Wildlife Hides in Zambia

When it comes to hides, few operators rival Shenton Safaris in South Luangwa National Park. Known for an intimate and adventurous approach to safari, the company owns some of the finest hides in Zambia. The Hippo Hide at Kaingo Camp is one of the most famous. Sunken into the riverbank, it offers eye-level views of one of the Luangwa’s largest hippo pods. Elephants, crocodiles, and a variety of birdlife are also frequent visitors, and photographers adore the dramatic angles this hide provides.

The Elephant Hide Star Bed serves a dual purpose. By day, it’s a wonderful hide overlooking a lagoon busy with elephant, antelopes, and birdlife. By night, it transforms into an elevated star-bed for an unforgettable sleep-out experience. The Carmine Bee-eater Hide, accessed from both Kaingo Camp and Mwamba Bush Camp, offers a front-row seat to one of Africa’s most colourful spectacles, as thousands of carmine bee-eaters nest in the riverbanks between August and October.

In the Lower Zambezi National Park, Time + Tide Chongwe Camp features a superb hide overlooking a permanent waterhole close to camp. Elephants often wander in to drink and bathe, sometimes just a few feet from your seat. The Lower Zambezi’s hides are particularly productive during the dry season, when wildlife congregates at the remaining water sources, and they’re a perfect spot for afternoon siestas or sundowners with a wild view.

Whether you’re a keen photographer, a seasoned safari-goer, or visiting Africa for the first time, incorporating a hide visit into your Zambian safari is highly recommended. These secret corners of the bush provide some of the most personal, up-close, and thrilling wildlife encounters you’ll ever have – and are often the moments you’ll remember longest.