Chichele Presidential Lodge, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

$820 per person per night (peak season)

Link to lodge website

Chichele Presidential Lodge – Our View

We struggle with Chichele simply due to the fact that the Lower Zambezi is known for its privately run camps, or small un-commercial companies. Sanctuary lodges is owned by A&K and so certainly goes against the grain for what makes the Luangwa so famous. However having said all that, the quality of the lodge is as to be expected from Sanctuary lodges and the game viewing area is good. Ultimately we would recommend Chichele to older clients, wanting an A&K approach to safari as opposed to the bush camp approach of the other Luangwa companies.

Chichele - The Facts

More about Chichele Presidential Lodge

The South Luangwa National Park is a place of primeval forest and lush savanna, stretching for hundreds of miles and encompassing the Luangwa River basin, its adjacent highlands and a mosaic of different habitats extending outwards from the river which forms the eastern boundary.

In order to savour the wonderful floodplain vistas offered by the site, 10 air conditioned, elegant Victorian style suites are built along the edge of the hillside, each giving guests a private panoramic view. Quality furnishings and discreet service provide the necessary level of comfort expected by the discerning traveler. All suites boast air conditioning, en-suite facilities, mini bar, mosquito nets and hairdryer.

Wildlife to be seen includes elephant, lion, wild dog, buffalo and a wide variety of antelope in addition to endemic species such as the Thornicroft’s giraffe and Cooksons wildebeest. This is an excellent area for leopard.

The camps offers a full range of game drives in the South Luangwa National Park using open 4 x 4 vehicles. Each vehicle is driven by a qualified, knowledgeable guide. Night drives using spotlights allow guests to view nocturnal animals such as leopard, bush babies and spotted hyena. On night game drives, guests are to return to camp by 20h00. Walking Safaris Game walks conducted by a professional guide and an armed national parks scout.