Chundu Island belongs to the lodge alone. Guests reach it by boat from the bank of Zimbabwe’s Zambezi National Park, about 20 km upstream of Victoria Falls, with Zambia on the far side of the water. Elephants and hippos gather on the park bank opposite, in full view of the island. Its eight thatched suites each have a deck looking out over the river.
Elephants and hippos gather on the park bank opposite, in full view of the island.
Every outing leaves from the water’s edge, whether by canoe into the side channels or by cruise boat for sundowners. The game drives and armed walks in the park begin with a boat ride across to the mainland. Between outings, the island has residents of its own. Bushbuck and their fawns wander the paths, and Schalow’s turaco has been recorded among the Natal mahogany and water berry trees.
The main lodge is built around the island’s large riverine trees, under roofs of Ilala palm thatch over canvas walls and timber decking. Lounge and bar run into the dining area, all of it open to the river. Dinner is served on a deck beneath an old Acacia albida, where the fire pits are lit after dark and the wine comes from a cellar of South African bottles.
In the dry season, the falling river uncovers a white sandy beach.
Around the corner from the main deck, the pool looks over a cove at the island’s upstream end. In the dry season, the falling river uncovers a white sandy beach. Power comes from solar panels, and fans cool the suites in place of air-conditioning. There are no telephones in the suites, which leaves the evening to the fire pit and the river.
More than 400 bird species have been recorded in Zambezi National Park, and its specials draw birders to this stretch of river. One of them has been recorded on the island itself. Schalow’s turaco, with its long crest and blue tail, is found in the park. African finfoot keep to the river margins, and Pel’s fishing owl is among the park’s sought-after species. African skimmers and rock pratincoles are here too, as are collared palm thrushes and long-toed lapwings.
Game drives cross to the mainland and follow the park’s river drive along the Zambezi, and vehicles stay on the tracks. Elephant and buffalo live in the park with giraffe, zebra and warthog, and the antelope include sable, eland, kudu and impala. Game viewing is best between May and October. On foot, guests walk with armed guides. By canoe, guests slip into the channels where elephants drink at the water’s edge. Canoeing and cruises run all year, and the river runs at its highest between March and May.
By canoe, guests slip into the channels where elephants drink at the water’s edge.
The Zambezi holds 75 fish species, and the catch-and-release outings go after the two it is famous for, tigerfish and nembwe bream, with rods and tackle supplied. Two activities a day are included. A return transfer to Victoria Falls is part of the stay, so the Falls fit into a trip without a night in town. Helicopter flights over the Falls can be added, as can massages, and rafting can be arranged. Chobe in Botswana is within reach for a day trip.
Chundu Island opened in November 2017, and its eight suites are few enough to keep the island quiet even when every one is taken. The minimum age is six as standard. The two family suites each have a separate second bedroom, so parents and children share a deck over the river, and a roll-away bed can be added for a child under 16. The suites are spaced between 10 and 20 metres apart, and there is no wheelchair access. When the light goes off the water, the evening gathers around the fire pit.
accommodation
Chundu Island has eight suites: six River View Suites for two, with super-king or twin beds, and two Family River View Suites with a second bedroom. Each has an Ilala palm roof, canvas walls, a private deck over the river, a freestanding bath and an outdoor shower. Fans, mosquito nets and solar charging points are standard.
activities
Two guided activities a day: canoeing, sundowner cruises, catch-and-release tigerfish and bream fishing, island birding walks, and game drives and armed walks across the channel in Zambezi National Park, with no off-road driving. A Falls transfer is included, and massages and helicopter flights can be arranged.
dining
Brunch, lunch and dinner are all included at Chundu Island, along with tea, coffee, soft drinks, house wines, local beers and spirits. The dining room opens onto a deck with fire pits beneath an Acacia albida tree, so meals move indoors or out. The bar mixes mojitos and old fashioneds, a gin and tonic on the western beach suits sunset, and a cellar of South African wines, from Pinotage to Cabernet Sauvignon, is available at extra cost.
