Stanley Safari Lodge

The cottages are all authentic and traditional. Placed in the heart of nature – with open sides – guests can marvel at the stunning horizons. The cottages have exposed thatch ceilings which ass character and dimension to the interior. The rooms are open plan with a large bed sitting on polished stone floors, which is draped in mosquito netting and covered in crisp bed linens. If arranged in advance, these rooms can be configured as a single, double, twin or triple room. An ensuite bathroom includes a deep stone bath with a view and a large stone feature walk in shower. During the evenings the rooms are filled with the golden tones of the sunset which guests can enjoy from unique deck chairs on their private decking.

The honeymoon suite at Stanley Safari Lodge is open plan, open sided and full of authentic character and style. The cottage is predominantly made of stone with a thatch roof and wooden decking. A large bed sits in the centre of the room, romantically draped in mosquito netting and overlooking luscious grassland and the endless horizon. An ensuite bathroom includes a large walk in shower as well as a deep bathtub. A sofa area sits opposite a feature fireplace which guests can cosy around on a cool evening. The pièce de résistance of this cottage is the private plunge pool which guests can use at any time of the day, enjoying a dip in the golden tones of the sunset or a nighttime dip, under the wide starry sky.

The family suites are of a slightly different style to the cottages. Perfect for families, there are two bedrooms and a lounge area, and the bedrooms can be configured as a single, double, twin or triple room. Light walls and polished floors make the rooms feel spacious and bright, and wooden doors and windows fill the room with natural light. The lounge comes complete with a fireplace which is the perfect place for families to snuggle up in the evenings. An ensuite bathroom includes a large bathtub, double basins and a shower. A covered terrace sits infant of the bedrooms and comes with a sparkling plunge pool, which is the perfect place to catch a refreshing dip in the heat of the day.

Guests can make their way to the main house for mealtimes. This lodge is authentic and comfortable, lit by warm, glowing lamps and featuring a feature stone fireplace, which can be lit on a cold evening for guests to gather around and enjoy a sundowner. If the weather permits then dinners can be taken poolside, under the wide starry sky. The meals can be catered to most dietary needs and are prepared creatively, with local ingredients and inspired by local cuisines. Local drinks can also be paired with your meals, to create a delicious and authentic dining experience.

Guided Tours of the stunning Victoria Falls can be arranged from Stanley Safari Lodge. Spend the day exploring the park with a friendly and knowledgable tour guide who will be able to impart their knowledge on traditional uses of the local flora and fauna. There are various walking paths, for different abilities, around the falls – but all have stunning views of the waterfall itself, and are an enjoyable day out.

For a traditional safari experience guests can enjoy a game drive of the surrounding area. In an open sided vehicle and with a trained guide there is no better way to see the wildlife in their natural habitat without disturbing them. Guides will be able to take you to all the best spots to see animals from elephants, giraffes, zebras, impala and even monkeys.

Being near the Zambezi River offers a range of water activities to guests. Glide down the water on a boat safari, looking out for lazy pods of hippos or a sly crocodile, or get closer to the water and the smaller fish and reed frogs which live here on an afternoon spent canoeing along the calm waters. Guests can travel to the rapids, and enjoy an exciting afternoon white water rafting – a truly amazing experience – or guests can take a boat trip to Livingstone Island for a day out, enjoying meals there and a dip in the breathtaking Devils Pool, on the very edge of Victoria Falls.

Guests who wish to immerse themselves in the local culture and history can take a trip to Mukuni Village. Spend some time in the village, wandering around and meeting local people as well as spending some time in the Livingstone Museum, educating yourself on the rich history of this stunning area of Zambia.

For guests who wish to explore more of the local culture and traditions, a trip to an authentic Zambian market can be arranged. This is the perfect time to buy some local Zambian produce and crafts, learning about the area from the very people you purchase them off. This is a great afternoon activity for guests to immerse themselves in the local community and gain a deeper understanding of the area they have visited.

Guests can become a part of nature as well as exploring it on a horse riding safari. Trot through the wilds of Zambia, and see animals at eye level with the breeze through your hair. Another adventurous way to explore the surroundings is on a quad bike. This is a slightly more adrenaline filled way to explore but it is very fun, and you can still see some amazing wildlife.

For a once-in-a-lifetime experience take to the skies above Victoria Falls and soar over the surrounding Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Another way guests can take to the skies is in a microlight aircraft, gliding through the sky with the wind on your face. Both these trips offer birds eye views of the falls, and really puts in perspective its magnificent size. Enjoy uninterrupted views of every angle and over the endless horizons.

