South Luangwa · presidential hilltop
About Chichele Presidential
History, seen from above
South Luangwa National Park
Chichele Means Salt
In the Chewa language of eastern Zambia, chichele means salt, and at the foot of the hill a salt spring still bubbles up from the valley floor. The name has shaped the lodge ever since - an ebony and ivory palette, and interiors layered with copper, and charred timber.
Heritage
A President's Retreat on the Hill
Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia's first president, built a private retreat on this hilltop in the South Luangwa National Park. It was a place to rest, to host visiting presidents and dignitaries, and to be close to the wildlife he loved.
Design
Rebuilt on the Original Footprint
The vision for Chichele was a lodge that feels timeless and unmistakably Zambian, one that honours its history while welcoming a new generation of travellers. It was rebuilt on the original foundations, keeping the bar and fireplace where they always stood and framing the valley with arches drawn from the original entrance. Restored antiques sit beside contemporary pieces, so the past is never far away.
A Day on Chichele Hill
