A Zambia Safari with Mukwa River Lodge: A Peaceful Oasis in Raw Africa

You walk down to the Zambezi River, just a few steps away from your suite, where a boat awaits. Once in, the vessel gently takes off, and you get entranced by the wilderness around you. The last rays of the sun fill the sky with shades of purple and orange, and you can’t help but sigh at the beauty. This Sundowner River Boat Cruise – spotting hippos in the water and elephants on the banks – is just one of the captivating experiences you can have during a Zambia safari at Mukwa River Lodge.

From the City of Gold to the Zambezi River, Zambia

The Residence Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa, was born from a passion for hospitality. With one owner an architect and the other a chef at heart, the property grew from a guest house into a beautiful boutique hotel, a hidden oasis in the heart of the City of Gold.

From here, the owners decided to expand across borders to open Mukwa River Lodge to create more than just a luxury safari lodge, but a culturally immersive experience that leaves guests counting down the days until they can return.

Mukwa is just a 15-minute drive from Livingstone Town and 20 minutes from the mighty Victoria Falls. Yet, it feels like a secluded oasis, far removed from the bustling tourist areas.

“There’s not a lot of noise up here,” explains Taryn Van Wyk, Sales and Marketing Manager at The Residence Portfolio, about the location of Mukwa. “The river is peaceful and calm, and it really gives you a serene feeling – a sense of ‘I’m in Africa’… Especially when you see elephants come down to the water to drink or you hear the call of baboons.”

Both the River and Island suites feature private plunge pools overlooking either the Zambezi or the waterways that run through Mukwa River Lodge. A highlight of a stay at Mukwa is slipping into the pool after a game activity, cocktail in hand, watching the wildlife on the banks of the river in front of you. The accommodations take to heart the five-star safari experience with all your needs and wants met.

The goal at Mukwa is for you to feel the pulse and see the beauty of the raw African wilderness while still enjoying lavish extras and getting to know the local culture. And one of the best ways to experience the local culture is through the Mukwa Cooking Experience.

The Mukwa Cooking Experience: Shop and Eat Like a Local

At Mukwa, food is most certainly a love language and a way for guests to get to know the incredible staff at the lodge. An activity that Taryn emphasises that every guest must partake in is the Mukwa Cooking Experience.

During this activity, you’ll go to the local village market with the chef to see what’s available to create a traditional Zambian meal. Taryn says that the local honey and peanut butter are out of this world and must-tries!

The market is just one stop – you’ll also accompany the chef to the lodge’s gardens to collect organic produce and chicken eggs. “When kids stay at Mukwa, they absolutely love it! They go with the chefs in the morning to get eggs, and they come back with this sense of pride, like, ‘I got my own egg for breakfast!’.”

Once all the ingredients are assembled, you’ll put on a traditional chitenge apron and head to the kitchen with the chef. While preparing lunch, you’ll swap stories with the staff and learn more about their unique culture.

“This information sharing – it broadens the horizons of everyone! It’s what makes an experience at Mukwa so uniquely special; you actually get to know the people who are behind the scenes, who make every guest’s stay so incredibly special.”

Stories and laughter will follow you from the kitchen to the dining room, where a handwashing ceremony will take place before digging into the meal the traditional way: family style and with your hands.

Unforgettable Wilderness Safaris in Zambia

Mukwa River Lodge’s home lies on the banks of the Zambezi River, just outside of Zambia’s smallest national park, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Mosi-oa-Tunya (meaning “the smoke that thunders”) is also the location of the Victoria Falls .

While seeing the falls up close is an amazing way to experience this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’re also able to get a bird’s-eye view via a helicopter flight. From Mukwa River Lodge, you’ll be taken to a private helipad, where you’ll take to the skies on this unique adventure. You’ll glide over the mesmerising wilderness, spotting elephant herds on the way to the awe-inspiring sight of the biggest curtain of falling water on earth thundering into the gorge below.

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, while free from predators besides crocodiles in the river, is the only area in Zambia where you’ll see white rhinos. The Zambia Wildlife Authority reintroduced the species in 2008 after it was decimated by poaching, and, thanks to anti-poaching efforts, rhinos have thrived in this park.

During your Zambia safari here, you’ll have the opportunity to venture into the wilderness in an open vehicle or by boat from the river (the preferred method in this area), with an expert guide who will regale you with stories about the environment and the wildlife you see.

Besides elephants and rhinos, your adventure could also include sights of giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, zebras, wildebeest, waterbucks, warthogs, and bushbucks. There are over 350 bird species in the park, making it a fantastic place for birdwatching safaris. Along the Zambezi, keep your binoculars ready to catch sights of rock pratincoles, African finfoots, herons, and lapwings.

Tenyati at Mukwa: Ultimate Privacy and Luxury on the Zambezi

Mukwa will soon welcome Tenyati, a private villa adjacent to the lodge. Set to open on the 1st of April 2025 (the same day that Mukwa turns three), Tenyati will encompass four suites that can accommodate up to 10 guests, making it ideal for a family Zambia safari.

Tenyati offers ultimate seclusion with amenities ranging from a private cinema, pool, and helipad to its own boat and vehicle for private river cruises and game activities. Travelling families or groups will enjoy the services of a private chef, guest relations manager, gym, and spa, too.

A Zambia safari at Mukwa River Lodge offers more than just a serene escape into Africa’s wilderness; it’s a chance to forge a genuine connection with the local culture. The people you meet and the warm hospitality you experience will make a permanent imprint on your soul.