On arrival at Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Zambia, you are met by our representative as you exit the arrivals terminal. Our representative will meet you and transfer you by road to your Lodge located on a game farm on the outskirts of Lusaka.
Road Transfer Time: approx. 1 hour
Arriving at your lodge, you are met with a refreshing welcome beverage before you are briefed and assisted to your Deluxe Room for your overnight stay. Enjoy time at leisure or explore the activities available on the Game Farm. These include game drives, horseback or walking safaris and culinary experiences.
All roads lead to Lusaka, the geographic, commercial and metaphorical heart of Zambia. Zambia’s contemporary culture is a blend of values, norms, material and spiritual traditions of more than 70 ethnically diverse people.
Most of the tribes of Zambia moved into the area in a series of migratory waves a few centuries ago. Before the colonial period, the region now known as Zambia was the home of several free states. Each has comprehensive economic links with the others and the outside world along trade routes to the east and west coast of Africa. The main export was copper, in exchange for textiles, jewellery, salt and hardware.
This morning is an early one, as you may decide to enjoy breakfast before enjoying a “Behind the Scenes” Tour at the Lilayi Elephant Nursery. The “BTS” Tour allows you to see how these baby Elephants are raised with first-hand experience. Assist the elephant keepers with getting the milk ready for these beautiful animals as well as how they are released when they are ready to go back into the wild!
In the mid-morning, you are met by your driver and transferred by road in a western direction to your Luxury Safari Lodge located along the Kafue River in the Kafue National Park. Enjoy a scenic drive from Lusaka, reaching your Lodge in the late afternoon.
Road Transfer Time: approx. 3 ½ hours
On arrival at your Lodge, you are met at reception and assisted to your Luxury Tented Suite for your 3-night stay. Depending on your arrival time, you may decide to enjoy time at leisure or enjoy one of the afternoon game activities before enjoying a traditional African Dinner under the stars!
Kafue National Park was established in the 1950s by the legendary Norman Carr, but despite its size, diversity and wealth of game, the park remains largely unexplored. Kafue National Park is 22,400 square kilometres of pristine African bush. This unexplored gem of a park is enticing for its incredible diversity of wildlife and its sheer quantity of big game. From the remote northern seasonal Busanga floodplain formed of open grassland dotted with wild date palm, sausage and fig tree ‘islands’, through central miombo woodland and along the banks of the mighty Kafue River to the more sandy southern plains the Kafue represents an incredible collection of diverse habitats.
Depart on your final morning game drive in the Central Kafue National Park before you are treated to Brunch overlooking the Great Wilderness and Kafue River. You are met at reception by your guide for your road transfer through the National Park to your Camp in the Northern Kafue National Park.
Road Transfer Time: approx. 5 hours
Your Road Transfer between the two properties will be an exciting one as you venture through the Kafue National Park in search of various wildlife. Enjoy an additional game drive as you are transferred through this natural nirvana. On arrival at your Camp, you are met and assisted to your “Nest” for your 3-night stay.
The afternoon is at leisure, or you may decide to enjoy an afternoon game drive through the Northern Kafue National Park.
Secluded and special, the Busanga Plains can be found in the north of Kafue National Park, one of the continent’s largest protected spaces. If it’s raw nature, off-the-beaten-track and authentic that you want out of a trip to Africa, this region delivers. It is probably best suited to second or third-time-to-Africa travellers who have already been to the Kruger and/or Botswana.
The plains are positioned on an ancient lakebed which undergoes regular flooding during Zambia’s rainy season. During dry spells, the plains are reminiscent of the savannah of the Serengeti plains, distinct from the miombo woodlands which characterise most of Kafue National Park. With an abundance of puku, wildebeest, oribi, bushbuck, red lechwe, sable and roan antelope, Kafue National Park is one of Zambia’s prime game-viewing locations.
This morning, you bid farewell to this African Wonderland as you enjoy breakfast overlooking the Plains. You are transferred by road to the Busanga Airstrip for your Light Aircraft Transfer to Lusaka and Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
Light Aircraft Transfer Time: approx. 2 hours
Upon arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, you make your way through the International Departures Terminal for your International Flight Home.
