Jan
Green seasonWildlife: Wet-season conditions; the lodge closes during January.
Wet-season conditions; the lodge closes during January.
Chichele Presidential
South Luangwa, Zambia · National park
Lodge describes itself as: Luxury. Self-declared by the lodge, not an official grade.Lodge
Ultra-luxury · How we rate: Explore Africa level, based on the typical lowest nightly rate per person sharing: Value under A$400, Mid-range A$400 to A$899, Luxury A$900 to A$1,799, Ultra-luxury A$1,800 or more.
How we rate
Explore Africa level, based on the typical lowest nightly rate per person sharing: Value under A$400, Mid-range A$400 to A$899, Luxury A$900 to A$1,799, Ultra-luxury A$1,800 or more.
Photo: Elsa Young · Chiawa Safaris (www.chiawa.com) · Source ↗
Full board+ (FB+)
Accommodation, All meals and 6 more
10 rooms
Vista Suite · Sleeps up to 20 guests
By air
1 hr 30 min from Mfuwe International Airport (MFU)
Wi-Fi in rooms
Power around the clock
From about A$2,320
per person / night, sharing
Overview
About Chichele Presidential
Chichele Presidential sits on a hill in South Luangwa National Park, with views across woodland and floodplains. Rebuilt from a retreat for Zambia's founding president, it pairs contemporary interiors with ten Vista Suites, each with a sitting room, covered veranda, plunge pool and outdoor shower. Day and night game drives explore the surrounding park, while guided walks offer a closer look at the bush. Between outings, settle into the shared lounge, swim in the pool or visit the spa. Two suites can connect through the Safari Lounge for families or friends travelling together.
“A good fit for travellers who want South Luangwa wildlife with room to unwind: private plunge pools, air-conditioned suites and a shared spa and pool balance days in the bush.”
Best for
Luxury seekersFamiliesGroupsBirders
Known for
What you can expect to see
LionWild dogBuffaloHippoGiraffeZebraWildebeestBirdlifePredators
South Luangwa brings together lion, wild dog, buffalo and hippo, alongside Thornicroft's giraffe, Crawshay's zebra and Cookson's wildebeest.
Your stay
What's included
Board: Full board+ (FB+)
Special offer: Stay 3 nights and pay for 2 for travel from 16 October 2026 to 7 January 2027.
Included
- Accommodation
- All meals
- House wines and local spirits
- Laundry
- Mfuwe Airport transfers
- Game drives
- Night drives
- Walking safaris
- Game drives
- Night drives
- Walking safaris
Not included
- Park fees
- Visas
Park, conservation, community, carbon collection and tourism levies cost USD 120 per person per night in the 2026 tariff. Airport departure taxes, access fees and visa fees are additional.
Optional extras (at a cost)
Spa treatments, gift shop purchases, French champagne, cognacs and cigars cost extra. A private safari vehicle and guide costs USD 750 per day in the 2026 tariff.
Facilities
Comforts and facilities
At the property
- Swimming pool
- Spa
- Gym
- Children's programme
- Library
- Bar
- Boma
- Wheelchair accessible
In your room
- Wi-Fi in your room
- En-suite bathroom
- Air-conditioning
- Private plunge pool
- Private deck
- Tea/coffee station
- In-room WiFi
Rooms
Where you sleep
Sleeps up to 20 guests
- Vista Suite10 at the property · Sleeper sofa for children under 12 sharing with adults. · Sitting room, Bedroom, Covered veranda, Private plunge pool, Outdoor shower, Air-conditioning, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Tea and coffee station
Activities
Things to do
Included in your stay
Getting there
How you'll arrive
- Mfuwe International Airport (MFU)
- 1 hr 30 min transfer
- Chichele Presidential
- How you arrive
- By air · 1 hr 30 min from Mfuwe International Airport (MFU)
- Transfers
- Complimentary transfers connect Mfuwe International Airport with the lodge. Allow approximately 90 minutes by road, passing through villages and South Luangwa National Park.
- Luggage
- Soft bags only
Good to know
Before you book
- Check-in
- From 14:00
- Check-out
- By 10:00
- Single travellers
- A single supplement applies
- Accepted currencies
- ZMW
- Dietary needs
- Special diets catered for
- Power
- Power around the clock
- Malaria
- Malaria area. Ask your doctor about prevention.
When to go
Best time to visit
- January: Green season
- February: Closed
- March: Green season
- April: Green season
- May: Good
- June: Good
- July: Good
- August: Dry season, best game viewing
- September: Dry season, best game viewing
- October: Dry season, best game viewing
- November: Good
- December: Green season
- Dry season, best game viewing
- Good
- Green season
- Closed
Month-by-month notes
Feb
ClosedWildlife: Seasonal closure.
Seasonal closure.
Mar
Green seasonWildlife: Seasonal reopening in March, with wet-season conditions.
Seasonal reopening in March, with wet-season conditions.
Apr
Green seasonWildlife: Lush bush, full waterholes and occasional storms; good birding.
Lush bush, full waterholes and occasional storms; good birding.
May
GoodWildlife: The transition towards drier conditions brings good wildlife viewing.
The transition towards drier conditions brings good wildlife viewing.
Jun
GoodWildlife: Cool mornings and nights; drying vegetation and improving visibility.
Cool mornings and nights; drying vegetation and improving visibility.
Jul
GoodWildlife: Cool mornings; the bush continues to dry out and game viewing is strong.
Cool mornings; the bush continues to dry out and game viewing is strong.
Aug
Dry season, best game viewingWildlife: Drying waterholes concentrate wildlife near the rivers.
Drying waterholes concentrate wildlife near the rivers.
Sep
Dry season, best game viewingWildlife: Wildlife concentrates around the rivers; days grow hotter.
Wildlife concentrates around the rivers; days grow hotter.
Oct
Dry season, best game viewingWildlife: Very hot conditions, with wildlife concentrated along the riverbanks.
Very hot conditions, with wildlife concentrated along the riverbanks.
Nov
GoodWildlife: Rain becomes more likely, migrant birds return and game viewing remains strong.
Rain becomes more likely, migrant birds return and game viewing remains strong.
Dec
Green seasonWildlife: Hot weather, thunderstorms and returning migrant birds.
Hot weather, thunderstorms and returning migrant birds.
How we judge each month
- Dry season, best game viewingAmong this property's strongest months for conditions, access and key experiences.
- GoodVery favourable conditions for this property and its key experiences.A generally good time to stay, with some normal seasonal compromises.
- Green seasonWorkable for specific priorities, with notable seasonal compromises.The property operates, but seasonal conditions bring substantial trade-offs.
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Helpful guides
Plan around this stay
Nearby
Other stays nearby
Puku Ridge
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under 1 km away
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Time + Tide Chinzombo
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Chikunto Safari Lodge
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Details checked November 2026. Rates and availability are confirmed when you enquire.