King Lewanika Lodge in Zambia has introduced rooftop game viewing vehicles alongside guest experiences such as drive-through ice cream stops and bush cinema screenings. Olivia Palamountain reports

King Lewanika Lodge in Liuwa Plain National Park has officially reopened under Ker & Downey Zambia.

Now operating entirely on solar energy and quenched by a water filtration system that eliminates reliance on plastic bottles, the lodge features six safari tents including one family unit, plus a redesigned central lounge area.

A newly arrived fleet of game vehicles feature elevated rooftop vista seats with adjustable armrests, photography bean bags, USB charging points and LED lighting. The vehicles provide what the lodge describes as a "unique, elevated perspective" of the 336,000-hectare Liuwa Plain from these specially designed seating positions. Guest experiences extend beyond traditional game drives to include yoga and art safaris, night drives for nocturnal wildlife viewing and  bush cinema screenings. The drive-through ice cream stops represent an unusual addition to African safari programming, alongside dining experiences positioned within the grassland setting.Useful amenities introduced during the refurbishment include fridges and coffee stations in each tent, plus radio communication systems allowing guests to request refreshments and snacks without leaving their accommodation.

Liuwa Plain National Park covers 336,000 hectares of Western Zambezian Grasslands in western Zambia, hosting the world's second-largest wildebeest migration in Africa alongside over 300 bird species. The park uniquely accommodates an estimated 12,000 people living legally within its boundaries, representing what management describes as "a prime example of how people and wildlife can co-exist."Rates begin at US$3,615 per person for three-night stays.

Photo credit: Marcus Westberg