Puku Ridge: Our full report
Set high on a rocky ridge, Puku re-opened in late 2019, and has a stunning vantage point that’s unique in ...
... the Luangwa Valley. From here it has easy access to good and largely undisturbed game-viewing to the south - as well as the busier areas further north, around Mfuwe, where the game is habituated and relaxed, but the visitors are numerous.On the slopes of one of the higher hills in the South Luangwa, overlooking a large grassy plain grazed by plentiful herds of eponymous puku antelope, Puku Ridge probably has some of the best views of any camp in the Luangwa Valley. The only camp with comparable views is Puku’s larger sister camp Chichele Presidental Lodge, located one kilometer away on top of the same hill.
The new owners tell us that the camp’s facilities are being upgraded to the highest of standards and the service and guiding will be run to the same exacting criteria for which their Lower Zambezi camps have become renowned. Unique in design, the feature rich (think star-bed, private plunge pool - even custom built, near-silent air-conditioning for respite from the hottest months) Puku Ridge is being completely rebuilt yet with a lighter footprint. They believe that Puku Ridge will be that perfect blend of wilderness, luxury and responsibility for the location.
Activities will include day and night safari drives and guided walks. The camp is situated on the southern edge of Luangwa’s main all-weather road network, which means it can open and close much closer to the rainy season than other camps in the area, allowing guests to see the park at different times of the year.
Our view
The accent at the old Puku Ridge was always firmly on the ‘luxury’ part of safari. When its refurbishment is complete, we’re expecting Puku Ridge to take after its sister camps, Chiawa Camp and Old Mondoro. This means equally high levels of luxury, but leavened with more respect for nature and a better game-viewing experience. Meanwhile every time we visit, we're reminded that looking over the Kakumbi Floodplain from camp gives Puku probably the best view in Zambia.
Zambia expert
Geographics
- Location
- South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
- Ideal length of stay
- We recommend a two or three night stay at Puku Ridge. Consider combining this with its sister camps in the Lower Zambezi National Park – Chiawa and Old Mondoro.
- Directions
- After being met at Mfuwe Airport, it is approximately three hours' game-drive transfer through South Luangwa National Park to Puku Ridge.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- We have always been impressed with the quality of the meals we've had at Puku Ridge's sister camps in the Lower Zambezi, so we're expecting a similar standard at this new camp when it opens.
- Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Drinks included
- A stay at Puku Ridge would include most drinks. Premium brand whiskies and spirits would incur and additional charge.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children over the age of 12 will be welcome at Puku Ridge.
- Property’s age restrictions
- The minimum age at Puku Ridge is 12 years.
- Special activities & services
- None
- Generally recommended for children
- We recommend this camp for mature, well-behaved children over the age of 12.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Puku Ridge
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Puku Ridge have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
91% success
75% success
63% success
14% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- The camp will be on mains electricity, and we understand plug sockets will be available in the rooms for charging 24 hours a day.
The camp will also have a power generator in case of power outage. - Communications
- There is cell phone reception at the camp, and we believe complimentary Wifi will be available.
- TV & radio
- The camp is in the bush so there are no TVs or radios here.
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- All of the bathrooms are plumbed in with flushing toilets and showers with hot water always available.
Water from the borehole that has been filtered is provided as drinking water in all of the rooms, although bottled water is readily available if you prefer.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- The closest clinic is located in Mfuwe, a drive of a couple of hours. There is also a visiting doctor who is usually based at one of the safari lodges in the Mfuwe area.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- As animals sometimes pass though the camp, guests will be escorted to their chalets and around camp after dark.
- Fire safety
- Each of the chalets will have a fire extinguisher in case of fire.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Night drive
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- A laundry service will be included.
Other lodges in South Luangwa National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Tafika
One of the best camps in Zambia, Tafika is naturally built, combining excellent service and food with top guiding skills for a superb wildlife experience.
Nkwali
On the banks of the Luangwa River, with its own access to the national park, the intimate Nkwali is open year round.
Kaingo Camp
Small and owner-run, the riverside Kaingo occupies a a quiet but excellent game area, with a series of wildlife hides and a focus on photography.
Nsefu
One of the Luangwa's oldest camps, Nsefu is a great safari camp in a remote, beautiful and game-rich location with top-rate guiding.
Tena Tena
One of the Luangwa's best camps, in a beautiful, remote bush location, Tena Tena is very small, exceedingly well-run and has top-rate guiding.
Mwamba Bushcamp
Small, remote and owner-run, Mwamba offers first-class walking, 4WD safari drives and superb hides, with excellent guides and a real bush feel.
Chikoko Tree Camp
Chikoko Tree Camp is an excellent small, rustic bushcamp that concentrates on walking safaris, and is run by a top-quality operation.
Big Lagoon Camp
Big Lagoon Camp is a great little rustic bushcamp built to high standards that focuses on excellent walking safaris, with the emphasis on top wildlife guides.
