Royal Zambezi Lodge
Royal Zambezi Lodge, a stunning combination of modern style and comfort in an unspoilt bush environment. Featuring king-size beds in large, fully-netted, canvas tents under traditional thatched canopies, and comfortable sofas in front of roaring open fires and spacious verandas, the lodge is an opulent base from which to explore the area. The specialised design of Royal Zambezi Lodge ensures that nature and the environment play a leading role in the relaxed pace and unique experience enjoyed by guests. The Lodge is the ideal place to stay when visiting Victoria Falls. It works perfectly both as a family safari holiday and as the romantic setting for a honeymooning couple.
Royal Zambezi Lodge, Zambia
Royal Zambezi Lodge is located on the banks of the Zambezi river, which doubles as the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. This idyllic location puts you in close contact with the wonders of African nature, settling you comfortably into the otherwise unspoilt bush that surrounds it. You are also close to a mountainous backdrop and more open pastures which play host to the likes of lions, leopards, elephants and more.
- 24-hour Security
- Bar
- Battery Charging Facilities
- Eco Friendly
- Library
- Pool
- Private Vehicle Available
- Restaurant
- Secure Parking
- Spa
The 8 Deluxe Suites combine contemporary comfort with understated elegance in a wild setting. The airy canopied canvas and thatched tents sit under mature trees, superbly positioned for the maximum enjoyment of both the surrounding views and complete privacy.
Natural tones, beautiful textures and comfortable armchairs all come together to create a secluded retreat. Comfortable mattresses, pure cotton linen and fine down pillows ensure that you have a perfect night’s rest. Every suite includes a private plunge pool in which to cool down while overlooking the mighty Zambezi River.
Room Specifications:
- 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
The 7 Presidential and honeymoon suites epitomise the luxury safari experience. With outdoor showers, copper baths, private plunge pools, shaded day-beds, the suites provide no shortage of sophistication and opulence whilst also allowing guests to immerse themselves in nature. The Presidential suites are perfect for honeymooning couples, special occasion getaways, or for those who simply want to experience Zambia’s most luxurious safari accommodation.
Room Specifications:
- 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
As a family-owned property, RZL prides itself on being family friendly and offers a selection of comfortable and luxurious family suites. One of these options consists of two Deluxe suites (6 & 7) which have a shared seating area between the rooms for the whole family to enjoy. The two suites are strategically placed closest to the main area in order to provide peace of mind to parents with younger children who may prefer a shorter, escorted walk between their suite and the central area.
The separate suites are fully enclosed and children will be safe to enjoy their own suite as the parents stay in the suite next door. However, if requested, one parent can share Deluxe 6 with a child and the other parent can share Deluxe 7 with another child to ensure ultimate peace of mind.
In addition, there are also 3 Presidential suites on offer for families who truly want to be under one roof, with the addition of extra beds and mosquito nets for the comfort of the entire family. These suites are large, open plan home-away-from-homes and befitting of the wilderness surroundings.
Room Specifications:
- 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
Royal Zambezi Lodge prides itself on serving only the best cuisine, put together using locally sourced ingredients, RZL will also happily tailor menus to various dietary requirements, provided guests inform them ahead of time. Flexibility in meal times ensure that you can enjoy your holiday at your own pace, and you will be seated at a private table.
In the morning, you can enjoy a delicious breakfast above the Lower Zambezi River, with options of a continental or a full cooked breakfast to get you ready for the day ahead. The chefs can also whizz up a healthy smoothie.
Lunch can either be eaten under the veranda at the lodge, or arranged so that it can accommodate a good day’s fishing or game drive. A gourmet picnic lunch or a full outdoor buffet in the National Park are both attractive options, complete with white linen tableware.
Tea will be served in the afternoon between lunch and dinner, before you head out for an afternoon activity, and you will be able to relax on the plush sofas in the lounge with a cup of tea or ice coffee accompanied by freshly baked confectionery.
Dinner is served at private tables either under the endless sky of stars, or by a roaring fire on cooler nights. Alternatively, you may take it in your suite and have dinner brought to your own private deck. To celebrate special occasions, you can order drinks by a campfire or request a candlelit private dinner. You can even take the chance to dine in the wilderness.
