An extraordinary year of change, resilience and life in the wild.
2026 has been one of the pinnacle years for Lion Camp.
A year of change, shifting dynamics and, above all, determination. From the people who make Lion Camp what it is to the wildlife that calls northern South Luangwa home, both have shone in ways that are difficult to put into words.
As we close another remarkable season, we want to reflect on the moments, challenges and achievements that made 2026 one of our most memorable years yet.
A TEAM THAT ROSE TO THE OCCASION
Every season brings its own challenges, but 2026 was particularly significant for our Lion Camp family.
With departures in senior management and new faces joining the operation, this year was about learning, adapting and, more than anything, coming together as one team.
What stood out most was the way our staff rose to the occasion.
Across every department, we watched individuals grow into leaders. Not through authority, but through integrity, dedication and passion. People took initiative without being asked, worked tirelessly behind the scenes and stepped into responsibilities that, at the beginning of the season, might have seemed beyond them.
Big boots were filled, new faces thrived and familiar faces continued to grow.
Lion Camp has always been built on the strength of its people, but this year we witnessed something particularly special. A team that, despite the challenges and changing dynamics, became more united than ever.
And that is something we’re incredibly proud of.
LION CAMP, FOR A REASON
If there was one species that defined our wildlife sightings in 2026, it was undoubtedly the African lion.
This season reminded us exactly why we’re called Lion Camp.
The River Pride, in particular, had an extraordinary year. After navigating challenging pride dynamics in previous seasons, our girls truly came into their own, establishing themselves as formidable buffalo hunters.
Their presence around the lodge became increasingly frequent, particularly towards the end of the season, offering guests remarkable opportunities to witness the realities of life within a lion pride.
But the wild is never without its challenges.
The pride unfortunately lost its cubs, a difficult and heartbreaking part of the season for everyone who had followed their journey.
Yet the lionesses continued to demonstrate the resilience that has come to define them. We remain hopeful that the coming years will bring new opportunities for the pride to grow and strengthen.
Our dominant males also experienced a fascinating shift in dynamics.
Zeus, with his magnificent full mane, emerged as an increasingly prominent figure around Lion Camp. Having previously played a more secondary role alongside his coalition partner Apollo, he stepped forward as the two males began spending more time apart.
Apollo, meanwhile, spent more time around the MK Pride and faced significant challenges of his own, including injuries and illness.
His ability to overcome those setbacks was another remarkable example of the strength required to survive in this competitive landscape.
Two coalition partners, two very different journeys, and another chapter in the ever-changing story of South Luangwa’s lions.
THE LEOPARDS OF THE VALLEY
While lions dominated much of the season, our leopards continued to provide their own fascinating stories.
Chiphadzuwa remained a prominent presence in the area, with territorial dynamics developing alongside Mwezi, the daughter of Quita, one of the area’s previous territorial females.
Watching these relationships and boundaries evolve has been particularly interesting, especially in an area with such a rich history of individual leopards.
And, of course, Chiphadzuwa continued to be the legend that she is.
A familiar and much-loved presence in our part of the valley, she remains one of those extraordinary animals whose story we feel privileged to follow.
These are the sightings that make returning to Lion Camp so special. Not simply seeing a leopard, but recognising an individual, understanding its history and watching another chapter of its life unfold.
A VALLEY FULL OF LIFE
After the difficult drought conditions of 2025, this season brought a welcome change.
With more water available across the landscape and lagoons remaining fuller, the valley felt noticeably different.
As the dry season progressed, the floodplains in front of Lion Camp became an extraordinary gathering place for wildlife.
Large herds of kudu and zebra appeared almost daily, while puku and impala were seemingly everywhere.
At times, the sheer abundance of wildlife made it feel as though the entire valley had gathered outside our doorstep.
Predators and prey were frequently seen sharing the same landscape, creating the kind of interactions that make South Luangwa such a remarkable ecosystem.
And then came the buffalo.
Towards the end of the season, herds numbering more than 1,500 animals moved through the area in front of camp, transforming the plains into a sea of movement.
It’s a sight that never gets old, no matter how many seasons you’ve spent here.
OUR FAMILIAR GIANTS
No season review would be complete without mentioning two of our most recognisable visitors, Charlie and Scooter.
These magnificent elephant bulls continued to frequent Lion Camp throughout the season, much to the delight of our guests and team.
Scooter, in particular, became an almost daily character around the lodge, making his familiar rounds and reminding everyone that we’re very much visitors in their wilderness.
There’s something incredibly special about sharing space with wild elephants that have become so familiar to us, while remaining entirely free to come and go as they please.
For many guests, these unexpected encounters become some of their most memorable moments at Lion Camp.
THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP COMING BACK
Every year we’re fortunate to welcome wonderful guests from around the world, but 2026 was particularly special.
We experienced one of our highest numbers of returning guests, something we consider a tremendous feather in our cap.
For us, there’s no greater compliment than someone choosing to return to Lion Camp.
It’s a reflection of the experiences our guests have enjoyed, but more importantly, a testament to the people who make those experiences possible.
Despite the operational changes and challenges faced throughout the season, our team continued to uphold the standards of hospitality that we strive for.
To everyone who visited us this year, whether for the first time or as a familiar face returning to the valley, thank you.
You are as much a part of the Lion Camp story as the wilderness around us.
THREE YEARS. THREE AWARDS.
As if the season hadn’t already given us enough reasons to celebrate, we closed 2026 with another extraordinary achievement.
For the third consecutive year, Lion Camp was recognised at the World Luxury Hotel Awards.
Three years, three wins.
While awards are a wonderful acknowledgement of what we do, this one feels particularly meaningful.
It belongs to the entire team.
To the guides who bring the wilderness to life, the kitchen and hospitality teams who make every guest feel at home, the maintenance and workshop teams who keep the operation running, and every individual working behind the scenes.
After a year of significant change, this recognition is a testament to the dedication, integrity and commitment of the people who make Lion Camp possible.
We couldn’t be prouder.
LOOKING AHEAD
As we close the doors on another season, there’s a tremendous sense of pride in what we’ve achieved.
2026 wasn’t without its challenges. There were changes to navigate, difficult moments in the wild and plenty of lessons learned along the way.
But perhaps that’s what made it so special.
Our team grew stronger. Our wildlife continued to surprise us. Our guests reminded us why we do what we do.
And through it all, Lion Camp continued to evolve.
Looking ahead, there will always be things to improve, details to fine-tune and new challenges to embrace.
But our ship is sailing, and we’re excited about where it’s heading.
To our team, our guests and everyone who has been part of the Lion Camp journey this year, thank you for an unforgettable 2026.
Until next season, from all of us at Lion Camp.
Discover Lion Camp and plan your next South Luangwa safari.
