Lodge
Puku Ridge Camp
About the lodge
An overview of Puku Ridge Camp.
Puku Ridge Camp nestles in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park which boasts an extraordinary number of diverse ecosystems and is well-known for incredible walking safaris. On the edge of an escarpment, is the luxurious and secluded Puku Ridge Camp, named after the puku antelope that graze in the fertile floodplain in front of the camp.
Highlights
- Romantic nights under the stars in a private star bed tower
- Guided walking safaris through the wildlife-rich South Luangwa
- Ideal for solo explorers, couples, and families looking for an authentic tented safari getaway.
The Detail
There is a sense of timelessness and being at one with the world at the intimate Puku, where impeccable service and comfortable luxury combine in a pristine wilderness to assure guests of an unforgettable safari experience.
Puku Ridge Camp boasts seven safari tents with king-size or twin beds, an en-suite bathroom with a bathtub, indoor and outdoor showers, mosquito netting, luxury bathroom amenities, a hairdryer, fans, and private decks that overlook the game-rich floodplains.
The camp facilities include a lounge, bar, dining area, and boma.
There are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species in South Luangwa National Park. The only notable exception to the Big Five is the rhino, sadly poached to extinction. The park is renowned for its large elephant herds and huge pods of hippos. Endemic species such as Thornicroft’s giraffe and Cookson’s wildebeest are frequently sighted, as are leopards.
The region is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with about 400 of Zambia’s 732 bird species, including 39 birds of prey and 47 migratory species.
Knowledgeable guides lead twice-daily game drives and night drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles. Night drives offer the opportunity to spot rarely seen nocturnal creatures such as porcupines and bush babies. It’s also when lions and leopards are often actively hunting their prey.
Walking safaris are led by a professional guide and an armed national parks scout. On foot, guests not only get up close to big game but also discover the fascinating, often-overlooked smaller creatures.
Price Includes
Return transfers from Mfuwe Airport to Puku Ridge Camp, all meals (private dining available), beverages, house wines, local spirits, and laundry. Professionally guided safari activities include day and night game drives and bush walks.
The same as booking direct
Rates and pricing.
Per person sharing, per night. Final pricing depends on dates, room category and party size.
Valid until 31 Dec 2026
Why book through us
You pay the lodge's rate, never a markup. What you get on top is a specialist who knows Puku Ridge Camp personally, looks after every detail of the trip, and stays reachable on WhatsApp from the moment you enquire to the day you come home.
By season
Green season
1 Apr 2026 – 30 Jun 2026
All Inclusive - All meals, beverages, guided safari activities, game drives, bush walks, boat trips, angling and transfers between the lodge and airfield.
Special offer
$1,205
Normally $1,510
Peak / migration
1 Jul 2026 – 15 Oct 2026
All Inclusive - All meals, beverages, guided safari activities, game drives, bush walks, boat trips, angling and transfers between the lodge and airfield.
Special offer
$1,595
Normally $1,995
Shoulder
16 Oct 2026 – 30 Nov 2026
All Inclusive - All meals, beverages, guided safari activities, game drives, bush walks, boat trips, angling and transfers between the lodge and airfield.
Special offer
$1,205
Normally $1,510
Festive
1 Dec 2026 – 31 Dec 2026
All Inclusive - All meals, beverages, guided safari activities, game drives, bush walks, boat trips, angling and transfers between the lodge and airfield.
$1,510
Rates are per person sharing, per night. A single supplement may apply for solo travellers. We offer a price match guarantee, just ask your safari specialist.
Exclusive offer
Already reflected in the rates above.
The reduced rates shown in the table apply for the periods listed. Here is what is running and why.
Stay & Pay
Stay for 3 nights, Pay for 2. Valid from 01 April - 30 June & 16 Oct - 30 Nov | Stay for 5 nights, Pay for 4. Valid for all seasons.
Sleep-outs
Under the stars.
Star beds, sleep-out hides, walking sleep-outs and overnight platforms documented at Puku Ridge Camp.
Star bed
Star Bed. Sleep Out Tower
Puku Ridge Camp offers a dedicated Star Bed. Sleep Out Tower, available for 1 or 2 adults at the same price. It is a structurally separate sleeping point that must be booked in advance. Children are not permitted. Priced at US$400 per night (or US$320 at the lower rate).
1–2 adults (same price); no children permitted; advance booking required.
- Cost
- US$400. US$320
- Availability
- advance booking required
Sourced from operator rate sheets and audited by our safari specialists. Prices and availability subject to change. Your specialist confirms at booking.
Water safari
Out on the water.
Mokoro, canoe, kayak and boat options at Puku Ridge Camp. The silent dugout mokoro is a different product to a motorised sundowner cruise — check the category on each.
Canoe safari
Canoeing
Canoeing is listed as a water activity available at Puku Ridge Camp, operated by Chiawa Safaris in the South Luangwa area.
Sourced from operator rate sheets and audited by our safari specialists. Prices and availability subject to change. Your specialist confirms at booking.
Speak to a safari specialist
Plan your dream safari at Puku Ridge Camp.
From your first enquiry to the day you come home, one named safari specialist looks after every detail. We can handle the whole trip, not just the stay at Puku Ridge Camp: multi-country itineraries, internal flights, road transfers, tipping guidance, travel insurance, the lot. A safari specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours.
Ready when you are
Let's design your stay.
Your specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours with availability, exact pricing, and suggestions for what to combine it with.