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For years, the Zambia side of Victoria Falls was known more for its fourth-class tourist infrastructure than the first-class whitewater it shares with Zimbabwe. Then came the River Club, 16 miles upstream (doubles from $510, including meals; riverclubzam.com). The retreat’s ten luxury chalets (think croquet lawns and claw-foot bathtubs) take the edge off days of riverboarding, gorge-swinging, and rafting Class IV to V rapids. Come evening, guests can sip top South African vintages before heading over to the stately Edwardian House, whose extensive book collection contains titles by Laurens van der Post and Nelson Mandela.

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