Zambia Luxury Lodge Collection and Chiawa Safaris are pleased to announce that Chichele Presidential has been named to the prestigious Travel + Leisure 2026 It List, the publication’s annual selection of the best new and reborn hotels around the world.
A benchmark of excellence in global hospitality, the Travel + Leisure It List recognizes the most exceptional hotel openings and transformations of the past year, selected by the publication’s editors and contributors following rigorous firsthand stays. Chichele Presidential’s inclusion places it among only eight properties selected across the African continent, in a list of 100 hotels, resorts, and travel experiences around the globe.
“Being recognized by Travel + Leisure as one of the world’s best new hotels is an extraordinary honor and a testament to the vision behind Chichele Presidential’s transformation,” said Jennifer Beattie, Director of Sales & Marketing for Zambia Luxury Lodge Collection, owner of Chicele Presidential. “This acknowledgment reinforces Zambia’s position as one of Africa’s most compelling safari destinations, and underscores our commitment to delivering a guest experience that is both deeply rooted in place and globally relevant.”
Originally built in the 1970s as a private retreat for Zambia’s founding president, Kenneth Kaunda, Chichele Presidential has long held a revered position in the country’s tourism landscape. Perched on a hilltop overlooking the Luangwa Valley in South Luangwa National Park, the lodge has been thoughtfully reimagined for its new chapter, blending its historic legacy with a refined, design-forward sensibility and a renewed commitment to conservation-led hospitality.
Following an extensive renovation and reopening for the 2026 season, the property now features a collection of elegantly appointed suites, elevated culinary programming, and immersive wildlife experiences that position it as one of Africa’s most distinctive safari lodges. Guests benefit from unparalleled access to South Luangwa’s prolific game viewing, widely regarded as one of the finest in Africa, with opportunities to encounter leopards, lions, elephants, and endemic species across a diverse and unspoiled ecosystem.
With its inclusion on the Travel + Leisure 2026 It List, Chichele Presidential joins a global cohort of properties setting new standards for design, service, and experiential travel, further elevating Zambia’s profile on the world stage.
