Sanctuary Puku Ridge Camp

A stunning place. The views are amazing, allowing you to watch the early morning ang early evening activity around a small water hole in front of lodge. The food was excellent along with the staff's attentiveness. Our guide was fascinating in himself as well as very knowledgeable around this area and Zambia as a whole. He "clicked" on to our wants and desires and fore filled the completely - a credit to the lodge.

This camp is luxurious and beautifully located. All the chalets look out over a huge flood plain -- green and full of grazing animals and birds. The public areas are very chic. Service is VERY attentive and kind. Our guide, Fred, was superb and a great personality to spend our days with out on game drives. Our chalet had everything, and more, that we could possibly use or need and our private terrace was extensive and included plunge pool and outdoor shower. Meals were actually elegant, even breakfast. Our room could be completely open air, but also had air conditioning, so it could be closed up if desired. The star bed up on the upper deck was a fun option. It's enjoyable and lovely as long as you don't mind walking downstairs to use the john during the night. I didn't mind! There are lanterns and lights at the flick of a switch. They have pretty much thought of everything.

The Puku Ridge camp had really excellent and well-managed facilities with a fabulous view over the floodplain which always had elephant, impala, giraffe, baboons, and once lions coming to the waterhole in front of the lodge, this was regularly topped up from boreholes. Our own accommodation had the same view, and a nightly visit by a hippo, judging by the characteristic snort grunt which seemed so close to where we were sleeping - but we never saw him. We also had our own plunge pool and an outside bed on our roof which we didn’t use as not quite warm enough in early May. The food was very good and the service impeccable, one of the highlights was definitely a stir-fry lunch in the bush. We were introduced to Lameck our guide and David his spotter at Mfuwe when they came to pick us up at the airport. A good way to get to know them - Lameck was a great guide with excellent English and a great sense of humour. His knowledge was extensive and we learnt so much about the animals' and birds’ lives and their habits. The camp is unique in using red light at night (headlights and spotlight) as it is less disturbing for the animals. David was quieter but also very knowledgeable and unerring with the red spotlight in finding game at night, including leopards on two occasions. He turned out to be a talented artist and Jenny commissioned him to paint her some of the birds typical to the area and send it to her. We await its arrival with much anticipation. Driving into the park from Mfuwe we crossed the bridge over the Luangwa river, Jenny remarked that when she lived in Chipata, Zambia, 60-odd years ago, they used to cross using a pontoon driven by hand to get in and out of the park! So many memories for her. We saw the big five, including leopards for the first time (our previous safaris to Tanzania and South Africa failed in this respect) and wild dog, another first for us - the pack feeding enthusiastically on a Puku. Plus so many other species, animals always there wherever you looked, truly the park is very, very rich in game. We decided to forego the early morning game drives and went out at 9am after breakfast, they were happy to accommodate this request. I don’t believe we missed out on anything as a result of this decision, there was so much to see. This was a dream holiday, everything was perfect. The beautiful camp is perfectly located and the excellent guide knowledge maximises the experience. We felt so welcome and were very sorry to leave. We will definitely come back one day. John Stewart and Jenny Cooper

Puku Ridge is so beautifully built, the room is spacious with a deck and private plunge pool. The main area is my favorite as it overlooks an open plain with an artificial waterhole where animals would come to drink when water sources are limited. The staffs are very helpful and Camp manager (Grant and Annieme) are always there to cater your needs. Special credit to the chefs at Puku, the meals are one of the finest I have ever had in any safari camps (perhaps on same standard as Singita SA). Very happy with my stay in Oct (though itwas really hot). I would definitely recommend Puku Ridge to anyone who is looking for a luxury and cozy camp in South Luangwa!

We had the good fortune to stay at Chiawa Camp in 2019. Three years later, Puku Ridge was the highlight of our first major international trip since the pandemic began. We knew the Cumings family was behind the newly renovated Puku and had experienced their great skill at Chiawa. However, we were simply unprepared for how luxurious and immaculately detailed Puku actually is. While amenities, service, and fine dining are all comparable to the best international resorts, the ambience remains wonderfully that of a safari camp: unpretentious, friendly and inspired by local vernacular traditions. Our guide Andrew was with us from pickup at the airport through every breakfast and safari and he was nothing less than incredible. Back at camp Annemie and Grant are consummate hosts, mixing effortless conversation and assistance while setting the standard for a very professional staff. Tents are perhaps the nicest hotel "rooms" we've ever stayed in. Cuisine is nothing short of wonderful. Especially appreciated were the surprise Anniversary brunch and dinner they planned for us. We simply cannot recommend Puku highly enough; our five days there were woefully inadequate and we can't wait to return!

We have loved visiting the Cumings' camps, Chiawa and Old Mondoro, for the past 20 years, and were thrilled to stay for 5 days at this new safari camp they helped design and create. We were not disappointed! Every aspect of the camp honors the surrounding wildlife and wilderness; from the wide-open vistas, plunge pool, private lounging decks with comfortable chairs, and absolutely incredible "star beds." In addition to all that, the inside of each chalet is impeccable, with light air-conditioning over the double king bed (very helpful in the hot months); spacious seating area; sumptuous bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers and huge tub for bubble baths with a view! Each day we watched herds of animals -- kudu, zebra, elephant, puku -- feeding and interacting out on the glorious plain in front of our room or from the main gathering area. And the food! Delicious and fresh, wholesome and imaginative. Finally, the guiding was absolutely excellent; we watched baby elephants, leopards, hyena, and lions right next to the vehicle, along with wild dogs greeting each other and hunting! We will definitely be back.

We have loved visiting the Cummings' camps, Chiawa and Old Mondoro, for the past 20 years, and were thrilled to stay for 5 days at this new safari camp they helped design and create. We were not disappointed! Every aspect of the camp honors the surrounding wildlife and wilderness; from the wide-open vistas, plunge pool, private lounging decks with comfortable chairs, and absolutely incredible "star beds." In addition to all that, the inside of each chalet is impeccable, with light air-conditioning over the double king bed (very helpful in the hot months); spacious seating area; sumptuous bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers and huge tub for bubble baths with a view! Each day we watched herds of animals -- kudu, zebra, elephant, puku -- feeding and interacting out on the glorious plain in front of our room or from the main gathering area. And the food! Delicious and fresh, wholesome and imaginative. Finally, the guiding was absolutely excellent; we watched baby elephants, leopards, hyena, and lions right next to the vehicle, along with wild dogs greeting each other and hunting! We will definitely be back.

Where do we start. Enormous bedroom with the best bed we've ever slept in, the most enormous bath, wonderful outdoor and indoor shower, wonderful views out to the plain. We spent hours just sitting watching the wildlife - baboons, zebras, giraffes, elephants, warthogs and many more. What really stood out was the kindness, hospitality and service from every member of staff. They all treated us like royalty and nothing was too much trouble. On my husband's birthday they arranged a surprise champagne sundowner in the Park. Andrew our guide was superb. He went out of his way to find every animal and even managed to come across two lions mating and a young leopard attempting to chase two warthogs but instead running away from them! We could not fault anything and thoroughly recommend Puku Ridge for the holiday of a lifetime.

I could not be happier with my selection of Puku Ridge as my special get away spot in Zambia. The property is extremely well maintained - luxurious with a rustic twist. The staff and management were friendly and accommodating above and beyond and our guide Able and his 'assistant' Mable were extremely knowledgeable and really took their time explaining the magic that unfolded during our drives. The food was 5 star! I will miss this place and I will miss all of the friendly smiles. Thank you for a great experience!