The River Club sits high on the banks of the Zambezi River with expansive views upstream and across into Zimbabwe on the opposite banks. Owned and run by the charismatic and knowledgeable Peter Jones, the renovated 1940's farmhouse which forms The River Club's main area has a distinctly colonial feel to it. Despite only being seen in its current guise as The River Club for a decade and a half now, visitors could certainly be forgiven for imagining they have stepped back in time to life in the heyday of Livingstone Town.
This main area of The River Club is known as Zambezi House forms a focal point of the Club where dining, entertainment and relaxation are all top priorities. It's here you'll find a large lounge, library and study area stocked with a remarkable array of literature and photographs. These all detail Livingstone's rapid development over the past century or so and catalogue some of the town's more eccentric and charismatic residents and events, past and present. There are plenty of leather seats around Zambezi House and comfortable couches provide good excuses to just sit and pass the time. There's a gigantic fire place in the centre of the room for those chilly winter evenings as well as a variety of board games too. In somewhat stark contrast to the feel of the rest of the place, a laptop with WiFi, for those wishing to tune back into the 21st Century, is found set slightly away from the main reading area.
To one side of the main room are a tea and coffee station where a buffet breakfast is also served. On our last visit to The River Club, in March 2011, we found the breakfast to be really well balanced and just what was needed before a long day touring the Falls, walking around town or partaking in one of the many other activities Livingstone and the Victoria Falls have to offer.
Afternoon tea is also served here while dinner is usually taken outside on the veranda and eaten as a group (private dining can also be organised on request for special occasions).
In front of Zambezi House you'll find the Club's main plunge pool which must have one of the best views in Africa. Looking straight out over the Zambezi this isn't just a great place to cool off in the heat of the day but also a great setting for private dinners.
Moving away from Zambezi House, a short walk across the croquet lawn brings you to the Summer House. Here there is a wide-screen TV for any weekend sporting events you might want to catch as well as a billiard table and chess set. The whole place is decorated with numerous pieces of campaign furniture and antique trophies from times gone by.
Walk a little further along the brick pathway which links all of the chalets and other areas of The River Club to one another and you'll come across a small gym with a Jacuzzi and simple spa. If you are looking to keep really fit then why not also try out the tennis courts or perhaps one of the running tracks which ring the property.
There are just 10 chalets making up the accommodation at River Club all named after famous colonial and African figures including explorers, hunters, politicians and royalty. All of the chalets are well spread out along the high banks of the Zambezi River. This coupled with being set amongst quite a dense tree line makes for a very secluded feel to each. Each chalet has views down towards the river and each is built on stilts. Of these, eight chalets are split level with the bedroom found on the top level with a small seating area positioned just in front. These look out through a mesh screen window on to the Zambezi running past below. This mesh screen gives a really breezy feel to each chalet yet ensures that the insects are kept away. For further protection on this front all of the beds have mosquito nets too. There is also a separate toilet found on this upper level. Then, down quite a steep flight of stairs to the bottom level is the bathroom complete with shower and free standing bath tub. One of these chalets is the family suite with a second bedroom with twin beds and an outdoor shower and private plunge pool. The remaining two chalets are known as the River Suites (Rhodes and Livingstone), these also have their own private plunge pool and teak deck set amongst private gardens.
Inside all of the chalets there's a fridge with bottled water and tea and coffee are brought to you every morning with your wake-up call. As well as air-conditioning there are also ceiling fans above the beds. The whole Club is surrounded by a perimeter fence for security and there's an electronic safe in each room for safe keeping of cash and passports etc.
Not surprisingly activities at The River Club are largely based around the Zambezi, both upstream and further down at the Victoria Falls. The lodge has its own boat which offers leisurely sundowner cruises accompanied by an experienced river guide. On our last visit to The River Club we thought that this was a particularly well run activity which really took advantage of the Club's location quite far upstream from town. The chances are you won't be alone on the river as there are a couple of other lodges in the vicinity with their own boats but you certainly won't see anywhere near the volume of traffic you might further downstream.
If being on the water is really your thing then why not try your hand at a spot of fishing too. Whether a novice or an experienced angler you can spend a morning using the Club's tackle and bait before returning in time for lunch. Of course also on offer are tours of the Falls as well as tours of a local village (where many of the staff live with their families).
Our View
The River Club is a fantastic base for spending 2 or 3 nights exploring the Falls and the area around Livingstone. Easily accessible from both Livingstone Airport and the Botswana Border it's situated far away enough from town to be secluded but close enough to visit the Falls as often as you like. The whole Club has a very colonial feel to it and the décor throughout harks back to a Livingstone of the early to mid 20th Century. The elevated views of the Zambezi from The River Club's main area are unrivalled along the river and the plunge pool here must have one of the most picturesque settings in Africa.
So, if old world luxury, great food, a wide variety of activities and a relaxed atmosphere are what you're looking for we'd certainly recommend The River Club.
Owner: The property's owner, Peter Jones, still runs the river club, and is usually there - often spending time with guests. He's a raconteur of note, and a mine of information on the history of the local area.
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Full Board
Dining style: Inidividual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Children
Attitude towards children: River Club is very happy to welcome older, well-behaved children.
Age restrictions: Min age is 6 years old.
Activities: The River Club can arrange childrens meals, but there's no babysitting possible.
Equipment: None available.
Generally recommended for children: Yes - but only for older children.
Notes: Parents need to understand that there is no fence around the infinity pool, and that the atmosphere hiere is a fairly 'adult' one ... so loud or unruly children wouldn't fit in well.
Central communications
Power supply: Mains Electricity
Communications: WiFi in main building, and a computer that guests can use
TV & radio: There is a TV in The Summer House for special sporting events but fundamentally the river's the main entertainment, and there's a fair bit of birdlife and wildlife to watch too!
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: Nearest doctor is in Livingstone, about 30mins drive away.
Dangerous animals: Moderate Risk
Security measures: The security here is very good - with an electric fence and radio-controlled security guards. Every room has individual digital safes.
Fire safety: Extinguishers outside every room and well kitted-out with fire hose system
Extras
Disabled access: In Place
Laundry facilities: Full Laundry Service - Included
Accepted payment: Credit cardas - Visa & Mastercard - are accepted without extra charges; neither Amex or Diners card are accepted.
River Club review
A very nice place, with big comfortable rooms & a friendly attitude We did have one problem - they did not warn us that the window screens did not keep flies & moths out, so we left lights on while ch...
Stunning setting and service at River Club
We thought the location and setting of this lodge was stunning with beautiful grounds and fantastic views across the Zambezi. The rooms were nicely positioned on the banks of the river and had an inte...
Click on the links below to read sections from the Bradt guidebook which are related to The River Club.
River Club Put the River Club into context – read more about it in the Bradt travel guide to Zambia.
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