A new owner-led luxury safari brand has been launched in Zambia, bringing together four of the country's leading safari lodges under a single collection as the destination looks to strengthen its position in Africa's high-end tourism market.
Source: Supplied | The new Zambia Luxury Lodge Collection (from left to right): Chichele Presidential, Puku Ridge, Lolebezi and Lolelunga Private Reserve.
The Zambia Luxury Lodge Collection (ZLLC) combines Chichele Presidential, Puku Ridge, Lolebezi and Lolelunga Private Reserve into a unified portfolio spanning South Luangwa National Park, Lower Zambezi National Park and the Lolelunga Private Reserve.
According to the collection, the owner-led model will provide travel advisors and guests with access to a single luxury safari circuit while supporting a unified long-term vision for the properties.
Owner-led management model
The launch follows the evolution of the collection's ownership structure. Lolebezi has been managed by African Bush Camps, while Chichele Presidential and Puku Ridge have operated under other management partners.
From 2027, ZLLC will oversee the sales, marketing and day-to-day management of all four properties directly, while continuing to work with African Bush Camps and previous management partners, which will retain the lodges within their sales portfolios as non-exclusive distribution partners.
The model will allow travel advisors to continue booking through existing trade relationships or directly through ZLLC.
"This transition marks a defining milestone for Zambia Luxury Lodge Collection as we bring Chichele Presidential, Puku Ridge, Lolebezi and Lolelunga Private Reserve together under one unified commercial and operational vision," said Jennifer Beattie, Director of Sales and Marketing for ZLLC.
"From August 2026 for 2027 onwards, we will offer the international travel trade direct access to one of Zambia's most compelling luxury safari circuits, supported by centralised contracting, reservations, sales and marketing. We greatly value the foundations established with partners, and look forward to continuing these relationships as valued, non-exclusive distribution partners as ZLLC leads the portfolio into its next chapter."
Jopie van Rooyen, group operations and quality control manager, said bringing the lodges under one operational structure would strengthen consistency while preserving the individual identity of each property.
"As Zambia Luxury Lodge Collection assumes direct day-to-day management of its lodges from 1 January 2027, our priority will be to build upon the strong foundations already established while introducing one consistent standard of operational excellence across the portfolio," he said.
"This transition will allow us to align every aspect of the guest journey with the ZLLC vision, from service delivery and lodge operations to the finer details that define an exceptional safari experience. By bringing our properties together under one unified operational structure in 2027, we will strengthen quality, accountability and consistency while ensuring that each lodge retains its individual character and distinct sense of place."
International expansion
Coinciding with the launch, ZLLC has appointed dedicated sales representatives in the United States and the United Kingdom to strengthen relationships with the travel trade and media in two of its key source markets.
The company said the appointments would provide regional support, product knowledge and sales assistance to travel advisors.
Conservation at the core
The collection spans four distinct safari destinations.
Chichele Presidential overlooks the South Luangwa Valley from a former presidential retreat, while nearby Puku Ridge offers eight tented suites overlooking the Kakumbi Plain. Lolebezi, in Lower Zambezi National Park, combines river-based safari experiences with luxury accommodation.
Lolelunga Private Reserve represents the collection's largest conservation project. The 30,000-hectare reserve has undergone extensive habitat restoration and wildlife reintroductions after years of degradation.
During 2026, the reserve reintroduced lions for the first time in more than 15 years through a partnership with Zambia's Department of National Parks and Wildlife and the Ministry of Tourism. The programme followed earlier cheetah reintroductions and forms part of broader plans to restore a fully functioning ecosystem, with black rhinos planned for a future phase.
The collection said its long-term focus combines luxury hospitality, conservation and community engagement while showcasing Zambia's diverse safari experiences through a single portfolio.
