Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma | Victoria Falls (Zambia)




















Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma is built on a dramatic bend of the Zambezi River in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, 12km upstream from the world-famous Victoria Falls. Named after Dr. David Livingstone’s faithful friends Sussi and Chuma, the lodge is located in one of the most beautiful parts of the Zambezi amidst Jackalberry trees and Phoenix palms, providing unrivalled views and exclusivity. Accommodation is in twelve Sussi tree-houses, connected by wooden walkways and two private Chuma houses, each with two bedrooms.
- Information
- Rooms
- Facilities
- Activities and Services
Your Stay
2 Nights
Fully Inclusive - Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers) Included
Fast Facts
5 Star
Lodge
Spoken Languages: English
No. Rooms: 12
Special Interests: Adventure, Birding, Fishing, Flora, Hiking, History & Culture, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Wildlife
Sussi Tree House
Guest accommodation consists of 12 luxury tree-houses, built into the canopy of majestic ebony trees lining the river bank and connected by wooden walkways. Facilities include air conditioning, ensuite facilities with bath tub, private viewing deck, mini-bar, mosquito nets, overhead fans and hairdryer


Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Private Vehicle Available, Restaurant, Spa
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, En-Suite, Fan, Fridge, Hair Dryer, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Mini Bar, Mosquito Nets, Private Pool / Jacuzzi, Safe, Shower, Verandah
Services
Airport Shuttle (Complimentary), Babysitting Service, Credit Card, Room Service
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. 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. Well-known for its bird life, with many fish eating raptors attracted to the rich pickings in the river. Excluded in the rate is the Heritage Fee which is payable by guests directly at the lodge when doing a Tour of the Falls.

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.

Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma offers guests the opportunity to enjoy a two hour canoeing excursion on the Zambezi River. The canoeing trip can either be done in the morning or afternoon, the activity will start from the lodge and can be combined with either a game drive or a boat cruise. Canoeing is offered all year but is weather dependent. Dry bags will be provided for valuables. Minimum age is 15 years.

A Zambezi River cruise is a great way to spend a few hours before drifting back to the lodge, a warm shower and delicious dinner. 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. The combination of Zambezi spray on your face and delicious drink on the tongue makes for a memorable sunset cruise. Sipping on a cocktail while watching the 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.

The Flight of Angels offers an amazing experience - the opportunity to fly over the Falls in a helicopter for unrivalled views. While we cannot guarantee that you will see any game the following species can often be seen from the air: elephant, buffalo, rhino, hippo, crocodile and giraffe. Guests can choose from a 15 or 30 minute flight, minimum 2/maximum 6 participants, starting from the helipad at Maramba Aerodome.

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. From here, the guide will escort guests around the Falls sharing some facts and history along the way. Sanctuary Retreats will supply raincoats during high water months when guests are likely to get wet from the spray of the Falls. The walk is approximately 1½ hours in duration (3km), through the rainforest, stopping at the various viewing points. Guests are advised to wear appropriate clothing and shoes for the walk, as well as suitable waterproof protection for camera equipment. Guests will also have the opportunity to do some curio shopping in the adjacent open-air markets.

Puku Ridge Camp | South Luangwa National Park
























Puku Ridge Camp, named after the Puku antelope that graze the floodplains in its view, is perched on a ridge in a remote part of the South Luangwa National Park at one of its most beautiful locations. The camp was rebuilt completely in 2019 in an African canvas/chic style that blends in completely with its gorgeous environment. This is a luxury camp with every comfort yet is intimate and friendly with just eight tents, offering the authentic safari experience that many people long for.
The Park is abundant with elephants, giraffes, leopards, lions, wild dogs, buffalos, zebras and various antelope species – many of which will be easily spotted as you lounge on your balcony or eat dinner. This stunning area can also be explored on foot with park rangers and tracking guides, and at night offering a chance to see some of the more elusive animals, such as leopards, genets, and honey badgers. Sunset is a perfect time to enjoy a cocktail in the bush, or on the banks of the Luangwa River in the company of one of Africa's largest hippo populations.
- Information
- Rooms
- Facilities
- Activities and Services
- Restaurants
Your Stay
4 Nights
Fully Inclusive - Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers) Included
Fast Facts
5 Star
Safari Lodge
Spoken Languages: English
No. Rooms: 8
Special Interests: Adventure, Birding, Flora, Gourmet, Hiking, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine
Puku Ridge Rooms
8 identical rooms comprising of canvas, thatch and decking all overlooking the beautiful Puku Ridge floodplain and its seemingly endless parade of wildlife.
All rooms have super-king beds draped in mosquito nets that can be separated into generous 3/4 single beds, lounge area, tea/coffee/minibar, air conditioning, overhead fans, bath, his & hers washbasins, his & hers wardrobes, indoor & outdoor shower, plunge pool, sweeping, curved decks and star/day bed tower.













Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Private Vehicle Available, Restaurant
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath, Dressing Gowns, En-Suite, Fan, Hair Dryer, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Mosquito Nets, Outside Shower, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower
Services
Credit Card
Lions and leopards are often seen in the area around the camp, as are buffalo, giraffe, zebra and elephant. For big game like this, guests really need a vehicle to get up close and here in the South Luangwa, travellers have the privilege of going on game drives at night. Guests are always amazed how much can be seen when they go down to the river for sundowner cocktails before leisurely driving back to camp. Bush babies in the trees stand out with their enormous eyes, puku and impala scarcely notice as vehicles pass by. Guests often see hyena and leopard in the early evenings and are able to get very close in Puku Ridges' specially designed 4 x 4 vehicles. On the open plains below the camp there are always grazing herds of antelope and of course they attract the predators that every guest wants to see.
Also available are night drives which employ Chiawa Safaris' unique, award-nominated spotlight protocol, where a red filtered spotlight is used to find and watch the nocturnal action, and a diffuse filtered spotlight is used to help with the photography, ensuring that night drives are low impact on the wildlife which rewards our guests with more natural behavior and better wildlife sightings.






Walking is the best way to see the bush around Puku Ridge Camp. The South Luangwa is home of the walking safari and it remains the best way to experience the sights and sounds of the bush. Puku Ridge's experienced guides love showing guests the indicators of the wild, 'rewinding' the action of the last few hours from just a few small give away signs. See where an elephant stopped to browse, where a leopard scratched a tree or a pangolin rolled into a ball. Accompanied by an armed game scout and taking careful note of the wind to mask any scent. There's nothing like seeing lion tracks or the giant footprint of an elephant to make guests relish the comforts of camp. The area is home to 60 mammals and over 400 bird species, making it one of the top birding destinations in the world.





Puku Ridge Dining
Although not yet operational for even a season Puku Ridge has quickly earned its reputation for some of the best dining in the entire South Luangwa, if not in Zambia. Some guests have remarked that the meals are better than they have received in Michelin starred restaurants ...





