Islands of Siankaba

Nestled amongst trees on the very edge of the riverbank are the luxury rooms of Islands of Siankaba. These rooms are canvas style lodges, raised on stilts to offer breathtaking panoramic views of the Zambezi River. Inside the rooms are bright, spacious and open plan. Teak walls, doors and steps add authentic character to the room, while flashes of bright organs and yellows keeps the room feeling unique and bright. A large double bed sits in the centre of the room, with curtains of mosquito netting sat either side which can be pulled across to keep guests bug free whilst they sleep. Up teak steps and behind the bed is the ensuite bathroom which comes complete with a large walk in shower, double basins and a large claw-footed bathtub. Unwind on your decking in the evenings, with a drink from your own minibar, and watch as the sparkling Zambezi floats past.

The honeymoon suite at Islands of Siankaba is located in a private and exclusive spot, nestled amongst riverbank trees. The room is open plan, and comes with an ensuite bathroom with a large walk in shower and a deep, claw footed bathtub perfect for a relaxing soak after a long day. The room is filled with bright, natural light flooding in through floor to ceiling gauze doors. Sat opposite these doors is a large king size bed, covered in crisp white linen and yellow throws and cushions. The placement of the bed means guests can enjoy the unparalleled views across the glistening Zambezi without having to leave the comfort and warmth of the bed. Guests can enjoy a private evening dining on the large decking, and can relax in each other’s company, eating delicious food while watching the golden sunset tones reflect off the still waters.

Guests have a variety of dining experiences to choose from at Islands of Siankaba. Enjoy freshly prepared meals in the dining room, which is bright and colourful with unique and authentic art hanging on the walls, or enjoy dining ‘al fresco’, on the lodge’s main terrace where you can enjoy the food and the views in harmony. For a unique experience dining in the bush, guests can make their way to the forest dining area, and enjoy their dinner under a canopy of mopane and teak trees. All food is lovingly prepared by talented chefs, who use only fresh and local ingredients to create inventive and colourful tasty dishes.

Travel to the magnificent Victoria Falls and spend the day trying to take in its beauty. Travel around the falls, finding the best viewpoints, explore the immediate surroundings, and see if they spray off the waterfall reaches you when you are on the bridge opposite. Every day at Victoria Falls is unique, and you will need as much time as possible at this stunning marvel of nature  to truly appreciate its splendour.

Primely located on the banks of the Zambezi River means Islands of Siankaba offer a range of ways to explore the waters. Spend an afternoon fishing, trying your luck to see if you can catch a famous tigerfish, or gently float down the river in a Mokoro canoe which is a traditional way to explore the waters and see colourful reed frogs and dragonflies. Also offered at Siankaba is a sunset cruise, where guests can glide along the river at sunset, marvelling at the animals on the riverbank and basking in the golden tones of the sunset, which reflect off the sparkling waters.

With a friendly and knowledgeable guide, explore the wilds surrounding Siankaba. Make your way around on foot, immersing yourself in the sounds, sights and smells of wild Zambia and keep your eye out for micro-ecosystems, such as insect life, bird life, and animal tracks.

If guests wish to find out more about the communities in the area which they’re staying then an excursion to visit the community is arranged. Tour the Siankaba village and speak to the locals, visit the community nursery school and find out how you can help, or visit the curio market shop where you can purchase a range of handmade authentic items.

For a private lunch and a unique dining experience, make your way to one of the many dotted islands on the Zambezi and sit on the banks whilst enjoying a freshly prepared picnic lunch.

Rest, reset, and rejuvenate with a treatment from the Island of Siankaba Spa. Enjoy a hot stone massage, aromatherapy massage, or a facial in the comfort of your own room, or in the fresh Zimbabwean air, poolside. Whatever your wellness fancy, the trained masseuse can do, so spend the afternoon relaxing and healing your mind, body and soul.

Situated near a gigantic waterfall means there are some activities perfect for the adrenaline seekers. Abseiling, bungee jumping, white water rafting, and flying over the waterfall in a helicopter or micro-light aircraft can be arranged at an extra cost. This is the perfect way to experience your surroundings on a whole other level, enjoying Victoria Falls and its natural beauty whilst testing your limits.

The Islands of Siankaba can also organise trips into the nearby Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park for guests. Travel through the park in a safari vehicle, getting up close and personal to the diverse wildlife in the park. This is a great opportunity to see animals undisturbed and in their natural habitat. Traverse through the park on foot on a rhino walk, which aims to educate guests on the importance of protecting this amazing species of animal.

Nearby is the town of Livingstone, named after explorer David Livingstone. Guests can visit the museum here to find out all about the history of the area and Victoria Falls, and about David Livingstone’s life, with some of his diaries even on display. A trip to Livingstone Island can be arranged for guests who wish to see the very first view Livingstone saw of the mighty Victoria Falls.

Since opening, Islands of Siankaba have worked with and supported the development of the local communities, specifically through education initiatives. They have a partnership with the local primary school, Mandia, to offer their help wherever it may be needed. So far they have ‘assisted with the building of five teacher’s houses, the rehabilitation of three classrooms and extending the school with one more new classroom.’ Many of the resources for this school are donated through the guests and the Pack for a Purpose scheme. Islands of Siankaba focus on the development of education as they believe ‘that education is the key to the successful long term development of the area.’

Since the partnership with Mandia School, Islands of Siankaba have partnered with The U Foundation, which is a British charity, to help build a local nursery school for the community. To help develop the levels of education which local children receive, this nursery school was set up for children under the age of seven, so there would be somewhere safe for them to ‘learn through play.’ The money to build this nursery was raised jointly through guests’ donations and The U Foundation. Since its opening in 2010 the nursery has been ‘a great success’ with over 40 students currently. The school is powered by solar power, and ‘uniforms have been provided by the lodge.’ Guests of Islands of Siankaba can help with the development of the school through donations and can aid the teachers who ‘are the absolute backbone of the school and are vital in the development of the children.’

The rising population levels in Zambia is leading to an increase in deforestation. Islands of Siankaba are working with ‘Greenpop’ to try and reverse this destructive trend. Greenpop is ‘a social enterprise that runs urban greening and reforestation projects in sub-Saharan Africa.’ Guests can leave a donation which will go towards a tree being planted within the local community, in schools or deforested areas. Not only are the trees planted but Greenpop tries to ‘spread environmental awareness, uplift under-greened communities, make greening enjoyable and combat climate change.’

To make sure Islands of Siankaba is operating in an environmentally friendly way they have employed Heritage SA Ltd ‘to assist and grade’ them in all ‘aspects of our operations and community development initiatives.’ Measured to an international standard, Islands of Siankaba work to reach environmental targets to minimise their environmental impact.