Lilayi Lodge is located on the outskirts of Lusaka, on a 650-hectare farm providing guests with that feeling of being deep in the heart of the African bush. The Lodge is designed to accommodate 28 guests in ten Deluxe Chalets and two Family Chalets and is perfectly suited for guests travelling in and out of Lusaka.
The deluxe chalets sleep two people comfortably. Each unit consists of an open plan, en suite bedroom with a tastefully furnished lounge. The bathrooms boast Victoria Albert Volcanic Limestone soaker baths and spacious showers, while the room’s folding bay windows open up to a wooden deck and veranda. Amenities include LED satellite television, wireless Internet connection, bar fridge, and coffee/tea station.
The dining area is the theatre where they showcase their true culinary delights, ranging from 7-course food and wine pairings to sundowners on the restaurant deck. Enjoy the true Zambian hospitality whilst surrounded by the beautiful wildlife of the Lilayi Game Park. The Bar & Lounge Area is where guests can make themselves at home. Guests can enjoy a variety of beverages, including signature cocktails and real Zambian Coffee.
Relax by our pool in the afternoons for a sundowner and wait for the wildlife of the game park to stroll in for their afternoon graze on the open lawn. A truly magnificent safari experience.
Situated on the banks of the Kafue River, Ila Safari Lodge combines a sleek, modern design with an environmentally sustainable approach. The lodge is situated within Kafue National Park, an area of abundant wildlife, with hippos and elephants often seen relaxing along the riverbanks.
The 10 luxury safari tents are raised on decks overlooking the river and furnished in a modern African style, with each individually designed to blend in with its surrounding environment. The design of each tent is suited to mesh with the flora surrounding it, providing shade, privacy and your very own piece of Kafue wilderness.
Our family tents can accommodate 4 people, or in case of families with 3 kids, can have an extra bed added. The spacious tents offer 2 separate sleeping departments, ideal for families or couples sharing. Both family tents offer a luxurious bath and shower, overlooking the Kafue River.
All tents feature en suite bathrooms and either outside showers or baths. Beds are extra long for the most comfortable night’s sleep. Mosquito nets are spacious and billowing and are turned down for you each evening. The stay in your tent will be a unique and pampering bush experience, something you will remember for a lifetime!
The central boma of the lodge offers a swimming pool, an open-air restaurant, bar and lounge with 180-degree views over the river, a boat jetty, and a firepit area for evening gatherings. Trees have been incorporated into the design and structure of the lodge, and it is completely run on solar power. Dinner is served in the open-air restaurant, offering stunning views over the Kafue River, the food is of a high quality, and the service is excellent.
Positioned in a wildlife-rich area and in the heart of the Busanga Plains of the Northern Kafue National Park, Chisa Busanga will offer exceptionally good guided game drives and walking safaris. With only four rooms, Chisa Busanga Camp is an intimate Camp that was built with a unique style and remarkable architecture.
Each Room has been built as a tree-house, in the shape of bird-nests, to perfectly blend in with nature. The name of the Camp has been chosen based on this unique design. Chisa means birds nest in the local language. Each Tented Nest feature a Luxury Room with a full en-suite with single vanities and separate toilet cubicles. Showers are open plan to the bedroom but have shower curtains for privacy. All tents overlook the vast Busanga Plains and are elevated to a height of 4 meters, which provides expansive views.
A short distance from your Nest, you can find the sparkling plunge pool that overlooks the plains as well as the Main Camp and Boma. Brunch, afternoon tea and dinner can be enjoyed in the open-air dining room, which boasts scenic views of the Busanga Plains.
Meals are varied from International cuisine to local dishes. During your game activities, snacks and drinks are provided, while a small buffet is served in the morning prior to your morning game drive. A Tented Dining Room and Lounge is located next to the Main Camp and provides guests with various relaxation spots. Enjoy a superb wine and cocktails list at the Bar before making your way to the Boma for pre-dinner drinks.
Ila Safari Lodge offers a wide variety of activities to make sure you’ll get to experience the pristine wilderness of the Kafue National Park at its best and learn about the conservation programmes. Activities include Game drives in Kafue National Park and boat cruises down the river.
