River Club, The: Safari accommodation

The River Club is ranked as one of the top three Zambia lodges, in the top 50 of Southern Africa and amongst the top 500 hotels in the world by the Travel and Leisure Magazine 2010. This is leading Zambia accommodation offering a memorable experience. Winner of the 2009 Heritage and Culture Award (Zambia Tourism Awards) in recognition of its conservation work undertaken around the Livingstone region. It was also nominated for the 2009 Clean and Green Award (Zambia Tourism Awards). The River Club is a proud member of Wilderness Safaris and part of the Eco Luxury group of lodges around the world.

Livingstone accommodation
The River Club houses ten luxury chalets, mostly split-level, named after explorers and colonial figures like Livingstone, Stanley and Selous. One side of each chalet is completely open to the river, providing uninterrupted views of the Zambezi and the spectacular African sunset in truly delightful Livingstone accommodation. The River Club lies upstream from the world famous Victoria Falls, Zambia. At its centre lies a enchanting Edwardian house with a comfortable lounge, large dining room and an impressive library filled with tales of African adventures. Manicured lawns spread out beneath the trees where you'll find a croquet court - an ideal venue for a Pimms-soaked croquet game! The pool seems almost part of the river itself, with a secluded deck full of hammocks and loungers providing respite from the heat of the day. Beauty treatments are available in the calico massage tent.

Livingstone history
Steeped in history, the River Club goes back to the establishment of Livingstone as a settler trading post. Livingstone was in fact a gateway for the displaced after World War II and it attracted Jewish settlers fleeing Nazism in the 1930s . In the past it has been a venue for the most extraordinary sporting events. If you are a history buff, then Peter Jones and members of his team at this Zambia lodge will be able to provide an intriguing insight into the rich and colourful history that surrounds the Victoria Falls, Livingstone and Zambia itself.

Livingstone activities
There are activities on offer here but first and foremost guests are encouraged to lie in and enjoy the spectacular surroundings and service at this Zambia lodge. Many guests enjoy this approach especially when this is an end destination after the African safari experience. Croquet, tennis, a running track, nature walks, a games room as well as sports equipment, sauna and jacuzzi are all available on site. If you fancy venturing out then The River Club tours include sundowner cruises, visits to the Victoria Falls, fishing excursions (take up the challenge to catch the elusive Tiger!), tours of an African village (with an emphasis on social development), visits to local markets, tours of Livingstone town, the historic Jewish tour and game drives in Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park (with the chance of seeing a white rhino). Other activities that can also be arranged including experiencing Zambia wildlife, white water rafting, bungee jumping, abseiling, helicopter flights over Victoria Falls, elephant back rides and much more. (These incur an additional cost).

Social Development
As a member of the Eco Luxury group of lodges it is important to The River Club to preserve the environment and support local people. For the past eight years the River Club has been working with Simonga Village, helping to improve the lives of the people who live there. Projects have included the renovation of the water supply system, the construction of a police post, the building of a library and canteen at the school, a goat shed, sponsorships for 50 children to attend high school in Livingstone town, gardening tools for the growing of vegetables by the students for the school and paying for the exam fees for those children sitting for their annual tests. The lodge continues to raise money for the clinic which is being built in partnership with the Department of Health and a future project will be to supply electricity to the school, the clinic, the police post and the pump station.

Special interests in the surrounding area
The Zambezi Boat Club, founded in 1905, hosted the World Professional Sculling Championships in 1910. The River Club, together with Primary Sponsorship UK, has brought men’s and ladies' crews from Oxford, Cambridge, South African Universities, Brown Alumni and other foreign teams to compete on the river and its original 1910 course. Between the months of January and July guests can experience the unique and spectacular sight of a seemingly colourless rainbow created by the full moon on the mist in the gorge in the early hours of the evening with a lunar rainbow tour. Guests can also play a round of golf at the historic Livingstone Royal Golf and Country Club, which was established in 1908, redesigned in 1936 and then renovated in 2006. It is set in a veritable botanical garden with over 118 tree species. This 18 hole course provides a unique African golfing experience.