Chiawa Camp

premier Camp | Lower Zambezi N.P., Zambia

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This family-owned and run camp is one of Africa’s finest and most authentic safari operations. Award-winning Chiawa Camp, set within the wilderness of Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park, is all about the experience—the bush, the river, the copious wildlife—amidst a haven of hospitality, classic atmosphere and comfort. A strong conservation ethic plus renowned personalized service is evident in every aspect of Chiawa Camp.

Our Expert Says

Chiawa, to me, embodies all that an authentic safari camp ought to. Its remote location enhances the palpability of the wilderness and proximity to wildlife; it's owned by a family with roots in the region and a long-standing commitment to conservation; and it offers enough 'creature comforts' to make you feel downright spoiled in such a wild bush setting.

– Wendy Redal

The Camp

Location: Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia
Number of Tents: 9

Ensconced in a grove of mahogany trees along the banks of the Zambezi, Chiawa Camp holds a prime position in the heart of Lower Zambezi National Park. In 1989 the Cumings family established the first photo safari operation here where David Livingstone had ventured 150 years previously. The camp today sets the standard for Zambia in “bush luxury,” yet still retains the rustic and unpretentious feel it is loved for. Nine enormous tents incorporate timber floors and verandas with excellent views of the river, each positioned to maximize privacy. All boast unexpected comforts and conveniences such as 24/7 lighting and charging facilities, hot and cold running water round the clock, king-size beds, Egyptian cotton linens, twin wash basins, indoor and outdoor showers, and ball & claw bathtubs. A thatched lounge/bar area with upstairs viewing deck provides a superb panorama of the Zambezi while enjoying fine Afro/Euro fusion cuisine on the al fresco dining veranda.

Facilities & Amenities

En suite bathroom with tub and indoor/outdoor showers
Shampoo, conditioner, soap and lotion
Room fan
220v charging outlets in room
In-room safe
Central pool
Wi-Fi in room
Laundry included
Local drinks included (house alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks)
Credit cards not accepted
No air conditioning, hair dryer, telephone or cellular coverage

Wildlife Viewing & Activities

Chiawa Camp offers an unusually varied slate of activities including safari drives, bush walks, canoeing, boating and angling in the company of Africa’s finest local guides. Drives in open 4x4 vehicles encounter lion, leopard, elephant, hippo, impala, roan, sable, eland, bushbuck, kudu, Cape buffalo, warthog, jackal and zebra and others. Night drives, which set off before sunset, are fascinating: using filtered spotlights, which do not interfere with the wellbeing and behavior of the animals, you may see nocturnal creatures such as civet, genet and larger predators on the move: a pride of lions on a kill or a leopard stalking through the grass. Pioneered in Zambia, bush walks explore the wilderness on foot with an experienced armed guide who tracks animals, interprets spoor and identifies the various flora and fauna. Elephant, buffalo and sometimes big cats are often seen. Motorboat or canoe cruises explore the Zambezi’s numerous channels, with hippo, buffalo, elephant and prolific bird life on view.

The Lower Zambezi has varying concentrations and species of wildlife, and the below chart helps to illustrate major wildlife sightings often experienced in the area. Other typical sightings may include roan antelope, puku, side-striped jackal, Nile crocodile and a number of other mammals, birds and reptiles. Exact sightings will depend on seasonality and wildlife movements.

Country	Park/Reserve	Buffalo	Eland	Elephant	Greater Kudu	Hippo	Hyena	Leopard	Lion	Sable Antelope	Wild Dog	Zebra
Zambia	Lower Zambezi N.P.

Usually viewed

Frequently viewed

Occasionally viewed

Sporadically viewed

Rarely to never viewed

Climate

Month	Max	Min	Rainfall
January	77° F	68° F	8.27 in
	25° C	20° C	210 mm
February	77° F	66° F	14.76 in
	25° C	18° C	375 mm
March	77° F	66° F	9.21 in
	25° C	18° C	234 mm
April	77° F	63° F	0.59 in
	25° C	17° C	15 mm
May	73° F	55° F	0.2 in
	22° C	12° C	5 mm
June	70° F	52° F	0.0 in
	21° C	11° C	0 mm
July	70° F	50° F	0.0 in
	21° C	10° C	0 mm
August	75° F	54° F	0.0 in
	23° C	12° C	0 mm
September	82° F	63° F	0.0 in
	27° C	17° C	0 mm
October	84° F	68° F	0.47 in
	28° C	20° C	12 mm
November	82° F	68° F	6.73 in
	27° C	20° C	171 mm
December	77° F	68° F	9.25 in
	25° C	20° C	235 mm

Conservation

A recognized leader in conservation, Chiawa Camp reinvests a large portion of its revenue into protecting the Lower Zambezi region. The main priority of its owners is to conserve biodiversity and ensure a safe refuge for wildlife while supporting the local community. When Chiawa opened in 1989, poaching was rampant, and it took the best part of a decade to make significant victories against it. Chiawa continues to lobby for improved conservation and sustainability measures in the Lower Zambezi. The camp also focuses on community education and enrichment, providing professional guide and hospitality training for locally hired staff. Chiawa supports a wide range of community enhancement projects including farming education; AIDS, malaria, family planning and sanitation awareness; and contributions to orphanages, schools and children’s hospices. The camp was built with renewable, local materials, utilizes low-energy light bulbs, recycled paper and fuel-efficient boats, and provides aluminum reusable water bottles to guests.