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…