Zambian Frontiers: Q & A with Tyrone McKeith of Classic Zambia

By: Scott Dubois, Fauna Travel Designer

Last month, I caught up with Tyrone McKeith, director of Classic Zambia, at the OurAfrica travel conference. Classic Zambia operates immersive camps in some of Zambia’s most incredible wilderness areas. You may have seen me write about Chula Island and Kutali Camps in the Lower Zambezi, but this time, I wanted to learn more about their other camps in Zambia’s lesser-known parks, like Kafue and North Luangwa. We can’t wait to explore these areas before the secret gets out!

Zambia is at an exciting moment in its safari journey—more people are discovering its incredible parks, yet it remains wonderfully unspoiled and authentic. –Tyrone McKeith

Scott Dubois (SD): Tell me more about Classic Zambia and what makes your safaris unique.

Tyrone McKeith (TM): Classic Zambia is an owner-run safari company specializing in authentic, immersive, and low-impact safari experiences. Our camps are situated in some of Zambia’s most remote and wildlife-rich areas, offering a true connection to nature without unnecessary distractions. What sets us apart is our deep-rooted commitment to conservation, locally inspired hospitality, and exceptional guiding. We operate small, intimate camps that blend seamlessly into the wilderness, ensuring an exclusive and personal safari that stays true to the essence of Zambia.

We also prioritize a ‘slow safari’ approach, encouraging guests to truly experience the landscape, wildlife, and rhythms of the bush. Whether it’s a thrilling game drive, a quiet moment watching elephants from within camp, or an afternoon spent on a canoe safari, our goal is to create unforgettable, unfiltered encounters with nature.

SD: I’ve been to Zambia and love it, but what would you say to someone who has never been to Zambia to convince them to visit?

TM: Zambia is one of Africa’s last great wilderness frontiers. It offers an unspoiled, crowd-free safari experience where nature reigns supreme. Unlike some of the more commercial safari destinations, Zambia’s national parks are vast and wild, with an incredible variety of landscapes—from the riverine forests of the Lower Zambezi to the open floodplains of Kafue and the untouched wilderness of North Luangwa. An old Zambian Tourism Agency slogan was “Zambia. The Real Africa.”

Beyond the scenery, Zambia is home to exceptional wildlife, world-class guiding, and some of the most thrilling safari activities, including night drives, walking safaris, and canoeing along the Zambezi. The country is also known for its warm and welcoming people, adding an authentic cultural dimension to any visit. Zambia is unbeatable for those seeking adventure, exclusivity, and a deep connection to nature.

SD: People may be familiar with Lower Zambezi National Park, but there are also two camps in Kafue National Park, Musekese and Ntemwa-Busanga. The park is gaining recognition, so why should safari-goers add it to their itinerary?

TM: Kafue National Park is one of Africa’s largest and most ecologically diverse protected areas, yet it remains relatively underexplored compared to other safari destinations. This means fewer vehicles, more exclusivity, and a true sense of wilderness.

Musekese Camp, located in central Kafue, is a hidden gem with incredible predator sightings (one of the highest densities of leopard in Africa), a rich variety of wildlife, and birdlife that rivals anywhere in Africa. The history of the Musekese area is fascinating, too. It is steeped in conservation success thanks to the non-profit conservation we founded – Musekese Conservation. Our second camp, Ntemwa-Busanga, is in the famed Busanga Plains—a vast seasonal floodplain that transforms into a predator-rich paradise as the dry season progresses. It is a mix of the Okavango Delta and the East African Plains. Here, guests can experience one of the most dramatic landscapes in Zambia, with lions, cheetahs (not available in Luangwa or Zambezi), and large herds of lechwe and buffalo moving through the grasslands.

For travelers looking for something off the beaten track, Kafue offers a raw, wild, and rewarding safari experience.

SD: Kafue is sometimes thought of as being wilder with tsetse flies, etc. Is this justified, and how has the Kafue experience evolved over the years?

TM: It’s true that Kafue has always been considered one of Zambia’s wilder parks, and that’s part of its charm. Unlike more developed safari destinations, Kafue offers a real sense of adventure—vast, untamed landscapes and wildlife encounters that feel entirely natural. The park is the size of a country, and there is a huge variation of habitat, rainfall, altitude, and topography throughout, making Kafue is about five different national parks within one. This makes it hugely interesting (and one of the reasons the diversity is so large), but it does mean that “The Kafue” is not one thing alone. If you have been to Southern Kafue, Nanzhila Plains, let’s say, that is wonderful, a great place well worth visiting, but it is nothing like the Musekese region, which is equally amazing but with totally different terrain and wildlife.

