Royal Chundu Zambezi River Lodge

The river lodge chalets sit on the river front and are traditional and authentic, with luxurious and comfortable touches throughout. High exposed thatch ceilings add dimension to the room, and the space is filled with natural light through wide windows. A large king size bed is covered in crisp bed linens, colourful scatter cushions and draped in mosquito netting, and the room can be arranged to sleep two adults and two children – ideal for families. All chalets come with ensuite bathrooms which include double showers and basins, and still have a view of the river. Each chalet has a private decking, which is the perfect area to spend the evening winding down from busy days and marvelling at the golden tones of the sunset reflecting off the calm waters of the Zambezi.

Make your way to the dining area along wooden walkways, and enjoy a fine dining experience in the dining area, which is comfortable and authentic with African art on the walls and wicker chairs. Guests can also choose to eat outside on the decking area, feasting on dinners which are inspired by traditional African cuisines and made with fresh, local ingredients. Private dinners can be arranged on guests decking areas, where guests can eat in exclusivity, surrounded by the flowing waters of the Zambezi and a fresh river breeze. Guests can wind down at the bar before of after dinner, enjoying creative cocktails and cooling beers – or a glass of smooth wine from the wine cellar.

Enjoy a traditional African feast on the banks of the Zambezi surrounded by ancient baobab trees and a crackling fire. Immerse yourself in the heart of nature, listening to the sounds of insects and bird song and gazing up at the wide starry sky whilst you eat.

Make your way down to the riverbank for a picnic at breakfast or lunch. Persian carpets are laid down and a hammock is strung between two trees so guests can spend time relaxing by the rapids of the Zambezi with delicious and local food which is freshly prepared, and a glass of Pimms.

Chose a river safari at sunset or sunrise, to see the river at its prime, reflecting the soft golden tones of the rising or setting sun. Glide peacefully along the river, keeping your eyes out for elephants on the river bank, or a pod of lazy hippos lounging in the shallows. Don’t forget to take your camera with you, to capture the beauty.

Enjoy an afternoon spent canoeing on the more gentler waters of the Zambezi River, exploring parts of the river with a local guide that a boat cannot. For a slightly more adrenaline filled activity, go white water rafting on the rapids of the Zambezi. Guests can also arrange to speed along the Zambezi river in a jet boat in the beautiful Batoka Gorge, near Victoria Falls. Or guests can enjoy a relaxing afternoon spent playing golf on one of the two nearby golf courses, teeing off by the flowing waters of the Zambezi.

Guests can make their way to the local village, where they will be welcomed by a local village guide who will take you around the village, imparting their wisdom of the traditional uses of the local herbs and plants. This is an excellent way for guests to immerse themselves in the culture of the area, and leave with a deeper understanding of the people who live in the surrounding areas.

Fishing is available from April to November in the Zambezi River. Take a short boat ride to the best fishing spots and try to catch a variety of fish, from the Upper Zambezi yellow-fish to a tigerish or bream. In the months of June to August guests can take part in the unique parrotfish run, to catch fish from the floodplains with traditional hand woven fishing baskets. Guests can sit on the riverbank and observe this yearly tradition, or can take part.

After a short boat trip to the river island of Katombora guests can explore the island with an experienced and knowledgable guide. Spend time marvelling at the untouched wilderness of the area, with trees which are 200 years old inhabiting the island. The friendly guide will impart their wisdom of the traditional uses of the local flora and fauna and can point out micro-ecosystems, animals tracks or small birds which may be missed by the ordinary eye.

Enjoy a massage from a local massage therapist on your private decking or in your room. Relieve any stress and any tension and breathe in the fresh air. After your massage enjoy a refreshing dip in the turquoise pool, which overlooks the calm waters of the Zambezi.

Take to the waters of the river Zambezi and look to the shallows and tree lined banks for birds. Guides will be able to point out birds such as kingfishers, flufftails, jacanas and finch larks, as well as the odd crocodile or lazy hippo.

Close by the lodge is the stunning Victoria Falls. Many activities are on offer here for the adventurous and inquisitive alike. Guests can go on a walking tour of Victoria Falls, and the stunning landscape that surrounds it, and which offers excellent views of the falls. Guests can learn more about the feat of engineering that is the Victoria Falls Bridge or can take a journey to Livingstone Island which offers a unique view of the falls; the first view David Livingstone had.

Nearby Livingstone Island is the Devil’s Pool which sits on the edge of the waterfall and which guests can take a dip in, and can take a rather impressive photo to take home. Adrenaline seekers can bungee jump, zip-line, or abseil around the Batoka Gorge for a personal challenge with unique views of Victoria Falls.

Take to the skies over Victoria Falls in a helicopter ride which affords guests a unique and once-in-a-lifetime view of the waterfall. For a slightly more nail-biting way to take to the skies, go micro blading where you can appreciate the vast scale of Victoria Falls with the breeze on your face. You can also fly high over the neighbouring Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park with a birds-eye view of wandering herds of elephants.

For a unique way to explore the surroundings, saddle up and explore on horseback. Spend an afternoon or a full day trotting alongside the Zambezi River and become a part of nature.

Rumble along the historic railway in Zambia, starting in Livingstone and going through the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and enjoy a six-course dinner and fine wines.

As one of the few community-run lodges in Africa, Royal Chundu believes this model of business “can create massive positive change across Africa, and that can help build a stronger, more equal Zambia.” Most of the staff members at Royal Chundu are from two local villages, Malambo and Muluka, and those who don’t come from these villages still hail from Zambia, meaning the team is 99% Zambian. All training is provided at the lodge, and they work in tandem with online courses and “practical experience.” Working at Royal Chundu isn’t just a job as staff and team members are given “significant opportunities for growth.”

Royal Chundu works to make a direct and positive impact to the local communities. The Royal Chundu Foundation school was set up to help educate the children of Royal Chundu’s staff. The school went from strength to strength and soon grew to be able to educate around 50 children from the surrounding neighbouring villages. With modern technology soon the school was educating “up to three grades of children, from four to six years.”

New plans for the school are to expand and build a new school which can educate around 500 students, all from local and neighbouring communities. They will run “an adult literacy programme, online hospitality programme and a culinary school” as well as standard education, with breakfast and lunch being provided to the students. The main aim of Royal Chundu and the foundation school is to “offer and create quality education, close to home, to even more people in the local area.”

By sourcing goods for the lodges from local suppliers Royal Chundu works to support and uplift local workers. Specifically, all of the food used at Royal Chundu lodges is from Zambia “mostly supplied by local fishermen and village gardens” or their own farm. Village gardeners are supported through a unique and innovative “seed project”, where seeds are donated to whoever wishes for them, the crops are then grown, and the lodge purchases them at full market cost.

It isn’t just the food that is sourced locally either, local seamstresses are supported too, making the “chitenge uniforms, cushion covers, doormats and dish covers” to name just a few items. Art is purchased from local artists and staff themselves have started their own “spin-off businesses.” Not only does supporting the local communities benefit the members but it creates “a proudly and distinctive Zambian flavour, look, sound and feel” and leaves guests with an experience of the “real Zambia.”