Set on the banks of the Zambezi River, Baines’ River Camp offers a refined base for exploring one of Zambia’s least crowded wilderness areas. Founded by Tim Featherby and named after the Victorian painter and explorer Thomas Baines, the camp pairs classic safari elegance with the raw appeal of the Lower Zambezi, where the river sets the rhythm of every day.
The Lower Zambezi
The camp sits upstream of Lower Zambezi National Park, within the Game Management Area and directly across the water from Mana Pools in Zimbabwe. This stretch of river carries a fraction of the traffic seen in Zambia’s busier parks. Elephant move freely between the islands and the floodplain, pods of hippo occupy the channels, and the escarpment rises behind camp to give the landscape real depth. It is one of the few places where a morning game drive, an afternoon on the water, and an evening walk among the winterthorns all fit comfortably into a single day.
Accommodation and setting
Accommodation is in air-conditioned suites overlooking the Zambezi, each with an en-suite bathroom, external shower, private verandah, mini bar, safe, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Interiors draw on classic safari style, with king or twin configurations and pure cotton linen. A family suite is available for those travelling with children. Central areas include a bar, restaurant, pool, and open deck where much of the day naturally comes to rest.
Safari activities
Game drives explore the Lower Zambezi in open vehicles, with day and night drives on offer and predators including lion, leopard, and wild dog present in the area. The river is the camp’s real distinction. Canoeing carries you quietly past elephant and hippo at water level, river cruises work well for late afternoon light, and the Zambezi’s tiger fishing is among the best on the continent, run on a catch-and-release basis. Guided walks bring the detail into focus, and birding is exceptional along the riverine forest.
When to visit
The dry season from May to October offers the most reliable game viewing, as receding water draws wildlife to the river. June through August brings cool, comfortable days. September and October are hotter, with game concentrated tightly along the water and tiger fishing at its peak. The green season brings dramatic skies, lush landscapes, and excellent birding, with migrant species arriving from November.
Getting there
Baines’ River Camp is reached via Royal Airstrip with a complimentary airport shuttle to camp. Flights connect from Lusaka in around thirty minutes, making the Lower Zambezi straightforward to combine with South Luangwa or Victoria Falls.
Combining your safari
Baines’ River Camp is featured in several of our Zambia safari tour packages and pairs naturally with South Luangwa National Park for a contrasting walking and river safari or with Victoria Falls for a wider Southern Africa routing. Speak to our team about building it into a tailor-made trip.