The Game Drives and River Cruises are excellent ways to see the abundant local wildlife, and you will have a good chance of seeing lions, leopards, elephants, hippos, and a range of other species. Ila Lodge takes great pride in their Eco-Lodge. Some of the vehicles at Ila Lodge are eco-friendly and run on electricity!
This vehicle allows you to experience all the sights and sounds of the bush in near silence and with a sense of environmental care. The eLandy is kept close to camp and operates in the Game Management Area for short drives or the relatively common ‘dinner table dash’ to investigate what that sound in the night was or how close those lion calls are!
Regular sightings include lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, a wide range of antelopes including roan, sable and zebra, hippo, crocodile, warthog, genet, jackal, mongoose, entertaining baboons and monkeys and a myriad of species of birds. The rarer species are also on the card,s including wild dog, cheetah, honey badger, civet, serval, bushpig, porcupine and bushbaby.
Besides the game drives, you can enjoy a boat cruise at either dawn or dusk along the Kafue River or a walking safari with the specialist walking guides. The walking safari will take you on an exciting walk using footprints and spoor tracks to find the animals. Other activities include fishing, a visit to the Ila Community and stargazing.
At Chisa Busanga Camp, you can expect thrilling game drives and walking safaris. Keeping with the Green Safaris philosophy, the camp features an electric game-drive vehicle, to enable silent safaris, experience even more game and enjoy the sounds of the bush, without the constant rumble of a diesel engine.
Enjoy sunrise and sunset game drives through the Busanga Plains, a vast open grassland. The plains contrast with Zambia’s usual bush terrain, which makes this area of the Kafue National Park a unique and exciting area. Exploring the plains on foot is a unique opportunity as you experience the African Bush as explorers would.
Another exciting activity on offer is exploring the plains with an e-bike! Cycle through the plains on Chisa Busanga’s very own electronic bicycles. The activities on offer at this Camp will allow you to experience the Plains and this unique Camp the way it should be, with exciting, eco-friendly and memorable game viewing activities.
The grasslands of Busanga Plains attract a variety of animals, most notably herds of zebra and blue wildebeest. The other large predators found here are the cheetah and the wild dog. The Busanga Plains certainly offer visitors their best chance of seeing cheetah in Zambia. Similarly, northern Kafue is one of the strongholds for wild dogs in the region, and they’re seen here fairly commonly.
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I am one of the owners of Pembury Tours and set up the company in 1996 with my husband shortly after our return from a 6-year stay in the United Kingdom, during which time I worked in London and also did a Master’s Degree in Linguistics at Cambridge University.
My principal function at Pembury Tours is ensuring that we maintain a consistently high standard of work. This means I work very closely with my tour consultants as well as my administration staff. I do manage to spend about half my time tour consulting; however, something that I really enjoy! I love the challenge of compiling an itinerary for clients that meets all the criteria they have given me. My love of wildlife means that I especially enjoy working on safari itineraries, but I also like drawing up itineraries that include a “bit of everything” for first-time visitors – Cape Town, beaches, game viewing, African culture and historical insight. As a mother of young adults, I know the importance of looking for more adventurous activities that will keep them entertained and ensure a great family holiday. I am extremely well-travelled and particularly enjoy using my knowledge of travel to put together complex itineraries for discerning travellers.
My favourite safari is definitely the Okavango Delta in Botswana. It truly is one of Africa’s last wildernesses. And my favourite safari memory? It has to be my first time on a mokoro dugout canoe. The slow pace, the utter silence other than the gurgling of water under the canoe and the swish-splash of the guide’s pole, a giant Saddle-billed Stork taking off literally right over my head, the tiny brightly coloured Painted Reed Frog clinging to a papyrus reed, the fat carpenter bee collecting pollen from a water lily, the evocative call of the Fish Eagle, and then coming around a bend to see a family of elephants crossing the stream in front of me, with a tiny little calf being helped through the water by its mother and sisters. It was magical. And made me realise that slow and quiet is just as meaningful as fast and exciting.
