Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma is set on the edge of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Here the highly trained safari guides take guests on game drives in custom-built 4 x 4 safari vehicles to experience the land as it was when Livingstone first made his way across the ridge and beheld the smoke that thunders. The park has elephant, impala, giraffe, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, zebra in large numbers and an exciting array of birds, including some Southern African specials like Peters Finfoot. Guests may also be lucky enough to see a rare sighting of the wild dog that on occasion pass through the park.

Just a short drive away from the world famous Victoria Falls, the lodge offers guests a walking tour of The Falls on the Zambian side. First described to Europe by explorer David Livingstone and known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, or "the Smoke that Thunders", the Falls make a constant roar and are accompanied by a cloud of brilliant spray where the mile wide Upper Zambezi falls 300 feet into the Lower Zambezi. Rainbows constantly form and collapse in the tropical sunlight over the waterfall. The river is bordered by ebony groves and mopane forest, home to many fish eating raptors attracted to the rich pickings in the river. Guests participating in this activity are liable for the Heritage Fee. If this fee has not been included in the accommodation package, guests will need to settle it directly at the lodge – check your documentation.

There can be few more thrilling ways to experience and understand African wildlife, the bush and ecosystem as a whole than by being on foot on a walking safari. Offering a completely different perspective to the conventional view one gets from the confines of a safari vehicle. Our two highly trained professional walking guides, Luckson and Elijah, have a combined walking safari experience of more than 20 years. Their reverence and respect for the wild is highly contagious, making this a truly unforgettable and memorable experience as they share their in-depth bush knowledge of the local flora and fauna. Guests will also be accompanied by an armed National Parks ranger. Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma's walking safaris will last about two hours and are conducted at a leisurely pace. Morning walks will depart at 6:30 am and will include a break with tea, coffee and snacks. The afternoon walk will commence at 4pm and finish at a special sundowner spot where guests will be served drinks and canapés while enjoying the magnificent sunset.

A Zambezi river excursion at sunset is a great way to spend a few hours before drifting back to the lodge, a warm shower and a delicious dinner. Game are often spotted on the river banks and crocodiles and hippo in the water. Sanctuary's boats are specially designed and the guide will take the boat through a series of grade 2 rapids before finding a spot to beach for a break and a sunset cocktail. Sunset over the majestic Zambezi river is truly a once in a lifetime experience.

Nakatindi village is located six kilometres from Livingstone and five kilometres from Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma. Through Sanctuary Retreats Philanthropy, we sponsor various projects aimed at improving education, conservation, health and enterprise in the village. Guests staying at Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma have the opportunity to visit these projects and meet the people supported by them. In particular, guests can visit Nakatindi Community School which is resposible for the education of 442 pupils or Chipego bike shop, where guests can hire bicycles to use to tour the village.

The fishing season generally opens on 1st March each year. It closes annually from the 1st December until March. (This is the local Fisheries' regulations and it is enforced by the Zambian Wildlife Authority.) All fishing is on a strict "Catch and Release" policy as we are in the national park. So far the biggest fish caught was around 4.5kg. Sussi and Chuma's 3 boats are used for fishing as well as other activities. Guests specifically wanting to do fishing should ideally request and pay for a private boat for fishing. That said we will be happy to accommodate fishermen as best as we can. Please note, on a full camp, all boats are used for the evening sunset cruise.

To put the Victoria Falls into true perspective, they must really be seen from the air. The sheer size and grandeur of the spectacle becomes all the more clear from above: the huge Zambezi river flowing slowly south, spreading across the full width of a great rent in the earth before crashing over the lip in a burst of spray and then squeezing into a narrow, foaming, blast of water rushing down the zig zag funnel of the gorges. While there is no guarantee that you will see game, hippos and crocodiles are often clearly visible in the shallow waters, and elephant may be seen quietly browsing on bright green islands in the water. A 12 to 15 minute flight takes you over the Falls while a 25 to 30 minute flight takes you over the Falls and adjacent national park. This is an optional activity that is not included in the accommodation rate and therefore comes at additional cost. It is an off-site activity and is shared by guests from all lodgings in the Livingstone area. To ensure availability it should be booked when booking accommodation. It can usually be confirmed with a minimum of 2 participants but some operators require a minimum of 4 passengers. Helicopters seat 4 or 6 maximum. A window seat cannot be guaranteed. The excursion includes a short road transfer between your lodgings and the helipad.

