Chichele Presidential Lodge: Our full report
Chichele Presidential Lodge was originally built in 1972 as the holiday home for the former Zambian president ...
... Kenneth Kaunda. From a commanding spot on the top of Chichele Hill, it has stunning views over South Luangwa National Park, the Luangwa River and the Chindeni Hills. Chichele Presidential Lodge closed at the beginning of October 2018 for a major rebuild and refurbishment, and is currently due to open in June 2025. We are following the progress and will update here when we have further information - please call us for the latest developments.After major refurbishment, Chichele Presidential Lodge was reopened by Mr Kaunda himself in April 2011 and, for many years, Chichele functioned as more of a hotel-style luxury safari lodge.
After being taken over by new management in 2018, and undergoing an extensive rebuild and renovation, the new Chichele Presidential will be run and managed by the same team running the nearby Puku Ridge, and so we're expecting a similarly high level of style to the new lodge, along with the high standard of guiding and service we've come to expect from these camps.
A team from Expert Africa has yet to visit the new lodge, but this is the information we have about it.
Guests will stay in one of 10 suites, to be known as ‘Lodge Retreats’, and two of these can link to a safari lounge with private dining area, ideal for families or for a more exclusive and luxurious stay.
Spaced well apart, overlooking the Luangwa Valley, each retreat will have a spacious bedroom, with air conditioning, and large twin or king sized beds; a lounge area, and sliding glass doors leading out to a covered veranda and plunge pool. The views from the lodge have always been some of the best in the Luangwa, and the new designs look to be making the most of the surrounding landscape.
Bedrooms will have super-king or twin beds, and air conditioning as well as overhead fans. Ensuite bathrooms in each retreat will include twin basins and a bathtub with a view, plus an outdoor shower overlooking the plains beyond.
We understand that activities at Chichele Lodge will concentrate on day and night 4WD game drives, with walking safaris on offer as well. The lodge is located in the area south of the Mfuwe Main Gate, with drives taken near the Luangwa River and in the surrounding woodland.
Between safari activities, guests will be able to make use of a newly built spa, yoga deck, gym and swimming pool.
Our view
While we have yet to visit the new look Chichele Presidential Lodge, we have worked with the team running the lodge for many years and we are confident the lodge will match the high standard of guiding and service, and we are excited to see the lodge when it reopens.
Country manager: Zambia
Geographics
- Location
- South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
- Ideal length of stay
- A stay of three to four nights in this area of the national park would be ideal. Time at Chichele would combine well with a camp further north, perhaps Kaingo or Lion Camp, or it also combines well with one of its sister camps in the Lower Zambezi National Park, Old Mondoro or Chiawa.
- Directions
- The nearest airport is at Mfuwe, a 90-minute drive from Chichele.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- On previous visits, the food at Chichele was of a very high standard. On our visits to Chichele's sister camps we've also enjoyed delicious meals, and would expect similar from the new lodge when it reopens.
We're expecting that the lodge will follow the generally standard meal times as the other safari lodges in the park, and we'd expect something similar to the following:.
Breakfast is normally served before the morning activity. A buffet table is laid out with an assortment of cereals, fresh fruit and fruit juices as well as freshly baked bread. A cooked breakfast is also usually available to order.
On returning from the morning activity, brunch is served. This is generally a selection of salads and a hot dish such as barbecue chicken or a quiche, and is followed by a dessert.
Afternoon tea is served at about 4.00pm and consists of both a sweet and a savoury snack. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Drinks included
- Bottled water, soft drinks, local beers and spirits and a selection of wines and sparkling wines will be included. Champagne and some imported wines and spirits cost extra and may need to be requested in advance.
Special interests
- Luxury
- Originally built as a holiday home for Zambia’s first president, Kenneth Kaunda, Chichele Lodge stands high on one of South Luangwa’s few hills. With private retreats, plunge pools, and an on-site spa, Chichele is a great option for those looking to add a bit of luxury to their safari in Zambia.
- See ideas for Luxury in Zambia
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Chichele Presidential welcomes families with children of all ages.
- Property’s age restrictions
- There is no minimum age at Chichele Presidential Lodge, though children 13 years and younger cannot participate in walking safaris.
- Special activities & services
- We don't know as yet what additional services will be available for any children staying at the lodge, though we understand a 'kids programme' will be in place.
- Generally recommended for children
- We feel that Chichele is best suited to older children.
- Notes
- Chichele is an unfenced lodge, and dangerous wildlife often wanders through. There is also an unfenced swimming pool, and plunge pools at each retreat. Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.
Communications
- Power supply notes
- We understand that each suite will have multiple international charging points.
- Communications
- The lodge has WiFi. Limited cell phone reception is usually available in this area of the park.
- TV & radio
- None.
- Water supply
- Mains
- Water supply notes
- The bathrooms at Chichele have flush toilets and are plumbed with hot and cold running water on tap.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- We understand staff and guides are first-aid trained. There is a doctor based in the Mfuwe section of the park. For more serious incidents, travellers would be flown to Lusaka, or Johannesburg.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- Guests will be escorted to and from their retreats after dark. Each retreat will have a radio to contact staff in case of an emergency.
- Fire safety
- We understand there will be fire extinguishers throughout.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Guided walking safari
Night drive
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- A complimentary laundry service will be included.
- Money
- Rooms will have individual safes.
Other lodges in South Luangwa National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Tafika
One of the best camps in Zambia, Tafika is naturally built, combining excellent service and food with top guiding skills for a superb wildlife experience.
Nkwali
On the banks of the Luangwa River, with its own access to the national park, the intimate Nkwali is open year round.
