16 Apr Best Boutique Safari Lodges in Zimbabwe: Chundu Island & Masuwe Lodge
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What makes Chundu Island & Masuwe Lodge truly special safari experiences?
There is a particular kind of travel that stays with you long after the dust has settled on your boots.
Not the kind measured in kilometres covered or animals ticked off a list, but the kind that settles quietly into memory: the hush of a river at dusk, a guide who knows the land like an old friend, a dinner table set beneath a sky full of stars.
This is the feeling of a truly curated safari experience.
Our Zimbabwean properties, Chundu Island Lodge and Masuwe Lodge, understand this feeling better than almost anyone.
Different in character but united by the same philosophy, these boutique lodges offer unhurried, personal safari experiences set in two extraordinary landscapes: a private island on the Zambezi River and a vast stretch of untouched bush just minutes from Victoria Falls.
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Chundu Island: Your Own World on the Zambezi
Positioned 21 kilometres upstream from Victoria Falls within Zambezi National Park, Chundu Island sits on one of the most picturesque islands along the Zambezi River.
Here, the river sets the rhythm of each day.
Eight Seychelles-inspired Riverview Suites line the island’s shoreline, each oriented toward the water with spacious private decks and uninterrupted views across the Zambezi. It’s the kind of place where elephants wander down to drink at sunset and fish eagles call overhead as the light fades.
As one of the few private concessions inside Zambezi National Park, Chundu offers genuine exclusivity.
That means:
- The island is reserved exclusively for guests
- Canoe safaris unfold without lots of other boats around you
- Game drives and activities follow your preferred pace
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Activities at Chundu Island
Guests can explore the river and surrounding wilderness through a variety of experiences:
- Canoeing on the Zambezi
- Sundowner and river cruises
- Walking safaris (both on the island and on the mainland amongst big game)
- Game drives in Zambezi National Park
- Fun fishing
- Guided tours of Victoria Falls (in the Victoria Falls Rainforest)
- Exceptional birdwatching on the island and in the Zambezi National Park
- In-room massages (pre-booked the day before)
Wildlife here is abundant. Elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, sable antelope, hyena, lion and leopard move through the surrounding parklands.
For birders, the island is particularly rewarding. Over 400 bird species have been recorded in the concession, making it one of southern Africa’s most impressive birding destinations.
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Guests often return for the guiding. Guide Tutu, a favourite among regular visitors, is known for his deep knowledge of the landscape and storytelling that brings the bush to life.
Travel writer @travel2aqui captured the spirit of the lodge after a second visit:
The lodge itself is situated in a lovely, peaceful spot on the Zambezi River… both tours were excellently guided by Tutu. We’ve already planned another stay just to be there again.
Guest Molly C. described the experience through its quieter details:
Some of our favourite moments were the simple ones - chatting around the firepit before dinner, candlelit meals, same-day laundry service, and falling asleep to the sounds of the bush.
It’s these small rituals that define a truly memorable boutique safari lodge in Zimbabwe.
Molly also offered a more practical note: the transfer between Chundu and Victoria Falls town takes just over an hour. Fortunately, the journey passes through Zambezi National Park, so wildlife sightings often begin before guests even reach the lodge.
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Masuwe Lodge: Bush Life, Minutes from the Falls
Where Chundu immerses you in the river, Masuwe offers something equally compelling: wild bushland just minutes from the world’s greatest waterfall.
Set on 1,000 hectares of natural bush, Masuwe Lodge sits only seven kilometres from Victoria Falls.
It’s a rare combination of genuine safari surroundings alongside easy access to one of the planet’s most iconic destinations.
Guests might spend the morning white-water rafting on the Zambezi, the afternoon watching elephants drink at the lodge waterhole, and the evening enjoying a quiet bush dinner beneath the stars.
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Accommodation at Masuwe
The lodge offers a range of options suited to couples, solo travellers and families.
Wilderness Tents
Ten beautifully designed tents combine canvas, thatch and stone bathrooms with private decks overlooking the bush.
The Hide-Away
A secluded suite designed for couples, featuring a double outdoor bathtub and panoramic bush views.
The Family Nest
A private two-bedroom villa with kitchenette, plunge pool and braai area, ideal for families wanting space and privacy.
The lodge’s main area sits on a hill above the Masuwe River and a busy waterhole, with open dining, lounge and pool spaces designed to blend into the surrounding landscape.
Behind it all is a team with over 100 years of collective safari experience, something guests notice immediately.
As guest Pen Trevena shared after an October visit:
From the moment we arrived, the team went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. The hospitality was outstanding, the food delicious, and the game drives unforgettable.
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Activities at Masuwe Lodge
Included experiences:
- Game drives
- Safari walks
- Guided tour of Victoria Falls
- Informal visit to Victoria Falls town
- Curio market exploration
- Sundowner cruise (for stays of 3 nights or more)
For thrill-seekers, additional activities nearby include:
- Bungee jumping
- White-water rafting (most thrilling between August and late December)
- Helicopter flights over Mosi-oa-Tunya
- Gorge swings
- Zip lining
All can be arranged seamlessly by the lodge team.
Of course, doing very little is equally encouraged, perhaps reading beside the pool while elephants wander past the waterhole.
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The Seolo Africa Difference
Both lodges form part of the Seolo Africa 4-star safari collection, a portfolio built around one clear idea:
Luxury is defined by experience, not excess.
Exceptional guiding.
Warm, personal service.
Beautiful locations that still feel wild.
What separates boutique safari lodges like these from larger operations is the ability to adapt to each guest.
A guide who notices your fascination with birds.
A team that arranges breakfast earlier because you love sunrise drives.
A lodge that, at some point during your stay, feels as though it exists just for you.
Together, Chundu Island and Masuwe Lodge offer two distinct expressions of the same philosophy:
One rooted in the quiet rhythm of the Zambezi River.
The other in the wilderness beside the thunder of Victoria Falls.
Both unforgettable.
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Plan Your Zimbabwe Safari
Whether you’re drawn to the river tranquillity of Chundu Island, the bush-and-falls adventure of Masuwe Lodge, or a combination of both, our team would love to help craft the perfect itinerary.
Reach out directly to start planning your stay or explore availability on our booking page.
Some journeys deserve to be planned properly.
A Zimbabwe safari is one of them.
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