Location
Livingstone, Zambia

The River Club is one of Africa’s most coveted accommodations. Set on the banks of the Zambezi River just over 11 miles upriver from world-famous Victoria Falls, this Edwardian-style house with manicured lawns and 11 guest chalets offers a blend of historic colonial ambience with best of African culture and hospitality.

Each luxury chalet is elevated above the riverbank and has a comfortable bedroom and sitting area. The main level’s en suite bathroom has a shower, flush toilet and sink. A second bathroom, located down a flight of stairs, features a clawfoot soaking tub overlooking the river. A complete wall of windows on one side of the luxury chalet is all that separates you from the waterfront. Sink into the plush window-front couch for uninterrupted views of the flowing Zambezi and the hippos and crocodiles that inhabit it. The main area of the lodge maintains a homey feel, with a comfortable lounge, dining room, library and broad veranda. Most meals are served in the shade of the trees and within view of the River Club’s lush gardens, though indoor dining is also an option. A croquet court, pool, deck with hammocks and lounge chairs, and a wellness center welcome guests to relax after a long flight or a day spent exploring the environs around Livingstone.

Activities available to River Club guests include sunset cruises and visits to Victoria Falls, Simonga Village, local markets and Livingstone town, which dates back to the early 1900s. The David Livingstone Museum is another interesting attraction, housing many of the explorer’s personal possessions and memoirs. For adventure seekers, high-adrenaline activities such as whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, abseiling and helicopter flights over the falls are also available at an additional cost. Guests interested in wildlife may enjoy a game drive in nearby Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, home to an abundance of wildlife including buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, impala and elephant—plus the potential to spot a white rhinoceros. Birdlife in the area is also rewarding, with frequent sightings of several rare species such as Schalow’s turaco, African finfoot, half-collared kingfisher, African skimmer, rock pratincole and collared palm thrush. Fishing is also possible, with tiger fish and bream the most common catches.