Chiawa Camp offers an authentic experiential safari in Lower Zambezi National Park, where the focus is on the bush, the wildlife and you. The Cuming family has created a multi-award winning safari operation offering a unique haven of warmth and hospitality, dedicated to making your safari dreams come true. This intimate camp has 9 large superior tents with private ensuite facilities. Now, there's a new Star Bed experience - Star Drift. A romantic sleep-out overlooking the Zambezi river. Camp offers day and night game drives, bush walks, river safaris, canoeing and fishing. There are also viewing hides/platform, a pool to relax by and a gym to stay fit.
Zambia’s premier luxury safari camp, Chiawa, boasts an out-of-this-world setting with spectacular views over the Zambezi River and its resident wildlife. Allow yourself to indulge in decadent cuisine, personalized service, a vast array of activities led by what has been voted as Africa's Best Guiding Team, and the experience of a lifetime. Evident throughout every aspect of this safari camp is a strong conservation ethos and a commitment to community through award-winning guiding and renowned service.
Chiawa Camp is comprised of 9 Superior Safari Tents, 3 styles, each with a choice of one king bed or two large single beds with mosquito net/s. Inviso-screening insect-proof safari tents on wooden decks raised above the ground.
Tents One- Six
These 6 tents were demolished and completely rebuilt for 2020. The tents all face the Zambezi River directly and are exceptionally well laid out, they have now been increased in side, have been turned sideways and now have the bathrooms on the side; and a new "bench-wallow" which serves as a refreshing plunge pool in the hotter months and a relaxing area in the cooler months. Each has a super king bed that can be split into two x large singles, all under mosquito nets. They have loo, shower, ball & claw bath and his & hers washbasins, plus a veranda with day bed, arm chairs and outdoor waterfall shower.
Tents Seven & Eight
These two tents were rebuilt in 2016 & 2015 respectively, are identical in layout and interior although the design of their outdoor bathrooms differ, Tent Seven's being made of cement and stone at ground level and Tent Eight’s made of timber at deck level.
Both feature king size beds with loo, bath and shower on the side, behind the bed is a changing and luggage area plus his & hers washbasins with through-room views looking at fantastic views.
These tents share similar size and luxe as Tents 1-6, however Tents Seven & Eight are further away from the social area of camp making them more private and quiet. For guests with limited mobility or children we recommend Tents 1-6.
Tent Ten- The Safari Suite
With the most commanding & expansive views of any room in the Lower Zambezi, Chiawa Camp's gorgeous 220 sq meter Safari Suite is for those guests looking for more luxury, space and exclusivity. It has a thatched roof, canvas walls with screen windows (similar in design to our new Tents 7 & 8), a king bedroom, a lounge area (with guest bathroom for families and dinner guests) which will convert easily and attractively into a second bedroom for families, an inter-leading bathroom with indoor shower, indoor loo, his & hers washbasins and bath all with stunning views. These three rooms all open onto a shaded, timber veranda via folding/sliding screen doors to an 18 sq meter swimming pool, outdoor lounge, outdoor dining, gazebo, outdoor shower and private fireplace.
The Safari Suite has its own minibar, tea/coffee facilities and of course free wifi. It will be off-grid in that it will be powered entirely by solar although it will have genset back up if needs be. The Safari Suite is available at a 15% supplement although for existing bookings there will be no additional charge. It will also have its own road access, convenient for privately guided game drives. Please note that the minimum age for the Safari Suite has been reduced to 5 years old although, because the minimum age for children at Chiawa Camp remains at 8 years, children younger than 8 years will kindly be refrained from the social areas of camp except when camp is booked on an exclusive use basis.
Star Drift
Chiawa has introduced Star Drift, a romantic sleep-out overlooking the Zambezi River with the creation of their new Star Bed Tower. Located downstream, this exciting new value-add is a great addition to any stay at Chiawa Camp. Zambia’s newest open air bedroom will be ready from May when Chiawa reopens for the 2023 safari season. The tower stands approximately 4m high and features a beautiful queen size bed under a mosquito net, bath tub, wash basin and flushing toilet, your own red-filtered flashlight to view nocturnal activity and a 2-way radio for communication with the camp. And there is more ... the Star Drift experience starts off with a romantic floating safari dinner on a barge for guests to enjoy time on the Zambezi before their night under the stars.
Game drives
This is the safest and most effective way to view big game. Drives are conducted in open 4wd vehicles that have been specially adapted for safari use with comfy seats, pockets to stow your gear and bean bags to steady your camera for those all important photos. 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 afternoon drives set off for an hour or so before stopping at a scenic point for sundowners. Once the sun has set, night drives commence. Zambia is one of the few countries that permit night drives, perhaps the most interesting of all safari activities.
Using filtered spotlights, which do not interfere with the wellbeing and behaviour of the subject and which make it much easier on your eyes too, 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. These drives last as long as they need to.
Bush walks
Pioneered in Zambia, bush walks are essentially a "micro-safari". An armed ranger and qualified and experienced pro guide will guide you through the wilderness on foot, interpreting spoor, identifying the various flora and fauna, and highlighting conservation issues. However elephants and buffalo are seen on most walks and sometimes the big cats, so expect anything at anytime. The pace is leisurely and the duration is determined by guests' requirements – and what is seen on the walk. Typically, a few hours are sufficient.
River safaris
One of the great aspects of a visit to Chiawa Camp and Old Mondoro is the variety of activities offered by virtue of our presence on the Zambezi river.
These are two of the few camps permitted to conduct waterborne safaris within the National Park, and our custom built, motorized pontoons are ideal to take advantage of this.
Enjoy morning or afternoon cruises exploring numerous channels, viewing hippo, buffalo, elephant and prolific bird life.
Also on offer are sunset and sundowner cruises, often completed with a night drive back to camp.
Canoeing
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. Six meter long Canadian canoes are used and these trips may last anywhere from 1 hour to 1 day. The 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 can be longer and may drift through the likes of the Waterbuck Island and Chifungulu Channels, an excellent way to enjoy another aspect of the Zambezi River.
Fishing
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.
For more information on Chiawa Camp, click HERE
An All-Time Favorite Lower Zambezi Camp
Stay 5 nights / pay 4
Stay 7 nights / pay 5
* Can combine with Old Mondoro camp. Valid May 1-Nov 14, 2024/25.