I am so proud that Pembury Tours is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and even prouder of our consistent 5-star review status, something that makes us one of the top-rated tour operators in Africa. I could not pick a better team!
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I first joined Pembury Tours as Personal Assistant to the MD back in November 2004, on a mornings-only basis — a role that quickly grew into a full-time position. That time gave me invaluable behind-the-scenes insight into how our tour consultants support clients every day.
After a short break in 2014, I couldn’t stay away for long and returned in 2016 as a consultant based at our offices in Port Elizabeth/Gqeberha.
I love the process of organising: researching destinations, building itineraries, and handling every detail of a client’s arrangements. But just as importantly, it’s about getting to know my clients from our very first conversation, so the holiday we create truly reflects what they’re looking for.
Alongside my administrative background, I’ve also studied tour guiding, which gave me a solid grounding in local history and key sights — knowledge I draw on regularly when planning tours. These days, I specialise in tailor-made journeys through Southern Africa & East Africa. And there’s nothing quite like hearing from clients after their trip, sharing the highlights that made it unforgettable.
My favourite African landscape? Namibia, hands down. Standing atop the burnt-orange dunes of Sossusvlei one day, then watching herds shimmer across the blinding white salt pans of Etosha the next — that contrast still gives me chills. It’s this kind of first-hand experience that shapes every itinerary I build for my clients.
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My passion for travel began at a young age when I was fortunate enough to visit Mozambique at just 10 years old. That experience sparked a lifelong love for Africa and exploring the world. After leaving school, unsure of which career path to pursue, I travelled to Israel to work on a kibbutz. It was there that the travel bug truly took hold, leading me to spend the next decade living and working in various countries around the world.
With Africa always close to my heart, I returned home and began my career in the travel industry in 2005. Since then, I have had the privilege of sharing the beauty and diversity of Africa with travellers from across the globe. I joined Pembury Tours in 2016, where I continue to create unforgettable African journeys tailored to each client’s dreams and interests.
My favourite travel experiences include the breathtaking Victoria Falls, where the sheer magnitude and power of the Falls never fail to impress, and the unforgettable Kruger safari, offering incredible wildlife encounters in one of Africa’s most iconic game reserves. These destinations perfectly capture the beauty and adventure that make Southern Africa so special.
I am family-oriented, enjoy a good laugh, and genuinely love connecting with people. Combining my passion for travel with helping others experience the magic of Africa is both a joy and a privilege, and I take great pride in crafting memorable, once-in-a-lifetime holidays.
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My journey with Pembury Tours began in late 2015 as an Administrative Assistant. My love for travel led me to study Tourism at school and later at college, where I knew I had found my calling. My long-term goal was to become a Tour Consultant, so supporting the consulting team and learning every aspect of the business gave me invaluable experience. I was proud to progress into the role of Tour Consultant, and it truly was a dream come true.
My passion for wildlife, nature, travel, and adventure began at a young age. Growing up, my parents regularly took me to game reserves across South Africa, where I developed a deep appreciation for our country’s incredible landscapes and wildlife. Those early experiences sparked a lifelong love for travel and exploration that continues to inspire me today.
Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to experience many of Southern and East Africa’s most iconic destinations. From road-tripping through South Africa and enjoying unforgettable safaris in the Kruger National Park, Madikwe Game Reserve, the Lower Zambezi, Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater, to unwinding on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar and exploring the United Kingdom and Croatia, every journey has strengthened my passion for the travel industry.
There is nothing more rewarding than helping clients plan their dream holiday—whether it’s a romantic getaway, a family adventure, or a once-in-a-lifetime African safari. I love getting to know each client, understanding their unique travel aspirations, and creating tailor-made experiences that exceed expectations. For me, travel is about more than just visiting a destination—it’s about creating unforgettable memories, discovering new perspectives, and experiencing the magic that makes every journey unique. Being able to share my passion and knowledge with clients and help bring their travel dreams to life is what makes this career so fulfilling.
My favourite Safari Destination: Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia.
+27 87 353 7869
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20+ years with Pembury Tours and counting… and I still get excited about Africa!
