Formerly known as simply 'Kulefu' – this camp was owned and run by Karibu Safaris and then Star of Africa. Togegether with its sister-camps around Zambia - Sussi & Chuma Lodge in Livingstone, Chichele Presidential Lodge in South Luangwa, and Lechwe Plains Tented Camp in Lochinvar – it was bought in mid-2007 by Sanctuary Lodges.
We most recently visited this lodge in September 2007, when the new Zambezi Kulefu Lodge was undergoing quite a thorough refurbishment: there were a few builders around, but absolutely no guests!
Although it was close to a building site when we saw it … we hope that it will open around May 2008. It is in a fairly remote, eastern area of the Lower Zambezi National Park, and so has quite a lot of potential to be a good safari location.
The plan is for the Zambezu Kulefu to have the same seven chalets made of brick-and-canvas, and sitting on raised platforms beside the riverbank. All are planned to be very comfortable – and very much on a par with Sanctuary's existing camps in Tanzania (Kusini In the Serengeti, and Swala in Tarangire).
Each chalet will have four-poster twin beds, or a large double bed, with mosquito nets and plush en-suite bathroom. You can probably expect plenty of dark, teak wood and solid, comfortable furnishings – including some quite luxurious touches.
Electricity is likely to be supplied by a generator, and there will be a new spacious lounge, under the Faidherbia albida trees which already shade the site – and are so much a part of the landscape in this park of the Lower Zambezi.
Meals will doubtless be very good, and served inside and outdoor, and the activities offered are likely to include 4WD safaris, by day and night, as well as boating, canoeing and possibly walking safaris. Fishing trips may also be an option.
In short, it's got a good location and, judging from sanctuary's other camps, it should be an excellent camp. Watch this space for more new on the camp when it opens in 2008.
