Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge Opens

Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge has opened and they are welcoming their first guests. In celebration of the opening of the iconic hilltop game lodge in Zambia’s South Luangwa, we are pleased to offer three nights for the price of two. This historic property is open year round. In addition, the lodge accepts children of all ages – making it the ideal destination for the family holiday of a lifetime! It has one interconnecting suite and two triple rooms that are perfect for families. This special opening offer is valid for travel from 1 February–15 June 2011 and for new bookings from 15 January 2011. Call us to book now.

Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge was originally built for Kenneth Kaunda, the former Zambian president, in the 1970s and the original colonial style has been retained in the furnishings. A long veranda stretches outside the dining room, from which guests are afforded views down the valley to the Luangwa itself. When possible, dinner is served outside. On cooler nights, roaring fires take the chill out of the air. The roar of lions or the saw of leopards can often be heard from the wooded valleys that surround the lodge.

Each of the ten elegant suites at Sanctuary Chichele comprise of four-poster beds, air conditioning, and private veranda. In keeping with the rest of Chichele, the suites are decorated in an understated colonial style with a fully appointed en-suite bathroom. Large French windows offer a light, airy feel to the suites, opening onto your private terraces -the ideal vantage point to relax and enjoy the wildlife.

Game viewing at South Luangwa is considered to be some of the best in the world. It is a notably good place to see leopards, particularly in the dry season when they have less cover in which to hide. From Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge, guests have the particular privilege of being able to go on night game drives when it is possible to see all sorts of animals that are seldom seen by day - like leopard, hyena and bush baby. Plains game, such as antelope and zebra, are not scared by the lights so guests are able to get very close to animals for fabulous photographs. The early evening is the best possible time to see diurnal animals and a little later is the best time for nocturnal wildlife, so a game drive combined with sundowners gives guests the best of both worlds.

There are also wonderful opportunities in the area for walking safaris. Guided walks are conducted by a professional guide and an armed parks scout. It is on foot that Sanctuary’s guides can show travellers some of the most fascinating signs of the bush, many of which are hard to spot from a vehicle. Out in the bush with an armed game scout and a guide, travellers can follow animal tracks along sandy paths. It’s not just the big animals that are fascinating – termites, dung beetles and chameleons all have their stories to tell too. The park hosts many herds of the endemic Thornicroft giraffe which can always be found in the prolific Mopane woodland on the valley floor.

Call us so we may work with you to craft a customized Zambian adventure that includes a visit to Chichele Presidential Lodge and all the wonders that Zambia has to offer.