South Luangwa · presidential hilltop
CHICHELE PRESIDENTIAL
a historic hilltop presidential retreat
Welcome to a house that has always kept the best view in the valley
Chichele Presidential Lodge is a historic former presidential retreat, perched on a hilltop with panoramic bush views across the Valley of the Leopard.
Perched atop Chichele Hill with 360° views across the South Luangwa, this presidential retreat combines a 1972 heritage with world-class luxury.
The Lodge
Welcome to a house that has always kept the best view in the valley
The house was built in 1972 for one purpose — to look out. Every public room and every suite is still turned to the valley below.
Where presidents once rested, your story begins
- Tenvista suites
- 360°panoramic hilltop views
- Valleyof the leopard
- 1972presidential heritage
Rooted in experiences
Endless beauty
The house was built for the view and nothing about it has changed. Every public room and every suite is turned outward to the valley.
Intimately yours
It is the rhythm of this place that carries you — the slow arc of the sun, the hum of cicadas, the gentle pull of the river as it moves without urgency. Nothing asks this of you, and yet everything invites it.
Where the land is sacred
Lodge experiences
Why Chichele Presidential
Ten vista suites, with 360° hilltop views over the South Luangwa. A family suite featuring two bedrooms connected by an interleading lounge. A spa, an infinity pool and a star-bed.
One of Africa's highest leopard densities lies on the doorstep — the Valley of the Leopard, birthplace of the walking safari.
Where the hilltop is our primary feature
The house was built for the view and nothing about it has changed. Every public room and every suite is turned outward to the valley.
Lodge experiences → 
The valley defines our rhythms and the life of our lodge
We did not tame this land. We listened to it.
Chichele overlooks one of Africa's highest leopard densities. As a heritage lodge in a landscape this rare, conservation and community sit at the heart of every stay.
Lodge experiences →
A night of intimate wonder, high above the Luangwa
Dinner on the terrace with the whole valley below, then a star-bed made up on the hilltop for those who want to sleep with nothing overhead.
At this height the night sounds arrive from a long way off — a leopard on the plain, hyena on the road, and then nothing at all.
Discover more →Getting there
Access & Location
Mfuwe Airport
Daily scheduled flights connect Lusaka to Mfuwe International, followed by a scenic game-drive transfer up to the Chichele hilltop.
Season
Open May to December. Peak wildlife viewing August to October.
South Luangwa National Park · Eastern Zambia
