South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Chichele Presidential Lodge
Built for a former President. Homey, Convivial and Elegant.
This stunning hilltop lodge was built in the 1970s for Kenneth Kaunda, the former president of Zambia. It has thankfully retained its original colonial style, and outside the grand dining room a long veranda stretches with views down the valley to the Luangwa River itself. On warm evenings, dinner is served outside near roaring fires that all adds to the atmosphere. Dinner is often accompanied by the grunt of lions or the saw of leopards in the wooded valleys that surround the lodge.
Each of the ten suites at Chichele comes complete with a four-poster bed, air conditioning, luxurious bathroom and every amenity guests could wish for – all in the middle of the African bush. As with the rest of the lodge, the suites are decorated in an understated and elegant Victorian style. Watching the sun rise over the Luangwa Valley from a private suite is a rare privilege and well worth getting up early for.
From Chichele Presidential Lodge, you also have the particular privilege of being able to go on night game drives, when it is possible to see all sorts of animals that are seldom seen by day – such as leopard, hyena and bush baby.
Highlights
Morning, Afternoon and Night Game Drives
Guided Bush Walks
10 Victorian Style Suites
Swimming Pool
Trip Inspiration
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Places to combine Chichele Presidential Lodge with
Namibia
Anderssons at Ongava offers an unforgettable Namibian safari experience imbued with Afro-Mediterranean elegance. This extraordinary lodge invites you to explore nature with unparalleled comfort and style. From the moment sunlight filters through the mopane bush, awakening the landscape, Anderssons promises a seamless blend of relaxation and adventure.
The lodge’s nine suites serve as a harmonious extension of the surrounding environment. Constructed with natural stone and warm wood elements, each suite is a sanctuary of tranquility, featuring climate-controlled interiors and expansive glass frontages that frame the wilderness. Step onto your private viewing deck, where a sweeping 180-degree panorama immerses you in the sights and sounds of Ongava Game Reserve. Wildlife viewing becomes a part of your daily routine as the animals roam freely here, often within view of your suite.
Central to the lodge is a bar and relaxation area that seamlessly integrates with the landscape, overlooking a vibrant waterhole. Here, you can gather in convivial surroundings, sipping cocktails while observing wildlife. Nearby, the Ongava Research Centre invites you to delve into the cutting-edge efforts that drive conservation and expands understanding of African ecology.
Begin a day here with an early morning game drive in an open 4×4 vehicle. For a different perspective, venture into the underground photographic hide, where you can capture intimate moments of wildlife at eye level. Back at the lodge, the infinity-edge pool is a serene oasis that is perfect for cooling off under the African sun. Relax in the library, taking in the tranquil ambiance and panoramic waterhole views.
Tanzania
Rubondo Island lies in the tranquil southwest corner of Lake Victoria in Tanzania and is enveloped in lush subtropical rainforest. The island is a protected sanctuary, teeming with endangered chimpanzees and a wealth of other wildlife.
The camp features eight secluded cottages that sit at the edge of the forest, each crafted from traditional materials to harmonise with the island’s natural beauty. A spacious family unit provides an ideal retreat for larger groups, while every cottage offers a private veranda overlooking the lake.
Wake up to the gentle sounds of the forest: the rustle of leaves, the distant call of a fish eagle and the occasional splash of water as hippos stir in the lake’s shallows. Here sitatunga antelope move silently through the papyrus swamps, bushbuck graze at the forest edges and forest elephants forge trails through dense greenery.
Your mornings might begin with the aroma of fresh coffee, enjoyed as the lake shimmers under the soft morning light. From here you can embark on a variety of adventures. Days on Rubondo Island invite a range of immersive adventures. Trek through the forest in search of chimpanzees, traverse the lake on a boating safari or set off on a guided game drive.
