Chiawa Camp
Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia
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CHIAWA
CAMP -
LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA
Chiawa
is located right on the banks of the Zambezi River, in the heart
of the Lower Zambezi National Park and with the mountains
of the Zambian Escarpment as backdrop, it is difficult to imagine
a more idyllic setting for a safari camp.
Across the River, on the Zimbabwean side, lies Mana Pools
National Park - together, these two Parks provide a fertile and
untamed sanctuary for Africa's big game. The Zambezi River, in
some places 2kms wide, is 2,700kms long and meanders through the
Park, attracting loads of wildlife to its banks.
In 1989, the Cumings family
opened Chiawa Camp, pioneering tourism into the wilderness of
the Lower Zambezi and becoming the first
safari lodge inside the National Park. No effort has been spared
to provide guests with a truly sensational Zambian safari experience.
With a location deep inside the Park on the banks of the Zambezi
River, a reputation for professional and personal service, expert
African-born guides, a friendly atmosphere, and unequalled logistical
support, Chiawa Camp remains one of the foremost safari camps
in the Lower Zambezi.
With ample water, the fecund Zambezi
Valley supports large volumes of game. Herds of elephant and buffalo
are common place
and, during the dry winter months, these large pachyderms congregate
in vast numbers along the banks of the Zambezi. Plains game and antelope
such as impala, waterbuck, and kudu abound, while the Zambezi River teems
with crocodiles, hippo, and an impresive array of bird life. The large
populations of
herbivores attract predators in dense concentrations, and lion and leopard
viewing in this area is excellent.
Chiawa is an excellent
safari camp, with a wonderful location in a scenic and game-rich
National Park. What makes Chiawa truly special however, is the
active and enthusiastic involvement of the Cumings family - the result
is a warm, friendly, and exceptionally well run camp, offering
a range of exciting activities. Chiawa Camp was also recently
voted “One
of Africa’s TOP TEN safari camps” by Conde Nast’s
Best of the Best Series.
Chiawa operates seasonally and is open
from April through November. |
Accommodation For
images of Chiawa Camp, click Chiawa
Images
Chiawa Camp is situated in an exquisite location under a shady grove
of mahogany trees, in the heart of big game country, with expansive
views
of the
mighty
Zambezi
River. The Camp consists of 8 spacious, well-ventilated safari tents,
each set on its own elevated wooden platform under shady tress and
with a panoramic view of the Zambezi. The secure tents are insect-proof,
have
twin or
double beds with spring mattresses, solar lighting, solar/electric
fans & battery charging, and en-suite flushing loos with hot & cold
showers. The Honeymoon Suite is particularly romantic
with a shower for two and a bath with private views of the Zambezi
and the escarpment!
The access paths run behind the tents
to maximize privacy. The charming, thatched lounge/bar area, with
upstairs lounge/observation
deck, and dining room with al fresco veranda, overlook the river
and the game that regularly drinks there. A refreshing dip in Chiawa's
plunge
pool is most welcome during the warmer months of September and October.
The fireplace is host to tales and cocktails by starlight, while
friendly hosts and hostesses oversee your comfort and special requirements.
Superior Tent
New in 2004,
this “tent” sets
a new standard in Zambia for bush-luxury; however, it still retains
the rustic and unpretentious feel for which Chiawa is so well loved. The
tent is massive, with huge windows, a curved timber deck and
furnished with a king sized bed draped in Egyptian cotton linens. The
tent has a fantastic bathroom with his & hers washbasins, shower,
and ball & claw
bath, all with great views of the Zambezi and complemented with Molton
Brown bath and shower products. However its pièce
de résistance is an outdoor tree-shower;
a shower set up in a mahogany tree overlooking the Zambezi and
the dry river bed.
Chiawa’s Superior Safari Tent is an
ideal, romantic retreat for honeymoon couples, for those celebrating
special occasions, or for those who simply want to experience Zambia’s
finest tented safari accommodation.
