Chongwe River House

Chongwe River House is located on the banks of the peaceful Chongwe River, a tributary of the Zambezi and just outside the western boundary of the Lower Zambezi National Park. The view of the nearby mountainous escarpment is spectacular.

The stunning Chongwe River House is situated a short distance from Chongwe River Camp at the end of a massive winterthorn grove, with a beautiful riverbank location and mountainous view.

An extraordinary and memorable design, the entire house offers a luxurious option for private groups or families. The house is fully self-contained and staffed including chef, butler, pool attendant, private safari guide and vehicle.

From the main sitting room you can look out over the deck and wonderful pool to the river. All the furniture in the sitting room has been carved from a single huge fallen winterthorn tree with a concept throughout the house of “no straight lines”. There are some very cool interior design touches such as the soft coloured pebbles from the Chongwe River which have been embedded in the ceilings

The ground floor bedrooms are each entered through a tunnel which gives the feeling of walking through a cave. The curved entrance gives privacy without the need for doors. The downstairs bathrooms have water pouring out of the stone ceiling instead of the normal shower rose, whilst the upstairs showers are waterfalls.

The bathroom taps are made from bone and wood and the exquisitely carved basins have been carved out of wood and white marble. The upstairs bedrooms have unusual baths, from which you have a view across the bush.

Activities are fully flexible and include day and night game drives in the National Park or along the Chongwe River, walking safaris, boat cruising, fishing and canoeing.

We visited Chongwe River House in October 2009 and enjoyed its unique design and style. We really loved the swimming pool and saw some elephants and hippos feeding and watering whilst sitting out on the deck. It was thoroughly peaceful and relaxing.