Image : Time + Tide Chinzombo
ABOVE : Walking safaris offer an intimate encounter with wildlife and the untamed African bush . They originated in Zambia ’ s South Luangwa National Park , and no trip here is complete without heading out on foot . OPPOSITE [ TOP ] The luxury safari tents at Puku Ridge Camp feature a tower with star bed , so you can sleep under the vast African sky . [ BOTTOM ] At Puku Ridge there ’ s an open-air lounge and dining area , campfire , and a viewing hide overlooking a waterhole that teems with wildlife , day and night .
private dining on our enormous treehouse deck . It ’ s the first time I ’ ve ever seen a table laid with condiments and a slingshot , but the baboons in Zambia are very cheeky ! ‘ Flat dog ’ may be another name for a crocodile , but a hippo was actually our first wildlife encounter at this lovely spot . Later , elephants looked on as we took advantage of the beautiful outdoor showers . What a welcome to Zambia . Our next port of call was the über-glam Time + Tide Chinzombo . After a morning game drive in the park we pulled up at the river , hopped on a boat and meandered across to this luxe retreat . Get ready to give your Insta account a workout , because this camp is bee-yoo-ti-ful . The fact it was designed by award-winning architects is not remotely surprising , and its peaceful , perfect location on the river ’ s edge is breathtaking . There ’ s a super-stylish lounge , dining , bar and fire pit area , and six truly beautiful – and massive – villas .
Highly romantic , they ’ re the perfect blend of old-safari chic and contemporary cool , and watching hippos frolicking in the Luangwa River from the freestanding bath in your luxurious bathroom or your private plunge pool on the shady deck is a joyous pastime . We enjoyed incredible game drives , culminating in serene sundowners by the river , where the sunset jostled for attention with the rising moon . For a final treat in this part of Zambia we headed to Puku Ridge Camp . This remote , semi-tented camp overlooks a game-rich floodplain that teems with wildlife day and night . Even if you don ’ t feel like going out on a game drive ( are you mad ?), you can sit back and watch the wildlife from just about anywhere in camp . The lovely communal area features a firstclass restaurant , fire pit and photographic hide , and there are just eight safari tents . Each features a private plunge pool on the lower deck and a roof tower with star bed
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