In a move that honours the age-old spirit of African wilderness while meeting modern travellers’ taste for eco-luxury, Chundukwa River Lodge has unveiled stylish upgrades to its much-loved riverside chalets. Elevated on stilts and perched above the meandering Zambezi River, these open-fronted retreats now come with private balconies, bringing the bush a touch closer and the experience, unmistakably unforgettable.
For those who seek authentic connections to nature rather than the sterile chill of air conditioning, Chundukwa’s philosophy is refreshingly traditional. “Our aim has always been to let the land lead,” said the lodge’s management. We wanted to preserve that raw, untamed atmosphere where guests feel immersed in nature—not cut off.” It’s a sentiment shared by many eco-conscious travellers yearning for meaningful engagement with the environment, not insulation from it.
Riverside Chalet Renovations
Each of the five riverside chalets, now fully renovated, embraces open-air design with carefully gauze openings and canopy beds draped in mosquito nets, inviting the sounds of the river and the symphony of nocturnal wildlife into the room. It’s commonly celebrated to hear a hippo grunt or an elephant trumpet as the sun sets or rises. This is life on the edge of the wild, and Chundukwa wears it like a badge of honour.
While the chalets are not hermetically sealed—nor should they be—comfort is still king. Ceiling fans, handcrafted furnishings, and thoughtful details combine to make each space as relaxing as it is rustic. The real showpiece, however, is undoubtedly the private balcony overlooking the Zambezi—a front-row seat to one of Africa’s most soul-stirring landscapes.
Importantly, these renovations are part of Chundukwa’s deep-rooted commitment to sustainability. The lodge follows principles that protect the natural world and the area’s cultural heritage. No air conditioners are humming in the background, and no walls are shutting out the world. Instead, the chalets are designed to breathe with the forest, not against it.
This renewed offering comes just as interest in Zambian horseback safaris is rising. Chundukwa’s intimate position—upstream from Victoria Falls and on the edge of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park—makes it an ideal base for riding safaris, bird watching, and day trips to one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.
“We encourage guests to come with a spirit of adventure,” the lodge team added. “There’s no better place to reconnect with the wild—or yourself.”
For those weary of synthetic experiences and yearning for something real, Chundukwa’s newly refined chalets remind us why we travel: to be moved, humbled, and return different.
