Royal Chundu lies on a secluded 15-kilometre stretch of the Upper Zambezi, a private waterway shared with local fishermen, between Victoria Falls downstream and the Katombora Rapids upstream. It was founded as Zambia's first Relais & Châteaux property, and its lodge manager, Aggie Maseko Banda, was named Relais & Châteaux Woman of the Year in 2023. There are two lodges. The River Lodge has ten riverfront villas, each sleeping up to four, and is child-friendly and built around families, with a library, spa treatments, wifi, air conditioning and a helicopter pad. The Island Lodge, reached by boat on Katombora Island, has only four villas and can be booked for sole use. On this wide, glassy reach the Zambezi shows its gentler side, and the days bring sunset cruises, canoeing, island picnics, fishing for tigerfish and walks through the neighbouring village, with visits to the Falls from the Zambian side. The kitchen cooks Zambian dishes from river and garden, the team is entirely Zambian, and the newer Riverstead Experience offers hands-on time in the farm, garden and village.
- Nearest airport
- Livingstone (as in the journey); distance not given on the sources read
- Rooms
- 14 villas: ten at the River Lodge and four at the Island Lodge
Insider tip For a couple or a small group wanting the river to themselves, ask about sole use of the four-villa Island Lodge.
Why I choose it Two small lodges on a quiet reach of the Upper Zambezi above the Falls, Zambia's first Relais & Châteaux.