Zambia
But it is the thundering miracle of the Victoria Falls that draws most visitors to this gentle and peaceful country. Less frequented than Zimbabwe, many travellers prefer to see the falls from the Zambian side and some claim the views are even more spectacular.
You will find below a list of our preferred lodges in Zambia.
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Situated in the Luamfwa Concession in the southern sector of the South Luangwa National Park, Kalamu Bush Camp takes its name from the adjacent Chankalamu River, a seasonal tributary of the Luangwa. It faces west, overlooking a well-used crossing point on the Luangwa River and the distant Muchinga escarpment provides a wonderful vista from camp. The deeper pools of the river and a nearby seasonal lagoon hold large vocal pods of hippo and silent crocodiles. These waters attract elephant, buffalo, puku, impala, yellow baboon and other species in increasing numbers as the season progresses and other water sources dry up.
This typical tented 'bush camp' consists of five Meru-style en-suite tents, each one with a different outlook on the Luangwa River. The central areas of the camp - the plunge pool and deck and shaded bar and dining area - maximise the sweeping river views. A deck built into a fallen fig tree provides an unusual lookout point, with the river flowing past on either side - almost the middle of the river! The camp's understated luxury interiors fit well with the heating and light provided by the sun; our design philosophy has as its aim to be as environmentally friendly as possible, something Kalamu succeeds in admirably.
Activities at Kalamu Bush Camp focus on the Luangwa River with both game drives and walks exploring its banks, fringing woodland and open scrub. The famed 'walking safari' in fact first took place in this Park.
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The River Club, with its Edwardian-style house and manicured lawns on the banks of the swift-flowing Zambezi River where hippo and crocodile float, is the epitome of classical chic in Africa.
Ten luxury chalets are spread out amongst the riverine vegetation, comprising luxurious bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms. Their originality stems from the fact that one side is completely open to the river, so that there is an uninterrupted vista of the Zambezi from both bed and bathtub. Each room looks west into glorious African sunsets.
Activities include sundowner cruises, visits to the Victoria Falls, Simonga Village, local markets and Livingstone town. Livingstone is rich in history and certainly worth exploring. It dates back to 1905 when the famous Victoria Falls bridge, spanning the Zambezi River, was completed in April of that year.
Also on offer is a variety of adrenaline-loaded activities at extra cost: white water rafting, bungee jumping, abseiling, and helicopter flights over the Falls.
Although The River Club is not a traditional safari camp, elephants can often be seen in the Zambezi National Park opposite and hippo are regularly seen and heard in the river itself. Game drives are also offered into the nearby Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park where there is an abundance of general game species like buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and impala.
