African Bush Camps Thorntree River Lodge | Victoria Falls (Zambia)
Thorntree River Lodge is situated along the picturesque banks of Zambia’s Zambezi River, nestled within Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park. This setting seamlessly merges the tranquil ambiance of the Zambezi with the awe-inspiring majesty of Victoria Falls. Here, indulge in an exquisite retreat while also enjoying authentic safari experiences and unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Embark on game drives, river cruises, cultural visits, fishing expeditions, canoeing trips, and rhino tracking walks. Enjoy private excursions to both the Zambian and the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls. For those eager to explore from above, opt for a helicopter ride over the Falls; it’s guaranteed to take your breath away.
Drawing architectural inspiration from local cultures and contemporary influences, Thorntree River Lodge’s shared areas are fluid hubs of relaxation. The lounge flows into the elegant dining room, both areas enjoying incredible panoramas of the river. The communal deck on the Zambezi's edge is home to the Acacia firepit and a stunning infinity pool. Nestled within the grounds is the wellness spa and fully equipped gym, perfect for rejuvenating the body and mind.
Whether embarking on a thrilling helicopter ride over Victoria Falls or simply relaxing in the comfort of your suite, Thorntree River Lodge promises an opulent stay amidst Africa's breathtaking beauty. Indulge in the wildly luxurious.
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Each unit will have its own indoor and outdoor bathrooms, as well as a luxurious private plunge pool.
Thorntree comprises of 2 Luxury Family Units with inter-leading walkways between the parents and children’s rooms which are both en-suite. Each unit will have its own indoor and outdoor bathrooms, as well as a luxurious private plunge pool.
Each suite at Thorntree River Lodge is complete with a private plunge pool, a viewing deck, a luxurious bathtub, an outdoor and indoor shower, and a fully stocked bar cart. From your private deck, admire the majestic Zambezi River and watch as the waters entwine with the lush riverbanks to create a private encounter with an iconic river.
Each suite at Thorntree River Lodge is complete with a private plunge pool, a viewing deck, a luxurious bathtub, an outdoor and indoor shower, and a fully stocked bar cart. From your private deck, admire the majestic Zambezi River and watch as the waters entwine with the lush riverbanks to create a private encounter with an iconic river.
Family Suites made up of two tented rooms with a conjoined walkway.
Property Facilities
Activity Desk, Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Communal Dining, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Kiddies Club, Library, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa, TV Room, Vegetarian
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Bath, Dressing Gowns, Fan, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Mini Bar (Complimentary), Mosquito Nets, Outside Shower, Plunge Pool, Private Pool / Jacuzzi, Safe, Sala, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Available Services
24-hour Security, Airport Shuttle (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Private Vehicle (Available)
Activities on Site
Bird Watching, Boating, Canoeing, Catch-and-release Fishing, Fishing, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Massages, Rhino Tracking
Activities Nearby
Adrenaline Activities, Bird Watching, Boating, Canoeing, Child Friendly Activities, Cultural Tours, Fishing, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Helicopter Scenic Flights, Historical Tours, Museums, Natural History Tours, Rhino Tracking, River Cruises, Safaris, Scenic Flights
Your Stay
2 Nights
Fully Inclusive - Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers) Included
Fast Facts
5 Stars
Lodge
Spoken Languages: English
No. Rooms: 10
Special Interests: Adventure, Birding, Fishing, History & Culture, Indigenous Culture / Art, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Shopping, Star Gazing, Watersports, Wildlife, Wine
Sausage Tree Camp | Lower Zambezi
Sausage Tree Camp is set in the most stunning location on the banks of the Zambezi River in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park's best game viewing area. The camp overlooks an expanse of narrow channels and low set reed islands teeming with game, with the magnificent Zambezi escarpment as the backdrop. Guaranteed private guiding, activities include day and night game drives, walking safaris, canoeing, boating and fishing. With a maximum of 18 guests accommodated in 7 "Luxury Suites" consist of lounge & dining areas, large deck and private plunge pool. The Kigelia family tent is made up of 2 ensuite bedrooms joined together by an open plan dining and lounge area with its own private plunge pool. A large 25m lap pool is idyllically situated overlooking the mighty Zambezi River.
