Value Zambia with Chiawa Safaris

Lions and leopards are often seen in the area around the camp, as are buffalo, giraffe, zebra and elephant. For big game like this, guests really need a vehicle to get up close and here in the South Luangwa, travellers have the privilege of going on game drives at night. Guests are always amazed how much can be seen when they go down to the river for sundowner cocktails before leisurely driving back to camp. Bush babies in the trees stand out with their enormous eyes, puku and impala scarcely notice as vehicles pass by. Guests often see hyena and leopard in the early evenings and are able to get very close in Puku Ridges' specially designed 4 x 4 vehicles. On the open plains below the camp there are always grazing herds of antelope and of course they attract the predators that every guest wants to see.

Also available are night drives which employ Chiawa Safaris' unique, award-nominated spotlight protocol, where a red filtered spotlight is used to find and watch the nocturnal action, and a diffuse filtered spotlight is used to help with the photography, ensuring that night drives are low impact on the wildlife which rewards our guests with more natural behavior and better wildlife sightings.

Walking is the best way to see the bush around Puku Ridge Camp. The South Luangwa is home of the walking safari and it remains the best way to experience the sights and sounds of the bush. Puku Ridge's experienced guides love showing guests the indicators of the wild, 'rewinding' the action of the last few hours from just a few small give away signs. See where an elephant stopped to browse, where a leopard scratched a tree or a pangolin rolled into a ball. Accompanied by an armed game scout and taking careful note of the wind to mask any scent. There's nothing like seeing lion tracks or the giant footprint of an elephant to make guests relish the comforts of camp. The area is home to 60 mammals and over 400 bird species, making it one of the top birding destinations in the world.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 safari activities.

Using filtered spotlights, which do not interfere with the well being 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.

Pioneered in Zambia, bush walks are essentially a "micro-safari". An armed ranger with your 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.

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.

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.

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 can be longer and may drift through the likes of the Waterbuck Island and Chifungulu Channels, which are an excellent way to enjoy another aspect of 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.

The waters of the National Park are free from netting and are hence your best bet for lots of big fish. Naturally we enforce a strict catch & release policy. Best months for tigerfish are September - November.

Because of our privileged situation inside the National Park, we are restricted to operating two boats at any one time. Chiawa Camp can therefore only host a maximum of 4-6 fishing clients. Boats used are 6m pontoons. Guide, fuel and tackle are provided, however we recommend serious sport fishermen bring their own gear. Medium-heavy action 20lb spinning or bait casting rods/reels work best. Wire leader is essential, as are good quality sharp hooks attached to bright, shiny spinners and spoons.

Fishing is available at both Chiawa Camp and Old Mondoro, with a US$30/angler/day surcharge for National Park angling fees.