The best hotels in Zambia

A reliable budget stop in the Northmead area of Lusaka, close to shops and local restaurants. Dormitory and private room options are available, both kept clean and functional. The communal garden is a good place to meet other travellers passing through. Staff are helpful with arranging onward transport to Livingstone or the national parks. Do not expect luxury, but the value is hard to argue with at this price.

Fawlty Towers is one of the most established guesthouses in Livingstone and sits a short walk from the town centre. It has a lively bar, a pool, and a mix of dorms, en-suite rooms, and chalets spread across a green garden. The location makes it easy to arrange Victoria Falls trips and activities at the front desk. Rooms are simple but comfortable enough after a long day of sightseeing. The food served in the open-air restaurant is decent and reasonably priced.

Mukambi sits on the Kafue River inside Kafue National Park, one of Africa's largest and most undervisited parks. The thatched chalets are open-sided and positioned to catch the river breeze, with solid mosquito protection. Game drives and boat safaris can be arranged directly through the lodge, and the guides are knowledgeable and attentive. Wildlife sightings in the area include lion, leopard, and large antelope herds. The lodge has a genuine bush feel without the ultra-premium price tag of more famous parks.

Thornicroft Lodge is located on a private island in the Luangwa River near Mfuwe, accessible by a short boat crossing. Chalets are spacious with private decks looking directly over the river and floodplain. This part of South Luangwa is famous for walking safaris, and the lodge guides are among the more experienced in the valley. Elephants cross within metres of camp regularly during the dry season. It is an honest, high-quality safari experience without the extreme pricing of some neighbours.

Chipata is the main gateway town for South Luangwa and this hotel is the most established accommodation option in the town centre. Rooms are clean and practical, and the staff are used to handling travellers arriving from the Malawi border or heading to the park. The hotel has a restaurant and bar that work well for an overnight stop. It is not a destination in itself, but it serves its purpose efficiently. Families travelling overland through eastern Zambia will find it a comfortable and affordable base.

Kasaba Bay Lodge sits on the southern shore of Lake Tanganyika inside Nsumbu National Park in northern Zambia. It is genuinely remote and requires a flight or long drive to reach, which keeps the crowds away entirely. The lake here is crystal clear and snorkelling among the endemic cichlid fish is unlike anything else in landlocked Africa. Chalets are comfortable with lake views and the food, given the location, is impressively good. Couples willing to make the journey will find it deeply rewarding.

Chongwe River Camp sits at the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi rivers inside the Lower Zambezi National Park, with direct game frontage on the water. Tents are large, well-appointed, and designed so that wildlife can pass through camp freely, which it regularly does. The camp operates canoe safaris and boat-based game viewing that are among the best experiences in Zambian tourism. Elephant and buffalo are near-constant presences along the riverbanks. This is one of the finest small camps in southern Africa and the guiding quality reflects that.

This Marriott-managed property sits on Cairo Road, the commercial spine of Lusaka, putting it close to banks, offices, and government buildings. Rooms are consistent with the Protea brand: tidy, air-conditioned, and reliable Wi-Fi throughout. The on-site restaurant handles breakfast well and the bar is popular with business travellers in the evenings. It is not a hotel with personality, but it performs reliably across all the basics. Good choice if you need a dependable base for work in the capital.

Sitting directly on the Zambezi River on Sichango Road, this hotel gives you genuine waterfront access without charging top-tier safari lodge prices. The chalets and rooms are spacious, and the riverside pool terrace is genuinely impressive at sunset. Hippos occasionally surface near the bank, which is a bonus you do not get at most hotels. Food at the restaurant is above average with good grilled fish options. It is one of the better mid-range picks in Livingstone for anyone wanting a river experience.

The Royal Livingstone is positioned on the banks of the Zambezi River with direct pedestrian access to Victoria Falls, one of the most impressive hotel locations on the continent. The property is managed by Anantara and delivers polished service throughout, from afternoon tea on the terrace to private butler service in the suites. Zebra and antelope graze freely on the hotel grounds in the early morning. The infinity pool overlooking the river is exceptional, especially at sunset. It is expensive, but the combination of location and quality justifies it for a special occasion.