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Sausage Tree’s Luxury Tented Suites have each been lovingly designed to bring your most elegant safari dreams to life. Whatever your room doesn’t already provide, your private ‘Muchinda’ (or butler) will be sure to arrange. Imagine a spacious island of cool minimalist style, with a hint of old-school safari glimpsed in the little details and endless views of the Zambezi River stretching out before you. Then add a private plunge pool and a lounge space with a minibar, a king-size or twin bed, a smooth stone tub and an outdoor shower… and perhaps a buffalo grazing peacefully less than ten steps from your room.
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Bath, Bed Linen, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En Suite Bathroom, External Shower, Hand Towels, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Mini Bar (Paid/Free), Mosquito Nets, Mosquito Netting, Outside Shower, Plunge Pool, Safe, Tea / Coffee
Kigelia House is the perfect choice for small groups or families wanting a truly exclusive safari experience in one of the best wildlife destinations in the world. Kigelia’s two en-suite bedrooms are connected by an open-plan living area which leads directly onto an extensive private deck and plunge pool. One room has a lush king-sized bed, the other has two twin beds with delicate wooden princess frames. The central lounge space is designed for maximum comfort, with sumptuous sofas and a large dining table overlooking the Zambezi River.
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Bath, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, External Shower, Hairdryer, Internet Access (Complimentary), Mini Bar (Paid/Free), Mosquito Nets, Mosquito Netting, Outside Shower, Plunge Pool, Safe
Property Facilities
Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Communal Dining, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Library, Pool, Vegetarian
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Detached Private Bathroom, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, Fan, Fridge, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Mini Bar (Complimentary), Mini Bar, Mosquito Nets, Outside Shower, Plunge Pool, Private Pool / Jacuzzi, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Smoking Rooms, Tea / Coffee, Verandah, Wheelchair Friendly
Available Services
24-hour Security, Airport Shuttle (Complimentary), Disability, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Private Vehicle (Available), Room Service
Activities on Site
Bird Watching, Canoeing, Catch-and-release Fishing, Fine Dining, Fishing, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, High Tea, Night Drives, Practice Green, Safaris, Scenic Flights, Walks (Guided)
Activities Nearby
Bird Watching, Game Drives, Safaris, Walks (Guided)
Game drives are the most succesful way to see a good variety of wildlife, both large and small. Visiting more areas, and witnessing the diversity of the Lower Zambezi National Park you can appreciate the unspoiled wilderness of Zambia. A larger area can be covered in a shorter time frame, increasing the chance to find good game. The vehicles also allow those ‘up close and personal’ experiences - our team of professional guides will ensure that it is not too close!
Night drives are the perfect way to experience the nocturnal animals, including the elusive leopard, genet, civet, porcupine and giant eagle owl. The big cats tend to be more active at night and you may find yourself following lions on the hunt. Your guide will also point out the constellations of the Southern night sky.
Sausage Tree Camp operates a fleet of new Toyota Landcruiser game viewing vehicles to ensure reliability and comfort.
Walking is the perfect way to search for the smaller creatures, learn about the trees, the plants and examine the different tracks and signs. Walking was pioneered in Zambia and remains one of the few areas where this can be truly enjoyed.
Led by a professional walking guide and National Parks Wildlife Officer, walking is carried out in small groups. Taking advantage of the cooler morning temperatures, you will take a game drive from camp to an open area where the walk begins. Beware -not only do you see the smaller things on foot, it is also not uncommon for us to see lion on our bush walks.
The Lower Zambezi is renowned for its spectacular canoeing. As one of the few privileged operators based inside the National Park, we are able to canoe guests down the most stunning section of the Zambezi, “The Chifungulu Channel”.
