Royal Chundu Island Lodge

With four magnificent villas tucked amidst thousand-year-old jackalberry trees, this property located on Katombora Island provides privacy and tranquility on the Zambezi River.

• A post-canoeing picnic on the banks of the Zambezi, complete with Persian rugs, hammocks and a personal chef
• The serene atmosphere and soft, omnipresent noise of the river
• Relaxing in the two-person bathtub in each room

Just 20 miles upriver from the mighty Victoria Falls lies Royal Chundu Island Lodge. Only accessible by boat, the property occupies a waterfront plot of land on Katombora Island and boasts four spacious villas. With just a few guests on property at any one time, Royal Chundu is a serene hideaway for couples or those looking for a private escape. Centered on the river, the waterfront suites provide spectacular views from the massive four-poster beds and glass-walled showers, which allow plentiful natural light into the room.

Royal Chundu offers a host of excursions that highlight the dramatic river and surrounding wildlife. Some popular tours are day trips to Victoria Falls or the nearby Chobe game reserve, but guests can also arrange activities on property including canoeing through the rainforested islands and fishing. These offer great ways to intersperse relaxation time with a little activity. Each evening, the resort offers a guided sunset cruise, where guests can see the animals and birds that line up along the banks of the Zambezi to drink.

A Relais & Châteaux property, Royal Chundu boasts a spectacular food and beverage program that draws on local culinary techniques and incorporates regional ingredients. Days at Royal Chundu begin with a soft knock on the door from each villa’s personal butler, who delivers coffee through a private hatch adjacent to the doorway. The chefs collect most of their ingredients from within a three-mile radius of the lodge, and create beautiful gourmet dishes using traditional Zambian cooking methods. The tasting menu at dinner is a particular highlight, whereas throughout the day guests can enjoy the bountiful breakfast buffet and indulgent fare like classic burgers at lunch.

Couples seeking privacy and relaxation.