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Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge

Our rating

8/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Superb national park location
- Imposing colonial-style accommodation
- Excellent wildlife viewing

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Overview

The Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge is a stylish and welcoming high-end property offering superb comfort levels and excellent facilities in a beautiful bush setting within South Luangwa National Park, eastern Zambia. A two hour transfer from Mfuwe airport, the luxurious lodge sits proudly amidst woodland on the crest of a hill, with fantastic views across the National Park. Admittedly there’s a fairly high price tag, but the lodge provides a unique and historic base from which to explore the vibrant surroundings. The region is renowned for its excellent wildlife viewing, and is home to large numbers of hippo and elephant, along with leopard, lion, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, crocodile, and prolific birdlife.

Originally home to a Zambian president, the main building boasts imposing colonial-style architecture. The elegant guest areas comprise a spacious and airy lounge with a large fireplace and comfortable period furniture, a bar area, a formal dining room, and a small boutique. Wi-Fi is available throughout. Outside, sweeping veranda and lawn areas lead to a large, inviting swimming pool with outstanding views across the valley and the Luangwa River below. Delicious, three-course plated dinners are frequently served alfresco, at communal tables beside the campfire.

Activities focus on day and night game drives, and walking safaris with expert guides, plus birdwatching and bush dinners.

The accommodation comprises ten well-appointed Victorian style suites with double or twin four-poster beds fitted with mosquito nets, comfortable lounge areas, and ensuite bathrooms. All suites come with air conditioning, mini bar, and safe. The spacious bathrooms comprise a luxurious freestanding roll-top bath and separate shower, along with twin washbasins, and a flush toilet. French doors lead from the bedroom onto an attractive private terrace with breath-taking views.

The lodge welcomes children and demonstrates a high level of flexibility towards families. Two interconnecting suites are available, and one additional bed can be provided per suite, with any child under 16 required to share accommodation with parents. Child menus, flexible meal times, and a babysitting service are also available. There’s a dedicated children’s activity programme which includes animal tracking in the grounds, making camp fires, marshmallow toasting, and handicrafts. For safari activities, families with children under five years of age are required to book a private vehicle, whilst under 12s may participate in game drives at the discretion of the lodge manager. There is also a minimum age restriction of 12 years for walking safaris, but the lovely pool and engaging child-specific activities will ensure that younger family members are kept well entertained.

What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 534 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • I was also just about to email you to thank you and the team for arranging yet again, another wonderful experience.

    Mount Kenya was spectacular and wild - I think I prefer it to Kili in many ways. The entire support team was professional, friendly and all round fantastic in making sure that we were safe, well fed and well looked after. In particular, we would commend Peter the guide as well as Paul one of the porters who doubled-up as his deputy on summit day. Our route was often shrouded in mist and rain that rapidly gathered in the valleys and moorlands, and we were very impressed at how Peter managed to navigate us safely through all of that notwithstanding. In addition, we loved learning about the history of Mount Kenya from him in the evenings. And ofcourse, I was blown away by the lovely birthday surprise at the end complete with balloons and a delicious cake that had journeyed with us from day 1. One thing we might recommend because of the sudden change in weather (it would sometimes get extremely cold and wet) is for the equipment list to be a little bit more detailed in terms of its recommendations e.g. layers to be moisture-wicking, walking boots be waterproof, doubling up on socks to avoid blisters etc.

    El Karama is a beautiful conservancy and the lodge a true labour of love. Great hospitality in a relaxed environment. Delicious, fresh food. We enjoyed the drives, even if we didn't see much wildlife as the heavens opened on us for the last two outings. However, since it was very much geared towards families, I am not sure if I would stay again without kids. That said, I think it was perfect for a 3d/2n stay post mountain, and a much better choice than flying to the masai mara given the limited time we had.

    Our transits were smooth. Samuel the driver was always on time, drove safely and kept the vehicle clean.

    So it was a brilliant experience and one which I certainly will cherish for some time to come. It was great to work with you for a third time, and I certainly hope it won't be the last

    MissingJuhae C reviewing Mount Kenya Sirimon Naro Moru Trek on 01 March 2024

  • Thank you, we had an absolute wonderful time, and everything was well-planned and as described. Carla was crying on the day of our departure from Ants Nest, she didn’t want to go home and for it all to end, and when I asked how much longer she would want to stay, she responded “four weeks”

    MissingLars B reviewing Best of South Africa for Families on 01 March 2024

  • We had the most amazing time. It exceeded all my hopes of what the trip would be. The guides, the hotels - everything was of such a wonderful quality. Thank you for organizing everything. I will absolutely recommend Tourdust and use you again.

    MissingClaudia L reviewing Luxury Desert Holiday on 11 January 2024

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