More island camps are opening dotted along the Zambezi above Victoria Falls as the experience proves increasingly popular with travellers looking for a more private, all-inclusive holiday.  

Owner of Royal Chundu, Tina Aponte, told Tourism Update the majority of guests staying at Royal Chundu Island Lodge were foreigners, with 45% coming from North America, 20% from South America, 18% from various African countries, 8% from the UK and Ireland, 6% from Europe, and 3% from Australia and Asia.

Recently two new camps opened.

Seolo Africa has announced the opening of Chundu Island, 21 kilometres upstream from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. It is set to open on November 1, and is currently taking bookings.

The island on the Zambezi River is 1,4 kilometres long and is incorporated in the Zambezi National Park.

Accommodation is made up of eight thatched-roof suites, sleeping a maximum of 20 guests, two of which are family suites. All suites are built on raised wooden decks, fitted with a walk-in wardrobe, en-suite bathroom and an outdoor shower with a river view. The decks are equipped with daybeds, a fan, table and chairs.

Activities include island walks, canoeing on the river, sunset cruises; game drives, and walks in the Zambezi National Park.

Rates for the opening are $420 for bookings made before February 2018 for travel dates until the end of December 2018, low season rates are $420 and high season is $540, both per person per night sharing.

Janine Mortimer, Marketing Manager at Seolo Africa Lodges says: “The important value here is the privacy, peacefulness and ‘wildness’ of the lodge, all paired with top notch service.”

Victoria Falls Island Lodge on Kandahar Island. 

Tourism Update recently reported on the opening of the Victoria Falls Island Lodge on Kandahar Island in Zimbabwe. 

The island is accessible by boat, and accommodation consists of three Treehouse suites.

Standard rates per person per night for guests sharing are $800 and $1 000 for single.

Kim Beyers, who is owner of Kim Beyers Representation, which heads the PR for the Victoria Falls Island Lodge, said its main clientele are international travellers, especially those from the US, UK, Europe and Australia.

There are additional, well-established lodges located on the Zambezi.

Royal Chundu Island Lodge on the Zambezi.

Marina Smithers-Carlaw, Director of Marina Smithers PR who manages the PR for Royal Chundu, says that clients opt for island experiences due to “uninterrupted privacy and luxury on the banks of the Zambezi”.

Royal Chundu Island Lodge transfers guests by boat to Katombora Island, which is on the Zambian side of the Zambezi. There are only four villas on the island, each fitted with a deck and open-air bath.

Activities include cruises, birding safaris, fishing, canoeing, island walks, village tours and a tour of Victoria Falls.

There are two categories at the lodge – the Classic option at $728, and the Luxury option for $1 073, both per person per night sharing.

Siankaba Lodge is on two private islands in the middle of the Zambezi, between the ‘Seventh Wonder of the Natural World’, the Victoria Falls, and Chobe National Park. A series of walkways and bridges link the two islands together.

The lodge is made up of seven chalets and sleeps a maximum of 14 guests.

Sindabezi Island is another exclusive offering, with camp on a private island in Zambia. Sindabezi has five open-sided thatched chalets, is considered one of the top ten eco lodges in Africa.

Activities include cruises, river dinners on a floating sampan, white water rafting, microlighting, helicopter rides and bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge.

Rates are from $520 per person, per night, with the honeymoon suite being $566 per person, per night.

WATCH: Royal Chundu Island Lodge.