Chiawa Safaris - Old Mondoro | Lower Zambezi
2 Sep 2024 - 5 Sep 2024
Owned and operated by the Cumings family of Chiawa Camp, Old Mondoro is set in the pristine Lower Zambezi National Park. Our aim is to provide you with an authentic, intimate safari that focuses on wildlife and the bush, whilst not forgoing any creature comforts or service. With only eight beds, Old Mondoro is the park’s most intimate and private camp, exuding charm and charisma like nowhere else. Each of our four reed and canvas chalets have power and hot water and an outdoor bath and shower for soaking under the stars. A wide private veranda with daybeds is the perfect location from which to enjoy the majestic scenery and watch the passing wildlife – an omnipresent part of camp.
INDSIDER’S TIP: Leopard sightings at Old Mondoro are consistently amongst the best in Africa and guests often have the opportunity of multiple sightings especially in the dryer months (August to October).
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5 screened-in reed chalets with canvas roofs, left open during the day, and canvas blinds with window screens that are lowered for privacy and security at night. King size beds and mosquito nets facing out onto the Zambezi River. All chalets have 220v lighting power point.
There is a large outdoor stone splash tub and shower, open to the stars overlooking the Zambezi River with hot water 24/7 as well as indoor flushing loos & twin sinks.
Huge private deck enables expansive views and there is a comfortable relaxing area with day beds under the shade to watch the elephants pass only meters from the chalets.
There is also a 6th chalet with two bedrooms and two bathrooms ideal for families and which can also be used for pilots and tour leaders.










A two bedroom suite with two bathrooms and its own camp fire making for an ideal family escape in this, the best of all bush camps, Old Mondoro.
Decorated and equipped identically to the other 5 bush chalets, the two bedroom suite was originally the owners house but after its makeover in 2022 is available for families upon special request.




Chalet 1 looks directly over the Zambezi and is closest to the social area of camp.
Chalet 2 looks over the Zambezi and the mouth of the Old Mondoro lagoon.
Chalets 3 & 4 look over the lagoon with quartering further views of the Zambezi. These two chalets generally see the most wildlife from their rooms as the lagoon attracts much wildlife however some guests prefer the rooms closer to the Zambezi. Others prefer these for the game.
All 4 chalets have a canvas roof, reed and canvas walls, cement floors and 24/7 power for lighting and charging. No WIFI! Each room has an electric fan, en suite indoor loo and washbasin both with views of the Zambezi, and an outdoor shower and outdoor "splash tub" which is a giant bath for two or in the hotter months providing a cooling wallow. Elephants have been known to drink from the bath whilst guests have been cooling off! Water is heated by solar.






This is the owners' house and is available for families.
Just as the other 4 chalets this has a canvas roof, reed and canvas walls, cement floors and 24/7 power for lighting and charging. No WIFI!
However this chalet has 2 bedrooms each with its own entrance and an interleading door.
One bedroom has an electric fan, en suite indoor loo and washbasin both with views of the Zambezi, and an outdoor shower and outdoor "splash tub" which is a giant bath for two or in the hotter months providing a cooling wallow.
The second bedroom has the above but no splash tub.
This room overlooks the Zambezi and is visited by elephants regularly although it is closer to the kitchen and managers' tent so sometimes this can be distracting however it is still a very popular room.


Property Facilities
Accept Credit Cards, Bar, Eco Friendly, Internet Access, Laundry Service, Restaurant
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Bath, Bed Linen, Drinking Water Filtration System, Fan, Outside Shower, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Sala, Wardrobe
Available Services
Meal on Request
Activities on Site
Big 5, Bird Watching, Boating, Canoeing, Catch-and-release Fishing, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, High Tea, Safaris
Activities Nearby
Big 5, Bird Watching, Boat Cruises, Boating, Canoeing, Catch-and-release Fishing, Fly Fishing, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, River Cruises, Safaris
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.


Options
Old Mondoro offers some of the finest simple bush cuisine with a variety of unique dining locations both at the camp as well as surprise bush locations. Enjoy braais (BBQ's) under the stars on the banks of the Zambezi River.
Meals are fresh, innovative, and always a delight.






