Royal Chundu Zambezi Island Lodge

Royal Chundu sits on Katombora Island in the Zambezi River, upstream from Livingstone in southern Zambia. The Katombora rapids run above and below the island, which is reached by boat and holds four villas, two lounges, a dining room, a boma, and an infinity pool. The island carries old Baobab and Jackalberry trees — some of the Jackalberries are around two thousand years old — and the villas are built among them, each with a private deck over the water.

The four villas share a colour palette of blue and brown that reads against the river and the surrounding bush. Evening meals in the boma are served outdoors with live music; the dining room is available for indoor meals through the day.

From the island, the lodge runs river canoe trips and operates a spa beside the water. Day trips reach Chobe National Park across the border in Botswana, and a picnic excursion runs to Victoria Falls, roughly an hour downstream. The Zambezi here is a serious birding river, and the lodge also offers fishing.

Access to the island is by boat from the mainland. There is no road crossing.