Zambia's Chongwe Safari House
Chongwe Safari House
Chongwe River House, which sleeps eight in four spacious ensuite bedrooms, makes an ideal safari base for a family or a group of friends. Designed by Neil Rocher, it stands on the banks of the Chongwe in a clearing between winterthorn trees. The views of the river and the dramatic mountainous escarpment beyond it are sensational. The house has been ingeniously built around a frame of wild wood with ferro walls following the natural lines of the branches. All the furniture in the sitting room has been carved from a single fallen winterthorn tree, and coloured pebbles collected from the river decorate the ceilings.
The ground floor bedrooms are entered through tunnels, giving the impression of walking into a cave. The bathrooms have waterfall showers, taps made from bone and wood and exquisite basins carved from wood and white marble by the Zambian artist Eddie Mumba. In the upstairs bedrooms you can lie in your bath and gaze out across the bush. As guests at the house, you have the use of private vehicles, guides, canoes, a boat and an armed scout. All activities can be tailored to your individual requirements, and the property comes fully staffed with a house manager and private chef, who will sit down with you and plan your menus.