If you would like to treat a loved one by organising a surprise before your arrival at Royal, contact Kelvin, the “Surprise Supervisor”, whose job it is to focus on planning surprises for guests.
Alternatively, take a look at the culinary add-on options if you would like to add a unique element to your African safari adventure.
Forty or so years ago, people were not permitted to enter a game park in Africa unless they were in a fully-enclosed vehicle. Walking safaris in particular were unheard of, and the first instances of both those and open-vehicle safaris were pioneered in Zambia by the late Norman Carr. Others quickly followed suit, and now the open vehicle concept is widespread.
An open vehicle offers 360-degree views, and the elevated viewpoint helps considerably when searching for wildlife. It also means you can quickly see different sights; for example, when lions sighted in another location are reported over the radio. A vehicle trip is normally considered as a supplement to a boat trip and vice versa.
Vehicles are maintained to keep them in top shape. They offer comfort, security and the ability to take you to places where lesser vehicles would fail. They are purpose-built and equipped with sunshade roofs and warm ponchos for late trips back to the lodge in the evenings. Additionally, they come with hand-held spotlights for night viewing. Night drives can be extremely exciting; nocturnal creatures such as leopards, civets, porcupines, genets and aardvarks, to mention a few, can be spotted coming out to hunt and forage for food.
Game viewing trips by vehicle typically involve a break at an appropriate moment for drinks and snacks. Here, you can disembark, stretch your legs and enjoy the ambience and sounds that are so often missed when travelling. It is a good time to chat with your guide and ask all the questions about the bush that you have noted down during the drive. It’s also an excellent time to let some of the creatures come to you, which can happen if you remain relatively quiet, close to the vehicle and non-threatening.
A canoe trip on the Zambezi itself is something that cannot be missed. Starting with a boat trip down-river to where the canoes lie in wait, each boat will carry one or two passengers and a guide. Fortunately, previous canoeing experience is not required – though an ability to sit still helps considerably!
The trip is typically about two or three hours long and you will paddle, be paddled or just drift downstream on an offshoot of the main Zambezi. This offshoot has formed a relatively narrow channel around what is essentially an island. Most of the channel is shallow, affording a view from water level over the lower banks of the pristine bush and grassy flood plains, with thicker bush as a close backdrop.
The canoeing experience is one of peace and tranquillity, often punctuated by animal magic in all its forms. Keep a wary eye open for crocs and hippos as the guides know how to avoid “surprising” them. Game viewing from water level is an entirely different experience and quite wonderful. The wildlife don’t seem to take any notice of these floating objects and go about their business quite uninterrupted.
Refreshments of your choice await at the end of your trip, on the river bank at the mergence with the main river, providing an unforgettable blend of action and serenity.
Another option is to make your return trip by vehicle when you enjoy a game viewing drive through the park back to the Lodge.
Fishing on the Lower Zambezi is one of the best freshwater angling experiences in the world, the highlight being the opportunity to capture one of the world’s premier game fish, the Tiger Fish. The species in the Zambezi, Hydrocynus vittatus, can grow up to 10 -12 Kg and is a superb fighter.
The best time for Tiger Fish is during the hot months of September to November. Expert resident guides take fishing excursions on new, fully-fitted aluminium boats. Guests who are new to fishing or fly-fishing will receive expert instruction and assistance.
Guides, fuel and tackle are provided. However, it is recommended that serious sport fishermen/woman bring their own gear. Medium-heavy action 20lb spinning or baitcasting rods/reels work best. Wire leader is essential, as are good quality sharp hooks attached to bright, shiny spinners and spoons. Experienced guides will take you to all the best fishing spots and guide you through the whole process.
The Royal Zambezi Bush Spa draws its inspiration from the natural beauty surrounding the lodge and is one of Zambia’s only bush spas. Its minimalist design creates an atmosphere of complete balance, peace and tranquility, offering the ultimate refuge to restore the mind, body and spirit.
The spa prides itself on its attentive qualified therapist who is at hand to provide you with a wide variety of massages and a host of other therapeutic, beauty and skin care treatments. Many of these use local indigenous ingredients from the African bush, further emphasising its beauty and enchantment. The spa is also the Zambian flagship of the famous and world-leading Dermalogica brand of skin care products.
