Eco-friendly luxury safari company Green Safaris has reopened its flagship property, Ila Safari Lodge, in Zambia.
Rising like a phoenix from the ashes of a fire that devastated the cherished boma area of the lodge in June last year, Ila Safari Lodge has unveiled a fresh identity following a stylish and sustainable rebuild.
Whilst retaining its luxury tented guest rooms, the lodge now features a stunning newly designed boma area which includes a reception, bar, dining area, stargazing deck and swimming pool overlooking the Kafue river.
The new design and restructure demonstrate Green Safaris’ continuous endeavour to merge opulence with environmental stewardship (the company is a pioneer of the ‘Silent Safari’, using environmentally powered vehicles extending beyond e-cruisers (electric game vehicles) to e-boats and e-mountain bikes). Founder and managing director Vincent Kouwenhoven launched the company with the explicit intent to be a vehicle for conservation and community development in the wilderness areas in which they operate.
Ila Safari Lodge was the first lodge in the portfolio and indeed Zambia to demonstrate the Green Safaris ethos, by showcasing a ground-breaking eco-design and offering electric game drives and river cruises. The environmentally conscious design was curated by Vincent, drawing inspiration for the boma from the iconic ‘Nests’ at Chisa Busanga Camp, also by Green Safaris.
The nests are sustainably striking, constructed from a simple metal frame, and woven with indigenous sticks – a design that seamlessly co-exists with nature. It’s this epic concept, the work of architect Bert Meerdstadt, that now features at Ila Safari Lodge but on a larger scale.
The construction process in itself exemplifies sustainable development. The building method involved the acquisition of a machine which used abandoned termite mound sand to produce the building blocks used in the foundations. African bamboo, a natural and sustainable alternative to typical building materials, grown in controlled environments by local communities was also sourced to provide a strong material alongside sticks harvested from the Kafue floor to weave the walls of the structure.
The new boma resembles an infinity sign, an ode to balance in nature and an omen for the future of Ila and the positive impact the team intends to secure for generations to come.
While retaining its iconic luxury safari tents with views over the Kafue river, Ila Safari Lodge invites travellers to explore the wonders of the Kafue National Park through a variety of eco-friendly activities, from e-cruiser and e-boat expeditions to walking safaris. Whether embarking on a wildlife adventure or unwinding in the lap of luxury, every moment at Ila promises to inspire and delight and guests can be assured their visit is contributing to the environmental goodwill of the Kafue.
With Ila Lodge back on the safari circuit, Green Safaris offers six sustainable safari destinations in Zambia, and one in Malawi each with its unique character and charm, opening up these breath-taking destinations with conservation, community development and sustainable tourism at the core of their operations.
Green Safaris was born out of a deep connection with Africa’s untouched wild spaces and the wildlife and communities that call them home. This passion drives their commitment to conservation, empowerment and sustainability in every aspect of Green Safaris.
The collection comprises Tongabezi Lodge, Sindabezi Island Camp and Tangala House (Victoria Falls); Ila Safari Lodge (Kafue); Shawa Luangwa Camp (South Luangwa); Chisa Busanga Camp (Busanga Plains); Sausage Tree Camp and Potato Bush Camp (Lower Zambezi National Park) and Kaya Mawa Lodge (Lake Malawi). Green Safaris also runs activities to Livingstone Island, where their highly trained guides are the only people legally allowed to take guests across the waterfall across to experience the famous Devil‘s and Angel’s Pools.