Kapani Lodge
Kapani Lodge is now the main office base for Norman Carr Safaris, one of the Luangwa's oldest safari operations.
Flatdogs Camp
A relatively big safari camp, Flatdogs offers value for money with great guiding and good food in a comfortable, relaxed setting.
Luangwa River Camp
Luangwa River Lodge is a small and consciously stylish lodge in the Mfuwe area, overlooking the Luangwa River and the South Luangwa National Park beyond – an area renowned for great game.
Mchenja Bushcamp
Set in a shady ebony grove on the banks of the Luangwa, Mchenja is a smart tented bushcamp. It combines well with Kakuli and Nsolo – its sister camps with a focus on walking safaris.
Kakuli Bushcamp
Beside the Luangwa River, Kakuli is a comfortable tented bushcamp offering 4WD safaris and walking safaris – the best of which are camp-to-camp walks linking Kakuli with its nearby sister camps.
Nsolo Bushcamp
Nsolo is a small, comfortable bushcamp overlooking one or two pools in the usually dry Luwi riverbed. It concentrates on walking safaris in an interesting and diverse area, led by a knowledgeable guide.
Kafunta River Lodge
Kafunta is a laid-back, friendly and good-value lodge on the outskirts of South Luangwa National Park.
Luwi Bushcamp
In a remote part of the South Luangwa National Park, Luwi is a rustic bushcamp whose emphasis is on walking safaris with great guiding and a chance of seeing some rarely seen and elusive antelope.
Lion Camp
Lion Camp is an established and comfortable camp with a swimming pool, located near to the game-rich Lion Plain in the northern part of South Luangwa National Park.
Robin Pope mobile
RPS mobile safari camps are at the heart of their set-itinerary walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park, which start and finish at a permanent camp.
Kapamba Bushcamp
In the remote far south of South Luangwa National Park, Kapamba is a small and very comfortable bushcamp offering good walks and game drives.
Mfuwe Lodge
In a game-rich area close to the South Luangwa’s main Mfuwe Gate, Mfuwe Lodge is relatively large by park standards, but it’s stylish, modern and family friendly.
Kuyenda Bushcamp
Kuyenda Bushcamp is a classic bushcamp with particularly delightful hosts and offers top-class walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park.
Luangwa Safari House
Luangwa Safari House is a vast and very smart four-bedroom house specifically designed for families and small groups, and offering an exclusive and flexible safari experience.
Three Rivers Camp
In the remote far south of South Luangwa National Park, Three Rivers Lodge sits at the confluence of three of the valleys rivers.
Island Bush Camp
Island Bushcamp is a good-value, rustic, walking-only camp, in arguably one of the most remote parts of the South Luangwa, well away from all other camps.
Chinzombo
Opened in early June 2013, Chinzombo offers luxurious and stylish accommodation with very high levels of service and excellent guiding.
Bilimungwe Bushcamp
A smart bushcamp with four very spacious chalets, Bilimungwe offers interesting walking safaris in pretty riverine woodland, as well as day and night safari drives.
Chindeni
Chindeni Bushcamp is a very modern and minimalist camp, which is a far cry from your traditional bushcamp and unlike most of the other camps in South Luangwa.
Robin's House
With your own expert guide, private vehicle, chef and valet, the two-bedroom Robin's House offers an exclusive, flexible safari experience – and is open year round.
Kawaza Village
Kawaza Village – beside the South Luangwa National Park, offers guests the rare opportunity to appreciate local village life. Visit for a few hours or stay overnight.
Chamilandu Bushcamp
A comfortable little bushcamp, Chamilandu has a picturesque setting by the Luangwa River, in an area with a range of habitats to explore on foot and by 4WD.
Mwamba Camp-out
The Mwamba-Camp Out allows you to have an incredibly adventurous night in the bush, sleeping under mosquito nets with activities led by some of the best guides in Zambia.
Zungulila
Zungulila is a small, comfortable tented bushcamp with an emphasis on walking safaris, in the remote southern section of the South Luangwa.
Shawa Luangwa
Opened in June 2021, Shawa Luangwa Camp is a small, intimate and rustic camp, with a good location in a remote section of the South Luangwa National Park.
Chichele Lodge
Currently undergoing renovations, Chichele Presidential Lodge stands high within the park, with superb views, and is due to reopen in late 2022.
Luwi Riverbed Sleepout
For an adventurous night in South Luangwa National Park, come and sleep out in the bush, around a campfire, with an experienced guide and game scout.
Mapazi Camp
Mapazi Camp is a basic safari camp in the far north of the South Luangwa, with walking safaris led by renowned guide Deb Tittle.
Chikunto
Chikunto Safari Lodge is a more traditional property in the South Luangwa National Park, sitting on a peninsula of land created by the meandering Luangwa River.