Get in touch and let’s start the conversation. An initial consultation helps us understand what you’re looking for, whether that’s specific experiences, luxury touches, or marking a special occasion, and from there we’ll guide you through what’s possible so you can decide if we’re the right fit.
01
Victoria Falls
02
Victoria Falls
03
Victoria Falls
04
Victoria Falls
05
Victoria Falls
06
Victoria Falls
07
Victoria Falls
08
Victoria Falls
09
Victoria Falls
10
Victoria Falls
11
Victoria Falls
12
Victoria Falls
13
Victoria Falls
14
Victoria Falls
15
Victoria Falls
16
Victoria Falls
17
Victoria Falls
18
Victoria Falls
Fly into Victoria Falls Airport, then drive to the gate of Zambezi National Park, where the camp's open game drive vehicle meets you. The drive along the river through the park takes about an hour, a little longer if the game holds you up, and a five-minute pontoon boat crossing takes you over to the island. We arrange every leg, so someone is waiting at each handover.
Scheduled flights reach Victoria Falls from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Nairobi and other regional hubs. For your own timings, or coming on from another camp, we can put in a private charter, typically a Cessna Caravan or a Pilatus PC-12, landing at Victoria Falls Airport. Livingstone Airport in Zambia works too, and from Kasane in Botswana the road to the park gate takes about an hour and a half.
Yes, all year. TravelHealthPro, the UK's official travel health service, puts the Zambezi valley at risk throughout the year and recommends antimalarial tablets for it, not only in the November to June season that applies to the rest of low-lying Zimbabwe. The American CDC lists the whole of Zimbabwe as a malaria area and recommends prescription medicine for travellers.
We do not make medical recommendations; we plan travel and are not doctors. Which tablets suit you, and what is right for a child, sits with your own doctor or a travel clinic. Every bed on the island has a mosquito net, and long sleeves and repellent from late afternoon make sense on the river in every month.
Two activities a day, chosen from canoeing, sundowner and river cruises, morning and evening game drives in Zambezi National Park, walks and fishing for tigerfish and bream, with rods supplied. Meals, tea and coffee, soft drinks, house wines, local beers and spirits and a basic laundry service are part of the stay, along with a guided visit to the Falls and the road transfers from the park gate.
A massage on your own deck, a specialist fishing trip and a helicopter flight over the Falls and the park sit outside that. Tell us which of these appeal and we will build them into your stay, so the days are planned around them rather than squeezed in.
Yes, from six. Two of the eight suites are family suites, each with a second bedroom of two beds for children, and a rollaway bed can be added for a child under sixteen. No more than six children under twelve stay on the island at once. A daily children's programme runs treasure hunts, sandcastle building, fishing from the jetty, raft races and pizza making.
Game drives, river cruises and fishing are open from six, while canoeing and walks in the national park are for sixteen and over, and the camp holds to that. Younger children come only when a family books the whole island. Tell us their ages at enquiry and we will shape the days around them.
Three at least, and four if you want to see the Falls. The island lies about 21 kilometres upstream, an hour and a quarter by road, and the spray cannot be seen from it, so the guided Falls visit takes much of a day. A fourth night lets you make that trip without giving up the canoeing, cruises and drives that are the reason to stay on the river.
The island pairs well with a few nights in Chobe, since Kasane is only an hour and a half away by road. We will plan the order so the travel days are short.
June to September suits most people. The rain has gone, the bush in Zambezi National Park thins and game comes down to the river, and as the water drops a sandy beach appears at the upstream end of the island. Early mornings in June and July are cold in an open vehicle, while September and October bring the strongest heat, and the suites have fans rather than air conditioning.
November to March is the green season, with rain mostly in short afternoon storms. It is the best time of year for birds, many animals give birth, and the trees are in flower. March to May brings the river at its fullest, when the Falls are at their most powerful.
rated five stars by our clients
our approach
Every journey starts with a conversation. We take the time to understand your vision before we start planning.
Whether by phone or in person, we work with you directly to shape something that is considered, personal, and expertly delivered.