Dining
Chiawa's chefs take immense pride in preparing their
renowned cuisine, be it a scrumptious bush breakfast, a secluded
picnic lunch, or a romantic dinner under a full moon on an
island in the Zambezi. An unsurpassed level of care and attention
is experienced during all aspects of a guest’s stay at
Chiawa.
The entire fleet of well equipped, modern boats & 4x4 game-viewing
vehicles are linked with Chiawa camp by our extensive VHF radio
network, while camp is
linked to our Lusaka H.Q. with satellite telephone, HF and VHF radio.
Any special dietary requirements can
be accommodated.
Activities
Chiawa specializes in providing tailor-made safaris to best suit each
group or guest. With 4 pro-guides, 4 vehicles, and 3 boats, guests
are offered
a maximum of choice. Chiawa’s guiding has become renowned -
its guides are qualified, experienced and inspired. Activities include
game viewing by vehicle or pontoon boat, bush walks with an armed
guide, night drives (usually after sundowners in the bush or on the
river
to see the nocturnal creatures), canoeing (half & one-day
trips), bird safaris, bush breakfasts, visits to iron age sites,
angling
for the
infamous
tigerfish, and more.
Chiawa Camp also
has a carefully positioned viewing hide overlooking the confluence
of
the Zambezi & Chowe Rivers, providing excellent, peaceful viewing
of birds and the large mammals, often including the big cats! The
hide is a popular spot for midday relaxation while still allowing
for wildlife observation and photography.
The Chiawa guides are excellent fishermen
and enforce a ‘catch & release’ policy. World record
class tigerfish are regularly caught at Chiawa Camp, leading to frequent
visits from
renowned anglers. Most types of fishermen are catered for including
fly, bait, and spin. Chiawa is currently engaged in a record program
to accumulate data on Tigerfish (average size 3kg, camp record
9.5kg) and the giant Vundu catfish (average size 10kg, camp record
38kg).
The best angling months are September, October, and November. Wildlife
The
Lower Zambezi National Park has a large variety of faunal species including
mammals,
birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects, distributed in varying
densities and in complex and diverse eco-systems.
During your stay in the Lower Zambezi,
you will have a very good chance of seeing the following large
mammals: elephant, hippo, buffalo,
waterbuck, zebra, impala, bushbuck and kudu. Of the carnivores, there
are solid numbers of leopard, lion and hyena. Other
commonly seen predators are African wild dog, serval and the African
wild cat. Smaller animals include
the side
striped jackal, dwarf, slender & banded
mongooses, large spotted genet, civet, tree squirrel, honey badger,
porcupine and aardvark.
These animals are widely dispersed during the wet season because
there is plenty of water and forage. In the dry season they are largely
concentrated along the valley floor, the banks of the river and islands
in the Zambezi River.
Seasons
Chiawa Camp is open during the best
game viewing months - April to November. The season begins at the
end
of the rainy season. The
vegetation is lush at this time but as the season progresses the
bush dries out, the game gathers, and sightings improve.
Early Season - April to May
Visiting the Lower Zambezi after the rains is stunning as the skies
are clear and the mountains seem so near. The migratory birds remain
in plumage and are preparing to move on. The dense vegetation forces
the lions to use the roads and the wild dog are readily seen in the
open plains.
Mid Season - June to August
The season has kicked into gear, the vegetation
starts to die off and thin out, the elephant and buffalo herds start
to gather, and
the guides are predicting the predators' next move. Definitely the
coldest time of the year, please bring cold weather gear for night
drives and early morning activities. The days are a perfect temperature.
The Sausage Tree starts to flower, as does the
flame creeper/burning bush (Chifungulu) which transforms the green
vegetation to a bright red.
Late Season - September to November
Things are really starting
to heat up both in terms of weather and game viewing and fishing. Most
waterholes have dried up by now, so
game is more often seen on the river banks and islands. Bird watching
is also spectacular with summer migrating birds returning - the carmine
bee eaters really put on a show along the riverbanks. October is
the hottest month with a feeling of build up to the rains. When the
first rains come, the impala give birth, as do the warthogs and many
other species.
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