River Club

Destination

Victoria Falls

The River Club is a distinctly colonial yet very comfortable lodge situated on a steep embankment overlooking the Zambezi River and National Park. It is easily reached by a well maintained dirt road (roughly 20 minutes’ drive) and serves as a perfect retreat for the discerning visitor who is interested in the beauty and tranquillity of the Victoria Falls surroundings, but not to keen on sharing it with hundreds of tourists. As a special treat, guests can be brought to the property by boat, setting the scene for a wonderful holiday. The steps from the jetty to the club’s grounds are quite steep though – so don’t opt for this one if you’re too out of shape. The River Club is situated 18 km upstream from the Victoria Falls and sits on 32 acres of fenced-in property. Staying at the River Club is more like visiting a rich uncle’s house, than staying at a hotel. As a matter of fact, the main building is actually set up in the original farmhouse of Quiet Waters Farm which was established in 1945. It is very homely and even has photographs of the first owners hanging on the walls of the dining room. The lodge has won many awards since its opening in 1997 including one of the Tatler Top 101 Hotel Destinations in the World in 2002; Harpers and Queen 150 Greatest Escapes "Most Luxurious Action Spot" 2003; Fodors Choice Top 20 Hotels in the World 2004 and WEXAS TheTravellers Club, Chairman's Choice 2005.

Directions To River Club

The River Club is situated 18 km upstream from the Victoria Falls in Zambia. It overlooks the Zambezi River and the Zambezi National Park. The lodge is within 30 minutes of most of the area’s activities.

Area Attractions

Accomodation at The River Club The River Club has ten luxury, thatched chalets overlooking the Zambezi River. Of these, 7 are twins, one is a family room and two are honeymoon chalets. All the rooms have full en-suite bathrooms as well as roof fans to fight off the African heat. The views from the open fronted rooms are great, especially at sunset. The Chalets are split levelled and in 8 of them the bathrooms are situated underneath the bedrooms. All beds are supplied with mosquito nets and coils. The lodge can accommodate a maximum of 20 guests, which means that the staff can pay individual attention to all guests. Each room is stocked with soaps, shampoos and insect repellants, as well as a hairdryer. During the winter months the beds are covered in thick duvets and hot water bottles are supplied to all guests. We loved the flowers that were strewn all over the room to add that special touch. The place is fresh and clean and really inviting. One of the chalets is equipped for wheelchair access and ramps are available from management. Dining at The River Club Days are kicked off with a welcome cup of tea or coffee, served in your room. Breakfast consists of a full English breakfast (or fry-up as the Brits like to call it). This includes bacon, egg, pork sausages, baked beans, fried tomato, etc. plus coffee, tea and juice. This hearty meal is served outside on the veranda. Lunch is served on the lawn under the trees and consists of an a la carte menu including a local Zambian dish. Tea and snacks are served in the afternoon. In the evenings pre-dinner drinks are served in the main building followed by dinner in the dining room. Dinner consists of Nouvelle Cuisine and guests are invited to sit together at dinner time, making for lively conversation. All propriety spirits, beer and wine (including their impressive selection of South African wines) are included in the package. Their specially selected imported wines are available at an additional cost and can be served at your table or in your room (upon request). The staff like to go all out for special occasions, so make sure to mention if you’re having a birthday or some other celebration (they promise to keep it confidential if you so choose). Our favourite is a romantic dinner on the opposite island – especially great for newly-weds. The River Club can cater for special dietary needs but we ask that you notify us of your preference upon booking to assure ample preparation time. Amenities • Safe in office for large items of value • Dining Room • Swimming pool • Curio shop • Library and drawing room • Simple telephone and email facilities (flight confirmations can be arranged at a price of US$5) • Card tables and board games • Post service • Night security guards (mainly for wild life lookout) • Croquet lawn • Beauty treatments Room facilities: • Mosquito nets • Hairdryers in all rooms • Fans (no air-conditioning) • Full en-suite bathrooms • Complimentary soaps, shampoos and insect repellents • Safes in all chalets for small items of value • Small balcony area in all rooms • Bird baths outside • Warm duvets and hot water bottles in winter Activities: Included: • Tour of Zambian side of the falls • Visit to Simonga Village • Evening cruises on the river • Game drives in the Mosi Oa Tunya Game Park (white rhino) • Morning fishing trips • Boat cruises • Bird walks • Croquet • There is a running trail within the camp • Tours of: - Livingstone Museum - Railway Museum - Crocodile Farm - Historical Livingstone - Historical Jewish places of interest - Local Markets Excluded: • Massage (at the lodge - please book in advance) • Helicopter, microlight and Tigermoth (biplane) flights • Rafting, canoeing, river boarding, kayaking and jet boating • Bunji jumping and gorge swing • Horse riding • Livingstone Island lunch • Fly fishing • Tours of Zimbabwean side of the falls • Golf at Elephant Hills (Zimbabwe) • Chobe Game Park day trip (Botswana) • Elephant back safari