If you were to try your hand at defining opulence you would come up with the idea of luxury and wealth, but to me, these definitions are lacking in the sense that they forget the time dimension. It is only when you refer to something as “timeless Elegance or Luxury” that I get excited, as someone said, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever, its loveliness increases, it will never pass into nothingness”. The Royal Living by Anantara is such a place, be it inspired by the majestic and timeless Victoria Falls and the mighty Zambezi River, as noted by one magazine “the hotel feels like a home away from home, albeit from an opulent bygone era, an experience of the true spirit of Africa.” The hotel seems like you are stepping into time. It beckons an era when things were built to last. It invokes a royal opulence that is not only breath-taking but also relatable, with a modern flair that has kept up with the world.

After a few days at the Avani resort, it was time for us to move on. Concerned about the environment and keeping up with the times the shuttle from Avani Resort to Royal Livingstone by Anantara is electric powered, which took approximately 5 minutes, not that it matters because along the way wild game litters the adjoining pristine forest along the road.

The hotel is built in the English Colonial style with well-kept gardens and manicured lawns. Aside from the main thatch-roofed buildings, there are 17 two-story clusters with deep balconies, set among indigenous trees and plants. Each contains 10 luxurious air-conditioned ensuite rooms that command views of the river. On arrival, you are drawn like a magnet to the ever-flowing Zambezi River, as you walk through reception, you might even forget to check in. It’s amazing how the designers allowed you to have a view of the river without compromising the functionality of the space, there is plenty of sitting area, and a glass of bubbly or juice will keep you company as you navigate the administrative requirements. You have multiple checking-in points and guests are never kept waiting, this is important to me since luxury is also about how you treat your guests. The open piazza that creates the vista to the river is encompassed to the right by the Travellers bar, which has a beautiful life-size mural of elephants on the African savanna painted on its wall, and to the left by the Old Drift restaurant. The chandelier in the seating area of the Travellers bar is magnificent, and there is additional seating outdoors with loungers and chairs. We were directed to this area to complete our checking-in at our leisure.

We proceeded to explore the property, as you proceed from the Travellers bar day beds and pool loungers encircling the pool with views of the majestic Zambezi River, the pool is clean and very inviting. I've never seen anything as spectacular as the Zambezi River, the water appears blue in colour. This river is not called mighty for nothing, it is Africa's fourth longest river, the longest east flowing river, and the largest river flowing into the ocean. The rains had been kind to the area preceding our visit, so the river is full in such a way that the well-appointed deck appears to be built into the river. The deck allows you a full view of the mighty Mosi-oa-tunya upstream of the falls, what an awe-inspiring sight. When your mouth remains open for too long you get thirsty, so we sipped cocktails on the deck while watching the falls from above, which create a lovely cloud of water when they fall. I can't believe some people get to see this daily.

After our drinks, we headed to our room, which had a view of the Zambezi River. I feel like images don't do this place justice. Let me give you a snapshot of what our room looks like. Before I start, did I tell you that every room has a morning and evening butler who is assigned to you, now that is an indulgence I can subsist with? The interior décor of the room is opulent and timeless. The bed is the focal point of the room. There is a vintage-style sideboard and a modern beige lounging chair. When you walk into the bathroom, the multiple mirrors decadently reflect the main light creating a luxurious luminance in the bathroom. The tilling on the floor in the bathroom lets you know, that someone made an effort to create unapologetic luxury, the nonaligned black and white pattern is striking, without overwhelming. The bath may not be by the riverside but it’s just gorgeous, it is so serene that you just feel like soaking away your muscles from the day’s challenges or adventures. The two seating chairs and a table outside on the balcony overlooking the river and lush green trees are just made for sipping something.

Fortunately, I have a date with destiny, adventure awaits. After checking in, we went down to the amazing bridge that separated Zambia and Zimbabwe, where the traveller is introduced to the adventurer.

