Dining at Baines’ River Camp offers more than just a meal, it is a culinary experience set against one of the most breathtaking backdrops. Despite the camp’s remote location, our chefs and Food & Beverage team continually strive to deliver the highest quality dining, carefully balancing sustainability, community support, and fresh ingredients sourced from local and reputable providers.
Baines’ River Camp’s remote location means that certain ingredients, such as avocados and other produce, are only available seasonally. We embrace this seasonality, tailoring our menus to make the best use of what is fresh and available. Although logistical constraints sometimes limit access to year-round ingredients, our kitchen team is skilled at adapting and creating meals that reflect the seasons while still maintaining high standards of quality.
First Class Luxury and Service in a Remote Zambian River Setting - Luxury camp in a beautiful setting on the Lower Zambezi River, Zambia. The huge "chalets" were on par with any Four Season's Hotel with respect to bed linens, furniture,... read more heavy black-out draperies, indoor and outdoor shower, complimentary cookies in the coffee station, large dressing area and thoughtful lighting. Personal guards accompanied us to the main lodge in the early morning game drives to ensure security from wild animals and the tour guides were excellent. Victor, the chef, provided excellent and varied meals and the entire staff seemed genuinely interested in providing every whim. I highly recommend this once in a lifetime destination.
What a five star experience ! - I loved every minute of my stay here.
The chalets were beautifully furnished and so comfortable with stunning views of the Zambezi. The dining area had wonderful views too... read more . It was really special that the wildlife were free to roam the grounds at night . One night it was an elephant outside my bedroom window snacking on the Tamarind tree . The next night it was a hippo grazing in front of the verandah.
The morning safaris and night drives were made so special by the expertise of our guides Weston and Moses. Not only were they incredibly knowledgeable and skilled at spotting wildlife ( We saw so much including a leopard most nights, lions including cubs ,packs of African wild dogs,porcupines and so many elephants) but Weston and Moses were also so friendly . It was especially interesting talking to them about growing up in a village nearby. The morning safaris start with a boat ride up the Zambezi into the sunrise and one of the highlights of the night drive was stopping for the sundowner drink - always somewhere with a beautiful view.
Baines care so much about all of their guests. I was a solo traveller but they looked after me so well . A couple of times I was the only one on the boat trip/ night drive .
The food was superb. Compliments to Victor the wonderful chef. A special memory was the night dinner was laid out al fresco under the beautiful African sky. Whilst we were eating an elephant strolled by !
All of the staff were so friendly and welcoming ,as were the other guests.
The only disappointment for me was that there seemed to be no women from the local community employed in any capacity. It would be great to see Baines become more of an equal opportunity employer.
Thank you all for a truly wonderful stay.
An amazing stay in an amazing lodge in an amazing location. - Single most beautiful place I have ever been to. To experience game viewing in National Park with next to no vehicle traffic was utterly exceptional. The combination of Tiger Fishing... read more with the exceptional quality of the game viewing is truly a unique opportunity to tick 2 boxes on my bucket list.
An absolute must for anyone interested in Safari, especially for anyone who has been to commercial destinations like Kruger or Serengeti as the comparison in between the commercial self-drive safari and a guided, tour through near a near untouched destination is like night and day.
Lastly, I cannot complete a review of Baines' without a major shoutout to the kitchen staff. The food was beyond exceptional and when faced with the logistical challenges of a Zambia in drought in combination with the ongoing power struggles throughout the country, being able to table 3 incredible meals a day deserves some major recognition.
Simply the Best!! - I’ve been lucky enough to stay in some pretty amazing spots around the world, and this place is definitely up there with the best of them!
Zena and Stephan... read more lead an incredible team at Baines, with David rocking it as the F&B manager, and Lennard blowing us away with his game ranger expertise. The fishing guides—Luke, Peter, Moses, and more—were top-notch, and their river knowledge made catching those Tigers a blast!
The rooms were spacious and had everything you could need, and the daily laundry? That was a real bonus!
And the food—wow! I still can’t wrap my head around how they whip up such great meals when they only shop once a week. The bush dinner was just the cherry on top.
Thanks, Team Baines! Can’t wait to come back!"
"Pinch Yourself" Good - What a marvelous experience in such an exquisite setting! Enjoying a sunset G&T while watching the majestic Zambezi River meander past, and reflecting on the day's game drive sightings and... read more Tiger fish records—it's almost surreal. Sometimes you have to pinch yourself to believe it's really happening. The hosting team is truly dedicated, ensuring that every moment is unforgettable. Great food, great service, cold beers, jaw-dropping game drives and record Tiger Fish. Seriously? what else does one need?
One of the best trips of my life! - Incredible Stay at Baines River Camp!
Our stay at Baines River Camp was nothing short of remarkable. The activities were incredible—whether it was game viewing or simply soaking in... read more the beauty of the Lower Zambezi, every moment was unforgettable. The fishing experience was particularly outstanding, with plentiful catches and knowledgeable guides to make it all the more enjoyable.
The food, however, was on another level. Victor, the camp’s chef, has an unbelievable talent. Every meal was beyond delightful, with fresh ingredients and creative dishes that made dining a highlight of our trip. It's hard to believe you're in the wilderness with food this exceptional!
The camp managers, Stephan and Zena, truly made the experience seamless. Their warm hospitality and attention to detail ensured that everything ran smoothly. We felt completely at home from the moment we arrived.
We can't recommend Baines River Camp highly enough—it’s the perfect blend of adventure, luxury, and genuine care.
I want to go back !! - Truly unforgettable experience. So much to do and to learn from this amazing part of the world and the incredible camp and guides. While fishing for tiger you laugh with... read more the hippo's, stare warily at the crocs, admire the elephants and are silenced by the cry of the fish eagles. From the game walks, I have renewed respect for mother nature after learning so much about the circle of life and resting under ancient Baobab's. Termites are my new favourite animal ! Eating under the stars or on the banks of the mighty Zambezi river, and watching the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises imaginable are only a few of the memories that left me wanting to come back for more, and more !! Thank you BAINES.
Lovely lodge, great experience - Baines River Camp is a lovely lodge in a beautiful Riverside setting with spacious and very comfortable rooms in colonial style.
The activities, with a morning boat ride... read more into the N.P. work really well.
Food is good quality and plenty of it.
Above all, all the staff, guides and management are tremendous and couldn't be more helpful.
All in all a great place for a stay. Highly recommended.
Sign up to receive news and updates from us.
Contact Linda Fisher
Tel: +(27) 33 342 7498
Whatsapp: +27 (0)82 806 4074
Baines’ River Camp | All Rights Reserved 2025 | Privacy Policy
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