Chiawa Safaris

LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA

Chiawa Camp and Old Mondoro, two iconic river camps in the Lower Zambezi National Park.

With exceptional river- and land-based safaris, explore one of Africa’s finest safari destinations on day and night game drives, walking safaris, boat trips, canoe trips, and fishing. 

DID YOU KNOW?

Due to a shorter safari season Zambia does not attract the larger corporate safari brands who seek year round operations. Instead, this is a destination driven by passionate individuals.

iconic locations, unedited wilderness

Lingering along the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe, this iconic region (which is still relatively undeveloped) is renowned for abundant wildlife in a raw and remote wilderness. It is one of the most spectacular safari destinations, where wildlife includes island-hopping elephant and buffalo, to prides of lion and prolific leopard sightings. Riverine ebony and fig trees grow thickly along the water’s edge, bordering inland floodplains with towering winterthorn and acacia trees, attracting a large variety of birdlife. The park is just over 4,000 sq.km and confined between the Zambezi escarpment and river.

Award winning Chiawa Camp is Zambia’s premier luxury safari camp. A scenic 90-minute boat journey downstream takes you to the authentic and unedited, back-to-bush atmosphere at Old Mondoro.

Founded and run by the Cumings family, who have vast experience in guiding, conservation and the safari industry, guests are assured of the highest standards in all aspects of their safari. Today, Grant and Lynsey Cumings run the safari operation together with a dedicated team, building on over 30 years of experience on running safaris in Zambia.

FAST FACTS

RATES

Chiawa Camp:
US$ 1 255 – US$ 2 025
per person per night

Old Mondoro:
US$ 1 255 – US$ 1 700
per person per night

ACCESS

Fly:
From Lusaka or Mfuwe, both camps are serviced by flights into Jeki Airstrip. 

Boat & Drive:
From Jeki it is a safari transfer by vehicle and boat to access both camps. Between the camps is a very scenic 90 minute boat transfer. 

CHILDREN

Chiawa Camp:
8+ years

Old Mondoro:
12+ years

Chiawa Safaris is better suited to families with slightly older children. Walks and canoe trips are restricted to 12+ years and at the discretion of the guides.

Classic Portfolio Since 1993

What we love

Classic Portfolio Since 1993

pure safari

Wildlife wonderland with walking, day and night drives, canoeing, boating and fishing. 

GUIDING

Generations of multi-award winning guides and each activity has a specialist guide. This way you are always under the care of one of the best.

location

One of Africa’s finest safari destinations, located on the majestic Zambezi River. This area offers exceptional land and water-based safaris with some of the best game viewing in Africa.

bush sophistication

A premier luxury safari camp, Chiawa Camp, and a back-to-bush camp, Old
Mondoro.

Chiawa Safaris

The impact of your stay

The owner of Chiawa Safaris, Grant Cumings is a founding member and Trustee of Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ), a non-profit organisation committed to the protection of the wildlife and habitat of the Lower Zambezi National Park and the surrounding Chiawa Game Management Area.

Chiawa Safaris’ basic ethos is to consider communities as stakeholders and ultimate beneficiaries of conservation and eco-tourism. This commitment led to Chiawa Camp being awarded 3rd place in Best Ecological Lodge in Africa in 2010, and acknowledged as One of Fifty Great Green Places To Stay Worldwide in the Responsible Tourism Awards 2006.

Every stay contributes through:

  • Paying US$ 120 per person per night for a Park, Conservation and Carbon Fee.
  • Staying at Chiawa Safaris supports Conservation Lower Zambezi, which funds environmental education and essential conservation in the area.
  • Taking part in safari activities in the area, together with contributed funds, supports anti-poaching efforts.
  • Practicing only catch-and-release tiger fishing on the Zambezi River. 
  • Supporting a camp which employs more than 70 local Zambians, who in turn support another 500 individuals.
  • Choosing to stay at a camp which has a Carbon Neutral, Silver status. Chiawa Camp and Old Mondoro are Africa’s first carbon neutral certified safari camps, and, through an initiative with other camps, have made the Lower Zambezi Africa’s first Carbon Neutral national park.
  • Although by no means perfect, Chiawa Safaris is leading the way in Zambia in responsible tourism and ensuring that future generations will inherit a better planet and be able to see the wildlife and scenes that we enjoy today. Join them and be part of this success story.