Kaingo Camp
Small and owner-run, the riverside Kaingo occupies a a quiet but excellent game area, with a series of wildlife hides and a focus on photography.
Nsefu
One of the Luangwa's oldest camps, Nsefu is a great safari camp in a remote, beautiful and game-rich location with top-rate guiding.
Mwamba Bushcamp
Small, remote and owner-run, Mwamba offers first-class walking, 4WD safari drives and superb hides, with excellent guides and a real bush feel.
Tena Tena
One of the Luangwa's best camps, in a beautiful, remote bush location, Tena Tena is very small, exceedingly well-run and has top-rate guiding.
Chikoko Tree Camp
Chikoko Tree Camp is an excellent small, rustic bushcamp that concentrates on walking safaris, and is run by a top-quality operation.
Big Lagoon Camp
Big Lagoon Camp is a great little rustic bushcamp built to high standards that focuses on excellent walking safaris, with the emphasis on top wildlife guides.
Luangwa River Camp
Luangwa River Lodge is a small and consciously stylish lodge in the Mfuwe area, overlooking the Luangwa River and the South Luangwa National Park beyond – an area renowned for great game.
Flatdogs Camp
A relatively big safari camp, Flatdogs offers value for money with great guiding and good food in a comfortable, relaxed setting.
Kapani Lodge
Kapani Lodge is now the main office base for Norman Carr Safaris, one of the Luangwa's oldest safari operations.
Mchenja Bushcamp
Set in a shady ebony grove on the banks of the Luangwa, Mchenja is a smart tented bushcamp. It combines well with Kakuli and Nsolo – its sister camps with a focus on walking safaris.
Kakuli Bushcamp
Beside the Luangwa River, Kakuli is a comfortable tented bushcamp offering 4WD safaris and walking safaris – the best of which are camp-to-camp walks linking Kakuli with its nearby sister camps.
Nsolo Bushcamp
Nsolo is a small, comfortable bushcamp overlooking one or two pools in the usually dry Luwi riverbed. It concentrates on walking safaris in an interesting and diverse area, led by a knowledgeable guide.
Kafunta River Lodge
Kafunta is a laid-back, friendly and good-value lodge on the outskirts of South Luangwa National Park.
Luwi Bushcamp
In a remote part of the South Luangwa National Park, Luwi is a rustic bushcamp whose emphasis is on walking safaris with great guiding and a chance of seeing some rarely seen and elusive antelope.
Lion Camp
Lion Camp is an established and comfortable camp with a swimming pool, located near to the game-rich Lion Plain in the northern part of South Luangwa National Park.
Robin Pope mobile
RPS mobile safari camps are at the heart of their set-itinerary walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park, which start and finish at a permanent camp.
Puku Ridge
Puku Ridge is a luxurious designer camp set in a stunning location, high on a hill overlooking a floodplain within South Luangwa. Explore from here on 4WD safaris and walks.
Kapamba Bushcamp
In the remote far south of South Luangwa National Park, Kapamba is a small and very comfortable bushcamp offering good walks and game drives.
Mfuwe Lodge
In a game-rich area close to the South Luangwa’s main Mfuwe Gate, Mfuwe Lodge is relatively large by park standards, but it’s stylish, modern and family friendly.
Kuyenda Bushcamp
Kuyenda Bushcamp is a classic bushcamp with particularly delightful hosts and offers top-class walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park.
Luangwa Safari House
Luangwa Safari House is a vast and very smart four-bedroom house specifically designed for families and small groups, and offering an exclusive and flexible safari experience.
Three Rivers Camp
In the remote far south of South Luangwa National Park, Three Rivers Lodge sits at the confluence of three of the valleys rivers.
Island Bush Camp
Island Bushcamp is a good-value, rustic, walking-only camp, in arguably one of the most remote parts of the South Luangwa, well away from all other camps.
Bilimungwe Bushcamp
A smart bushcamp with four very spacious chalets, Bilimungwe offers interesting walking safaris in pretty riverine woodland, as well as day and night safari drives.
Chinzombo
Opened in early June 2013, Chinzombo offers luxurious and stylish accommodation with very high levels of service and excellent guiding.
Chindeni
Chindeni Bushcamp is a very modern and minimalist camp, which is a far cry from your traditional bushcamp and unlike most of the other camps in South Luangwa.
Robin's House
With your own expert guide, private vehicle, chef and valet, the two-bedroom Robin's House offers an exclusive, flexible safari experience – and is open year round.
Kawaza Village
Kawaza Village – beside the South Luangwa National Park, offers guests the rare opportunity to appreciate local village life. Visit for a few hours or stay overnight.
Chamilandu Bushcamp
A comfortable little bushcamp, Chamilandu has a picturesque setting by the Luangwa River, in an area with a range of habitats to explore on foot and by 4WD.
Mwamba Camp-out
The Mwamba-Camp Out allows you to have an incredibly adventurous night in the bush, sleeping under mosquito nets with activities led by some of the best guides in Zambia.
Zungulila
Zungulila is a small, comfortable tented bushcamp with an emphasis on walking safaris, in the remote southern section of the South Luangwa.
Shawa Luangwa
Opened in June 2021, Shawa Luangwa Camp is a small, intimate and rustic camp, with a good location in a remote section of the South Luangwa National Park.
Luwi Riverbed Sleepout
For an adventurous night in South Luangwa National Park, come and sleep out in the bush, around a campfire, with an experienced guide and game scout.
Nkonzi Camp
A simple and rustic bush camp, Nkonzi has a strong focus on walking safaris in this remote section of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park.
Chikunto
Chikunto Safari Lodge is a more traditional property in the South Luangwa National Park, sitting on a peninsula of land created by the meandering Luangwa River.