The adventure company Shearwater Victoria Falls takes care of all the arrangements for your daredevil adventures, they are the whole mood, they do activities at the bridge including ziplining, swing, and the famous bungee jump, they also do river activities, white water rafting, power boating, and cruises, their most famous is the helicopter rides over the falls. The adventure begins with weighing so that they can get you the right gear for your weight. We waited our turn to be fitted with gear, that brought a smile to all our faces as we set off on an expedition. As we were preparing to walk, the guide indicated that everyone needed to pick up their car that would take them from Zambia to Zimbabwe, alluding to the zipline's gliding motor. As we travel toward the gorge, I can't help but wonder if my wig will survive; I need to take precautions to ensure that it stays on my head. I can't take it out now since I have a GoPro strapped on me. My husband devised a strategy to tuck the hair inside my harness for more security. There's something about ziplining gear that makes you feel like Tomb Raider; it could be the strap across the body or the fact that you're about to hang off a cliff for pleasure. Our guides snapped a few pictures of us before we started the zipline, and then it was time, Woohoo! The burst of adrenaline from gliding on that zip line with a view of the falls is magical. It's a cry a smile and a dance, you go from screaming your lungs out in fear, to the enjoyment and then to making sure you are taking in the views in a space of a minute, one of the best ziplining adventures ever. After you make it to Zimbabwe and back in one piece, the GoPro is downloaded, and your video and personal pictures are sent to your email for a small fee, it was all worth it.

Being adventurous is hungry work, before we left, I had spotted a seating area outside the bar, and I was eyeing it for lunch. A large veranda that extends from the main lounge and faces the river with polished-concrete flooring, rattan furniture, leather ottomans, and African artwork, echoing southern Africa's colonial décor of over a hundred years. We returned to the room and changed to get ready for a late lunch with a view, I ate the most scrumptious burger and chips while admiring the panoramic scenery. We spent the rest of the day at the pool, drinking and watching the sunset. If you wish to indulge yourself, there is a spa on site with a river view. Other activities include a sunset or sunrise cruise. I was looking forward to feeding the giraffes, but I was informed that because there is a lot of food available, sometimes they don't show up, and yes, it was that day when the giraffes didn't show up. They are wild animals, after all, and they can do whatever they want.

After a relaxing afternoon by the pool, it was time to get ready for dinner, served at The Old Drift Restaurant. When dining at the restaurant, the orange sun as it sets accentuates the blue pool elimination and it is a spectacular combination. As the day fades I almost relate to what the old poet connotes by “Africa my beginning, Africa my ending”. Dinner is served buffet-style, with a broad variety of salads, main courses, and desserts. I had a fantastic chicken salad that I created by combining lettuce, beetroot, feta cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes and chicken. My masterpiece, sounds like something you should find on a menu, right? I had stroganoff with rice and fresh vegetables for the main course. For dessert, I opted for the delicious malva pudding, everything was wonderful, delectable, and fresh. After a long and beautiful day of traversing from one country to the other and epic sunsets, it was time to retire. We were so tired; that we did not even have the energy to have a nightcap in the Travellers bar.

The next morning, we woke up feeling fresh after sleeping in the most comfortable bed, all I am saying is “Thread Count Matters”. It is breakfast time, since consistency is the key to success, and we had the best view last night we decided to sit at the same table for breakfast. The breakfast bounty is overflowing, there is so much variety, you can tell that they are catering to the world traveler. I am a granola and eggs benedict kind of a girl. Even though you will never find eggs benedict on a buffet menu, luxury hotels will always make you eggs benedict on request, and that is what I requested from our waiter. As a reminder that you are about to leave a sliver of heaven on earth the sun warms up abundantly. After the scrumptious breakfast, it was time to make peace with our fate, time to bid farewell to the Royal Livingstone, the majestic Mosi-oa-Tunya, and the mighty Zambezi River.

In Africa, we do not have an equivalent word to goodbye. After all, you could never bid your home farewell, because you will always return. As the journey had begun so it shall conclude, the singers and dancers sing welcoming songs to enchant our return as we climb back into the luxury SUV. With a hand to my heart and hope in my eyes we vow again we shall return.

Africa has a way of reminding of why more people here have hope than anywhere else in the world, on our way to one of our activities we met a seller extraordinaire. He told us that he will be waiting when we come back because In Zambia they say “There is life After Ziplining after Bungee Jumping and after The Swing. To me this signifies the essence of this trip, beyond your worries, trepidations, and overthinking everything, there is life after all, and the song goes “I am going to stand on that bridge, whatever may come whatever may go the river is flowing”. Life keeps going don’t overthink it, live a little come to experience a touch of heaven, and visit The Royal Livingstone by Anantara.

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The Royal Livingstone by Anantara - Zambia Experience