New safari lodge in Zambia offers UAE levels of luxury – in pictures

One of Lolebezi's eight suites. Photo: African Bush Camps
One of Lolebezi's eight suites. Photo: African Bush Camps
The lodge is set on a promontory where the Zambezi river splits into a quiet waterway dubbed the Discovery Channel. Photo: African Bush Camps
The lodge is set on a promontory where the Zambezi river splits into a quiet waterway dubbed the Discovery Channel. Photo: African Bush Camps
Shahida Yousuf at the site of Lolebezi before the lodge was built. Photo: Shahida Yousuf
Shahida Yousuf at the site of Lolebezi before the lodge was built. Photo: Shahida Yousuf
A flotilla of boats and river guides are on hand for relaxing sunset cruises or exhilarating canoe safaris. Photo: African Bush Camps
A flotilla of boats and river guides are on hand for relaxing sunset cruises or exhilarating canoe safaris. Photo: African Bush Camps
Unexpected visitors are a regular occurrence at the luxury camp. Photo: Shahida Yousuf
Unexpected visitors are a regular occurrence at the luxury camp. Photo: Shahida Yousuf
The lodge's 'circle of light'. Photo: African Bush Camps
The lodge's 'circle of light'. Photo: African Bush Camps
'The moment we set foot on this site there was just no looking back,' says Lolebezi owner Shahida Yousuf. Photo: Shahida Yousuf
'The moment we set foot on this site there was just no looking back,' says Lolebezi owner Shahida Yousuf. Photo: Shahida Yousuf
The lodge's design maximises on views of the river and surrounding wilderness. Photo: African Bush Camps
The lodge's design maximises on views of the river and surrounding wilderness. Photo: African Bush Camps
The owners wanted to deliver the levels of luxury and service they had discovered in Dubai. Photo: African Bush Camps
The owners wanted to deliver the levels of luxury and service they had discovered in Dubai. Photo: African Bush Camps
Early on in the construction phase of Lolebezi. Photo: Shahida Yousuf
Early on in the construction phase of Lolebezi. Photo: Shahida Yousuf
Shahida Yousuf and Beks Ndlovu, group chief executive of African Bush Camps, at the opening of Lolebezi. Photo: Shahida Yousuf
Shahida Yousuf and Beks Ndlovu, group chief executive of African Bush Camps, at the opening of Lolebezi. Photo: Shahida Yousuf