It was excellent ! It is a hotel made of typical African huts in a game reserve. Absolutely a marvelous experience amidst nature ! Great friendly service. The food was excellent.But there is one thing they really need to improve: the restaurant closes 9 pm with last orders 8:30 pm, and this is ludicrous. My first day I didn’t manage to be back in time so pre-ordered food, which was served on the veranda of my very beautifully, but was cold by the time I got there. My second and third day I had to pre-order at the last minute (lot of stress) while rushing. I really think the restaurant should be opened until 11 pm at the very least — giving people the option to have a more relaxed holiday and enjoy the African nights as much as the day.

It was excellent ! It is a hotel made of typical African huts in a game reserve. Absolutely a marvelous experience amidst nature ! Great friendly service. The food was excellent. But there is one thing they really need to improve: the restaurant closes 9 pm with last orders 8:30 pm, and this is ludicrous. My first day I didn’t manage to be back in time so pre-ordered food, which was served on the veranda of my very beautifully, but was cold by the time I got there. My second and third day I had to pre-order at the last minute (lot of stress) while rushing. I really think the restaurant should be opened until 11 pm at the very least — giving people the option to have a more relaxed holiday and enjoy the African nights as much as the day.

We had a wonderful stay, the place it self, the food and the service was impeccable!

We had a wonderful stay, the place it self, the food and the service was impeccable!

We really enjoyed our stay at Lilayi Lodge. The room was quite tidy and comfortable. The food at the restaurant was delicious. Unfortunately, the lodge must have had some sort of staffing shortages while we were there because we had to wait 2 and a half hours to check in to our room, even though we had arrived after 2pm. We also had to wait a long time for service at the bar and restaurant. We've been there before and not had trouble, so I am assuming it was just a short staffed weekend. The grounds are great for kids - with a playground and walking trails.

We really enjoyed our stay at Lilayi Lodge. The room was quite tidy and comfortable. The food at the restaurant was delicious. Unfortunately, the lodge must have had some sort of staffing shortages while we were there because we had to wait 2 and a half hours to check in to our room, even though we had arrived after 2pm. We also had to wait a long time for service at the bar and restaurant. We've been there before and not had trouble, so I am assuming it was just a short staffed weekend. The grounds are great for kids - with a playground and walking trails.

Delightful lodge, so close to the city but totally peaceful and relaxing. Great food and fantastic staff. We stayed for two nights and they even made a delicious takeaway breakfast for us when we had to leave very early. Will definitely return!

Amazing, highly recommend!

We have been going to Lilayi since 1996 because it’s wonderful!

Great food, good service by all staff. Loses some points for a lack of certain amenities usually associated with a 5-star hotel, (ladies shower cap, slippers, robes and not well stocked mini-bar). But overall we enjoyed our stay and thought it was a great escape from the city. Fully enjoyed and recommend the elephant sanctuary associated with the place.

I chose to stay at Lilayi Lodge primarily because of access to the baby elephant sanctuary but I found the lodgings and grounds to be so stunningly beautiful, the food superb and the staff so friendly and helpful that even if baby ellies aren’t one’s cup of tea, Lilayi will be.

Lilayi is a lovely and relaxing place. Staff were so friendly and attentive. The room and bathroom were clean and large with very comfortable beds. A lovely view from our veranda. Price wise, it was a little more expensive than we wanted to pay, but we could not fault anything. Thank you so much

Amazing staff, amazing environment where wild life is close to the huts. Saw Zebra, giraffes etc. Small hotel with few huts, with great view & privacy.

They waited for us when meal time approached. Wait time is at least an hour to prepare the food this is the norm for Zambia. Game drive was excellent. We didn't see the giraffes but that was the only one we didn't see. The guide recommended aug-oct as the best time to view game because the bush is low. Rooms have bed nets and bug spray. These chalets are in the wild so late at night the animals roam between the chalets. Roofs are thatched so definitely spray. All in all a great serene all around loving place to be. If you want to walk with the elephants you have to register early to plan for it. You can view the elephant orphans feeding from 11:30-12 each day.

They waited for us when meal time approached. Wait time is at least an hour to prepare the food this is the norm for Zambia. Game drive was excellent. We didn't see the giraffes but that was the only one we didn't see. The guide recommended aug-oct as the best time to view game because the bush is low. Rooms have bed nets and bug spray. These chalets are in the wild so late at night the animals roam between the chalets. Roofs are thatched so definitely spray. All in all a great serene all around loving place to be. If you want to walk with the elephants you have to register early to plan for it. You can view the elephant orphans feeding from 11:30-12 each day.

Friendly staff, lovely location if somewhat remote. Would recommend a stay of no longer than a couple of days, as location is isolated, with little to do once you have spent a couple of hours at the Elephant Orphanage, and explored some of the trails or hour long jeep safari around the grounds. As you would expect, this is an up-market location, so be prepared to pay up-market prices for food and drinks. There are no shops nearby if you want to just grab a snack. Having said that, it is a fantastic spot to relax at, and Scott and the staff did a fantastic job at giving first class service in everything. The chalets were almost certainly the cleanest I have stayed in.

Booked this spontaneously to get out of the city for a night. It was perfect for a quiet relaxing retreat.

Booked this spontaneously to get out of the city for a night. It was perfect for a quiet relaxing retreat.