A new luxury lodge opening in Zambia’s South Luangwa
Travel Promoters are thrilled to welcome their newest partnership and a new opening for the South Luangwa Valley.
OPENING 2026 - CARMINE’S RIVER LODGE
OPENING JUNE 2026
Travel Promoters are delighted to have been appointed to oversee the trade sales & marketing for what promises to be one of Zambia’s most exciting new lodge openings of the coming year - Carmine’s River Lodge in the South Luangwa Valley. The lodge’s avian name is a celebration of the property’s unique location which is home to the World’s largest Carmine Bee Eater colony, located directly opposite the lodge on the Luangwa Wafwa.
“The Art of Nesting, Perfected” – your new home in the heart of the wild.
Opening in June 2026, this intimate, luxury, family-owned lodge boasts an enviable island location, between two rivers, on 54 acres of private land. Less than 10 minutes’ drive, via a neighbouring pontoon, into the South Luangwa National Park and 20 minutes to the Nsefu Game Reserve. Located within the Valley of the Leopards, a natural wildlife corridor, teeming with game including elephant, big cats as well as wild dogs, all of which and more, thrive in this unspoilt region.
Carmine’s River Lodge is set to deliver a serene, exclusive and individually tailored guest experience. Initially catering for just 12 guests (18 with additional beds) across 3 superbly appointed two-bedroomed villas, each elevated and tucked between ancient 20-foot Ebony trees and strategically spaced to not only minimise footprint and disturbance to wildlife but capitalise on the lodge’s prime water facing location overlooking the Msandile river.
Guests can expect an eco-conscious design throughout, a thoughtful blend of contemporary elegance and cutting-edge convenience, fused with a relaxing and welcoming warmth, introduced through locally crafted furniture and materials, Zambian made fittings and hand-selected antiques. The villas are designed to take in the views at every angle and opportunity. A private retreat measuring just under 240 square meters with elegant central living and bar area overlooking your private deck and plunge pool beyond, flanked by two spacious identical bedrooms, each with sumptuous freestanding bath and unique indoor/outdoor fully glazed opening ‘infinity’ shower.
One of the three villas is fully equipped and accessible for guests that may have mobility challenges, offering a lift instead of a ramp as well as direct, level access to all the main areas.
A personal host or Munyanu (“friend” in local Kunda tribe dialect) will ensure an attentive and effortless guest experience and your private, qualified and highly experienced guide will conduct game activities in new, custom built 6-seater game vehicles. Each villa will have an additional, 2nd enclosed vehicle solely for the purpose of private transfers.
Such is the attention to detail that each of the 3 villas and game vehicles will be paired through their shared avian name; Owl, Hamerkop & Kingfisher. Paying homage, in addition to the lodge’s name, to the rich bird population in the area.
Conservation friendly ‘red light’ night & ‘starry night’ drives are planned for those guests with an interest in astronomy and observing predator activity after sunset. Naturally, the lodge would not be complete without walking activities, as this area in known as the birthplace of the African walking safari, a tradition which continues to define this landscape today.
Canon camera equipment is planned and will be available, on loan, to guests. The main lodge includes a photographic studio, media room which will also double as an educational space. Children are welcome at Carmine’s River Lodge, with dedicated activities available.
The Boma and fire pit will take centre stage in the main lodge area, alongside the infinity swimming pool, indoor and outdoor dining areas, elegant bar, wine room and boutique. Other facilities will include a fully equipped gym and in-room spa treatments will be available to pre-book.
A fully equipped catering kitchen, separate pastry kitchen as well as halal kitchen are planned. Construction of an animal proof greenhouse will enable the lodge to grow fresh ‘farm to table’ ingredients and ensure chef & his team delivers food that is of an all-important, exceptional quality.
Committed to sustainable operations, Carmine’s River Lodge is designed to operate 100% on solar power with backup systems for emergencies only. A full water filtration plant as well as the use of recyclable and biodegradable amenities throughout, will ensure that the lodge remains environmentally focussed.
Access is via a 70-minute flight from Lusaka to Mfuwe and then a +/-50-minute road transfer to the lodge.
We will be distributing rates, fact sheets and further literature in the coming weeks, but if you are eager to learn more or have a booking enquiry, in the meantime, please email the Travel Promoters’ team by clicking the button above.