The rapids on the Zambezi are officially defined as "Grade 5" by the British Canoe Union. You will be met in the reception area of the lodge from where you transfer to the Zambezi Waterfront, check-in, sign an indemnity and be given a briefing before departing on a half day white water rafting experience. The white water rafting finishes at rapid #10 where the truck will be waiting with cold drinks and beers for the journey back to Zambezi Waterfront at 12.30 / 1.00pm in time for lunch. Lunch consists of a variety of savoury filled bread rolls, fruits and fruit juice. After lunch, you will be transferred back to the lodge. Water is provided throughout the day. Minimum 4 participants and no children under 15 years are allowed to participate on the rafting activity. Guests have the option of also choosing from a full day, low water or full day high water white river rafting.

A Livingstone Island visit begins with a thrilling ride through the channels of the Zambezi in twin-engine boats. During the guided exploration of the island you will learn about its long history, from ancient times, when it was a sacrificial site, to the present day, as a protected World Heritage Site. Those who are feeling brave can even take a heart-stopping peek over the island's edge. After the tour, relax and enjoy refreshments under the shade of our canopied dining area with a view of the Falls that is quite unique. Those keen on a swimming experience unlike any other can even brave the waters of this mighty river in the island's very own bathing pool, which forms each year amongst the rocks along the edge of the Falls. The activity lasts about one and a half hours with about one hour fifteen minutes on the island. Five trips are offered daily with a maximum of 12 people per trip.

Explore the Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwean side. Transfer time from the lodge to the entrance of the Falls in Zimbabwe is approximately ½ hour depending on border formalities. You will need a visa for Zimbabwe. From here, the guide will escort guests around the Falls sharing some facts and history along the way. The walk is approximately 1½ hours in duration (3km), through the rainforest, stopping at the various viewing points. Sanctuary Retreats will supply raincoats during high water months when guests are likely to get wet from the spray of the Falls. Guests are advised to wear appropriate clothing and shoes for the walk, as well as suitable waterproof protection for camera equipment. Depending on their schedule, guests may also have the opportunity to do some curio shopping in the adjacent open-air markets.

This information is given as a guideline only. Always confirm the schedule on arrival at the lodge.

Winter Schedule: May - August
• Wakeup call - time varies depending on activity
• 6:30 - 10:00 Breakfast is available
• Depart for morning game activity (time varies depending on activity)
• 12:00 - 15:00 Lunch is available
• 16:00 Depart for afternoon game activity
• 18:00 - 21:00 Dinner is available

Summer Schedule: September - April
• Wakeup call - time varies depending on activity
• 6:00 - 11:00 Breakfast is available
• Depart for morning game activity (time varies depending on activity)
• 12:00 - 15:30 Lunch is available
• 16:00 Depart for afternoon game activity
• 18:00 - 20:30 Dinner is available

Guests staying at Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma are able to indulge in a range of spa treatments - including massages, facials and manicures - while enjoying spectacular views over the Zambezi River. The treatment room is situated on stilts on the riverbank, providing guests with up close views of African wildlife while they are being pampered by a trained Africology spa therapist. Facilities include showers, changing room and indoor & outdoor treatment rooms. Spa treatments come at an additional cost and should ideally be booked in advance to ensure availability (a copy of the spa menu is available on request).

Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma welcomes families with children of all ages in the two exclusive family friendly Chuma houses.These exclusive family houses offer two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a spacious lounge and dining area, outdoor deck, and private plunge pool. Guests will have a private vehicle for activities and their own chef offering private dining on their deck overlooking the Zambezi River.

Children 9 years and older may stay in the Sussi Tree Houses. Children below 15 years of age are required to share a room with an adult.

Fun and educational activities for children include tailor made child friendly game drives; a visit to nearby Nakatindi School where they will be able to spend some time with the local children, perhaps play ball or participate in a colouring competition; sundowner story telling around the camp fire about David Livingstone and Sussi and Chuma while parents enjoy a sundowner cruise on the Zambezi River; and plaster of paris toy moulding.

Child friendly menus are available and evening meals can be served earlier than the normal meal times for children. Children between the ages of 5 and 11 years are permitted to participate in game drives at the sole discretion of the lodge manager. Children under 5 require the permission of the lodge manager and is subject to the booking of a private vehicle. Children over 12 years are allowed on walking safaris.Children over 15 years are allowed to participate in canoeing.

You may want to consider booking a room for day-use on your departure day. Unless you do so, you will have no access to a room after check-out (which is normally at around 10h00 or 11h00).