King Lewanika Lodge, the only permanent luxury camp in Zambia’s Liuwa Plain National Park, has officially reopened following a full refurbishment under new operator Ker & Downey Zambia.

The relaunch marks a significant new chapter for one of Africa’s earliest conservation areas and one of its last true wildernesses.

The upgrade introduces a new poolside sanctuary, custom-built game vehicles, full solar power, and multi‑day migration sleepouts, positioning the lodge as a gateway to Africa’s second‑largest wildebeest migration and one of the continent’s most exclusive grassland safari destinations .

Glenn Evans, Managing Director for Ker & Downey Zambia, said the team is “immensely proud” to steward such a rare landscape, noting that Liuwa Plain’s remoteness and scale are central to its appeal .

New Guest Experiences and Facilities

The lodge’s new poolside sanctuary sits elevated above the plain, centred around a sparkling pool and open‑air dining pavilion with uninterrupted grassland views . Shaded loungers and intimate seating areas offer a refined retreat between game drives.

The central lounge, bar and dining room have been redesigned in warm, earthy tones, creating multiple gathering spaces beneath an open‑fronted roofline . Additional facilities include a spa, indoor and outdoor dining, and an outdoor fire boma .

A new fleet of custom-built game vehicles—featuring elevated rooftop seating, adjustable armrests and photography bean bags—has been introduced to enhance wildlife viewing across the vast grassland terrain .

Migration Sleepouts and Enhanced Access

One of the lodge’s signature new offerings is the migration sleepout, a two‑day mobile experience that allows guests to track the wildebeest migration north across the plain from June to September . Guests overnight in mosquito‑net tents at a remote camp built mid‑drive, enjoying meals cooked over an open fire beneath uninterrupted stars before continuing the journey the following morning .

Travel logistics have also been streamlined. Daily Ker & Downey flights from Livingstone and Lusaka now land at Matiamanene Airstrip, just ten minutes from camp, eliminating forced overnight stopovers and reducing travel time for onward connections .

The lodge is now fully solar-powered, with an on‑site water filtration system that eliminates single‑use plastic bottles. Suites have been upgraded with in‑room minibars, coffee stations and radio communication systems for service requests .

A Conservation Landscape With 150 Years of History

Liuwa Plain is one of Africa’s earliest protected areas, first safeguarded in the late 19th century by King Lubosi Lewanika of Barotseland, who entrusted the Lozi people as custodians . Today, the 1,301‑square‑mile grassland is managed by African Parks in partnership with Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife and the Barotse Royal Establishment, with a renewed agreement signed in 2026 .

The park is home to an estimated 12,000 Lozi people and offers front‑row access to powerful hyena clans, lion prides, cheetah, African wild dog, rare antelope species and more than 480 bird species .

Accommodation

King Lewanika Lodge accommodates just 15 guests across five tented twin safari suites and one family suite, perched on a forested island knoll on the park’s southern tip . Twin suites span 650 sq ft indoors plus a 430 sq ft verandah, with king beds, mosquito nets, lounge and study areas, and both indoor and outdoor showers. The family suite offers 865 sq ft indoors plus its own verandah and sits closest to the central area .

The camp operates from March through December and is reached via Ker & Downey’s dedicated air access network .

Rates and Guiding Philosophy

Rates start at US$3,615 per person for a three‑night stay, including a complimentary “Explore All Liuwa” sleepout — a full‑day excursion offering near‑exclusive access to the park’s remote highlights and, when active, the wildebeest migration .

Ker & Downey’s guiding philosophy emphasises connection over consumption, delivered by a highly experienced team with six decades of safari expertise across Botswana and Zambia .