THE FACTS ABOUT CHONGWE RIVER HOUSE

Zambia has never seen the likes of Chongwe River House, and is unlikely to see it again. This extraordinary private villa was designed by Neil Rocher, who made his name with the Shompole camp in southern Kenya. The building is a free-form, undulating structure moulded around the organic shapes of twisted branches: a cartoon cave dwelling fit for Barney Rubble, with an LED-lit water feature and a tree trunk for seating in the living/dining room. In profile, the house appears to have sprouted sci-fi wings: soaring structures surrounded by fans of wooden spikes rise above the two upstairs bedrooms, which sit directly above two further bedrooms downstairs. There are no doors or glass in the windows; baths and showers are open-air. The house is co-owned by Robin Pope Safaris and Chongwe River Camp, on whose land it has been built at the mouth of the Chongwe River, a tributary of the great Zambezi. The house and lovely swimming-pool terrace face the Lower Zambezi National Park, with its dramatic escarpment backdrop, just across the river. The house is in effect a private safari camp with its own management couple, Garth and Lindsay Hovell, a chef, butler and guide. There are also fishing boats (Garth is a keen fly fisherman) and three Canadian canoes. WHEN TO GO From April to November. ROOM TO BOOK Claim an upstairs bedroom for an outdoor bath. CONTACT Lower Zambezi, Zambia (00 260 62 469091; www.safarihouses.com). COST US$2,500 per night (for four people); each extra adult charged at US$500 a night. Children (aged seven up to 16) from US$200 per night. Price includes accommodation, all meals and drinks, laundry, park fees and transfers from US$5,630