Led by one of our highly qualified canoe guides, explore the banks of the river, where game can be seen from a totally different perspective - looking UP rather than down!
Canoe trips vary in length, however a one-hour canoe trip is a great prelude to an evening game drive.
No experience or particular strength is required - it is an effortless drift, as the flow of the Zambezi pushes the canoes along.Rather than a work out, this is a time to relax, listen to the sounds of the huge variety of bird-life and admire their sheer beauty
The Zambezi River is host to some of the most spectacular fresh water sport fishing in the world with plentiful Tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus, Latin for "striped river dog") and Tilapia amongst others. Sausage Tree Camp offers both spinning and fly fishing, both strictly catch and release in accordance with the principles of the National Park.
The most sporting and certainly the most fun fish to catch is the famous Tigerfish. A relative of the infamous piranha, Tigerfish have large carnivorous teeth, can grow to 15kg / 33lb (the camp record 11.3kg) and are renowned for their strength and spectacular "leaping out of the water" fighting performance.
Fishing is succesful all year round, however the warmer months (September - December) are definitely the best time to catch Tigerfish. This is the breeding season when the fish are more active, feeding more regularly and are far more aggressive. The water level is typically lower and the visibility at its very best.
Scenic boat cruises are a very relaxing way to view the game that comes down to the river to drink and bathe, whilst also taking in the unique water wildlife. Until the Zambezi River is explored by boat, it is impossible to truly appreciate the huge hippopotami pods and crocodile populations. Lucky guests have experienced the truly memorable sight of elephant crossing the Zambezi, from Mana Pools National Park to the Lower Zambezi National Park. To view the most amazing sunsets in Africa, floating sundowners (Gin and Tonic are de rigueur!) in the middle of the Zambezi is a must! This can also provide a photographic opportunity for that perfect African sunset.
Sausage Tree Camp operates scenic boat trips using 7metre aluminium river cruisers. Designed for the Okavango Delta, they are the perfect boat for the Zambezi River as sandbanks make navigation on the water very difficult.
Weather you enjoy waking up to the booming call of the impressive Ground Hornbill or watching the flittering of tiny Redbilled Firefinches there is something for the novice and experience bird watcher alike.
We have approximately 500 species of birds in the Lower Zambezi National Park from waders on the shores of the Zambezi River to wattle eyes in the Miambo woodland in the escarpment. Some of the special and more interesting birds that can be found in the area are Sadelbilled Stork, African Skimmer, Roufous Bellied Heron, Bee Eaters, Black Crowned Night Heron, Amathest Sunbird and Jamsons Firefinch just to name a few.
Breakfast
Available at any time, breakfast is buffet style consisting of freshly brewed coffee, a variety of teas and fresh juices; toast and oatmeal cooked on the embers of the campfire from the night before; a daily selection of pastries and muffins; cold meats and cheese; cereal, including home made meusli; and fresh fruit salad - a very healthy way to start the day. Cooked breakfasts are available to order.
12 noon for Lunch
The buffet lunch consists of a selection of hot dishes, including vegetarian, a variety of fresh salads and the hot "special bread" of the day rounded off with a petite desert or selection of cheeses. Lunch is served in the dining tent, deep in the bush or an a sandbank in the Zambezi - the cooling water lapping at your feet.
3:30pm for Afternoon Tea
To fortify you before your afternoon activity, freshly made lemonade or iced tea is served with a selection of sweet and savoury delicacies.
8:00pm for Dinner
Whilst not a formal affair, dinners consist of three courses of fine dining served with South African wines. Dinner is served at our hosted table where you can share the adventures of the day or in the privacy of your own tent served by your personal Muchinda
Lunches on a sandbank in the Zambezi River, the water lapping at your feet.
Dinner in the African Bush, under the twinkling African Stars.
Your Stay
3 Nights
Fully Inclusive - Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers) Included
Fast Facts
5 Stars
Lodge
Spoken Languages: English, French, German
No. Rooms: 8
Special Interests: Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Fishing, Flora, Gourmet, Hiking, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife
