Ila Safari Lodge in Kafue National Park, Zambia, has closed after its main lodge area was destroyed in a devastating fire that started around midnight last Thursday (June 15), There were no injuries to guests or staff.

According to Vincent Kouwenhoven, Green Safaris Founder and Director of the lodge, the boma area (reception, dining, bar, and pool) was destroyed by the fire, but the guest rooms remain intact.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this point and an investigation has been launched.

Kouwenhoven said all those who had forward bookings would be contacted. “Our reservations team has already reached out to most agents and guests with upcoming bookings and enquiries and has enabled smooth transitions to other properties for these clients.”

The management has started plans to rebuild and is already at work to assess the damage and make a plan moving forward. The tentative plan is to have a temporary boma in place by August to provide guests with a luxurious, if short-term, place to gather and dine on the banks of the Kafue River. The aim is to have a new building complete by the end of the year.

Green Safaris operates various luxury camps and lodges in Zambia and Malawi, including Tongabezi Island Lodge and Sindabezi Island Lodge in Victoria Falls, Chisa Busanga Camp in Busanga Plains, Shawa Luangwa Camp in South Luangwa National Park, Sausage Tree Camp and Potato Bush Camp in Lower Zambezi National Park, Livingstone Island Exprience in Victoria Falls and Kaya Mawa in Likoma Island in Malawi.