Sausage Tree Camp is the Lower Zambezi camp to book if you want privacy on safari. Every one of its seven suites has a private plunge pool and a view of the Zambezi. Every booking comes with a private guide, vehicle and boat. That means your days run to your own rhythm: no waiting for other guests, no compromise on when to head out or how long to sit with a herd of elephants.
The camp sits inside Lower Zambezi National Park and has been running since 1996. It is now part of Green Safaris. The style is light and contemporary rather than heavy and colonial. There is also a 25-meter lap pool and a small gym, which is unusual for a safari camp.
It suits couples who want a high-end safari that feels personal and modern. It also suits couples who enjoy water as much as land: canoeing, boating and fishing are all big here. It does not suit couples looking for a lower price, since rates start at about $1,200 per person per night. For a honeymoon where you want every activity to be just for the two of you, it is one of the strongest choices in Zambia.
Highlights at a glance
- Private guide, vehicle and boat for every booking
- Seven suites, each with a private plunge pool
- Canoeing on the quiet Chifungulu Channel
- 25-meter lap pool and a gym
- Inside Lower Zambezi National Park
Why Couples Love Sausage Tree Camp
Private guiding is the headline. Most safari camps share vehicles between guests, so you spend your days with strangers. At Sausage Tree, your guide, vehicle and boat are yours alone. You can linger at a leopard sighting, skip the early start one morning or spend an entire afternoon on the river.
The suites also stand out. Each has a plunge pool overlooking the Zambezi, so the hottest part of the day becomes a time to swim, read and watch elephants cross between islands. The design is airy and bright. The camp is small enough that staff quickly learn your preferences. Bush meals, river lunches and private dinners can all be arranged for honeymooners.
Suites to Book
There are seven luxury tented suites and one family house.
- The luxury suites are the honeymoon choice. Each has a private plunge pool and a view of the river. They are spread along the bank for privacy.
- Kigelia House sleeps four and has its own plunge pool. It suits families or two couples traveling together.
All suites share a similar layout and standard, so the main thing to ask about is position. Request a suite at the end of the row for the most privacy, or one with the widest river view. Mention your honeymoon when you book so the camp can plan special touches such as a private dinner on your deck.
Food, Drink and Down Time
Meals are a highlight, with breakfasts before your morning activity, long lunches in the heat of the day and dinners under the stars. The camp is known for bush meals and river lunches, where your guide sets up a table on a sandbank or under a tree. Confirm what the rate covers, including drinks and park fees, when you book.
The 25-meter lap pool is a real treat in October, when temperatures soar. There is also a gym for anyone who wants a workout between drives. For quiet time, your suite's plunge pool and deck are the best spots. Ask whether massages can be arranged. Most couples find that the rhythm of early starts, afternoon naps and sunset boat rides fills the days nicely.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
Activities include day and night game drives, walking safaris, canoeing, boat safaris, birding and fishing. With a private guide, you can mix them however you like. Canoeing the Chifungulu Channel, a quieter side channel off the main river, is a highlight: you drift past hippos, elephants and nesting birds in near silence.
Fishing for tigerfish is catch and release, with spinning and fly fishing available. One day of fishing is included. Additional days need a $40 daily angling license, paid in camp. September to December is the best time for fish. Night drives bring a chance of leopards, hyenas and genets. Walking with your guide is a slower, closer way to learn the bush. It suits couples who like to be on foot.
Getting There
Fly into Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka. From there, a light aircraft takes you to one of the airstrips that serve the Lower Zambezi. The camp arranges the final transfer, which usually includes a boat ride along the river, a lovely way to arrive.
The dry season, from about May to October, has the best game viewing. Bring a soft bag to meet luggage limits on small planes. This is a malaria area, so speak to a travel doctor about prevention before you go. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices for Zambia. Most couples spend three or four nights here, then fly on to South Luangwa or Victoria Falls.
Is It Worth It?
For couples who want a private safari, yes. Rates start at roughly $1,200 per person per night, so about $2,400 for two, rising in peak season. Treat that as an approximate starting point. Given that private guiding often costs extra elsewhere, the value is strong.
The trade-off is price. If you are happy to share a vehicle, Chongwe Camp, just outside the park, is cheaper and offers similar activities. If you want a camp with more history and a family feel, Chiawa is a good alternative. For couples who value privacy and flexibility above everything, Sausage Tree is hard to beat. A plunge pool with a river view and a guide who works only for you make a very good honeymoon.
Insider tips
- Use your private guide to plan a full day on the river with a picnic.
- Ask for a suite at the end of the row for the most privacy.
- Come in September to December if tigerfish fishing is a priority.
- Confirm what the rate covers, including park fees and drinks.
