V2 | 4-nights | Masuwe Lodge & Chundu Island | Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Your itinerary will be tailor-made for your individual travel arrangements and exact timings will depend on the travelling arrangements.

Once in Zimbabwe

The flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Victoria Falls and Livingstone, usually arrive around lunch time.  Once you have cleared customs, you will be met by a professional transfer company who will drive you to Masuwe Lodge.  The driver will display your name on a board in the arrivals hall.  

The transfer from Victoria Falls Airport to Masuwe is a 20-minute drive. From Livingstone it takes about 1½ hours depending on the time taken at customs while crossing from Zambia to Zimbabwe. The points of exit and entry between these two countries are on both ends of the Victoria Falls Bridge, itself a tourism attraction. The bridge, completed in 1905, spans a gorge 128 metres (422 feet) above the Zambezi River and is a popular bungee jumping spot.

After arrival, tea will be served at the pool. Two tours will be operated each day and your itinerary will be planned around your interests and the season. These are an informal tour of the town; a tour of Victoria Falls as well as a daily wildlife activity which may include a guided walk, game drive in the neighbouring Chamabonda National Park or on Masuwe property.  This 1000-hectare property is home to a variety of birdlife and wildlife including elephant, buffalo, sable antelope, eland, bushbuck, impala, kudu, warthogs and many other smaller animals. 

You will return to the Lodge in time to enjoy a sunset drink and then supper. 

Dinner options vary, ranging from a three-course meal on the deck, an intimate table set at the swimming pools or even looking on as the chef prepares a bush dinner using innovative recipes and local ingredients.

Wake up to the morning light and the sound of birds in the surrounding bush. Enjoy breakfast on our west facing deck before heading out on one of the activities on offer. Return to Masuwe for lunch and enjoy a quiet afternoon at the lodge before your next activity. 

Return to the lodge for sundowner drinks on the deck, followed by dinner. Back in your chalet, listen to the magical sounds of the African bush as you fall asleep… this is life on safari! 

Today after breakfast, you could take a tour of the Victoria Falls before your transfer to the stunning Chundu Island at either 12h00 or 15h00.  

Travelling

There are two ways to reach Chundu Island from Victoria Falls, but neither is a boring commute. You could opt to take the 1 hour 30-minute road transfer which is in effect, a game drive through the Zambezi National Park. On arrival at the pick-up point on the banks of the Zambezi, you will take a five-minute barge ride to the island. 

For a more adventurous transfer, take a 40-minute boat transfer up the Zambezi River and twist and turn your way over the water passing hippos and crocodiles along the way, not to mention the occasional elephant along the banks. Here and there, the brilliant blue flash of a tiny Malachite kingfisher flying just above the water or the call of the Fish Eagle will whet your appetite for what lies ahead at Chundu Island.

The island is home to magnificent riverine trees, a wide variety of birdlife, bushbuck, Vervet monkeys and other wildlife.
 

On arrival

As always, our friendly staff will be there to greet you. While enjoying a welcome drink, they will explain what awaits you during your stay.

To fully enjoy the remote island lifestyle and varied attractions at Chundu, we recommend that our guests stay for three to five nights. 

We offer a wide variety of activities and each evening our guides discuss the options available for the next morning with guests. There is also an activities board in the reception where you may check times and activities.

Two activities per day are included in the rate.

Choices include:

Game drives in open 4x4 vehicles in the Zambezi National Park

Taking a guided walk in the Zambezi National Park. All guides are armed

Paddling on the river in stable inflatable canoes

Going on a guided walk around the island (a must for birders!)

Taking a slow boat trip down the river, and, for those who enjoy angling, casting a line in the water in the hope of catching a ferocious Tiger fish (and we support catch-and-release with all species)

For the serious angler we can arrange professionally guided fishing charters

And of course, there is the choice of no activity at all and simply having a massage (to be pre-booked the previous afternoon) or relaxing at the swimming pool with what we consider the best view in Africa.

Depending on your time of arrival, you may choose to undertake an activity suggested by our staff or simply relax.

Sunset cruises on the river are offered every day and dinner is served thereafter from 19h30 until 21h00.

After dinner you will be escorted to your room by a guard who keeps an eye out for any hippo or elephant who may have decided to pay the lodge a visit, something they do from time to time.

Depending on your plans for the day, you can request a wake-up call from your guide the evening before, or hang the “Please Do Not Disturb” sign on your door for a languid lie in.  Those participating in early morning activities will enjoy a light continental breakfast before departing followed by a full breakfast on return or a brunch can also be arranged, depending on the timing and duration of your chosen activity.

Lunch is served from 12h30 until 14h00 which leaves more than enough time for an afternoon siesta or your choice of activity.

Breakfast will be served between 07h30 and 08h30 before you travel from Chundu Island through the Zambezi National Park. You will arrive at the drop off point at Zambezi House at 09h45 and from there you will be transferred to Victoria Falls or Livingstone Airports.

The chef at Chundu Island will pack a light meal for those who miss breakfast because of particularly early transfers.

PLEASE NOTE: The order of accommodation may change from that described above as it is dependent upon availability and the day of arrival. All activities are weather and access dependent.