Africa has a spellbinding effect on most first time travellers. Many who have grown up on this continent will tell you that Africa will stay in their blood forever, no matter where they might end up in the world - it is home. In the heart of the African subcontinent lies a destination known as “the real Africa”. This is Zambia, where you will find remote wilderness areas, breath-taking scenery, wildlife in abundance and a kind hearted people. Here, in the midst of the unspoiled African bush, on the northern banks of the Zambezi River, you will discover Baines’ River Camp.

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This true colonial style safari lodge, named after the famous artist and explorer Thomas Baines, offers a wide variety of land and water based safari activities in and around the Lower Zambezi National Park, the first carbon-neutral National Park in the World. In addition, Baines’ River Camp offers specialized photographic workshops, fly fishing clinics and elephant studies, led by passionate specialist of international acclaim.

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Baines' River Camp, with its dedicated team, tranquil setting, intimate atmosphere and luxury accommodation, is undoubtedly the ultimate choice for a family safari, an unforgettable honeymoon or a corporate getaway.

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Baines’ River Camp can accommodate 20 guests in eight individual suites and a two-bedroom family unit, the “Baines’ Cottage”, each decorated with rich, classical fabrics and colourful kelims. Each of the colonial style safari chalets commands its own view of the Zambezi River from a comfortably furnished, private veranda.

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An attractive alternative to the typical tented safari accommodation and offering a hint of luxury and decadence in the Zambian wilderness, our guest accommodation is finished with air-conditioning, ceiling fans, cotton percale linen, pure goose-down pillows and duvets, a spacious dressing area, generous walk-in showers, coffee and tea making facilities, a personal safe for your valuables and a hair dryer. The bedrooms are as “mosquito-proof” as possible, with gauze sashes on the windows, and in addition, insect repellents are provided for your comfort.

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With varied travellers’ preferences in mind, some of our suites are positioned in close proximity to the main lodge and close to each other. Other suites are positioned with privacy as the main objective and a gentle stroll away from the main lodge.

Feel at home and make yourself comfortable on your veranda with a pair of binoculars to scan the river banks, pick up a book or simply put your head back for a well-deserved afternoon siesta.

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Our six spacious Explorer Suites are made up with King-size beds which can be converted to twin configuration. Two of our Explorer Suites offer an additional outdoor shower.

The two smaller Junior Suites are made up with twin beds and are popular with our single travellers and teenagers.

The private Baines’ Cottage offers two bedrooms, one king and one twin, each with its own bathrooms, a generous open plan dining, lounge and kitchen area which is complemented by a deep veranda with an outdoor dining area and private lawn overlooking the river. The cottage is ideally suited to a young family or friends traveling together and can be booked with the option of a private guide and chef.

In addition, we offer separate, air-conditioned accommodation for up to 2 pilots / private guides / tour leaders.

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Your best chance of seeing predators in their natural habitat and large herds of Buffalo is on a game drive. Morning safari outings are the most "productive" and we start our drives from a different spot on the bank of the river each time, ensuring that you get to explore different areas. A short river cruise with a steaming cup of coffee and some delicious morning bakes will take you downstream by boat to your guide. During our night drives, you have a good chance of spotting the smaller nocturnal felines, Porcupines, Hyena, Honey Badgers and the odd Bush Baby.

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The area is home to a healthy number of predators including the endangered African Wild Dogs, Lions and Leopards. Dubbed "the most romantic wilderness in Africa", the Lower Zambezi National Park offers a variety of habitats, from riverine vegetation, Leadwood forests and palm groves to savannah plains and Albida forests. One game drive is usually not enough to take it all in.

On a drive, you will feel as if you are the only one exploring the area. Even during our peak season, you might encounter very few other safari vehicles. The Lower Zambezi Valley is renowned for its respectful game viewing code of conduct, which results in an uncontrived safari experience, giving visitors the opportunity to absorb the wilderness as a whole. The main objective is to minimise the stress of human visitors on the environment and its residents. Radio communications between vehicles are strictly reserved for emergencies, guides respect the no-off-road driving, sightings are restricted to a maximum of three vehicles and any sighting is limited to a 20-minute window per vehicle. It all sounds rigorous, but as a guest, you don’t notice any of this!

The time spent out in the bush is up to you and we often arrange for full day game drives where we serve teas and lunches under a canopy of beautiful trees, where guests have the opportunity to stretch their legs.

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Zambia's National Parks are fence-free and wildlife has the freedom to roam between the Lower Zambezi National Park and adjacent wilderness areas such as the Chiawa Game Management Area, Mana Pools (on the opposite bank of the Zambezi) and South Luangwa National Park. That is the beauty of Zambia and its uncontrived safari experience; although most species are territorial, the National Parks and Game Management Areas do not own the wildlife, they are merely the custodians of the area.

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Cruise the Zambezi River with one of our experienced river guides in search of a breeding herd of elephants bathing, ever-curious buffalo in the reeds or the elusive African Skimmer. Game viewing from the river adds a different dimension to your safari as most wildlife is more at ease with boats in the water than with vehicles on land. With the added flexibility to move around the boat, a river cruise offers spectacular photographic and viewing opportunities. At the end of the day, sit back, relax and enjoy a sundowner while the sun sets over one of Africa’s largest rivers.

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Everyone deserves a bit of “me-time” and we invite you to enjoy a professional massage or beauty treatment from the comfort of your suite or private veranda. Our wellness menu offers treatments to pamper your body and relax your mind, including specialised massages, Gatineau facials, manicures and pedicures. With the sounds of the African bush in the background, the banks of the Zambezi offer the perfect setting to unwind and spoil yourself.