Royal Chundu Zambezi Island Lodge

There are four island suites at Royal Chundu Zambezi Island Lodge. The suites are luxurious and comfortable, with exposed thatch roofs and beams which add character and dimension to the room, and floor to ceiling sliding doors alongside one side of the room, leading out on to a private decking area. A large king size bed sits opposite these doors which is swathed in mosquito netting and covered in crisp white bed linens. The room is decorated in a modern style, with authentic touches in blue feature bed runners, scatter cushions and chairs.

All rooms come with an ensuite bathroom which includes an indoor shower, and a deep standalone bath tub sits on the outside decking, so guests can enjoy a soak whilst staring out over the flowing Zambezi River. The decking also comes complete with two cosy cushioned sun loungers, where guests can lay back and enjoy the sunset tones reflecting off the water. Or wait until nighttime, when the decking is lit by lanterns and gaze up at the wide starry Zambian sky.

Amble along the wooden walkways to the main dining area of Royal Chundu Zambezi Island Lodge. This space is authentic and traditional, with high thatched ceilings and wicker furniture dotted around the room. Guests can dine here, or on the outside decking where you can sit next to the flowing Zambezi and feast on traditional African inspired foods, prepared with creativity and care by the chefs, and pair your dinner with a fine wine. All ingredients are sourced locally, giving the meals a fresh taste and a local touch. If guests wish, a romantic dinner can be arranged on their decking, for a private night enjoying delicious food under the stars.

Enjoy dinner in the heart of Katombora Island, make your way to the boma area, and the ancient baobab trees and enjoy spending time around the crackling fire before you sit down to dine on traditional African cuisine surrounded by softly glowing lanterns and the African Wilds.

Breakfast or lunch can be arranged riverside, with Persian cadets laid down and a hammock swinging in between the trees. Don’t rush your delicious food, enjoy a glass of Pimms and a gentle swing in the hammock whilst you listen to the rapids rushing past.

Glide along the Zambezi River at sunset or sunrise, while the golden tones fill the air and reflect off the sparkling water. This activity is peaceful and calming, where guests may see elephants stopping for a drink, or hippos lazing around in the shallows. This is the perfect opportunity to take some stunning photographs and try to capture the beauty.

With the wide flowing river surrounding Royal Chundu Zambezi Island Lodge, adventure is on your doorstep. Various activities are offered, from canoeing the calmer parts of the river with a local guide, to white water rafting on the dramatic rapids along the Zambezi. Another adrenaline filled activity and experience is jet boating along the Zambezi River at Batoka Gorge, speedily bumping along the river with the wind in your hair. For a more relaxed afternoon, enjoy a round of golf at one of the two nearby golf courses, where you can golf with a view, surrounded by the wilds of Zambia.

Take a short boat ride to the local community and spend the day walking through the villages immersing yourself in the culture of Zambia. The village guide will welcome you and teach you about the local traditions and the uses for herbs and plants. This is a great way to gain deeper understanding of the people who live in the local areas.

An afternoon spent fishing can be arranged during the months of April-November at Royal Chundu Zambezi Island Lodge. With the river surrounding you, set out on a boat and find the perfect spot to catch a variety of fish, from bream or tiger-fish to the Upper Zambezi yellowish. Guests can also take part in the unique parrotfish run, in June to August, to catch the fish swimming from the floodplains with a traditional hand woven fishing basket. Observe or participate in this yearly tradition.

With an experienced guide, explore the riverine island of Katombora. This island is untouched by humans and the wilds run free with trees and plants, some of which are 200 years old. Your guide will be more than happy to share their knowledge on traditional uses of the flora and fauna, and will point out some of the micro-ecosystems or animal tracks around the island.

Local massage therapists are available to book for a stress-relieving massage treatment, with a holistic approach which will leave guests feeling relaxed, at peace, and in touch with nature. Massages can be arranged inside guests suites or outside on the decking, meaning they will always be private. To cool down on a warm day guests can enjoy a dip in the refreshing infinity pool.

Try your eye at bird spotting on a gentle boat safari down the river. Keep your eyes peeled on the river banks, where guides will be able to point out fluff-tails, finch larks, kingfishers or jacanas, as well as a lone crocodile or a lazy hippo.

Guests can travel to the magnificent Victoria Falls and spend the day exploring the area. There are a range of activities on offer, guests can choose to go on a walking tour of the falls, which includes some outstanding viewpoints of the natural wonder, or can go on a guided tour of the Victoria Falls bridge and marvel at this feat of engineering. Take a trip to the edge of the falls at Livingstone Island, named after the explorer David Livingstone.

On your explorations of this historical island take a dip in the Devil’s Pool, which sits at the very edge of the falls – and amazing and unique experience, but not one for the fainthearted. For the adrenaline seekers bungee jumping, abseiling, and zip lining are on offer. Test your limits in the beautiful Batoka Gorge and create memories which will last a lifetime.

Soar high over Victoria Falls in a helicopter ride. Gain a unique birds eye view of the falls and really appreciate the vast scale of it. For an even more unique way to take to the skies, enjoy a trip micro gliding. Feel the wind on your face as you glide high in the sky, with uninterrupted views of herds of elephants and the diverse landscape of Zambia.

Become part of nature and saddle up to explore the surroundings on horseback. Choose a half day or a full day trip, suitable for beginners and advanced riders alike, and enjoy trotting alongside the wide flowing Zambezi River.

Enjoy a 6-course dinner and views on the historic railway which runs through Zambia. Rumble through Livingstone and the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park whilst enjoying delectable food 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.”