(6 rondavels) PO Box 38837, Lusaka; tel: 01 265836; fax: 01 260012; email: info@kanyemba.com; www.kanyemba.com
One of the newest lodges in the valley, just 1km from the Lower Zambezi River Camp and close to Royal airstrip, Kanyemba was opened in 2002 by Italian Riccardo Garbaccio. From its bougainvillea-adorned entrance to the expanses of green lawns, it's clear that this place is aiming upmarket – with one eye firmly on the Italian traveller - and there's no doubt that foodies will appreciate the Italian-based cuisine. The lodge is connected to mains electricity.

Guests stay in cool, spacious stone-and-thatch rondavels, one of which is a honeymoon suite. Solid wooden furniture with double or twin beds complements the terracotta walls and stone floors and each room has a walk-in wardrobe, an en-suite bathroom, and a private wooden veranda facing the river. In similar style, the central restaurant/bar is comfortably furnished and decorated with batik wall hangings, with a small library upstairs. To the front, a stone terrace is shaded by a wild mango tree, and chaises longues are set by a small pool near the river.

Activities include birdwatching, game walks on Kanyemba Island, canoeing, fishing (tackle is included), boating, village walks and sunset cruises. Game drives may be organised on request, but are not included in the rates – and given the lodge's distance from the national park, it isn't in the best location to see game. It's worth noting that Kanyemba has become popular with high-ranking officials, and so may occasionally be closed.