Puku Ridge Camp

South Luangwa National Park
Location, location, location! Perched on an escarpment overlooking a game-rich floodplain in the South Luangwa National Park, Puku Ridge offers stunning vistas with perfect game sighting opportunities. Puku Ridge Camp is in a remote part of the South Luangwa NP, overlooking a wildlife-rich lagoon where there is seemingly always something to see. The camp was rebuilt completely in 2019. With this comes "Best in Africa" award winning hospitality and guiding. The design is African canvas/chic style and the camp blends in completely with its gorgeous, wild environment. This is a luxury camp with every comfort yet it is intimate and friendly with just eight tents, and offers the authentic safari experience that many people long for. The Park is endowed with abundant with elephants, giraffes, leopards, lions, wild dogs, zebras, buffalos and various antelope species – many of which will be easily spotted as you lounge on your balcony or eat dinner. This stunning area can also be explored on foot with park rangers and tracking guides, and at night offering a chance to see some of the more elusive animals, such as leopards, genets and honey badgers. Sunset is a perfect time
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to enjoy a cocktail in the bush, or on the banks of the Luangwa River in the company of one of Africa's largest hippo populations. 

Eight identical rooms comprising of canvas, thatch and decking all overlooking the beautiful Puku Ridge floodplain and its seemingly endless parade of wildlife. All rooms have super-king beds draped in mosquito nets that can be separated into generous 3/4 single beds, lounge area, tea/coffee/minibar, air conditioning, overhead fans, bath, his & hers washbasins, his & hers wardrobes, indoor & outdoor shower, plunge pool, sweeping, curved decks and star/day bed tower. 

The main area of Puku Ridge offers indoor and open-air lounge with various dining options, as well as a campfire and viewing hide overlooking the waterhole. 

The South Luangwa is home to 60 types of mammals - including elephant, lion, zebra, giraffe, wild dog, buffalo, hippo and antelope and has a reputation of being one of the best places in Africa to spot leopard. The park is a haven for birders with just over 400 bird species; these include 39 birds of prey and 47 migrant species. There are also a variety of endemic species such as Thornicroft’s giraffe, Crawshay’s zebra, and Cookson’s wildebeest. Key wildlife include lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, wild dog, giraffe, impala, puku, kudu, zebra, hippo, hyena, and endemic species. 

Walking is the best way to see the bush around Puku Ridge. The South Luangwa is home of the walking safari and it remains the best way to experience the sights and sounds of the bush. Highly experienced guides will showing you the indicators of the wild, 'rewinding' the action of the last few hours from just a few small give away signs. See where an elephant stopped to browse, where a leopard scratched a tree or a pangolin rolled into a ball. Accompanied by an armed game scout and taking careful note of the wind to mask any scent, there's nothing like seeing lion tracks or the giant footprint of an elephant to make you relish the comforts of camp. 

Lions and leopards are often seen in the area around the camp, as are buffalo and elephant. For big game like this, you really need a vehicle to get up close and here in the South Luangwa, you have the privilege of going on game drives at night. You will be amazed how much can be seen when we go down to the river for sundowner cocktails before leisurely driving back to camp. You often see hyena and leopard in the early evenings and are able to get very close in specially designed 4 x 4 vehicles. On the open plains below the camp there are always grazing herds of antelope and of course they attract the predators…... 

Breakfast is served before the morning game activity. During your morning game viewing activity, coffee, tea and a selection of scones and biscuits will be served out in the bush. Lunch will be enjoyed back at the camp. Afternoon tea is served just before the afternoon game activity and offers a selection of cakes, sweet and savory treats, tea and coffee and fresh fruit juices. Afternoon game drives include classic sundowner cocktails and canapés at specially selected spots before returning to the camp for pre-dinner drinks and dinner. When evening arrives, make your way to the central dining area for a delectable gourmet meal in the bush, or order dinner on your own private deck for a romantic night under the stars.

AT A GLANCE

  • 8 luxury air conditioned tents each en-suite with bath tub and an indoor and outdoor shower, private viewing deck, mosquito nets and overhead fans
  • Private plunge pool
  • Star beds
  • Incredible game viewing directly from the main areas as well as tents
  • Located on the edge of an escarpment in a private location in the South Luangwa
  • Wildlife includes elephant, lion, zebra, giraffe, wild dog, buffalo, hippo, leopard, hyena, wildebeest and a huge number of antelope species
  • Walking safaris
  • Game drives including night drives
  • All Inclusive: 3 meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beer, scheduled activities, laundry
  • Wi-Fi in main areas
  • 220v AC power supplied by silent packed generator and battery system
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