Finding Eden at Dulini Anabezi:
A Luxurious Safari Haven in the Lower Zambezi
It’s that moment just after dawn when the light turns everything golden. Our aircraft dips its wing towards the Zambezi River, and suddenly they’re visible — elephants crossing between islands, their reflections perfect in still morning waters. Below us stretches the Lower Zambezi National Park, where the newest jewel in the Dulini collection awaits.
Dulini Anabezi’s location matters profoundly. Eastern Lower Zambezi offers dramatically better game viewing than western sections, with less tourist traffic too. This particular stretch of wilderness, bordered by the Zambezi River and embraced by the hauntingly beautiful winterthorn forest, feels like a secret revealed only to the fortunate few.
Twelve tented suites spread along the riverfront and Kulefu Channel, each with a private deck, plunge pool, and Victorian bathtub positioned for wildlife viewing. Outdoor showers complete the experience. From your accommodation, you can watch buffalo graze on floodplains as you sip morning coffee — nature’s perfect start.
Those winterthorn trees. Known locally as “ana trees,” they create a landscape unlike any I’ve encountered elsewhere in Africa. During winter, their bare branches stand against blue skies, creating patterns photographers dream about. Elephants adore the seed pods, often shaking entire trees to dislodge this delicacy.
Where to begin with activities? Game drives deliver exceptional sightings: lions, leopards, African painted dogs, buffalo, and numerous antelope species thrive here. But water-based adventures truly distinguish Lower Zambezi. Canoeing along channels where elephant herds cross and hippos surface cautiously offers perspectives impossible from land.
Walking safaris through the winterthorn forest feel almost sacred. Every sense heightens, the scent of herbs crushed underfoot, the texture of animal tracks in sand, and the awareness of being a participant rather than an observer.
The all-Zambian team, many from nearby Chiawa Game Management Area, brings authentic knowledge to every experience. Their insights create moments of genuine connection, from identifying plants to explaining animal behaviours only locals truly understand.
For relaxation, in-room spa treatments soothe safari-stiffened muscles. Meals focus on excellent ingredients prepared with skill, served in settings that maximise your wilderness experience.
Proflight Zambia makes accessing this paradise surprisingly straightforward, with convenient connections from Lusaka. This efficiency means more time immersed in the wilderness rather than navigating logistics.
Birdlife abounds, from fish eagles to kingfishers in the reed beds below. For enthusiasts, this destination offers exceptional rewards with minimal effort.
Each day at Dulini, Anabezi unfolds differently, yet always with that perfect blend of adventure and tranquillity. Morning light bathes the winterthorn forest in amber hues as elephants browse along the channel edge. Midday brings choices—perhaps a siesta on your private deck, watching life unfold along the river, or maybe another game drive to discover what’s stirring in the heat of the day.
Afternoons transition to evenings seamlessly. As the sun dips towards the escarpment, hippos grunt their evening chorus. The night sky above Anabezi defies description; a canopy of stars undimmed by artificial light, the Milky Way stretching from horizon to horizon. From your deck, listen to the night sounds: the distant roar of lions, perhaps a leopard’s raspy call, and the constant backdrop of frogs and insects that forms Africa’s nocturnal symphony.
What Dulini has created here feels both ephemeral and timeless. Ephemeral in perfect moments that cannot be replicated: a leopard’s gaze meeting yours, elephants silhouetted against sunset. Timeless in its connection to something ancient that resonates deeply with anyone fortunate enough to experience it.
Some places leave their mark on you. Dulini Anabezi is undoubtedly one of them.
WHERE?
Perched on the banks of the Zambezi River, close to the majestic winterthorn forest, Dulini Anabezi is situated on the eastern side of the Lower Zambezi National Park.
WHAT TO EXPERIENCE
- Spoil yourself with sumptuous body treatments and massages on your private deck, overlooking the serene waters of the Zambezi.
- Venture out by night to experience a whole new world of the nocturnal bush. Expect exclusive sightings you would never experience by day on a night game drive.
- Unmatched photographic opportunities await in the winterthorn forest. Dulini Anabezi will modify game drives or provide private vehicles to ensure you get the best shots every time.
- Glide silently along the Zambezi, within arm’s reach of silent elephants and hippos, on a canoe safari with experienced guides by your side.
BOOKING AND CONTACT DETAILS
+260 764146047
www.anabezi.com