I started my journey in the safari world more than two decades ago, and honestly? I never fell out of love with it. If anything, the more I travel, the more I appreciate just how special this part of the world is. There’s something about being out in the bush, surrounded by nature, watching animals in their natural environment and never quite knowing what you might see around the next corner.
These days, I’m a Tour Consultant at Pembury Tours, helping clients from all over the world plan their own African adventures. I love getting to know what makes each traveller tick and then putting together an itinerary that feels like their trip, rather than simply ticking off a list of places.
Outside of work, I’m a farmer’s wife and a mom to two daughters, so life is usually a happy mix of family, farm life, school runs and trying to keep everything running smoothly! Whenever I get the chance, though, my favourite escape is heading into the bush with my family and friends. It’s where I switch off, breathe a little deeper and remember just how lucky we are to call this incredible continent home.
And if you ask me about animals, be prepared… I can probably talk your ear off! Elephants have always been my absolute favourite. There’s something about their intelligence, family bonds and sheer presence that never gets old. I could happily spend hours watching a herd simply go about their day.
After so many years in the travel industry, I’ve learnt that the best trips aren’t necessarily about seeing everything — they’re about finding the right places, having those special experiences and giving yourself time to really enjoy them.
Whether you’re planning your very first safari, returning to Africa for the fifth time, or simply dreaming about your next adventure, I’m here to help make the planning easy, personal and stress-free. My goal is to share the Africa I love with you and create a journey filled with wonderful memories, incredible wildlife and those little moments you’ll still be talking about long after you’ve arrived home.
I’d love to help you discover it for yourself.
+27 87 353 7870
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Twenty years ago, I joined Pembury Tours as a young, single travel consultant with a passion for Africa. Since then, life has taken me on an incredible journey of its own, and I am now happily married with two wonderful children. One thing that has never changed is my love for creating unforgettable travel experiences.
There is something incredibly rewarding about playing a small part in what is often a once-in-a-lifetime journey for our guests. I enjoy getting to know each traveller, understanding what makes their dream holiday unique, and carefully crafting an itinerary that is perfectly suited to them. My goal is always to ensure every detail is thoughtfully planned so that clients can simply relax and enjoy every moment of their adventure.
For me, a safari is the highlight of any trip. No matter how many I experience, the excitement never fades. Hippos and hyenas have always been among my favourite animals to spot, and every sighting feels special. More recently, I have found myself equally captivated by the smaller wonders of the bush. One particularly special moment on a recent safari was discovering hundreds of butterflies tucked away in the trees, quietly sleeping after sunset. It was a beautiful reminder that Africa’s magic is found not only in its iconic wildlife, but also in the extraordinary details that often go unnoticed.
+27 87 353 7871
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Travel has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I have been incredibly fortunate to turn that passion into a career. I have been involved in the hotel and tourism industry since 1990, and have been part of the Pembury Tours family for 20 years! How awesome is that!
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work in some wonderful hotels and lodges across South Africa and beyond, and to experience many of the incredible destinations that Africa has to offer. I have also been lucky enough to live and work in different parts of the world, which has given me a wonderful appreciation for different cultures, people and ways of life.
Having spent many years living in game reserves, my love for the African bush and wildlife is something that has never left me. Safari remains a huge passion of mine, and there is still nothing quite like being out in the bush and sharing that experience with others.
What I love most about my work is the people. Building relationships, getting to know my clients and understanding what they are looking for means I can create journeys that are not just about seeing the sights, but about experiencing Africa in a really special and personal way.
After all these years, I still feel incredibly lucky to have turned my love of travel into a career. I get to work with wonderful people, explore incredible places and, best of all, help others experience the magic of Africa.
And after all these years in tourism, I’m still not tired of safari… although I’m pretty sure the bush has become slightly more addictive over the years! My favourite safari destination? I love the bush, but Sabi Sand and the Greater Kruger area are just fantastic for safari. The incredible wildlife, landscapes and truly special safari experiences keep drawing me back. And my favourite safari memory? Watching what started as one or two elephants walking over the top of a hill and then realising the herd was more than two, and the elephants just kept coming! Before long, there were around 60 elephants making their way over and down the hill. It was one of those magical safari moments, and I could have watched it forever.
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