OVERVIEW
Welcome to the Royal Zambezi Lodge, a luxurious haven nestled along the banks of the mighty Zambezi River in Zambia.
This award-winning safari lodge offers a seamless blend of adventure, comfort, and natural beauty, making it a premier destination for travellers. With its close proximity to the Lower Zambezi National Park, the lodge provides an unparalleled opportunity to experience the raw and untamed wilderness of Africa as represented in the Lower Zambezi region.
Setting & Ambiance
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Zambezi River and the majestic mountains of the Zambezi Valley, the Royal Zambezi Lodge exudes an ambiance of serene elegance. The lodge is designed to harmonize with its surroundings, featuring thatched roofs, natural wood, and earthy tones that reflect the beauty of the African landscape. The open-plan design of the main areas allows guests to feel fully immersed in the natural environment, whether relaxing in the infinity pool, enjoying a sundowner on the deck, or dining under the stars.
The ambiance here is both intimate and expansive, offering a sense of solitude and connection with nature. Whether you're watching elephants bathe in the river from your private veranda or listening to the sounds of the wild at night, the lodge provides a true escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life..
Accommodation Options
Royal Zambezi Lodge offers a variety of accommodation options to suit different preferences, all designed with comfort and luxury in mind. The lodge features spacious suites, each with its own private deck overlooking the Zambezi River.
Presidential Suites: These are the epitome of luxury, offering a private plunge pool, spacious living area, and an outdoor bath, where you can soak while taking in the views of the river and the surrounding wilderness. Presidential suites are also on offer for families wanting to be under one roof, with the addition of extra beds and mosquito nets for the comfort of the entire family. These suites have been designed as a large open plan home-away-from-home and befitting of the wilderness surroundings.
Deluxe Suites: Slightly smaller than the Presidential Suites, the Deluxe Suites also offer a private deck and outdoor bath, with elegant interiors that reflect the natural beauty of the environment.
Family Suites : As a family owned property, we pride ourselves in being family friendly and offer a few comfortable and luxury family suite options. This dedicated family unit consists of our two Deluxe suites (6 & 7) which offer a shared seating area between the rooms for the whole family to enjoy. The two suites are strategically placed closest to the main area to provide peace of mind to parents with younger children preferring a shorter (escorted) walk between their suite and the central area.
The separate suites are enclosed and safe enough for children to enjoy their own suite with parents staying in the suite next door. However, we are happy to accommodate one parent sharing Deluxe 6 with a child and the other parent sharing Deluxe 7 with another child upon request.
We also have 3 Presidential suites on offer for families wanting to be under one roof, with the addition of extra beds and mosquito nets for the comfort of the entire family. These suites have been designed as a large open plan home-away-from-home and befitting of the wilderness surroundings.
Amenities of the Deluxe Family Suites (6 & 7):
Shady veranda overlooking the main pool area and a view of the river
Spacious en-suite bedrooms
Outside area with private plunge pool
5 Guests maximum (Consisting of 2 adults or 3 children U12)
1 Extra-large double bed per suite
Room Size = 62m², Deck = 20m², Outside living area = 22m²
Room Wi-Fi
Shared family lounge area
All suites are equipped with en-suite bathrooms, indoor and outdoor showers, and luxurious beds draped with mosquito nets, ensuring a restful night’s sleep..
1. Deluxe Suite
Capacity:
2 people
Layout:
Our 8 Deluxe Suites offer the perfect combination of contemporary comfort and understated elegance. The airy canopied canvas and thatched tents nestle under mature trees, and each positioned for maximum enjoyment of the surrounding views and complete privacy. Natural tones, luxurious textures and comfortable armchairs create a secluded retreat. Extra length sprung mattresses with pure cotton linen and fine down pillows ensure a perfect night’s rest. Each suite provides a private plunge pool in which to cool down while overlooking the mighty Zambezi River.
Amenities of the Deluxe Suites:
Shady veranda overlooking the river
Spacious en-suite bedrooms
Outside area with private plunge pool
2 Guests Maximum
King bed or 2x Singles
Room size = 62m², Deck = 20m², Outside living area = 24m²
Room Wi-fi
2. Family Suites
Capacity:
Up to 4 people (including children)
Layout:
The separate suites are enclosed and safe enough for children to enjoy their own suite with parents staying in the suite next door. However, we are happy to accommodate one parent sharing Deluxe 6 with a child and the other parent sharing Deluxe 7 with another child upon request.
3. Presidential Suites
Capacity:
2-6 people (including children)
Layout:
Our combined 7 Presidential suites and honeymoon suites epitomise the luxury safari experience. With outside showers, copper baths, private plunge pools, shaded day-beds, the suites provide the ultimate in opulence while allowing guests to immerse themselves in the surrounding wilderness. Offering luxury at a higher level, our these suites are ideal for honeymoon couples, special occasion getaways, or for those who merely want to experience Zambia’s finest safari accommodation.
