Chiawa Camp : Lower Zambezi National Park : Zambia

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Chiawa Camp

Location

Resting peacefully on the banks of the Zambezi River, under a grove of evergreen Mahogany trees, Chiawa Camp holds the prime position in the heart of Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park.

Accommodation and facilities

Chiawa Classic Safari Tents are available with two twin beds or a double bed. These elegantly appointed and generously proportioned tents are the epitome of Old Africa safari style but with all the comfort and convenience necessary for today’s discerning adventurer. Set on elevated timber decks overlooking the Zambezi River, these have 220v and 12v electricity, brass electric table fans and feature en-suite shower, flush loo and washbasin – with hot and cold running water 24/7 of course.

Chiawa’s Honeymoon Tent has a beautiful view of the Zambezi, the escarpment and Chiawa dry river bed. The tent is the same size as the Classic Safari Tents, has a double bed, a Victorian bath with a view, his & hers wash basins and a shower big enough for two – all in wood and brass.

Chiawa has three Superior Safari Tents and these offer Africa’s very finest tented accommodation. We believe these "tents" set a new standard for Zambia in bush-luxury; however they still retain the rustic and unpretentious feel that Chiawa is so well loved for. Each is extra large, under thatch, has amazing views, a King bed, ceiling and table fan, 220v and 12v electricity, pure cotton linens, Molton Brown amenities, en-suite bathrooms each with island roll-top bath, his & hers washbasins, and indoor and outdoor showers.

The two tents differ in that Superior I’s bathroom, whilst still on the deck and under the roof, is outside the tent whereas the Superior II tent’s bathroom is incorporated within the tent. Both are truly excellent! Its piece de resistance is an outdoor tree-shower; a shower set up in a mahogany tree overlooking the Zambezi and the dry river bed.

Activities and game viewing

The safest and most effective way to view big game, drives are conducted in open 4wd Toyota Land Cruisers that have been specially adapted for safari use. Usually departing in the early morning, drives can last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours depending on what's seen and the requirements of the guests. In the late fternoon drives set off for an hour or so before stopping at a scenic point for sundowners.

Once the sun has set and it is dark enough for the powerful spotlights to become effective, night drives commence. Zambia is one of the few countries that permit night drives, perhaps the most interesting of safari activities.

This is an opportunity to see nocturnal creatures such as civet, porcupine, genet, and also to see some of the larger predators on the move. It is not uncommon to see a pride of lions on a kill or a leopard stalking through the bush. Again, these drives can last up to 4 hours depending on the action!

Pioneered in Zambia, bush walks are essentially a "micro-safari". An armed ranger will guide you through the wilderness on foot, interpreting spoor, identifying the various flora and fauna, and highlighting conservation issues. The pace is leisurely and the duration is determined by guests' requirements. Typically, a few hours is sufficient.

One of the great aspects of a visit to Chiawa Camp is the variety of activities offered by virtue of our presence on the Zambezi river. Chiawa Camp is one of the few lodges permitted to conduct waterborne safaris within the National Park, and our custom built, motorized pontoons are ideal to take advantage of this. Enjoy midday cruises through numerous channels, viewing hippo, buffalo, elephant and prolific bird life.

Although the Zambezi offers many activities, perhaps it is best known for canoeing. No where else is there such a combination of breathtaking scenery, varied wildlife and such interesting channels to paddle through. Tranquil yet exciting, these trips through waters such as the Chifungulu Channel are an excellent way to best appreciate the Zambezi. Six meter long Canadian canoes are used and these trips may last anywhere from 1 hour to 1 day. Our most popular canoe safari is 90 minutes long where guests paddle (always downstream!) from the lodge to "Sunset Strip" for sundowners and then a night drive back to Chiawa Camp. Tranquil yet exciting, these trips drift through the likes of the Waterbuck Island and Chifungulu Channels and are an excellent way to enjoy the Zambezi River.

Chiawa Camp is internationally acclaimed as one of the world’s leading fishing destinations. Recommended by authoritative anglers and in publications such as The Best Fly Fishing Trips Money Can Buy and Forbes Traveler, expert guides are on hand to assist you in finding the notorious tigerfish (camp record 10.1kg, average 2kg) which are caught on fly or conventional tackle and other species that abound in the Zambezi River.