On 16 June 2016, the first guests arrived at Ila Safari Lodge. At the time, it was a single lodge on the banks of the Kafue River, built on a bold belief: that luxury tourism could be a force for conservation, community development and meaningful connection with nature.
No one could have known then that this moment would mark the beginning of a journey that would span some of Southern Africa’s most extraordinary destinations.
Yet ten years later, Green Safaris is not simply celebrating growth. We are celebrating something far more meaningful: a decade of proving that expansion does not have to come at the expense of identity.
Over the past ten years, our story has unfolded across rivers, islands, floodplains, waterfalls and wilderness areas. We have welcomed remarkable properties into the Green Safaris family, each with its own history, character and sense of place. But throughout this journey, one principle has remained unchanged: “The places we love should never lose what makes them special.“
As we celebrate ten years since Ila Safari Lodge first opened its doors, we look back on the chapters that have shaped Green Safaris — and the extraordinary family of destinations that now call it home.
A LOVE STORY ROOTED IN AFRICA
Long before Green Safaris became a collection of lodges and camps, it began with a deep love for Africa. A love for the places that leave you speechless.
The vast floodplains of Busanga at sunrise. The roar of Victoria Falls. The quiet rhythm of the Zambezi River. The untamed wilderness of South Luangwa. The ancient landscapes of Kafue.
But it was never only about the places. It was also about the people. The guides who transform a game drive into a life-changing experience. The communities whose traditions and stories are woven into the landscapes we operate in. The conservationists are working tirelessly to protect wildlife and ecosystems for future generations.
From the very beginning, Green Safaris has believed that travel should create a positive legacy. Africa gives us so much. In return, we have committed ourselves to four enduring missions: conserving our environment, protecting our wildlife, empowering our people, and creating experiences that exceed imagination.
These values have shaped every decision we have made over the past decade. And they continue to guide every chapter still to come.
MORE THAN A COLLECTION OF LODGES
One of the greatest challenges facing any hospitality group is how to grow while remaining authentic. Many brands expand by creating uniformity — properties begin to look alike, experiences become standardised, and distinctive local character is gradually replaced by a corporate identity.
Green Safaris chose a different path.
“Rather than asking our properties to become more like Green Safaris, we asked Green Safaris to become a home for extraordinary places.“
— Lauren Summers, Marketing Director
This philosophy sits at the heart of everything we do. When guests stay at a Green Safaris property, they know they can expect exceptional service, sustainability, conservation-driven tourism, meaningful community engagement, thoughtful design and unforgettable experiences. But they should never expect sameness.
Tongabezi should feel unmistakably Zambezi. Chisa should feel unlike any safari camp on earth. Shawa should embody the spirit of Luangwa. Every property should remain deeply connected to the place, people and stories that made it special long before it joined the Green Safaris family.
That balance — between shared values and individual personality — has become one of our proudest achievements.
A DECADE IN CHAPTERS
Every story needs a beginning. For Green Safaris, that beginning was Ila Safari Lodge.
Situated on the banks of the Kafue River in one of Africa’s largest national parks, Ila was conceived as a new kind of safari lodge — one that embraced innovation, sustainability and a deeper connection to the wilderness.
Its name honours the Ila people, often known as the Warrior Herdsmen, whose history is deeply connected to the region. The lodge’s logo, inspired by an Ila warrior and his distinctive isusu hair cone, serves as a tribute to a culture whose legacy remains part of the landscape today.
What started as a single lodge soon became something larger: a vision for how tourism could support conservation, empower communities and inspire travellers to engage more deeply with Africa.
The first chapter had begun.
