King Lewanika Lodge
King Lewanika is a luxury lodge nestled into a wooded island in the heart of the vast open wilderness of Liuwa Plain National Park.
King Lewanika Lodge is the only permanent lodge in the Liuwa Plains National Park, and due to its position in the heart of the plains away from public camp sites it does offer the best possible Liuwa experience. The camp is arguably a little more luxurious than is needed in such a remote and specialist destination, but we have no doubt that guests enjoy the extra comforts! The camp has a tranquil and exclusive feel, with lovely views out over the plains. However, choosing whether to visit Liuwa is all about the park itself, rather than the accommodation, and if you decide that you wish to visit Liuwa, then this is the best place to stay. The Liuwa Plains are magical and offer something different and special for anyone who has travelled around Africa a lot, and who enjoys birding and exclusive wilderness. King Lewanika Lodge reopened in 2025 under the stewardship of Ker & Downey who are very well established and respected in Botswana, this being their first venture in Zambia.
Rooms
Accommodation for 14 guests is offered in six modern and spacious en suite tents built on to low steel and timber platforms. As well as the bedroom area, each tent has a large comfortable sofa looking out on to the private verandah and plains beyond. Bathroom facilities include plumbed indoor and outdoor showers and a flush toilet. One of the units is a two-bedroomed family tent, each bedroom with an en suite bathroom.
Central Areas
The central area is the hub of the camp and includes indoor and outdoor dining areas, a bar, lounge and a campfire. There is also a swimming pool.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for charging – Yes
Swimming pool – No
Habitat & Wildlife
The Liuwa Plain National Park is located on the extreme western edge of Zambia along the Angolan border. The vast plains, formerly the hunting grounds for Lozi kings, was proclaimed a National Park in 1972 and is largely cut off from the rest of the country when the Zambezi floodwaters spread out across the plains between Mongu (the nearest large town) and Kalabo (a small frontier town).
The 3600 sq. km. park is dominated by huge plains, dotted with small woodland islands and since 2003 has been managed by African Parks. It is home to the second largest wildebeest migration (after the Serengeti), which gather on the north-west plains during the start of the dry season and slowly graze their way southwards until the onset of the rains again in November.
Aside from the wildebeest, the park has always been a stronghold for oribi and has growing numbers of tsessebe, red lechwe, and zebra. Hyaena have traditionally been the apex predator in the park, but lion and cheetah are also resident and wild dogs were seen for a few years up until 2016 – it is hoped they will return. Other species returning include roan antelope and very occasionally sightings of elephant occur, a sure sign that the protection now afforded by African Parks is starting to pay dividends. Since 2007, African Parks have introduced a number of other species including eland and buffalo.
A total of 334 species of birds has been recorded and the birdlife is particularly spectacular in the rains when large flocks of migratory cranes, storks, egrets, pratincole and waterfowl are seen. Liuwa is an important breeding ground for the rare wattled crane.
Activities
Activities focus on daily game drives across the plains in open 4×4 vehicles – the vehicle fleet is equipped with ‘rooftop vista seats’ to provide guests with a unique, elevated perspective of the expansive Liuwa Plain. Guided walks and night drives are also available, as are canoe safaris (seasonal). As the migration moves north of the King Lewanika area (usually late May onwards) a full day exploration of the park with a sleep out is offered. For insight into the local culture, visits to villages inside the park are possible.
Seasons
King Lewanika is open from March until the end of December and the migration is resident on the southern plains close to the lodge from November to June.
King Lewanika accepts children from the age of six years. As a camp, it is quite suitable for families with the family unit being perfect for those wishing to sleep under one roof. However, the nature of this specialist destination means that it is unlikely to be chosen for a typical family safari. Children should be old enough and keen enough to appreciate the remote wilderness they are exploring.
Liuwa Plain National Park in Zambia has one of the longest conservation histories in Africa, dating back to the 19th century when the King of Barotseland appointed his people as custodians of the landscape. But, by the turn of this century, decades of unsustainable resource harvesting caused vast habitat degradation as well as a large decline in species, including the lion population to just one.
In 2003, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and the Barotse Royal Establishment invited African Parks to help restore the legacy of Liuwa Plain. With effective conservation law enforcement, community land-use plans were implemented along with sustainable resource use projects including fish harvesting initiatives to provide alternative livelihoods for local people. In 2008, African Parks began a series of lion reintroductions. Around the same time eland and buffalo were reintroduced to the park and plains game began to increase, providing a healthy prey base for the predators: lion, cheetah and hyaena.
Today, with over 12,000 people legally living within the park, Liuwa is a prime example of how people and wildlife can coexist and benefit in a shared landscape. Helping protect the land for the benefit of local people to continue accessing its natural resources sustainably is enhanced through ongoing community engagement and integration. In addition, communities are supported through socio-economic initiatives, employment and tourism revenue that is generated, resulting in the people of Liuwa having a sense custodianship of their land.
In their recent appointment as operator for King Lewanika Lodge, Ker & Downey Zambia brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to conservation and community engagement. The company’s aim is to further enhance the appeal of this seldom visited wilderness to travellers and in doing so, contribute to the conservation of the area and its wildlife, for the immediate and future benefit of local communities and the people of Zambia.
The lodge operates on 100% solar energy. Additionally, there is a state-of-the-art water filtration system, ensuring that guests enjoy safe and clean water without reliance on plastic water bottles.