Classic Zambia Safaris Wins at the 2026 World Luxury Travel Awards
We have a slightly unusual relationship with awards.
Over the years, we've been fortunate enough to receive a few, but if we're honest, we've never been particularly good at shouting about them. Perhaps it's a reflection of who we are and how we've built this business. We'd generally rather do our talking out on the pitch than from a podium. We'd rather have guests leave camp with stories to tell than spend too much time telling people how good we are ourselves.
But every now and then, it's rather nice to stop, take stock and enjoy a little recognition.
We're delighted to have been named winners in the 2026 World Luxury Travel Awards, with Classic Zambia Safaris recognised as Best Bespoke Safaris in Southern Africa, and Musekese Camp receiving two awards: Best Safari Camp in Southern Africa and Best Tented Safari Camp in Zambia.
We're genuinely proud of this recognition, not least because it represents the collective efforts of a great many people across our camps and operations.
Our own interpretation of luxury
The word luxury is an interesting one, particularly in the safari world.
For some, it might mean crystal chandeliers, gold-plated taps and extravagant swimming pools. We do have one rather lovely handmade chandelier, admittedly, and our taps tend to be copper and bronze rather than gold. Our newest camp, Lwenge River Camp, even has a swimming pool. We're not entirely against a little comfort!
But ultimately, that's not where we believe the real luxury of what we offer lies.
For us, it's in the simplicity of the wilderness. It's in having vast tracts of wild Africa on your doorstep, in the freedom to explore without another vehicle in sight, in the sounds of the bush at night and the privilege of experiencing nature on its own terms.
It's the direct access to unfettered wilderness, the small camps, the personal connections and the feeling of being somewhere genuinely wild. We believe there's a particular kind of luxury in that, and it's something we work hard to preserve.
World Luxury Safari Awards and Our Owner-Run Approach
Perhaps what makes this recognition particularly special is that Classic Zambia remains an owner-run operation in an increasingly corporate safari industry.
We're a relatively small team of people who care deeply about what we do, where we do it and the impact we have on the places and communities in which we operate. Our camps are different, our landscapes are different, but they share a common philosophy: genuine wilderness, authentic experiences and a commitment to doing things properly.
Awards won't change that, nor will they define us. But they are a welcome reminder that the approach we've taken, and the hard work of the people behind it, is being recognised.
To everyone who took the time to vote for us, thank you. To our teams across Zambia, this is as much yours as anyone's.
We'll take the moment, enjoy it, and then get back to doing what we do best.
After all, there's plenty more wilderness out there to explore.
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