Chiawa Safaris

Chiawa Camp

Located on the banks of the Zambezi River, under a grove of evergreen Mahogany trees, this camp holds a prime position in the heart of Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park. With relaxing surroundings, Chiawa Camp provides a retreat for its guests.

The tents have all the necessary conveniences and unexpected luxuries such as free WiFi, 24/7 lighting and charging facilities, 220v UK plugs, 24/7 hot and cold running water, king size beds, Egyptian cotton linens, his and hers washbasins, indoor and outdoor showers, ball and claw baths, all complemented by high quality, eco-friendly amenities.

Chiawa Camp is well known for offering fantastic food of Afro/Euro fusion. Their well trained and imaginative chefs ensure meals are of the highest standard despite the remote and basic conditions in the bush. The meals are prepared with the freshest of ingredients and with utmost care. Vegetarians, vegans, gluten free, and lactose intolerant diets can be prepared on request.

The safari camp has a stunning thatched lounge and bar area with an upstairs viewing deck that provides one of the best views of the Zambezi River and its rich wildlife. You can also enjoy two viewing hides, a swimming pool and a small but well equipped exercise area with splendid views.

Old Mondoro Camp

Old Mondoro is the most intimate and private safari camp in the Lower Zambezi National Park. This camp overlooks a maze of hippo-inhabited islands, and a grove of Acacia trees from which huge elephants constantly feed. This is perhaps the most beautiful site in the national park and certainly one of the most remote.

Old Mondoro melts into its remote environment and is appropriately constructed with canvas and natural materials. It has an open and adventurous feel, providing a perfect retreat after a day filled with excitement in the bush. During the night, canvas blinds are rolled down and secured although with the night chorus, you are assured of not feeling cut off from the action!

Old Mondoro offers:

• A King size bed (or two singles) draped in mosquito nets and Egyptian cotton linens
• 24 hour lighting supplied by an ingenious green 220v electricity supply system
• 24/7 hot and cold water, en-suite facilities which include indoor flush loo, wash basin, outdoor shower and huge “splash-tub” all overlooking the Zambezi River
• A shaded timber sun deck complete with comfy daybed with the very best of views just perfect for relaxation

Puku Ridge Tented Camp

Located well inside Zambia’s incredible South Luangwa National Park, this camp is a collaboration between Chichele Safaris and the Cumings Family of Chiawa Camp and Old Mondoro. It is a spectacular 5 star secluded camp, completely rebuilt with a unique design and a lighter footprint.

Previous guests of the Old Puku Ridge will feel that everything has changed, but nothing has changed, as many special touches from the past have been retained. Each tent overlooks the wildlife and expanse of the Puku Ridge lagoon

Puku Ridge Tented Camp offers:

• 8 tents, 16 beds with super-king or large twin bed configurations
• Air conditioning and overhead fans
• Stylish mosquito nets
• En-suite facilities with indoor and outdoor shower and huge bathtub with views
• His and hers wash basins
• Split-level large veranda and plunge pool
• Tower with day bed, star bed, minibar, tea and coffee station
• Complimentary wifi
• 24/7 220v power and international charging facilities.
• Indoor and open-air lounge
• Various dining options
• Campfire
• Viewing hide overlooking the waterhole

Chiawa Camp and Old Mondoro are in the Lower Zambezi National park which offers a more unique safari experience. It is remote, more exclusive, and experiential in nature. While both guests and guides require more patience with regards to game viewing, the results are often outstanding.

Puku Ridge Tented Camp is in South Luangwa National Park, known as the “Valley of the Leopard”. It is famous for 60+ mammal species and over 400 species of bird.

Game drives

A day or night safari activity conducted in an open 4×4 safari vehicle. This is the most effective way to see wildlife as game drives cover much ground and can get close sightings without placing our guests in harm's way or disturbing the wildlife.

Walks

An interesting way to get a 'back stage pass' look at the wildlife and how the ecology of the land works. The guides are trained naturalists who can not only identify spoor, birds, plants and insects but also explain in interesting detail how all these interact with each other.

Canoe trips

Trips always head downstream, eastwards, as the current of the Zambezi is deceptively powerful. The canoes take 2 or 3 people and all trips are led by at least one pro guide with current experience of that stretch of the river.

Boat cruises or river safaris

Conducted on custom built and stable pontoon boats with a canopy that can be raised or lowered according to circumstance. Boats are powered by near-silent, environmentally sensitive 4-stroke outboard motors.

Fishing

Fishing for tiger fish, for those who are keen, is one of the seasonal specialties of the Zambezi River.

Hides

There are two photographic viewing hides close to Chiawa Camp (not Old Mondoro or Puku Ridge). These are treated as a walking activity. Due to their locations guests will have a pro guide and armed ZAWA escort. These hides provides an eye-level, completely unobstructed view of the animals that drink through the day or night.

Chiawa Safaris does not permit the netting and killing of any fish within the National Park and runs a 100% catch and release policy for all species. Additionally, no live or cut bait is permitted (artificial lures only), no ultra light tackle (minimum 20lb) and only one single de-barbed hook per line is allowed. These measures have all been proven by science to reduce stress and mortality of caught and released fish. These policies make this stretch of the Zambezi River the most protected stretch along its length.

The Zambezi River offers some of the most productive sport angling opportunities available. Both Chiawa Camp and Old Mondoro have expert river guides who have grown up on the Zambezi and have been guiding anglers, novice and experts alike, for over a decade. With their custom built 18' pontoon boats and intimate, local knowledge of the river there is nowhere else on the Zambezi that offers finer opportunities to fish from. Over the years, absolute beginners and world-class anglers have set a number of IGFA World Records for Tiger Fish at Chiawa Camp.