Lilayi Lodge

Lilayi Lodge sits on a six hundred and fifty hectare farm on the edge of Lusaka, less than an hour from the airport. The land is a private game park, and animals graze within sight of the chalets — so the lodge works both as a stopover between flights and as a stay in its own right.

There are twelve chalets in total: ten deluxe rooms and two family chalets. The deluxe rooms are open-plan en-suite units with a lounge area; folding bay windows open onto a wooden deck and verandah, which is where you will see the game closest. The two family chalets each hold two en-suite bedrooms — one double, one twin — plus a lounge, and they sleep two adults and two children comfortably.

On the farm you can go out on game drives, join guided walks, or sit at the game-viewing hide. The lodge also has a bird-watching programme; the farm's mix of bush and open ground supports a range of species. Back at the lodge there is a restaurant, a bar, a spa, and a pool. A children's splash pool is available for families.

The area is malaria-free, which removes one planning variable for short-stay guests. An airport shuttle is available on request, and the lodge accepts credit cards.