There are many activities on offer around Victoria Falls which are perfect for the adrenaline seeking guests. Guests can make their way to a nearby gorge and zipline along, swing on the massive gorge swing which puts guests over the edge of the gorge, or bungee jump into the gorge. These activities aren’t for the fainthearted but are extremely rewarding in the views they offer, and the personal accomplishments.

Robin Pope Safaris understands the vital importance of operating responsibly to protect the ecosystem and the surrounding communities. They have a “Responsible Tourism Policy” with specialised plans which cover all operations and activities.

One of the most important issues at Robin Pope Safaris is the conservation of wildlife. All their lodges are built in areas where they won’t disturb the wildlife, and several of the staff are “honorary wildlife rangers”. The anti-poaching organisation ‘South Luangwa Conservation Society’ is supported by Robin Pope Safaris who help the SLCS in their anti-poaching activities and also in their aid given to animals who have been injured by poachers.

Human/elephant conflict is also controlled and reduced through the SLCS, as they have constructed “elephant proof granaries” and “chilli fences” to help protect crops and not hurt the elephants. The professionally trained safari guides from Robin Pope Safaris aren’t just extremely knowledgable but they also “operated the game viewing activities in a responsible manner so that the wildlife being viewed is not disturbed.” The guests are also educated how to view wildlife responsibly whilst on the game excursions.

Financial and material support is given to the ‘Zambian Carnivore Programme’ which conserves endangered wildlife such as the wild dog population and leopard population. To further extend their support and aid, Robin Pope Safaris pays tourism fees  to the Zambian and Malawian governments and assists these institutions “with vehicles and resources when needed.” They support ‘African Parks Network’, specifically in the Majete Wildlife Reserve which is “a model of sustainability development and biodiversity.”

The local communities are educated by Robin Pope Safaris on the importance of wildlife and conservation, with safari guides taking local children and families on game drives to see the wonders of the protected wildlife.

Responsible Tourism doesn’t just focus on the land and the wildlife, it also includes supporting the local communities and creating benefits from their presence “through grass roots sustainable community development initiatives.” Kakumbi Health Centre is a rural doctors which care to roughly 20,000 residents. It is government run and owned, but Robin Pope Safaris have founded “the Luangwa Safari Association Medical Fund” which helps towards the upkeep of the health centre.

This fund also provides volunteer doctors, medicines and medical supplies. The “Chikowa home-based HIV project” is also supported, which is a community run project which supports people living with HIV.” Robin Pope Safaris has their own ‘Kawaza School Fund’ which helps four schools in the Luangwa area, their buildings have been improved and more educational materials have been provided. Local children can now benefit “from smaller class sizes and more classroom time with qualified teachers.”

As many supplies as possible are purchased locally for the lodges, from local businesses and farms. 80% of the vegetables they use in their Zambian lodges are from local farms. The buildings of the lodges are built by local contractors and craftsmen and local artisans are supported by their goods being sold in the gift shops. ‘Tribal textiles’ are the largest employer in the area where guests can visit and “purchase a variety of handmade textile products.” Robin Pope Safaris also have set up their own tourism project in Kawaza Village, which employs village members and “supports orphans and elderly people.”

They have developed a “Responsible Code of Visitor Behaviour” to protect the local village and their traditional cultures. If guests have any spare space in their luggage then Robin Pope Safaris is partnered with Pack for a Purpose which donates items to the local school and community.

All staff at Robin Pope Safari lodges are employed locally, including the guides. Self-sufficiency is encouraged for their staff and they make sure that all staff are offered “fair and competitive” wages which allow employees to have health insurance and bank accounts and staff are either offered housing or a ‘housing allowance’ to make sure their quality of life is as good as it can be. staff receive full training and there are many opportunities for promotion and training courses. All staff members are educated on the prevention of HIV and Robin Safaris assists “staff members and their spouses” if they are living with HIV.

Robin Pope Safari lodges are emotionally conscious to protect the ecosystems in the areas they operate and that the “wildlife and local people rely upon for their survival.” Solar systems provide power and heat the water for the showers, and green “construction principles” have been used such as “living grass roofs, natural air cooling and the use of non-fired bricks.” A water conservation programme is implemented to save water and this includes initiatives such as having flow restrictors on taps and planting drought resistant native plants. Natural sand filters biologically treat waste water and all of the waste the lodges produce “is recycled, re-used or disposed of responsibly.”