The rush of the Mambova Rapids casts a soft blanket of sound over Impalila Island Lodge. Nestled close to the junction of four countries - Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe - and near the meeting place of the mighty Zambezi and Chobe Rivers, Impalila Island Lodge is a water-bound wonderland.

With over 100km of waterways to traverse, Impalila lies a mere 80km upriver from the Victoria Falls. Surrounded by rippling beds of pink-tinged water lilies, the lodge lies protectively beneath the branches of a 700 year-old Baobab tree under which, it is said, David Livingstone camped. Eight luxury en-suite chalets all with river views echo the colours of Africa. Here lies promise of excitement by day; tranquillity by night.

Light arching through long-stemmed wine glasses throws colour onto crisp linen. An attentive team produces culinary art, and mealtimes become a ritual of their own.

Our seductive rivers invite you to explore further. Encounter Africa's big game and birdlife by boat or challenge the legendary tigerfish on fly. Follow the island's footpaths for an intriguing village visit and learn of the medicinal uses of the indigenous plant life.

Fishing : Flyfishing And Conventional Fishing

The Zambezi River at Impalila island i.e. about 80 kilometres above the Victoria Falls is a famous and extremely productive fishing destination for fishers from around the world intent on locking horns with the awesome tiger fish (Hydrocynus vittatus). In addition to approximately 40 kilometres of the Zambezi itself, the lodge has immediate access to waterways such as the Kasai Channel, the Indibi and the Chobe River itself. Impalila Lodge lies on the fourth channel of the Mambova Rapids (Zambezi River) and this can be fished effectively after the river levels have dropped from September onwards.

All of these waters provide excellent conditions to come to grips with tigerfish and specimens of up to 20 lbs. have been caught in the adjacent waters over the last few years. Each season sees a mammoth specimen of 17 - 18 lb. being taken by the lodge boats.

From 2007, good floods have meant excellent catches and in the 2008 Tiger Quests some 15 tigerfish of over 10 lbs were landed on fly. However, the more usual catch is for tigers of between 2 - 6 lbs. The tiger fish is renowned for its escape tactics and it is often said that only one out of ten tigers hooked is ever landed.

Bird Watching, Walks And Cruises

The eastern tip of the Caprivi Strip is a veritable bird watchers' paradise and few guests fail to be impressed by the variety of bird life that greet one almost incidentally from dawn to dusk - the call of the Heuglin's robin at morning coffee, the Yellow-bellied bul-buls at breakfast and the sight of evening flights of the Yellow-billed storks to their nesting places on the Chobe. During the day, one will invariably see the unforgettable Fish eagle perched high in a tree along the river's edge, watch the controlled hover of the Pied kingfisher or marvel at the jewel-like flight of the Malachite.

Indeed, for all visitors, it becomes a question of how many different species one will be able to 'tick off' during your stay, for there are over 450 species occurring here - including some of Africa's rarest species. The area attracts many migrants and the variety of habitats offer specials such as Pels fishing owl, Rock pratincole, African skimmers and Pygmy geese.

The best time to visit the area is our summer, from November to April, when most of the migrant species are present and resident species are in breeding plumage.

Chobe Game Cruises

A highlight of any stay at Impalila lodge is a game cruise - or two - into the famous Chobe National Park. Depending on the time of the year, our staff will advise on the prime time to take a cruise, though it is usually best to consider mid-afternoon when the game come down to drink.

While elephants, crocodiles and hippos are all sometimes spied in the Kasai channel on the way to the Chobe, the National Park is no more than a 45 minute cruise from the lodge. It is renowned for spectacular experiences with large numbers of elephants at close range. Often when the river levels drop, visitors are treated to sightings of these magnificent creatures swimming across the river.

The Chobe bank is also famous for buffalo, Chobe bushbuck, puku, hippo, crocodile and Roan antelope. Less frequent, but a distinct possibility, may be a sighting of lion.

From USD 355 per person per night sharing (fully inclusive)

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