If you’ve already stayed at a classic African lodge, and if you’re not keen on camping under the forest canopy, you should try the Chongwe River House. This house is located at the confluence of the Chongwe River and the mighty Zambezi River, in the Lower Zambezi National Park. Here, the Zambezi spans 1,700 meters wide, dotted with small islands and evergreen forests.
The house is not large, featuring only four luxurious suites. It is constructed from local wood and clay, designed with free-flowing, organic lines, a hybrid between an African cabin and a genius creation by Gaudí. The suites are open to the surrounding nature, keeping you connected to the sounds and scents of the jungle that envelop the complex. All beds are covered with a canopy of netting to separate you from mosquitoes that might be bothersome in the evening. The place is intended for only eight guests. A staff managed by Europeans will attend to the small details and the kitchen, leaving you with only the choice of what you want to do. “Not doing” anything is also a perfectly acceptable option. Some of the suites are equipped with a private pool to help you get through the sweltering afternoon hours.
From the River House, classic safari tours (Game drives) with open Toyota jeeps are available. You can also embark on a safari by boat or canoe, take a walking tour of the nearby surroundings, or go fishing in the river. Alternatively, you can relax on the hotel’s observation deck, sip a chilled martini, and wait for the animals to come to the tranquil river below. You are guaranteed visits from elephants and hippos, and you are likely to encounter lions, deer, antelopes, and of course, a variety of water birds.
You can rent a single suite or the entire River House. The recommended visiting period is between April and November. It might be easier to justify the expense knowing that for every day you stay at the lodge, the establishment donates $50 to an environmental fund that supports the local indigenous communities.
Chongwe River House, Lusaka, Zambia
+260 211 841052, info@chongwe.com
