Africa is open, remote, and ready for exploring!

We have just completed our second transatlantic trip as a family – in this, travel in the time of Corona – journeying between Royal Chundu, Zambia, and the United States. And never have we ever… felt safer, more appreciated, more accommodated, and with so much extra space around us!

It’s the kind of travel we’ve always dreamt of. The time to travel is now! If you feel ready and comfortable, everyone and everything is ready for you.

With all the precautions that have become part of our everyday lives now, and those taken by borders and authorities worldwide, airports are able to relax and resume their excitement at being able to welcome travellers once again, to be able to work smoothly once again.

This month, we travelled as a family from Lusaka, Zambia, to the USA after travelling through Zambia (between Royal Chundu on the Zambezi and South Luangwa) and Kenya. Our flight with Emirates was spacious, friendly and plain-sailing. Arriving in the States now was a breeze, the easiest it has ever been, perhaps because airlines feel safe, with everyone flying required to have a negative PCR C-19 certificate.

But also because, as IATA just published, there is a 1 in 27 million chance of getting COVID-19 due to flying – very good odds. 

The protocols throughout Africa are a little different: sanitiser stations, temperature checks and wearing a mask are standard practices. It certainly makes you feel safe and secure, but the beauty of Africa is in the natural remoteness of its top destinations. Another great draw for travellers to this diverse and beautiful continent.

There’s plenty that will surprise you when you set off on your journey. That’s what pulls us to travel…

The unexpected Thornicroft’s giraffe peering over the top of the albizias in South Luangwa; hippo out of the water eating the fallen sausages from the kigelia; the incredible topography of the Lower Zambezi; sitting and watching the heronries on the Zambezi where spoonbills are clacking their cutlery for their evening feed, sitting on a boat on the Luangwa River with blue skies punctuated by hot pink exclamation points of Carmine bee-eaters swooping into their riverbank nests, witnessing the volume (size and sound) of Mosi-oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls) in person…

What will surprise you even more is just how easy it is to travel right now!

After a year of being home-bound, the wider wilder world offers its allure in every small and big way. After learning about life through textbooks, Netflix and the web, little ones can step out and discover even greater lessons from the planet’s real-life inspiring corners. Nothing on a screen or in a book can ever replace that face-to-face learning, nor the joys of new lived experiences.

While over the last few months many of us have felt helpless to change the global situation, there is great power in your travels now – in helping to support people, through lodges that work to conserve the land and empower communities.

At Royal Chundu, as a completely community-stakeheld experience, we give travellers the chance to feel Africa in Africa.

We are built within our local communities and everything we do is to ensure that the power is in our people. The remoteness of our river and island provide not only peace of mind for those with travel concerns but peace of body, a place to rejuvenate and shake off our tailfeathers and soar again, anew. The added advantage is that we offer our guests the opportunity to do their PCR tests at the lodge with results/certificate back in 24hrs – making us a convenient last stop for when you return home!

Why Zambia?

Zambia is open to all international travellers and is, as a country, an untouched opportunity of humble hospitality; with deeply layered cultures of 73 tribes all coming together as one Zambia, one nation; magnificent (bring the camera!) landscapes; a variety of experiences that are unparalleled: unique fauna, spectacular flora, feathered fabulousness, sweeping landscapes. From upper Zambezi to the lower Zambezi, from Kafue to Kasanka, from northern lakes to South Luangwa, the opportunities for travellers to experience truly unique adventures just lies waiting to be tapped.

Further north, an easy flight away, Kenya stands, open and waiting, with incredible lodges in the wildernesses you may have lost yourself in vicariously through Attenborough documentaries these last months at home with the family. Now, the family can step into the shoes of beekeepers and Maasai warriors, sleep in giant treehouse nests above the ground and ride horses across the wide open plains.

Wide open, Africa is wide open, with the warmth and excitement and readiness to welcome you that marks this time of travel in our lives today.

Book now, travel now, seize this special time in the world and get back to what excites and surprises you! Take a look at our itineraries of travel dreams here >

Want to know more? Contact us: reservations@royalchundu.com