The spa, elegantly positioned on a high vantage point, offers stunning views over the Zambezi River that you can gaze upon during treatment. The inviting aroma of burning scented candles fills the air and a beautifully appointed lounge area invites you to relax and unwind while taking in the remarkable sights and sounds of the local flora and fauna.
A cruise in an outboard powered boat will be a rewarding experience, any time from early morning to evening. The guides will give you an appropriate recommendation depending on weather conditions; photographers may not want the sun in their eyes or backlit waters.
There’s always something happening on the river, and the breeze out there is delightfully refreshing, particularly on a hot, cloudless sunny day. The river is ever-changing and varies in width, speed and depth, running adjacent to the ill-defined Zambia border which follows the original river course. Wildlife takes no notice of such boundaries.
There is a rich variety of birdlife on its banks, reedbeds, backwaters and sandy shores mainly when the Palearctic migrants are around. You will see the ubiquitous fish eagle or an osprey often taking larger fish from the river, and there is a myriad of kingfishers of all shapes, colours and sizes who are partial to the smaller ones. With a vast variety of waders, storks and herons, it’s a twitcher’s paradise with a host of interesting distractions.
One is always on the lookout for crocodiles, and the boatman or guide will make sure you can get that close-up of the big one before it enters the water. The hippos, of course, are always around, and your guide will know just how close you can safely go. They will always seek the deepest water, so it’s wise not to block their way!
There have been sightings of a cape clawless otter which we hope is managing the crayfish population that could be on the increase. The Malawi Blue Crab has recently been seen in the water. There is often something new to consider, and the guides’ and boatmen’s enthusiasm is infectious.
All the large mammals come to the river to drink and, in the case of elephants, to frolic in the water. They let you come close enough to get some amusing pictures of their antics. You will often see lion, buffalo, kudu, bushbuck, waterbuck and many other larger animals on the river bank as, unlike the elephant, they have a healthy respect for crocodiles.
Cruises are well stocked with refreshments and it’s pleasant to enjoy a sunset on a sandy island with elephant nearby. Perhaps have a game of boule before returning to the lodge, using the spotlight to search for those bright eyes in the water and the riverbank.
For additional interest, a trip further upriver will allow you to see the riverside villagers happily fishing, bathing and washing their clothes in the river in the same way as they have for centuries. They seem to know when the crocodiles are around!
Some people argue that the best way to see the bush is to walk in it. In many ways, they are correct, as this intimate form of mixing with nature permits a close study of the various plants, animals, spoor, lairs, burrows, nests and other ground level features. All the sounds and scents are there, unspoilt and there’s time to study everything properly without having to move on.
In most instances, the guides have been born and raised in the bush so their knowledge and ability to spot the abnormal is exceptional. You will also be amazed at how quickly you adapt to the surroundings yourself and start to notice unusual movements, colours, and so forth. Real bushcraft takes time to develop and whether you’ve been here before or it’s your first time in Africa, there will be something of interest. For some, it’s the sounds that are the most interesting and it’s exciting to track down that tiny Pearl Spotted Owlet just from its call. Is that a hippo or a lion calling? Is that hyena far away?
Snakes can occasionally be found, but success requires specialist experience. There are plenty around, but contrary to popular belief, they don’t spend their time attacking people! They tend to be shy and will often remain completely still, making them difficult to see. Look for them sunning themselves on branches or rocks, perhaps dangling motionless from a branch awaiting a careless bird passing by.
Your guide will be accompanied by an armed scout and the perceived ‘dangers’ will soon be forgotten as you blend into the wilderness and become part of it. Clothing in natural colours is best mainly when stalking or avoiding that elusive antelope or even lion, buffalo or elephant. Comfortable shoes are essential. A few hours walking in the bush soon creates an appetite for that delicious brunch, lunch or a cold beer!
The backdrop to Lower Zambezi National Park is an impressive mountainous escarpment with many peaks and a variety of walks and climbs, some of which will put you to the test and others which will provide a mild cardiac stimulus. The choice is yours, and those who are interested should discuss their preferences with the guides.
The warm weather means that the trip doesn’t involve heavy clothing, and the primary consideration is comfortable shoes and clothing while not forgetting water, cameras and binoculars. Porters can be provided to help carry your kit when necessary.
The trip will first take you through the riverine bush and as you move higher the vegetation changes, then thins out, and the most fantastic panoramic view of the Zambezi valley comes to light. At this point, you begin to imagine how the first explorers must have felt.
An armed scout accompanies you and one of the experienced guides, who will point out all sorts of interesting features in addition to the wild animals and birds. The prime aim of reaching the top, however, is not forgotten.
The party is always in radio contact with the Lodge, so vehicles can be arranged to speed up your return with some mobile game viewing thrown in. It’s entirely up to you.
Please note: Due to the hot climate during summer months in the Lower Zambezi, this is a seasonal activity and only on offer from May-August each year.
The Lower Zambezi National Park is listed as an IBA (Important Bird Area) and therefore of global conservation significance. Over 300 species of birds are found here, including the African fish eagle, Zambia’s national bird.
Birding enthusiasts need to be here, discovering the likes of the African Pitta and Narina Trogon. The African Pitta arrives for the summer rains Dec – Jan, and you have the advantage of spotting them as a result of the lodge staying open year-round. These phenomenal birds are extremely rare, but at Royal Zambezi Lodge, they have been lucky enough to see them every year since 2016.
The Narina Trogon can also be spotted during the early rainy season, a beautiful species often seen waiting, perched on a branch looking for a wide range of insect prey.
At Royal Zambezi Lodge, they pledge to aid community and conservation and are committed to ensuring that the people living in the Chiawa Game Management Area of the Lower Zambezi enjoy a good standard of living. They do this by providing financial and advisory support to local schools and offering employment in the local area. They also facilitate pro-active intervention for many guests who want to help.
In 2015, the KAI Foundation partnered with Royal Zambezi Lodge to fundraise and build a maternity ward for the community. The project, pioneered by Henry Kartagener and the Royal team, is proudly named “The Claire Kartagener Maternity Ward” after Henry’s wife, in honour of it being their first project. It officially opened with Henry from KAI and Natalie from Royal being present to cut the ribbon.
Two days later, the first baby was born in the new maternity ward, aptly named Claire. The ongoing running and maintenance of the maternity ward has been kept afloat by various generous donations from guests who have stayed at Royal. Without them, they would not be able to sustain the project.
Royal Zambezi Lodge and the KAI Foundation have since partnered once again to sponsor, fundraise and initiate a plan to build doctors accommodation for the maternity ward. This project will assist the Ministry of Health in placing a clinical office/senior medic at the facility that services around 4000 people from the surrounding villages.
RZL are proud members of Pack for a Purpose, an initiative that allows travellers to make a lasting impact in the community at their travel destination. If you save just a few kilos of space in your suitcase and bring supplies for area schools or medical clinics in need, you’ll make a priceless impact in the lives of local children and families.
Royal Zambezi Lodge believes that it is essential to support conservation and actively ensure the preservation of the Lower Zambezi ecosystem. For example, sustainable use of the local biomass is something that has always taken place. The guides are committed to guiding responsibly at all times, ensuring that every wildlife sighting is left as it was found and that the human footprint is as light as possible. In addition, RZL operates a catch and release policy on the river to ensure the sustainability of the fish population.
Current global problems include human/wildlife conflict, human encroachment into wildlife areas, deforestation, climate change, plastic pollution, poaching, wildlife trafficking and much more. Providing solutions to counter these issues requires endless resources from human to financial support and education. RZL are proud to partner and support conservation organisations working in the Lower Zambezi in their tireless efforts in tackling these various issues.
Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ) relies entirely on support from individuals and institutions and Royal Zambezi Lodge are proud to support their endless conservation and community work.
The lodge is a Platinum supporter of CLZ. This Zambian non-profit organisation has been committed to the conservation and sustainable use of the local wildlife and natural resources of the Lower Zambezi, Zambia for 25 years, through wildlife protection, environmental education and supporting local community development.
Children are welcome!