Your Stay
3 Nights
Your Rooms
1x Standard Room/s
Fast Facts
Camp
Spoken Languages: English
No. Rooms: 5
Special Interests: Birding, Fishing, Hiking, Leisure, Nature, Star Gazing, Wildlife
Chiawa Safaris - Chiawa Camp | Lower Zambezi
5 Sep 2024 - 8 Sep 2024
Family-owned and operated, Chiawa Camp offers unpretentious luxury, warm hospitality in the iconic Lower Zambezi National Park. Consisting of just nine tents on elevated timber decks with spacious verandas looking out across the Zambezi River, each is equipped with ball-and-claw bath and indoor and outdoor showers. Our main area consists of a thatched living area with an upstairs viewing platform and a dining area with an al fresco deck. We also boast a riverside fire place and a plunge pool with surrounding sun deck. A wonderful addition to our camp is the huge elephant bulls that have become regular visitors in camp.
INSIDER’S TIP: Established in 1989, Chiawa Camp was the first safari camp in the Lower Zambezi National Park and pioneered the combined land and river safaris.
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These are the epitome of elegance and luxury on safari; every comfort and convenience you might wish for. Intuitive ergonomics (everything is where it should be), sumptuous beds and linens, a lounge area, overhead fans, multi-national charging points, excellent storage, an ensuite bathroom with ball & claw bath, his & hers washbasins, enclosed loo, shower and then a timber veranda with hammock, bench-wallow plunge pool, outdoor waterfall shower, leather arm chairs and a dining area. Did we mention the views?







Room Facilities
Balcony , Bath Towels, Bath, Bed Linen, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En Suite Bathroom, Ensuite, External Shower, Fan, Hand Towels, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Lounge, Mosquito Nets, Mosquito Netting, Outside Shower, Plunge Pool, Private Lounge / Sitting Area, Pure Cotton Linen, Queen Bed, Safe, Sala, Smoke Alarm, Twin Bed, Vanity Cabinet, Verandah, Wardrobe
The Safari Suite at Chiawa Camp is NOT a two-bedroom house but it can serve as a stunning retreat for young families where we put two day beds in the lounge. At night these are set up for sleeping.


Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony , Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Bath, Bed Linen, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En Suite Bathroom, External Shower, Family Safari Tent, Fan, Fridge, Hairdryer, Hand Towels, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), LED Camp Lights, Lounge Area, Lounge, Mid Ensuite With Separate Shower/Toilet, Mini Bar (Complimentary), Mini Bar, Mosquito Nets, Mosquito Netting, Outside Shower, Plunge Pool, Private Lounge / Sitting Area, Pure Cotton Linen, Queen Bed, Shower, Smoke Alarm, Twin Bed, Vanity Cabinet, Verandah, Wardrobe
The Safari Suite at Chiawa Camp is probably Zambia's finest safari tent. Perched on a ridge "about 5 elephants high" overlooking the Zambezi River, its floodplains and the towering escarpment, this retreat knows no equal. An air-conditioned bedroom, an interleading bathroom and a lounge (that can be converted into a bedroom for young children, a private pool, private camp fire and dining, private vehicle access and more.







Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Bath, Bed Linen, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En Suite Bathroom, Ensuite, External Shower, Family Safari Tent, Fan, Fireplace, Fridge, Hairdryer, Hand Towels, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), LED Camp Lights, Lounge Area, Lounge, Mid Ensuite With Separate Shower/Toilet, Mini Bar (Complimentary), Mini Bar, Mosquito Nets, Mosquito Netting, Outside Shower, Plunge Pool, Private Lounge / Sitting Area, Pure Cotton Linen, Queen Bed, Safe, Sala, Shower, Smoke Alarm, Twin Bed, Vanity Cabinet, Verandah, Wardrobe
Chiawa Camp STARBED
The only sleep out tower in the Lower Zambezi National Park and probably one of Africa's finest. When paired with our floating dinner on the Zambezi River, what we call the Star Drift Experience is certainly the world's most unique and romantic sleep out.





