walking through the lodge and being greeted by the view of the mighty Zambezi River is something you never quite get used to, it’s special every single time.

We made the most of the activities on offer, including guided walks, tiger fishing, and game drives. The guides were exceptional—knowledgeable, passionate, and genuinely excited about every sighting. Their enthusiasm was infectious and added so much to each experience.

That said, what truly made this trip unforgettable was the people. From the guides to the chefs, front-of-house team, and the bar staff—every single person played a role in making our stay special. Their warmth, attention to detail, and pride in what they do shine through in everything.

If you’re looking for a place where everything is done right, where you can completely switch off, and where the experience goes beyond just the setting, this is it.

We’ll be talking about this trip for years to come

  "Legendary" does not do it justice — a once-in-a-lifetime experience on the Zambezi - Our family of sixteen recently spent five extraordinary days at Baines River Camp (13-18 April 2026), and I am not exaggerating when I say it has set a new benchmark... read more for everything we believed world-class hospitality could be.

From the moment we arrived on the banks of the Zambezi, we knew we were in for something special. The setting is breathtaking: raw, beautiful African wilderness framed by one of the great rivers on earth. But what truly elevates Baines River Camp above every other lodge we have ever visited is not the scenery. It is the people.

The guiding team are simply outstanding. Leonard, Jimmy, Luke, Rafael, Peter, Jacob and Gibbs each brought extraordinary passion, knowledge and warmth to every single outing. Leonard in particular drew repeated praise from across our group for his exceptional understanding of the bush and the wildlife. Every game drive felt like a personal, carefully crafted adventure.

We spotted lions on our final drive, saw leopard, and witnessed scenes of wild Africa that we will carry with us for the rest of our lives. The guided canoe safari, the fishing, the visit to the anti-poaching unit, the bush walks and the dinners under the stars each delivered well beyond expectation. The guides made every one of these moments feel intimate and special.

David and Victor in the kitchen produced food that honestly belongs in a different category entirely. Guest after guest in our group independently described it as the best food they had ever tasted in a safari setting, and for good reason. The meals were consistently exceptional, beautifully presented and clearly made with real pride and craft. The bush dinner was one of the most memorable meals any of us have ever had.

Zena manages the camp with warmth, grace and extraordinary attention to detail, and made every single one of us feel genuinely welcomed and cared for. The small things she oversees speak to a standard of hospitality that is becoming increasingly rare: the folded towels, the mosquito spray always in exactly the right place, the thoughtful little surprises that kept catching us off guard in the best possible way.

Stephan, Riaan, Andy, the wait staff and the entire support team all contributed to an experience that felt seamless, thoughtful and completely personal from first to last. Not one member of this team was anything less than exceptional.

We completed sixteen feedback cards between us. Every single one awarded Excellent across every category: service, food, activities, lodge staff, accommodation and overall stay. Every single guest said they would recommend Baines to a friend. Every single guest said they would return. That kind of unanimity does not happen by accident. It is the result of a team that genuinely cares, that works together brilliantly, and that has built a culture of excellence that shows in absolutely everything they do.

When we asked what could have been done to improve our stay, the overwhelming response was simply: "Make it longer." That is the highest compliment a guest can give.

Baines River Camp is not just a beautiful lodge. It is a place where time slows down, where families come together, and where memories are made that last a lifetime. If you are considering it, stop considering and book. You will not regret a single moment.

To the entire Baines team: you should be extraordinarily proud of what you have created together. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

  Luxury on the banks of the Zambezi - I would highly rate this camp for their luxurious rooms, wonderful open deck area and committed staff. You won’t be disappointed

  Something Special - What a fantastic River Camp. We were blessed to be able to spend 2 nights at this exceptional and special place perched on the banks of the mighty Zambezi. Thanks... read more to all, and especially David, who made our stay that much more enjoyable.

  Excellent safari experience - Wonderful experience. Rapha and Weston were fabulous guides and we saw a lot of wildlife and learnt a lot. The lodge is beautifully done and food plentiful and good. We... read more drove off road there from Lusaka (4WD and local knowledge essential) and actually saw a male lion on the way into the park which just set the tone for the whole experience of being a long way from the city! It was my husband's birthday during our stay and David and the team went to town decorating the dining room, supplying a lovely cake and the staff singing Happy Birthday was beautiful, thank you! It was chillier than we anticipated in the early mornings and whilst they supply nice woolly blankets for the boat I would recommend plenty of layers and a warm hat too.

  A safari to remember and treasure.  - The service at Baines River Camp was second to none. A personal service that made us feel special. We stayed for 3 nights. From the moment we arrived we were... read more given activities and it didn't stop until we left.
We went on 3 drives in the National Park. Just my wife and I with a spotter and driver. They did everything they could to find the animals we wished to see. On the last day we managed to get close to a Leopard as well as seeing Hunting Dogs eat a kill. Jimmy and Gibs were very knowledgeable; they were brilliant. We also had 2 night drives and a fishing expedition. The sun downers were great!
Every morning we left the camp early by speed boat to reach the National Park. It was exhilarating, passing many Hippos and Crocodiles on the way. On the return journey we also saw Elephant and Cape Buffalo.
Every time we returned to camp Stephan, Zena and David were there to greet us.
The accommodation was spotless and the food delicious.
We travelled to the camp by plane, 12 seater, and were met by our driver.
I only have positives for the place, no negatives.

  Could not have been better  - Really amazing experience with excellent service from start to finish. The guides were so knowledgeable and friendly with the added bonus of sunrise and sunset boat trips to and from... read more the park. Lovely food (plenty of veggie options) and very comfortable lodges completed this fabulous stay. Would highly recommend.

  Luxury overlooking the mighty Zambezi River!! - We stayed 3 nights at Baines' River Camp - what a beautiful lodge overlooking the amazing and mighty Zambezi River. The flight in was just fantastic - beautiful... read more scenery and fun spotting hippos and elephants from the air. From the moment we were met at Royal airstrip and greeted at the Lodge, we felt welcome and knew we would thoroughly enjoy our stay here. Our cottage was just stunning - overlooking the river, very large, luxurious, comfortable, clean quiet and extremely well appointed. The main lodge had lovely lounge and bar areas, a beautiful pool area, fire pit etc. All overlooking the river. We felt so relaxed here. Apart from several lovely encounters with elephants and lots of hippo sightings we saw no other significant wildlife here - no cats, no wild dogs. What we did enjoy were the nightly river cruises for our sundowner drinks - so beautiful and relaxing. We really enjoyed the sunrise boat rides into the Lower Zambezi National Park where vehicles would be waiting for us to take us for our morning drives and walks. The guides were fabulous - sharing their knowledge of their amazing country. The food deserves special mention - without exception, we enjoyed all meals here - bravo chefs - all delicious, fresh and beautifully presented. Fantastic wine also. We were held 'hostage' in our cottage one afternoon with a hippo just outside! Special mention to David at the lodge and guide Raphael - you made our stay most enjoyable.