Sussi Lodge

Sussi and Chuma is named after David Livingstone's faithful bearers, who carried his body 1,500 km from the fringe of the Bangweulu swamps to Dar es Salaam to be shipped back to England where he was interred in Westminster Abbey. It is a luxury upmarket lodge found in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park about 20 minutes from the town of Livingstone, overlooking the Zambezi River.

There are ten thatched and brick tree-houses, built into the living canopy of giant ebony trees lining the bank. Each tree-house is large and luxurious with pretty bedrooms, including open plan bathrooms and beautiful decks among the branches with views of the Zambezi. The circular shaped room has floor-to-ceiling windows and slide doors allowing elegant views of the Zambezi. Reed blinds can be pulled down for privacy within the cool confines, where elegant furniture and crisp white linen is combined with a subtle hint of African ethnicity. The rooms are beautiful, tranquil and stylish.

The main lodge building features a spectacular raised bar/lounge deck, with a circular stairway leading down to an open-air dining area. There is a boardwalk leading to another area of raised decking that offers sweeping views of the Zambezi, has a central fireplace to keep warm whilst sitting under the stars and is also the site for the boat launches. Another deck leads to an infinity swimming pool sweeping down to the water's edge. Resident wildlife, such as hippopotamus and elephant, are likely to wander through the lodge grounds at any time, however there are staff on hand and raised wooden walkways between the rooms. There is an open sided treatment room at the base of the garden where massages are possible with a magnificent backdrop of the Zambezi River flowing past.

Activities from Sussi and Chuma include a guided tour of Victoria Falls and rainforest on the Zambian side, game drives in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, a cultural tour of Livingstone, nature walks in the surrounding area, early morning or sunset river cruises and fishing in the Zambezi River.

OUR RATING: Deluxe