Room Facilities
Balcony , Bath Towels, Bath, Bed Linen, Dressing Gowns, Ensuite, Hand Towels, Laundry Service (Complimentary), LED Camp Lights, Mosquito Nets, Oil/Paraffin Lamps, Private Lounge / Sitting Area, Pure Cotton Linen, Queen Bed, Verandah
Property Facilities
Bar, Barbeque Facilities, Battery Charging Facilities, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Library, Pool, Restaurant, Vegetarian
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, Fan, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Outside Shower, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Available Services
Laundry Service (Complimentary), Meal on Request, Private Vehicle (Available), Room Service
Activities on Site
Bird Watching, Boating, Canoeing, Catch-and-release Fishing, Fine Dining, Fishing, Game Drives, Game Viewing Hide, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Gourmet Picnic, High Tea, Kayaking, Natural History Tours, Night Drives, Safaris, Walks (Guided), Wildlife Tours
Activities Nearby
Bird Watching, Boating, Canoeing, Catch-and-release Fishing, Child Friendly Activities, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Health and Fitness Centre, Hiking, Historical Tours, Kayaking / Paddling, Natural History Tours, River Cruises, Safaris, Walks (Guided), Wildlife Tours
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.



Dining at Chiawa Camp
Dining at Chiawa Camp is a culinary experience not to be missed - the varied menus, the paired wines, the presentation, the great company and of course the location. All this changes all the time so prepare to be surprised as well as delighted.










Your Stay
3 Nights
Your Rooms
1x Safari Tent/s
Fast Facts
Camp
Spoken Languages: English
No. Rooms: 9
Special Interests: Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Fishing, Flora, Gourmet, Hiking, History & Culture, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine
Chiawa Safaris - Puku Ridge | South Luangwa National Park
8 Sep 2024 - 11 Sep 2024
Puku Ridge is named after the Puku antelope that graze the floodplains in its view, is perched on a ridge in a remote part of the South Luangwa National Park at one of its most beautiful locations. The camp was rebuilt completely in 2019 in an African canvas/chic style that blends in completely with its gorgeous environment. This is a luxury camp with every comfort yet is intimate and friendly with just eight tents, offering the authentic safari experience that many people long for.
The Park is abundant with elephants, giraffes, leopards, lions, wild dogs, buffalos, zebras and various antelope species – many of which will be easily spotted as you lounge on your balcony or eat dinner. This stunning area can also be explored on foot with park rangers and tracking guides, and at night offering a chance to see some of the more elusive animals, such as leopards, genets, and honey badgers. Sunset is a perfect time to enjoy a cocktail in the bush, or on the banks of the Luangwa River in the company of one of Africa's largest hippo populations.
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Puku Ridge Camp
Virtual Tour of Puku Ridge, South Luangwa National Park
Puku Ridge Rooms
8 identical rooms comprising of canvas, thatch and decking all overlooking the beautiful Puku Ridge floodplain and its seemingly endless parade of wildlife.
All rooms have super-king beds draped in mosquito nets that can be separated into generous 3/4 single beds, lounge area, tea/coffee/minibar, air conditioning, overhead fans, bath, his & hers washbasins, his & hers wardrobes, indoor & outdoor shower, plunge pool, sweeping, curved decks and star/day bed tower.













Property Facilities
Bar, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Restaurant, Vegetarian
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath, Dressing Gowns, Fan, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Mosquito Nets, Outside Shower, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower
Available Services
24-hour Security, Credit Card Facilities, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Private Vehicle (Available)
Activities on Site
Bird Watching, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, High Tea, Safaris
Activities Nearby
Bird Watching, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, 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.





Puku Ridge Dining
Although not yet operational for even a season Puku Ridge has quickly earned its reputation for some of the best dining in the entire South Luangwa, if not in Zambia. Some guests have remarked that the meals are better than they have received in Michelin starred restaurants ...






Your Stay
3 Nights
Your Rooms
1x Safari Tent/s
Fast Facts
5 Star
Camp
Spoken Languages: English
No. Rooms: 8
Special Interests: Adventure, Birding, Flora, Gourmet, Hiking, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine