The Royal Livingstone is a luxurious five star hotel situated on the lush green forested banks of the great Zambezi River, Zambia. Named after the intrepid explorer Dr David Livingstone, the resort will immerse you in the romance and style of a bygone era.  Offers exceptional level of service, fine dining, comfort and hospitality, the hotel has already been named one of the leading hotels of the world.

Just a short walk to the entrance of  the Victoria Falls, the hotel’s interior design reflects the elegance of days gone bye using an African architectural style. The Hotel consists of a series of 17 colonial-style buildings, with deep verandas, set amidst indigenous trees and plants. Guests will experience excellent cuisine in the exquisite dining room, or may savour international cuisine from the five star restaurant. The swimming pool visually links the waters of the river with the terraces of the hotel, with a sweeping timber deck planted in the swirling water of the Zambezi.
 

A range of activities is available to guests at the Royal Livingstone. There is an Activity Centre, where you can arrange your daily excursions. Rafting, jet boating, fishing, catamaran sunset cruises and adrenalin activities, such as elephant back rides, water safaris, bungee jumping and more. For the golf enthusiastic there is Livingstone Royal Golf Club. The course is 18-holes, in a magnificent setting, with some 118 tree species, and offers a unique golfing experience.

Official site: http://royal-livingstone-hotel.com/

The River Club is a spectacular place rich in comfort and hospitality that lies in the shade overlooking the Zambezi River, 18km upstream from the world-famous Victoria Falls. The River Club, with its Edwardian-style house and manicured lawns on the banks of the swift-flowing Zambezi River where hippo and crocodile float, seems to straddle the continents of Africa and Europe.

The originality of the rooms comes from the fact that one side of the club is completely open to the river, so that there is an uninterrupted vista of the Zambezi and its far bank from both bed and bathtub. Each room offers glorious African sunsets best viewed from the privacy of the bath tub, brim-full with bubbles. The club also has a lounge, a dining room, a library, gardens and a swimming pool, a wellness centre, croquet court and mini gym.

Adrenaline-loaded activities in the area are white water rafting, bungee jumping, abseiling, and helicopter flights over the Falls. Location: Zambezi River, Zambia. Getting there: Approximately a 15 – 25 minute road/boat transfer from Livingstone and an approximate 1h30 minute road/boat transfer from Kasane in Botswana.

Shumba Camp is located in the centre of the Busanga Plains in the Kafue National Park. The area is home to hundreds of red lechwe, ubiquitous puku, stately roan and the diminutive oribi. Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, herds of wildebeest, zebra and buffalo make for a full set of antelope all of which move onto the Plains as the dry season progresses. This wealth of game is a big attraction for predators, including wild dog, cheetah and prides of lion.

Shumba Camp lies in an extremely wilderness paradise, with its view stretching 360 degrees across the plains to the miombo woodland in the hazy distance. The camp has six spacious luxury safari tents on raised platforms with spectacular views of the surrounding plains. Guests have the option of game drives in and around the Plains and night drives provide the added excitement of the nocturnal wonders of the area. There is a dinning and bar area as well as a cosy boma. Location: Kafue National Park, Zambia. Getting there: Approximately 1hr and 45 minute flight from Livingstone to the North Kafue and an approximately a 1hr and 40 minute flight from Lusaka. From the Busanga airstrip guests are transferred by helicopter (approximately 6-7 minutes) to the camp.

Busanga Bush Camp is situated in the very heart of the Busanga Plains in Zambia‘s Kafue National Park, a vast mosaic of expansive grassy seasonal floodplains that extends to the horizon. The camp is hidden in a well vegetated tree-island of sycomore fig trees and can accommodate eight bedfellows in four luxury tents. Located in the epicentre of a pristine wilderness mosaic this small tented camp delivers exciting wildlife encounters and incredible multitudes of birds. Guests will experience flamboyant sunrises and sunsets, with the sun a spectacular pink colour.

There are four canvas rooms hidden in a well vegetated tree-island of sycamore fig trees. Each room has and en-suite bathroom that is enclosed but roofless. The Busanga Bush Camp also features a lounge and bar and dining area. Fully inclusive accommodation including all meals, drinks (excluding premium brand drinks) and activities.

The Busanga Plains have some of the best lion viewing in Africa. The park boasts about 491 species including endemics such as Chaplin’s Barbet and there are large numbers of plains game such as puku, lechwe, buffalo and wildebeest, along with their predators, most notably lion.

Location: Kafue National Park, Zambia. Getting there: Approximately 1hr and 45 minute flight from Livingstone to the North Kafue and an approximately a 1hr and 40 minute flight from Lusaka. From the Busanga airstrip guests are transferred by helicopter (approximately 6-7 minutes) to the camp.

This multi-award-winning retreat exudes luxury emphasizes contact with the African bush. Gusts sleep in tents – but know as you know them. They have wood paneling, roll-top bathtubs, and showers both indoor and out. A perfect retreat for those willing to be much closer to the nature. The restaurants serves ”Afro-Euro fusion” food on the camp’s own deck, in the middle of the bush, or even on a boat floating peacefully down the Zambezi River. Photo by: Bushtracks

Chiawa is famous for its canoeing safaris to see hippo, buffalo, and elephant. It is also acclaimed for its fishing, especially of tiger fish and vundu catfish. The camp offers game drives, both in the day and at night, and bush walks, which are slower paced and highlight conservation issues. Photo by: Bushtracks

If your tent is too luxurious or you just desire an-in-depth exploration of your wild side, Chiawa Camp offers alternative accommodation at Old Mondoro Bushcamp. Accommodating only eight guests, this is a comfortably retreat with an open-air, back-to-nature vibe. Paraffin lanterns provide evening light, and fresh bread is cooked each day in the camp’s oven. Location: Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia. Photo by: mar10cc

Small intimate lodge, with excellent service, Stanley Safari Lodge is a uniquely designed resort offers couples a luxury safari experience. Bordering the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park and Victoria Falls (that has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO), Stanley Safari Lodge is an ideal spot for a couple to begin exploring Africa.

Stanley Safari Lodge has just 10 private African-style cottages, each with its own plunge pool. It is able to give you an unmatched level of entirely personalized service. You can feel the breeze when you wake up in the mahogany bed or relax in your private stone hot tub – best way to make your stay a memorable one. You can dine outdoors under the stars, in the privacy of your suite, in the wine cellar or even in the infinity pool.

Stanley Lodge is a perfect starting point to discover the nature with your own African safari. The Victoria Falls and its surroundings offer a wide variety of activities. From bungee jumping, jet boating, safari, canoeing, fishing, photography birding, and day tours to elephant back rides or walking with lions. The Zambezi offers some of the best Rafting in the world. A lunch cruise or a sunset cruise is a more relaxing way to enjoy the beauty of the mighty Zambezi River. And most importantly – the helicopter flight over the breathtaking gorges of Victoria Falls – don’t forget the camera.

The nearby Chobe National Park is home to the world’s largest elephant population, which represents a third of all African elephants. Only very few places in the world offer you the possibility to ride on the back of an African elephant, offers a unique way to interact with the largest mammals on earth.

 
 Price Range  -  per person per night from $330 to $590.

Mchenja Bush Camp is a seasonal luxurious bush camp on the banks of the Luangwa River, Zambia. Mchenja means ebony tree and is definitely one of the perfect destinations to enjoy a walking safari. The camp has combined stays at the true safari experience with the ultimate in luxury. Set amongst massive ebony tress with lovely views of the river the Luangwa Valley has been regarded as one of Africa finest wildlife reserves.

Mchenja consists of five stylishly designed tents on raised platforms under thatch. The central area is focused around a large plunge pool, looking over the Luangwa River, which houses the bar and lounge. The rooms are incredibly luxurious, with free standings baths, outdoor en suite shower and inside bath. 

The setting of the camp is incredibly spacious offering guests the opportunity to stroll around camp or simply relax under the shade of a tree, right on the banks of the Luangwa. Game drives and walking tours safaris are offered. Days are punctuated by succulent lunches and dinners as well as tea just before the evening safari. They are generally lasting between 3 and 5 hours and are led by a fully qualified guide. Then unwind with some South African wines, or even some of the rarest champagnes.

2009 Rates: $600 – $700
2010 Rates: $580 – $650
Closed 10 Nov to 31 Jan & 1 Apr to 20 May

Zambia doesn’t attract huge numbers of travelers, but anyone who knows Africa knows that a safari in Zambia is one of the best wildlife experiences. Chongwe River Camp is situated in the Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia. The lounge area is decorated with fine traditional furniture and antiques that look over a private pool, the Zambezi River and mountains beyond.

There is so much to do at Chongwe River Camp. It is offers a superb safari experience – you can choose to go on a guided game drives in open 4×4 vehicles, guided walking, tranquil canoe safari or motor boating. Also there are night drives in the National Park or along the Chongwe River and cruising.

Fishing is also a popular option. You can take a fishing trip on the river to do battle with the famous tiger fish. If you just want to chill out in the swimming pool or laze in the sitting area overlooking the river and watch over 250 species of birds.

No children under 8 years.

Victoria Falls, also called Mosi-oa-Tunya or ”the smoke that thunders” are magnificent falls in Zimbabwe. The Victorian Falls sits on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, so travelers must choose which country will be their spot of arrival.

The falls Boiling Point is the bridge which links Zambia on the left and Zimbabwe on the right. They are paradoxical places. Geologists describe them as among nature’s most destructive forces, place, where fluid water destroys solid rock, carving canyons so slowly to be predicted.

Livingstone Island.

The destructive power of the waterfalls is mostly marked by beauty: a heightened awareness of, and exculation in, the more fact of being present.

But all the glory of this place and of any other waterfall on earth has just natural purpose: it’s river’s way of getting back to normal.

A more exclusive and extremely romantic option is the Sanpan dinner. This is a candlelit dinner with a difference – set on a floating table and deck on the sweeping bend of the Zambezi. After enjoying a spectacular African sunset, dinner is paddled out to your table by canoe. An unforgettable experience!

White Water Rafting on the Zambezi River below the Victoria Falls has been classified by the British Canoe Union as Grade 5 – extremely difficult, long and violent rapids, steep gradients, big drops and pressure areas. This is a high volume, pool-drop river – little exposed rock either in the rapids or in the pools below the rapids. The Zambezi White Water Rafting is internationally acclaimed as being the wildest in the world.

The enormous Zambezi River plunges 103 metres into a chasm almost 2km in length. In full flood the water makes a deafening roar throwing up towering clouds of spray which create multitudes of sparkling rainbows and constantly drenches the opposite cliff in rain.

Rafting is conducted on both sides of the Zambezi River, in Zimbabwe and Zambia below the Victoria Falls. Options include one and a half day rafting trips or rafting expeditions. The main rafting operations in Victoria Falls are:

* Shearwater Adventures (operating from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe)
* Safari Par Excellence (in Zimbabwe and Zambia – the latter departure in low water season gives you access to the Boiling Pot),
* Adrift / Kandahar (a relatively small outfit offering very personalised trips)

I will be happy to hear some insights from anyone who has been there…