Regarding tsetse flies, they can be present in some areas, but this varies with location, season, and time of day. Importantly, they rarely stop guests from having an incredible safari. Many camps, such as ours, carry out local reduction programs (spraying and targets), and you will do well to find references to them on TripAdviser and Google reviews for our camps specifically. Again, back to the scale of the park, there are some areas where tsetse are more prolific than others; as such, doing some homework is advisable for tsetse-adverse travellers.

Over the years, the safari experience in Kafue has evolved significantly. Conservation efforts and responsible tourism have helped improve wildlife densities, and camps like ours have become more established, offering comfort while maintaining a true wilderness feel. We often describe Kafue as “Zambia’s best-kept secret,” for good reason—it’s wild but accessible, adventurous yet comfortable, and offers an unparalleled diversity of wildlife and landscapes.

SD: How will your third camp in Kafue, Lwenge River Camp, differ from your other camps?

TM: Lwenge River Camp is an exciting addition to our portfolio in Kafue, something slightly different to what we currently offer at our other camps. Unlike our flagship property over at Musekese Camp, which is 10km to the West, Lwenge is an exclusive-use intimate riverside camp.

‘Lwenge’ takes its name from the ancient local word for this stretch of the Kafue River; it’s tranquil, unhurried waters the perfect backdrop to your safari. Here elephants cross on an almost daily basis, zigzagging from bank to bank, whilst leopard and lion seek shade in the lush riverine vegetation.

Although new, Lwenge River Camp is part of Classic Zambia’s legacy in the Kafue – many of our repeat guests will remember “Old” Musekese, where we started all those years ago, and we recently decided to go back. With just eight beds, the River Camp is dedicated to private bookings, be it families, friend and photographic groups, or couples that want that extra bit of space and privacy. A spectacular view from the camp of the Kafue River sets the tone, there is also a purpose-built guide’s room included on the property, not to mention as swimming pool and WiFi connection.

SD: I’m very excited about Kutandala, your other new camp opening in North Luangwa National Park in 2026. Why did you choose North Luangwa for your expansion?

TM: North Luangwa is one of Africa’s last truly untouched wilderness areas. It is a place we have spent many years exploring, and the Luangwa is very close to our hearts at Classic Zambia, with both Luke and Phil spending their formative years in the Valley. North Luangwa offers an unrivaled sense of remoteness and exclusivity, something we value massively as a company. “North Park,” as some people refer to it, has some of the best walking safaris on the continent. We will not only be walking; we will also offer game drives, which, along with hides and sleep-out options, aim to provide a more rounded safari experience than what has been provided for in North Luangwa historically. We chose to expand here because it aligns perfectly with our ethos of adventure and low-impact, authentic safaris.

Kutandala will be a small, intimate camp with just five rooms, designed for travelers who want to immerse themselves in the wild. The area is home to thriving lion and wild dog populations, the highest density of elephants in Zambia, incredible birdlife, and a landscape that feels truly prehistoric. By establishing a presence here, we aim to contribute to the park’s conservation and introduce more travelers to this extraordinary destination. This is also the home of wild Black rhinos in Zambia, the only place where they are present, and our camp is in the heart of their highest density.

SD: How does North Luangwa differ from South Luangwa, and what type of traveler will love the North Luangwa experience?

TM: South Luangwa is well-known for its incredible wildlife densities and a great mix of walking and driving safaris. It’s an excellent introduction to Zambia and a fantastic safari destination in its own right. However, it is becoming a busier park (still not busy relative to East Africa!), and one has to be a little more discerning about which camps and areas still offer the wilderness experience that South Luangwa was founded on.

On the other hand, North Luangwa is for those seeking something even wilder or the Luangwa of old. It’s one of the least-visited national parks in Africa, with no permanent lodges and only two seasonal camps in over 4,600 sqkm. The focus here is typically on walking safaris, allowing guests to experience nature on its most intimate level.

The traveler who will love North Luangwa is someone who craves adventure, values true remoteness, and wants to experience the bush without the distractions of modern tourism. It’s for those who appreciate the small details—tracking lions on foot, watching elephants interact without the sound of a vehicle, staking out a Rhino crossing point, and feeling completely immersed in nature.

SD: Any final thoughts on things I didn’t cover?

TM: Zambia is at an exciting moment in its safari journey—more people are discovering its incredible parks, yet it remains wonderfully unspoiled and authentic.

Learn More About Zambia

Visit our Zambia Travel Guide to learn more about this amazing safari destination.