Set on the banks of the perennial Lunga River, Lolelunga Private Reserve is located 19 miles north of Kafue National Park in Zambia, where barefoot luxury and wildlife meet.
The latest addition to the extraordinary Zambia Luxury Lodge Collection, Lolelunga spans 74,000 acres of pristine wilderness and the most incredible river frontage. Carefully selected by the owners to showcase the best of Zambian landscapes, safari and wildlife, each lodge not only celebrates the spirit of this incredible African country and its people, it also delivers an immersive connection with nature. Establishing a desolate piece of land again after the decimation by poachers shows the true spirit of the owners’ commitment to providing a pristine environment, making the wildlife feel truly at peace.
My journey starts at Cape Town International Airport on a Tuesday morning, where I board my Airlink flight to O.R. Tambo International Airport. The Embraer 190 ensures a smooth flight, with dedicated on-board service and being the most reliable regional airline in Southern Africa, we land with time to spare. I’m excited to overnight at The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, a property in Johannesburg’s upscale suburb of Sandhurst which celebrates 25 years of serenity and style, and is the ideal respite for a pre- or post-safari stay.
Departing on a Wednesday morning from O.R. Tambo International Airport to Lusaka with Airlink once again, the complimentary catering and beverage choice is delicious, and landing at Lusaka, there is an air of anticipation as we make our way to the domestic departures terminal for our onward private charter flight. As the Cessna Grand Caravan takes to the skies, the buildings become miniature in size, and upon approach to landing at the Lolelunga airstrip, the wilderness below me stretches as far as the eye can see. Gazing down from my window seat, the water in the Lunga River is crystal clear – I can see right to the bottom of the channel.
Landing on a gravel airstrip takes skill, which the captain of the 12-seater plane does with great proficiency. Navigating the three steps to terra firma, the Lolelunga team is waiting to welcome us to this piece of paradise in a remote part of Zambia. General Manager Darren van der Merwe and guide Harry are at the bottom of the stairs to assist anyone who might need a hand stepping out of the aircraft. The lodge is only five minutes from the airstrip, depending on the wildlife you might encounter along the way. At the lodge, the entire staff break into song and dance, paving the way to a memorable stay. The entrance to the main area is decorated with paraphernalia from the region, highlighting the conservation efforts which have borne fruit in establishing a lodge where many wildlife species will thrive.
Arriving in time for lunch, Chef Martha has cooked up a wonderful array of delicious food, which she does throughout our stay. Meals are served family-style, where guests congregate at the table, and servers present platters of food which are shared amongst guests. Great care is taken to prepare delicious fare with the freshest locally sourced ingredients, culminating in the tastiest international flavors. With gourmet meals crafted for every single sitting, foodies are in for a treat when dining at Lolelunga.
Today’s menu consists of a selection of salads, beef & chicken kebabs, and the delectable Crème Brûlée for dessert. With views across this special corner of the Lunga River, Darren suddenly announces that we should all come take a look at something you don’t see every day. It’s a small herd of four bull elephants crossing the river! What a wonderful sight to see these gentle giants half immersing themselves in the water to get from the one side to the other. Two of them are darker in color, a clear indication that they have had a pre-crossing swim.
I am staying in a Junior Suite, a short stroll from the main area. Situated at the end of the pathway, my suite has a private verandah on the left-hand side, a hammock and unparalleled views over the Lunga River. Opening the front door, the space is cool in spite of the day’s heat, and comprises of a dreamy bedroom, a comfortable lounge area, plentiful closet space, and a bathroom with vanity, shower and a flush loo.
The genius duo, Gerda Pienaar and Antionette Stander from interior design firm Fygg Studio are responsible for the gorgeous interiors, and the decision to move away from the clichéd countryside of African motifs has resulted in a minimalistic aesthetic that is both contemporary and timeless. Focusing on comfort and relaxation, the clean lines, uncluttered spaces and carefully curated furnishings place an emphasis on elegance without excess.
Each suite is a sanctuary connecting nature and nurture, and the clever fusion of simplicity and organic elements inspires guests to put their feet up, quite literally. A relaxed environment is owing to the unassuming design, with stone walls, rustic timbers, woven textures and uncluttered spaces. In a nod to the surrounding bushveld, hues of creams, browns and greens were implemented, providing a haven of tranquility. Guests are given the option to have the mosquito net open or dropped at night, which in itself creates a cocooned feeling as you drift off to the sounds of hippos in the river.