Two New Collections join Travel Promoters this June
Travel Promoters is delighted to announce their latest partnerships
Lalibela Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape
The Clarendon Collection in Cape Town.
Lalibela Game Reserve, Eastern Cape
Lalibela comprises of six safari lodges including the 5-star rated Kichaka Lodge and exclusive use Mills Manor as well as Inzolo Lodge, Lentaba Lodge, Tree Tops Lodge and Mark’s Camp.
The malaria-free reserve is home to prolific wildlife including all the Big Five and boasts one of the densest populations of free roaming lions in South Africa.
Conservation and community are at the heart of everything Lalibela do.
“We’re delighted to be expanding our TP portfolio, following a successful series of trade shows in South Africa, and look forward to bringing these unique ‘properties with personality’ to our trade partners in the UK,” said Founder, Ailsa Tavares.
The Clarendon Collection, Fresnaye & Bantry Bay, Cape Town
Villa Normandie
The Clarendon Collection comprises two boutique hotels, The Clarendon Fresnaye and The Clarendon Bantry Bay as well as the luxurious exclusive-use Villa Normandie. All three properties are located in one of Cape Town’s most sought-after areas, in the “sweet spot” where Table Mountain meets the Atlantic Ocean - within minutes of the V & A Waterfront and the glorious beaches at Camps Bay and Clifton.
Family owned with a personal touch, two fabulous boutique hotels plus a luxurious private, sole use villa are the prefect accompaniment to the existing partners in the Travel Promoters Portfolio.
Clarendon Fresnaye
Clarendon Bantry Bay
Sweet Suite Deal - Sala Beach House
Sala Beach House have launched an incredible offer…..
For suite bookings made before 31st May 2023 for all stays up to 15th Deceber 2023, the 2nd person sharing the suite pays just 50%. Contact your DMC for details… or download here.
Come spa by the sea...
Sala Beach House Spa opens it’s doors using sustainanble skincare range from celebrated brand - Terre D’Afrique
We are delighted that the team at Sala Beach House have opened the doors to its very own ocean side spa.
Slip away to the beach and pamper yourself at the intimate Sala Beach Spa. We offer a wide range of luxurious, professional Terres d'Afrique facials and body treatments. Our products harness the unique power of African botanicals in science-driven, organic formulas that balance the skin and nourish the senses.
Enjoy a delicious meal at Sala Beach House as you enjoy the view of the ocean.
Terres D’Afrique capture the unique power of rare African botanicals in science-driven, organic formulas that balance the skin and nourish the senses.
Sala Beach House joins Travel Promoters
An exciting new coastal boutique property, South Africa…
We are delighted to welcome the effortlessly stylish Sala Beach House (which opens this month) to our Travel Promoters portfolio.
Sala (meaning “stay” in Zulu) is an intimate, privately owned & run boutique hotel nestled between Ballito and Shaka’s Rock and offers breathtaking, uninterrupted ocean views on KwaZulu-Natal’s Dolphin Coast, with private beach access to the protected tidal pool and gorgeous, sandy sheltered swimming beach at Thompson’s Bay.
The property comprises a main house with four luxury guestrooms, three incredibly spacious suites sharing the use of 2 pools, as well as a separate, self-contained 3-bedroom private villa with its own dedicated pool.
Soft textured furnishings and muted tones partner perfectly with carefully selected contemporary, natural furnishings and decor. The mood and balance set is one of rest, relaxation, sea air and sunshine.
No expense has been spared with in room amenities and conveniences from coffee makers, to USB ports and international sockets (in abundance on both sides of the bed - this excites us !)
We are sure this new hideaway will fast become a firm favourite with singles and couples wanting a smaller, boutique offering and the coastal surrounding. However, with just 10 rooms, Sala Beach House is also the perfect sole use location for celebrations and multi-generational gatherings too.
Sala’s prime location guarantees “wow” factor as a backdrop to its infinity pool, yoga deck and fire pit. Just twenty minutes from King Shaka International Airport, Sala Beach is positioned as the perfect ‘beach’ partner for a safari pairing in Northern Zululand.
The Sala Spa will be launching in August and promises to deliver rejuvenation and relaxation with signature treatments and locally sourced amenities.