Puku Ridge, the distinctive ridge-top safari lodge in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, has been named Zambia’s Leading Safari Lodge 2026 at the World Travel Awards, securing the prestigious title for the fourth consecutive year.
Owned by Zambia Luxury Lodge Collection (ZLLC) and currently operated by Chiawa Safaris, Puku Ridge has built a reputation for its intimate setting, exceptional guiding and deeply immersive approach to experiencing the region’s wilderness.
Set quietly on an elevated ridge overlooking the Kakumbi Plain, Puku Ridge offers a considered interpretation of safari, with eight permanent tented suites immersed in the surrounding wilderness. Each suite features a private plunge pool and expansive deck, creating a secluded vantage point from which to watch the landscape and wildlife unfold.
At Puku Ridge, the safari experience is shaped around the rhythms of the wilderness rather than a fixed itinerary. Exceptional guiding sits at its heart, with each day tailored to guests’ interests and the conditions of the landscape. Game drives, immersive walking experiences and photography-focused outings are complemented by the lodge’s hidden photographic hide and star-bed sleep-outs, inviting guests to experience South Luangwa from a series of considered perspectives.
The lodge’s elevated setting is central to its character. Designed to sit naturally within the landscape, Puku Ridge balances a contemporary refinement with an understated sense of place, allowing the surrounding nature to remain the focus. From the privacy of each tent, guests can access far-reaching views across the Kakumbi Plains, while the lodge’s open spaces provide a natural connection to the landscape beyond.
“We are incredibly proud to have been named Zambia’s Leading Safari Lodge for the fourth consecutive year,” said Jennifer Beattie, Director of Sales & Marketing for Zambia Luxury Lodge Collection (ZLLC). “To receive this recognition is a wonderful reflection of the dedication of the team at Puku Ridge and the experience we strive to create for every guest. Puku Ridge is a place where the setting, guiding and the freedom to experience the wilderness at your own pace come together, and we are delighted to see that commitment be recognised once again by the World Travel Awards.”
The 2026 accolade marks four consecutive years in which Puku Ridge has held the title of Zambia’s Leading Safari Lodge, highlighting the consistency of its personalised hospitality, exceptional guiding and immersive approach to experiencing South Luangwa.
The World Travel Awards is an annual global programme recognising excellence across the travel and tourism industry. The awards celebrate leading destinations, hospitality providers and travel experiences across regional and natural categories with winners determined through voting from travel professionals and consumers worldwide.
Puku Ridge is one of the four properties owned by the Zambia Luxury Lodge Collection, bringing together four distinctive safari destinations across Zambia: Chichele Presidential and Puku Ridge in South Luangwa, Lolebezi in the Lower Zambezi, and Lolelunga Private Reserve in Zambia’s remote north-west. The lodge is currently operated by Chiawa Safaris, with Zambia Luxury Lodge Collection set to assume full operational management and lead commercial strategy across all properties from 1 January 2027.
