Carmine’s River Lodge welcomes up to twelve guests across three spacious two-bedroom villas set along a private lagoon. Each villa features a deck, plunge pool, and open living areas that combine modern comfort with locally crafted Zambian details. The air-conditioned bedrooms include freestanding baths and infinity showers that connect seamlessly with the landscape, with one villa thoughtfully designed for guests with mobility challenges. Fully solar-powered, the lodge offers a calm, private stay in close harmony with its natural surroundings.

Size:
Spacious Room & bathroom: 40m sq
Entire Villa: 239m sq

California King Beds All our luxury bedrooms can be set as a King or a Twin. Rail-guided mosquito nets envelope the beds. One extra twin or cot can be added per room.

Indoor/Outdoor Infinity Showers Wonderfully able to be converted from a closed shower to an outdoor shower, it is designed to give guests the best of two worlds from the safety of the room. 

Bath Immerse yourself in a world of refined tranquility, where every element of your bath experience has been thoughtfully curated. Our amenities are organic, sustainable, and exquisitely gentle - offering a whisper of fragrance that soothes the senses without overwhelming them.

Wheel Chair Friendly This lodge has been thoughtfully designed to be inclusive and accessible. One room is specially equipped for guests with mobility needs, featuring wheelchair-friendly access, supportive grab rails, and discreet panic buttons to ensure comfort and safety.

With a dedicated vehicle for each Villa, the option to personally tailor your Safari is always available

Room Amenities Just like at home, in Zambia we considered everything: Luxury bath and shower amenities, gowns, slippers, heated towel rails, kids amenities, unlimited high speed internet, laundry service, phone, hairdryer, desk, room safe, books, games, yoga mat, room service, Muyanu, pool, deck bath, loungers and many more to help our guests transition into bush life.

From April to October, the dry months bring clear skies, cooler nights, and steadily concentrating wildlife as water sources recede, it is an exceptional time for classic game viewing and immersive safari experiences. As November to early January arrives, the landscape shifts into its emerald season, known for rains, floodplains, newborn wildlife, and outstanding birdlife, offering an intimate experience. Carmine’s River Lodge operates throughout these defining periods and closes annually from mid-January to the end of March, allowing the peak of the rains to fully rejuvenate the ecosystem, before reopening to a refreshed wilderness and a new safari cycle.

A photo studio for our in-house enthusiasts with cameras available to be signed out (subject to availability), library with classic and interesting reads, gym, an infinity pool, indoor and outdoor dining, bush dining, fire pit, boma where stories are shared of the day’s sightings, wine room and bar and high speed Wi-Fi throughout.

Carmines offers family-friendly luxury accommodation for an immersive, authentic and educational experience. The following activities and services cater specifically to children:

• Traditional African Games
• Plant identification walks led by a guide within camp
• Plenty of books, for those avid readers
• Big chef little chef experience classes
• Some lawn games including mini golf
• Puzzles and board games Story time beside the fireplace with smores
• Baby sitting available

We advise you to pack light, breathable clothing in neutral tones to blend with the bush and stay cool. Include a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for sun protection. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, along with a light jacket for times temperatures are transitioning. We also advise you to pack a swimsuit and a beanie, gloves, parka, scarf, good socks and warm trousers if travelling in the colder months ( June, July and mid - August)

South Luangwa is very accessible with an international airstrip for those wishing to fly private and land directly. A 70-minute flight from Kenneth Kuanda International Airport takes you to Mfuwe International Airport, there are multiple flights in one day with options to charter planes as well. We will be there to meet you for the 30-60 minute drive to Carmines from Mfuwe Airport, passing local wildlife and villages. If one does need assistance in booking flights local and international, they are urged to reach out to us to deliver you the runway to river experience.