The deck of the lodge’s main lounge area affords stunning views as it leans out over its namesake river.

If a guest is up early they can listen to the splash of the hippos returning to the river after a night of feeding. Being serenaded by grunting hippos is a guarantee here.

The surrounding woodland and open grassy ‘dambos’ attracts herds of impala and puku antelope, as well as woodland species such as kudu. Also it has probably the highest concentration of warthog in the park, which attracts the lions (who doesn’t like bacon).

A full range of activities is available. These include game viewing drives, fat-tire bicycle rides in the bush, boat cruises on the river, fishing, and more.

From its source in the north of Zambia the Kafue river winds its way westward into the Congo before reentering Zambia. Further south its waters are filtered through the Lukanga swamps. Exiting the swamps the river continues its ancient journey south west through the huge National Park which bears its name.

At the south end of the park the river takes a sharp eastward bend where it was stolen from the old Limpopo river by the young Zambezi. This is a run of 2000 kilometers before it it tumbles through the Kafue Gorge down into the Zambezi valley and the Zambezi river.

The national park is unique in that it is large enough to encompass complete eco-systems, and hence preserve parts of Africa as they were before modernity upset the natural balances.