Amenities of the Presidential Suites:
Shady veranda overlooking the river
Spacious en-suite bedrooms
Outside showers Freestanding copper baths
Private day-bed
Plunge pool
Large lounge area
2 Guests Maximum (6 with Children)
Up to 4 x singles & 1 King double bed (Offered in 6 Presidential suites only)
Up to 1 x single & 1 King double bed offered in Presidential Royal
Room Size = 156 m², Deck = 39 m², Outside Living area = 90 m²
Room Wi-fi
Dining & Facilities
Restaurant:
The dining experience at Royal Zambezi Lodge is a culinary journey that celebrates local flavors and international cuisine. Meals are prepared using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and the menu changes regularly to reflect the seasonality of produce.
Guests can enjoy their meals in a variety of settings:
The Dining Room: An elegant space with sweeping views of the Zambezi River, perfect for a leisurely breakfast or a romantic dinner.
Al Fresco Dining: For those who wish to dine under the stars, the lodge offers outdoor dining experiences on the deck or by the campfire.
Private Dining: For a more intimate experience, guests can opt for a private dinner on their suite's deck, with the sounds of the African night as a backdrop.
Bar:
The Sausage Tree Bar
One of the guest areas you can truly unwind in is the remarkable Sausage Tree bar. It is situated downstream from the main building, on a deck suspended above the river, where a large Sausage Tree is the centrepiece of this favourite meeting place. As the sun sets behind the distant escarpment, guests can gather for drinks and aperitifs while enjoying lively exchanges about the day’s magical adventures, listen to the guides recount their stories of memorable encounters or just taking time to sit quietly and experience the marvel that is the sunset in the Lower Zambezi Valley with the soothing murmur of the water below.
Swimming Pool:
Facilities at the lodge include an infinity pool overlooking the river, a wellness spa offering a range of treatments, and some of the suites depending on category have their own plunge pools overlooking the Zambezi River.
Spa:
The Royal Zambezi Bush Spa draws its inspiration from the natural beauty surrounding the lodge and is one of Zambia’s only bush spa’s. Its minimalist design exudes an air of complete balance, peace and tranquillity offering the ultimate refuge to restore the mind, body and spirit.
Wildlife Viewing:
There is a abundance of wildlife right in front of the lodge, along the river and further into the national park. Plenty to see at all times of the year.
Activities
Game Drives:
Explore the Lower Zambezi National Park on a guided game drive, where you can encounter a variety of wildlife, including lions, elephants, buffalo, and leopards.
Walking Safaris:
Get up close and personal with the flora and fauna of the region on a guided walking safari, where you’ll learn about the smaller details of the ecosystem that are often missed on game drives.
Fishing Trips:
The lodge is renowned for its excellent fishing opportunities, particularly for the elusive tiger fish, a prized catch for anglers.
Community Involvement:
Royal Zambezi Lodge is committed to sustainable tourism and actively engages with the local community. The lodge supports various community projects, including education initiatives, healthcare programs, and conservation efforts. Guests are encouraged to visit these projects to gain a deeper understanding of the impact their stay has on the local area.
The lodge also employs local staff, providing training and employment opportunities, and ensuring that the benefits of tourism are felt throughout the community. This commitment to responsible tourism helps preserve the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the region for future generations.
Unique Aspects
What sets Royal Zambezi Lodge apart is its perfect balance of luxury and wilderness. The lodge's location on the banks of the Zambezi River offers a unique vantage point for wildlife viewing, and its proximity to the Lower Zambezi National Park ensures that guests are never far from the action.
The lodge’s focus on personalized service ensures that every guest's experience is tailored to their preferences, whether that means arranging a private dining experience, customizing a game drive, or organizing a special celebration.
Royal Zambezi Lodge was designed by a family with in-depth knowledge and love of Africa, its heritage and its wildlife. Our vision is to help people, from anywhere across the globe, enjoy the best that Africa has to offer with no compromises in either comfort or well-being.
Set against the breathtaking mountain backdrop of the Zambezi Valley Escarpment, our Royal Zambezi story starts with our two-hundred-hectare domain, located within the Chiawa Game Management Area, has three and a half kilometres of unspoiled river frontage on the northern bank of the Zambezi River. We are situated directly across the river from Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on the Zimbabwe side and just minutes from the Lower Zambezi National Park. Your 5-star accommodation has been painstakingly constructed to retain and enhance the lodge’s unique bush setting while taking advantage of our prime positioning on the mighty Zambezi River and ensuring we capture every glimmer of sunrise from your room.
With lions roaring in the distance and hippos snorting in the river, the luxurious thatched suites, elegant design and gourmet cuisine of Royal Zambezi Lodge furnish a perfect base from which to explore this wild and beautiful area. There are no fences around the lodge, and our regular guests include elephant, hippo, buffalo, lion, leopard and a myriad of bird species coming to visit. Gap, the elephant, is just one of the residents, like Dave the crocodile and Jonathan the Giant Kingfisher, whom we hope you will meet!
Another unique aspect is the lodge’s commitment to conservation and community. By staying at Royal Zambezi Lodge, guests contribute to the preservation of this pristine environment and the well-being of the local communities, making their stay not just a luxurious escape, but a meaningful and impactful experience.