Chiawa Camp

• Centrally positioned in the heart of the Lower Zambezi
• Carefully positioned viewing hide
• Wide range of activities on offer tailored to you
• Placed highly in a number of categories in the Best Safari Guide awards

Chiawa Camp, in the Lower Zambezi National Park of Zambia, has an expansive river setting on the Zambezi River under the shade of ancient mahogany trees. Here it’s all about the bush, the river, the wildlife and safari activities tailored to each guest. It is especially known for its excellent award-winning guiding and wonderful ambience. A strong conservation ethos, a commitment to the local community and personalized friendly service is evident at Chiawa Camp, however the camp also offers some of the best accommodation in the Lower Zambezi as well.

Activities

Chiawa Camp is one of the original camps in the Lower Zambezi and has been run by the Cummings family for years. Varied activities at this owner-run camp include day and night drives in open 4x4 vehicles, game-viewing by boat and nature walks with professional armed rangers. There is also fishing for the infamous tiger fish on a catch and release basis on Zambezi River, sunset boat cruises and, the highlight, canoeing on the river to view game at close quarters, particularly elephant (with half day & full day canoeing excursions on offer).

Chiawa Camp prides itself on its flexibility. Given their unmatched fleet of vehicles, walking guides and boats, they can tailormake activities to suit each guest which is not always the case with Lower Zambezi camps. They often combine two safari activities in one outing, perhaps starting with a late afternoon bush walk or a paddle downstream to a wonderful spot for sundowner drinks, continuing with a night drive afterwards.

Accommodation

Back at the lodge, Chiawa's thatched lounge & bar area blends seamlessly into its idyllic surroundings, shaded by a grove of evergreen mahogany trees. The upstairs observation deck offers one of the best views of the Zambezi – the perfect place to relax with a book and some binoculars for a couple of hours. Downstairs dining room and deck, also overlooking the Zambezi River is the setting for Chiawa’s well-known cuisine. Chiawa Camp has a carefully positioned viewing hide, overlooking the confluence of the Zambezi & Chongwe Rivers, affording excellent game-viewing as animals come down to the river to drink. Leopards, lions, elephants, hippos and a wonderful variety of birds are your neighbours at Chiawa Camp.

Nine huge shaded safari tents are a sanctuary of luxury and peace with timber floors, king sized beds under mosquito nets, pure cotton linen, Molton Brown products and 24/7 lighting and charging facilities. They are uniquely elevated on timber decks on two levels to make the most of the river views. Carefully designed, each en suite bathroom has a ball and claw bath with a glorious private view over the Zambezi river, as well as both indoor and outdoor showers. Tent nine is perfect for honeymooners and adventurous couples. It is elevated way off the ground and is the most private with a very outdoor remote feel. It has an outdoor bathroom under the thatch and on the deck with ball and claw bath, shower and double basins.

Chiawa Camp has a sister camp, Old Mondoro Camp also in the Lower Zambezi National Park, with a lovely rustic ambience. If you have time we recommend combining the two camps for 5 or 7 nights with some special safari options on offer. Old Mondoro’s focus is more on walking safaris whilst Chiawa Camp offers a broader range of Zambia wildlife activities. Chiawa is one of our favourite camps in the Lower Zambezi...