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Classic Portfolio Since 1993

FACTS

IMAGE LIBRARY

Chiawa Safaris
CAMPS

Positioned on the banks of the Zambezi River

LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK

Chiawa Camp

The family owned and operated, multi-award-winning Chiawa Camp, is the pioneer of the Lower Zambezi National Park. In the local Soli language, Chiawa means ‘The one who shares’ – an appropriate name for such a camp that honours the local people and their traditions.

Each of the luxury tents offers spectacular river views and an excellent safari from the comfort of your tent, with plenty of resident wildlife in camp. Chiawa ensures a gentle and unhurried experience for both wildlife and guests, while still offering a diverse range of activities including game drives to game walks, as well as canoeing, boating and angling – all in the company of Africa’s finest guides.

The new Star Bed Tower stands almost 4 meters high, with incredible views overlooking the Zambezi. It is complete with a cosy queen size bed, under a mosquito net, bath tub, wash basin and flushing loo. Book the Star Drift experience as an add-on, which includes a 4 course dinner river cruise, a night in the Star Bed Tower with bubbles and a scrumptious breakfast with the most spectacular views.

SEASONALITY: Open May through to mid-November.

CHILDREN: 8+ years

Chiawa Camp

8 safari tents, 1 Safari Suite & 1 Star Bed Tower

from US$ 1 255 per person per night
Meet & greet in Lusaka and transfers from Jeki Airstrip
All meals and drinks
Guided safari activities
Day and night game drives
Walking safaris
Canoeing and boating
Catch-and-release fishing
Swimming pool
WiFi
Star Bed (extra)

LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK

Old Mondoro

The incredible wildlife encounters at this quintessential safari camp are those found only in your wildest dreams. Under the canopy of winterthorn trees and bordering the mighty Zambezi river, wild animals are part of the camp, sharing in your daily routine. 

Old Mondoro is an intimate camp of only 5 chalets and 1 family house. The concept is simple – to provide guests with an authentic and unedited Zambian safari, and providing a “back to the bush” atmosphere that focusses on the wildlife and wilderness experience.

The area is known for big cat sightings (some of the most prolific leopard sightings to be had in Africa), with the magic of the water providing island-hopping buffalo and elephant, as well as an extreme concentration of hippo.

SEASONALITY: Open May through to mid-November.

CHILDREN: 12+ years

Old Mondoro

5 bush chalets & 1 Family Chalet

from US$ 1 255 per person per night
Meet & greet in Lusaka and transfers from Jeki Airstrip
All meals and drinks
Guided safari activities
Day and night game drives
Walking safaris
Canoeing and boating
Catch-and-release fishing
Swimming pool
WiFi (not available)

Chiawa Safaris
FEATURED OFFER

Best of Both Worlds

Stay 5, Pay 4 or Stay 7, Pay 5 at either camp or a combination of Chiawa Camp and Old Mondoro. Combining the camps includes a spectacular 90-minute boat transfer from one to the other.

VALID: 1 May – 14 Nov 2024

Chiawa Safaris
featured journey

Legends of Zambia

Visit the last remaining onwer-run camps - the Legends of Zambia.

Chiawa Safaris
location

Getting there

FLY

Arrive into Lusaka International Airport. From there, is it s quick 35 minute scheduled charter flight to Jeki Airstrip in the Lower Zambezi.
From Mfuwe Airport (South Luangwa) to Jeki, it is a 70-minute scheduled flight.

Chiawa Safaris offer meet & greet services at Lusaka Airport.

location

Getting to Chiawa Camp

DRIVE & BOAT

The safari begins upon arrival at Jeki Airstrip. A safari vehicle meets guests for a 15-minute game drive to the river, followed by a 40-minute boat transfer. Alternatively a 75-minute drive to Chiawa Camp can be done.

INTER-CAMP

One of the best experiences is the 90-minute boat transfer connecting Old Mondoro and Chiawa Camp. This is a wonderful safari experience, viewing large elephant herds, hippos, crocodiles, and a wide diversity of birdlife.

location

Getting to Old Mondoro

DRIVE

The safari begins upon arrival at Jeki Airstrip. A safari vehicle meets guests for a 45-minute game drive to Old Mondoro.

inter camp

One of the best experiences is the 90-minute boat transfer connecting Old Mondoro and Chiawa Camp. This is a wonderful safari experience, viewing large elephant herds, hippos, crocodiles and a wide diversity of birdlife.

Availability

Contact

Email:
res@chiawa.com

Tel:
+260 211 261 588

Emergency:
+260 977 767 433

Office Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm. Based in Lusaka.