Wilderness Safaris Safari lodges

Wilderness Safaris offers exclusive safari experiences at two Zambian lodges, The River Club and Toka Leya.

The River Club
The exclusive River Club has some of the finest luxury accommodation, not only in Zambia but on the entire continent. In 2010 The Travel and Leisure Magazine ranked the River Club as one of the top three lodges in Zambia, in the top 50 of Southern Africa and amongst the top 500 hotels in the world. The River Club is a member of the Eco Luxury group of lodges. It is a sunlit bubble of comfort and hospitality that lies dreaming in dappled shade overlooking the Zambezi River, 18 kilometres upstream from the world-famous Victoria Falls.

River Club accommodation
The River Club has ten luxury chalets each with en-suite bathrooms and deluxe bedrooms. The chalets, most of them split-level, are spread out amongst the riverine vegetation. Each chalet has one side completely open to the river, giving an uninterrupted view of the shining Zambezi River and glorious African sunsets from both bed and bathtub!

An enchanting Edwardian house lies at the centre of the River Club, 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 afternoon! 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. The River Club makes an idyllic setting for a wedding away from it all. A royal welcome awaits visitors to this Victoria Falls safari lodge. Over the years the River Club has been, and still remains, a destination for kings, queens and Hollywood stars.

River Club activities
Guests are encouraged to relax and enjoy the spectacular surroundings and service at this Zambia lodge, especially when this is an end destination after the African safari experience. They are also invited to participate in croquet, tennis, running and nature walking. A games room, sports equipment, sauna and jacuzzi are also 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 for a small fee include experiencing Zambia wildlife, white water rafting, bungee jumping, abseiling, helicopter flights over Victoria Falls and elephant back rides.

Toka Leya Camp
Toka Leya Camp in Livingstone is a first choice for stylish yet comfortable accommodation and has all the amenities of a first class lodge. The camp was named after the local Toka Leya people, who have inhabited the area for centuries past. The Toka Leya Camp boasts of a beautiful view, overlooking the Zambezi River and some of its islands.

Toka Leya accommodation
Toka Leya has 12 spacious en-suite safari-style tents. This includes a few family units that are positioned to offer quiet seclusion. Tent interiors boast cool wooden flooring complimented by tasteful and uncluttered African décor in earthly hues. The tents have climate control, providing a cool summer sanctuary on hot sunny days. An expansive wooden deck allows guests to soak up the views of the Zambezi River, often to the sights and sounds of birds, elephant and grunting pods of hippo. Wooden walkways snake between the units and main area, limiting the camp's footprint on this pristine area.

The camp's dining, lounge and bar areas offer ample space for relaxation and are complemented by an infinity pool, where guests can cool off after a long day. Meals are served on the sun deck, the pool deck and dining room all overlooking the Zambezi. Toka Leya Camp is famous for its novel pizza oven which is a great hit with younger visitors.

Toka Leya activities
Toka Leya offers a variety of activities (on fully inclusive rates) within and outside the camp. The camp has a curio shop that exhibits a fine selection of local crafts, and good birding can be enjoyed within the confines of Toka Leya Camp itself. Other activities include a tour of the Victoria Falls on the Zambian side, game drives within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, river cruises, fishing excursions and guided nature walks. Tours of Livingstone town and museum and visits to Mkuni Market and a local village are all outstanding ways of learning about the people and culture of this part of Zambia. Other activities on offer in the area (at an additional charge) include sunset cruises, helicopter flights, micro-lighting, canoeing, jet boating, and white water rafting.

Game drives into the Mosi-oa-Tunya Park give sightings of general game species such as buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and impala. White rhino have been reintroduced into the park and the occasional predator is also seen. The area offers rich bird life including several sought-after species such as African Finfoot, Half-collared Kingfisher, African Skimmer (seasonal), Schalow's Turaco and Rock Pratincole (seasonal).
 
The Zambezi River offers some interesting fishing opportunities. Tiger fishing is an unforgettable challenge for keen fishermen, particularly during the warmer months (October to December). There are also several varieties of bream (Tilapia) which make a good catch.