Inspired by the land’s story and the original vision of the owner, the overall design philosophy for Lolelunga was to create a place of escape, a personal haven rooted in conservation and connection. “From the beginning, we felt a responsibility to honor that intention,” Gerda and Antionette tell me, “shaping each space to feel like an extension of the surrounding wilderness. Our concept ‘down to earth’ was born and guided our design decisions through the whole process. The design became a quiet celebration of stillness, a place to breathe deeply and simply be.”
Motivated by the lodge’s location, the river itself became the muse for the design team. With the deep sense of calm that the body of water represents, they knew that their spaces had to echo that. From layout to palette – each decision was made to preserve and enhance the tranquility. They even reused existing, sentimental furniture pieces that played a part, bringing memory and warmth into the space. Standing on the deck, I can attest that the view is the hero. Designing around it, not over it, they invited nature to take center stage in every area.
Located away from the guest area, the Lolelunga Spa is a peaceful place where you can relax and take in the wonderful surroundings while enjoying any of the number of treatments offered. Spa Therapist Sarah starts with a foot soak, after which the Swedish massage with muscle relaxant oil sends me to dreamland. At Lolelunga, the wonderfully fragrant Africology products are used in the spa and for guests’ disposal in the suites and general areas. For guests wanting to continue with their exercise regime, there is a gym with a bicycle, treadmill and weight training machines.
Spending a night under a blanket of stars can easily form part of your Lolelunga experience, or having a private dinner while watching the sun disappear behind the horizon. The Ngoma Deck will add a touch of exclusivity to your stay, and can be booked at no additional cost as a sleepout, for a private dinner or breakfast. Elevated above the wilderness, the wildlife meanders below the deck at any given moment.
Twice daily game drives are an essential component at any safari lodge, and with the reintroduction of cheetahs onto the reserve, they have established a territory that stretches far beyond the boma where they were kept to acclimatize them to their new ‘home’. Finding brothers Ndeke and Ndure taking it easy in the golden light on our afternoon game drive, Harry is as happy to see these stunning spotted cats as I am.
The surrounding communities are supported by Lolelunga’s CSI initiatives, which improves the livelihoods of people living in the area. Mirdia Hanekom, CSI Manager, tells me that their most important projects revolve around health and education in the community, and instead of simply doling out supplies, they hear what every village needs in order to fulfil that shortcoming. Two secondary schools have been constructed, they assist with maintenance, a new clinic is being built, specific medicines are being provided and boreholes produce clean and healthy water to the residents.
As the first fully fenced private reserve in Zambia, Lolelunga is pioneering the way in repopulating the concession with animals that have naturally occurred before being poached to the brink of extinction. Putting up a game fence to protect both humans and dangerous game (predators) and nipping human and wildlife conflict in the bud is part and parcel for Louw Hanekom, Conservation Manager at Lolelunga. Growing the wildlife from a mere 10 to around 45 significant species, it’s great to see a variety of plains game and predators flourishing at Lolelunga.
None of this would be possible without sustainable tourism, which is the heartbeat of Lolelunga Private Reserve. A melding of conservation, community, and people makes Lolelunga a lodge that will make a real impact on the safari industry. Spending time here, I’m reminded to shake off the boundaries that we impose on ourselves. Being somewhere as exceptional as Lolelunga is truly freeing in mind, body, spirit and soul.
For more information, or to book, visit https://zambialuxurylodges.com/lolelunga/
About Airlink and Getting There
Airlink, Southern Africa’s premier privately-owned regional airline serves more than 45 destinations in 15 African countries, as well as Madagascar and St. Helena Island, and offers worldwide connections through more than 35 airline partners. Discover More https://www.flyairlink.com/airlink-profile
Rewarding its loyal customers through Airlink’s innovative Skybucks frequent flyer program, travelers can sign up at www.skybucks.co.za
Airlink is reliable and dependable with a fleet of more than 65 modern jets, a clear indication of their determination and commitment to remain synonymous with customer centricity, punctuality, service excellence, and reliability.
Travelers can also have the benefit of their intra-continental style business class service on select routes operating the magnificent Embraer E-195 / E-190 / E-170 / E-jets. Duty free shopping is available on select regional flights departing from Johannesburg only.
Business class, Full fare economy as well as Emerald and Black Tier Skybucks members can enjoy complimentary access to SLOW lounges and Bidvest Premier lounges where applicable.
How to get there: Airlink operates daily direct flights between O.R. Tambo International Airport and Lusaka, Zambia’s capital city and largest urban zone. Explore more https://www.flyairlink.com/en-za/flights-to-lusaka
Book directly on www.flyairlink.com, the FlyAirlink app, or through your favorite Travel agent.
