Lilayi Lodge is a safari lodge on a private game farm about 10 km south of Lusaka, run by the Miller family since 1989. More than 500 plains animals live on the estate, and the lodge is close enough to the airport to work as a first or last night in Zambia without spending it in the city.
Best for
Travellers who want their Lusaka night to feel like the start of a safari rather than a stopover, and families using the family chalets. Not for anyone expecting Big Five game — this is plains game on a farm — and not for a quick airport dash, because the transfer is about an hour and can stretch to two in traffic.
Location
Off Lilayi Road in Lilayi, on the southern edge of Lusaka. Specialist operators put it around 10 km south of the city and about an hour from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
Rooms and style at Lilayi
Chalets in two grades: deluxe chalets sleeping two, and family chalets sleeping four — two adults and two children. The operator does not publish a total; two independent trade sources both give twelve, of which two are the family units. Rooms are en-suite with bath and shower, satellite television and in-room safes.
Facilities at Lilayi
Restaurant with an in-house wine cellar of more than 120 wines, bar, swimming pool, spa with treatments available in-room, conference room, and indoor and outdoor dining. Venison on the menu is sourced from the game farm itself. Activities include game drives, guided walking safaris, birdwatching, wine tastings and running and walking trails.
Trade-offs and what to know
The elephants have moved. The GRI Elephant Nursery relocated from Lilayi to Lusaka National Park in August 2023, confirmed by the lodge and by Game Rangers International. Much of the web still says it is on site. It is now a day trip.
Airport transfers are slow. About an hour, and up to two in Lusaka traffic.
Plains game, not Big Five. Antelope, zebra and giraffe on a private farm.
Estate size is disputed. The operator says 650 hectares; a specialist operator says 2,200.
Few published policies. The operator publishes no room count, no rates and no check-in times.
Getting there and getting around
Most guests arrive from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, about an hour away. The lodge sits off Lilayi Road on the southern edge of the city, so a vehicle is needed for anything in Lusaka itself.
Explore the area
For the capital and how it fits a longer Zambian route, see our Lusaka & the Kafue Flats regional guide.
Before you book
The operator publishes no check-in or check-out times, no pet policy and no payment terms. A booking listing gives check-in from 14:00 and check-out by 10:00, children of any age accepted with under-threes free and a per-night charge for four to sixteens, no pets, and Visa and Mastercard. Confirm directly, since none of that is operator-sourced.
Current rates and availability
We do not publish fixed rates for Lilayi, because pricing and availability change with dates and demand. Use the Check Availability button on this page to see the current options offered by the independent booking provider. Zambia Travel Guide does not set prices, hold inventory or take payment.