Imagine all the people living life in peace, you
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope some day you’ll join us
And the world will be as one…
– John Lennon

Much has been said about the growing ache we have for wide open spaces, for the natural wilderness and its sounds and silence, its smells and sights, its pace, its sense of freedom. For decades we’ve removed ourselves, more and more, bit by bit, from the wild, only to realise it is the very thing we need more of. We see, time and again, that it is this very need that calls people to our home on the Zambezi. To Royal Chundu.

Watching guests’ bodies and minds physically change under the touch of Zambia’s sun, land, water and people, we’ve come to believe that there is something not only special unfolding here. But something essential. Something that speaks to purpose and meaning, to the very life that makes us.

If we can spread a little peace to others in this way, and just as importantly, uplift the communities we work with and beside in the process, it’s not far-off to imagine the words of John Lennon and the sentiments of all the world’s dreamers, healers and peacemakers coming true.

We see our role as just that: dreamers, healers and peacemakers, continuing, year after joyful year, to be a home for people to return to, to get back in touch with themselves, with nature, with loved ones. To feel the rush of life through them on rafting trips or helicopter flips, the old spark of candlelit dinners and long baths under the bright Milky Way, and that childhood curiosity, surrounded by soaring fish eagles and swimming elephants.

To be named the 4th Best Resort in Africa and 9th Best Resort in the World this year in the Condé Nast Traveler’s 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards (to receive those words… “This is a celebration of the Best in the World and you are part of it. Congratulations!”) just shows us that our dream is coming true. That we are reaching people, as intended, that we are making a difference. A positive contribution to our little riverbank and the greater world.

“Over 429,000 readers submitted millions of ratings and tens of thousands of comments, sharing their recent travel experiences of the world’s cities, islands, hotels, resorts, cruise lines, airlines, and airports – good or bad,” Conde Nast told us. “And you, travel professionals, have never stopped serving them to the highest standards.”

Thank you to you all, dear travellers, friends, family and partners far and wide for your vote, for your support and for this great honour.

We’d love to have you join us – and the skimmers and hippos – for a celebratory G&T while the sun sets on another spectacular day on the Zambezi…