Jan
ClosedClosed.
Puku Ridge
South Luangwa, Zambia · National park
Official rating: 4 out of 5 stars, graded by Zambia Tourism AgencyTented camp
Ultra-luxury · How we rate: Explore Africa level, based on the typical lowest nightly rate per person sharing: Value under A$400, Mid-range A$400 to A$899, Luxury A$900 to A$1,799, Ultra-luxury A$1,800 or more.
How we rate
Explore Africa level, based on the typical lowest nightly rate per person sharing: Value under A$400, Mid-range A$400 to A$899, Luxury A$900 to A$1,799, Ultra-luxury A$1,800 or more.
Photo: Chiawa Safaris · Source ↗
Full board+ (FB+)
Accommodation, All meals and 11 more
8 tents
Luxury Safari Tent · Sleeps up to 16 guests
Children 12 and over
By air
1 hr 30 min from Mfuwe Airport (MFU)
Wi-Fi in rooms
Power around the clock
From about A$2,150
per person / night, sharing
Overview
About Puku Ridge
Puku Ridge looks over a wildlife-rich floodplain and waterhole inside South Luangwa National Park. Its eight tented retreats combine air-conditioned bedrooms with private plunge pools, multi-level verandas and upper-tower star beds. Game drives run by day and at night, while walking safaris bring the landscape into closer focus. Back in camp, the photographic hide offers a low viewpoint beside the waterhole, with indoor and open-air lounges for time between outings. Meals, selected drinks, laundry and road transfers from Mfuwe Airport are included. Children aged 12 and over are welcome.
“An appealing choice for photographers and couples who want South Luangwa wildlife without giving up air-conditioning, a private plunge pool or a star bed above their room.”
Best for
PhotographersLuxury seekers
Known for
What you can expect to see
LeopardElephantGiraffeHyena
Leopard sightings by day and night, elephant visits to the waterhole and a photographic hide make wildlife watching central to a stay at Puku Ridge.
Your stay
What's included
Board: Full board+ (FB+)
Special offer: Stay 3 nights and pay for 2 from 16 October to 30 November 2026.
Included
- Accommodation
- All meals
- Beverages
- House wines
- Local spirits
- Laundry
- Road transfers from Mfuwe Airport
- Game drives
- Night drives
- Walking safaris
- Dining area
- Campfire
- Viewing hide
- Game drives
- Night drives
- Walking safaris
Not included
- Park fees
- Flights
- Visas
In 2026, the combined tourism, park, conservation, community and carbon charge is USD 120 per person per night, in addition to accommodation. Flights, airport departure taxes, access fees and visas are extra.
Optional extras (at a cost)
- Gratuities
A private vehicle and guide cost USD 750 per day in 2026 and depend on availability. Gratuities are optional.
Facilities
Comforts and facilities
At the property
- Photographic hide
- Lounge
In your room
- Wi-Fi in your room
- Air-conditioning
- Private plunge pool
- Private deck
- Mini bar
- Tea/coffee station
- In-room WiFi
- Safe
- En-suite bathroom
Rooms
Where you sleep
Sleeps up to 16 guests
- Luxury Safari Tent8 at camp · sleeps 2 adults · Air-conditioning, Indoor shower, Outdoor shower, Bathtub, Private plunge pool, Private veranda, Star bed tower, WiFi
Activities
Things to do
Included in your stay
Getting there
How you'll arrive
- Mfuwe Airport (MFU)
- 1 hr 30 min transfer
- Puku Ridge
- How you arrive
- By air · 1 hr 30 min from Mfuwe Airport (MFU)
- Transfers
- Return road transfers from Mfuwe Airport are included and take approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours, passing through villages and South Luangwa National Park.
Good to know
Before you book
- Children
- Ages 12 and over
- Single travellers
- A single supplement applies
- Dietary needs
- Special diets catered for
- Power
- Power around the clock
- Malaria
- Seasonal malaria risk. Ask your doctor about prevention.
When to go
Best time to visit
- January: Closed
- February: Closed
- March: Closed
- April: Good
- May: Good
- June: Dry season, best game viewing
- July: Dry season, best game viewing
- August: Dry season, best game viewing
- September: Dry season, best game viewing
- October: Dry season, best game viewing
- November: Dry season, best game viewing
- December: Closed
- Dry season, best game viewing
- Good
- Closed
Month-by-month notes
Feb
ClosedClosed.
Mar
ClosedClosed.
Apr
GoodThe camp opens on 1 April. Lush vegetation and full waterholes favour birdwatching; some game-viewing loops remain affected by high water.
May
GoodGreen bush, full waterholes and good lion viewing, with occasional showers.
Jun
Dry season, best game viewingDrying bush and clear skies bring strong game viewing, with cold mornings and nights.
Jul
Dry season, best game viewingBring warm layers for game drives as the bush dries and buffalo herds gather.
Aug
Dry season, best game viewingWaterholes shrink and wildlife concentrates near the rivers; mornings remain cool.
Sep
Dry season, best game viewingHotter days bring concentrated riverbank wildlife and nesting carmine bee-eaters.
Oct
Dry season, best game viewingVery hot weather and concentrated riverbank wildlife, with a chance of rainstorms.
Nov
Dry season, best game viewingRain becomes more likely, migrant birds return and wildlife viewing remains excellent. The camp closes at the end of November.
Dec
ClosedClosed.
How we judge each month
- Dry season, best game viewingAmong this property's strongest months for conditions, access and key experiences.
- GoodVery favourable conditions for this property and its key experiences.A generally good time to stay, with some normal seasonal compromises.
- Green seasonWorkable for specific priorities, with notable seasonal compromises.The property operates, but seasonal conditions bring substantial trade-offs.
Stayed here?Share your review
Helpful guides
Plan around this stay
Nearby
Other stays nearby
Chichele Presidential
South Luangwa, Zambia
under 1 km away
From about A$2,320 per person / night, sharing
Kafunta River Lodge
South Luangwa, Zambia
3 km away
From about A$760 per person / night, sharing
Time + Tide Chinzombo
South Luangwa, Zambia
8 km away
From about A$1,900 per person / night, sharing
Chikunto Safari Lodge
South Luangwa, Zambia
20 km away
From about A$320 per person / night, sharing
Details checked November 2026. Rates and availability are confirmed when you enquire.