Big Lagoon Camp

Big Lagoon Camp sits on a permanent lagoon in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, on a site that holds its water through the dry season. Because the lagoon never empties, elephant, buffalo, and birds arrive at the water's edge every day, and you watch them from the camp itself.

The camp holds three chalets — a double with a king bed and two twin-bed chalets — arranged beneath a grove of ebony trees. Each chalet is built from natural materials: the bathrooms run water through a raised drum, heated on request. There are no crowds; three chalets means three groups of guests at most.

The main activity here is walking. Remote Africa Safaris guides lead daily walks through sections of the Luangwa Valley that vehicle tracks do not reach. Each walk goes out with an armed National Parks scout alongside, and a tea bearer carries supplies. The routes follow natural wildlife trails, reading spoor and tracking animals on foot at close range. Game drives and guided birding are also available from camp.

Big Lagoon was previously called Crocodile River Camp and was moved to this lagoon site in 2022, reviving one of the Luangwa Valley's original bush camp locations. It is operated by Remote Africa Safaris, whose Tafika Fund has supported local community and conservation work since 1998.