Chundukwa River Lodge
Chundukwa River Lodge is beautifully situated on the banks of the Zambezi River about 30kms upstream from Victoria Falls. Chundukwa is a perfect spot from which to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Zambezi River and the Victoria Falls area. Children from 10 years are welcome in the main lodge. Children of all ages are welcome in ‘Chundu’ the private cottage.
Accommodation & Facilities
The lodge faces out over the Zambezi River, overlooking the Zambezi National Park, and is set amongst lush riverine vegetation. The five simple, unique stilted, thatched river chalets accommodate a maximum of 12 people. Each has breathtaking views of the Zambezi River. The lodge has a lovely heated ‘rock plunge pool’ to swim in any time of the day or early evening. You can walk into this swimming pool as it has a gradual slope towards the deep end which is around two metres deep.
A little separate from the main lodge is Chundu Cottage, a private family house situated on a secluded spot on the Zambezi River bank. This comfortable home sleeps up to six and boasts two twin or king bedrooms (one en-suite), an upstairs loft space that can sleep two, and a shared bathroom. There is also a lounge, private dining area, fenced deck and plunge pool with magnificent views of the river by day and stunning starry skies by night. While the pool is not heated it tends to stay quite warm as it’s in the sun most of the day. There is a two metre stretch of shallow end that drops off into the deep end which is about two metres deep. The cottage comes fully staffed with a personal chef and waiter.
Eating & Sleeping
Children over ten staying in the lodge tend to have the same food as their parents – the food is beautifully cooked home-styled food. That said, the chefs are flexible and happy to provide kid’s favourites such as macaroni cheese, fish and chips etc. The lodge can offer a listening service should parents want to dine separately.
For those staying at Chundu Cottage, your private chef means it is easy to cater to special meal times and menus for kids. Parents can then enjoy dinner on the patio while the kids are asleep in the next door room without having to worry about baby sitters etc.
The camp will also look after children eight years and older if parents want to do an activity during the day.
Wildlife & Activities
Although Chundukwa is not a safari lodge, the Zambezi National Park is located just across the river, and lion and hyena calls can often be heard at night. Rich birdlife is found in the area and hippo are regularly sighted (and heard) along the river’s edge. Fishing is good, with tiger fishing featuring prominently in the warmer months. Birding in and around the lodge is superb and provides a photographer’s paradise. Daily guided excursions to Victoria Falls and a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River provide wonderful activities. Other activities available include village visits, walking safaris in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, scenic flights over the Falls, white water rafting, canoeing, fishing, bungee jumping, and visits to Livingstone Island. All trips are expertly guided and custom-made for groups of up to six and can be arranged and paid for locally. In addition, owner Doug is a keen horseman and polocrosse player and a stableyard with horses for all levels of riders is on site.
Specifically for children …
• Fishing with Alex in the dams with hook and worms. If the fish is big enough the chefs will cook it for the kids for dinner.
• Visit the stable yard to feed carrots to the horses, donkeys and say hi to the goats.
• Pony tales for kids – children are lead out by the grooms for half an hour to 40 minutes through the bush and along the river. Parents can walk alongside if they wish. This is available to children of all ages.
• Hour and a half horse rides – available to children eight years and older and can ride well and are accompanied by a legal guardian or parent. Riding helmets for children are available and are compulsory.
• Trips to the reptile park in town – fascinating facts about crocodiles and really educational.
• Visiting the local village and pre-school is a very popular activity where the children get to experience African life first hand and meet Zambian children and see how they live and play.
