The family owned and operated, multi-award-winning Chiawa Camp, is the pioneer of the Lower Zambezi National Park, the first camp to settle along the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. Zambia’s premier luxury safari camp, Chiawa is a gentle and unhurried experience for both wildlife and guests, while still offering up a diverse range of activities. From game drives to heart-stopping game walks as well as canoeing, boating and angling – all in the company of Africa’s finest guides.
Located in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park .The game here enjoys free access between the Lower Zambezi National Park and Mana Pools National Park on the Zimbabwean banks of the river. Wildlife, from elephants to lion, commute across the Zambezi, often through camp, and the area boasts a tremendous cross-section of mammals, reptiles and birds
THE SAFARI SUITES
Set on a the ridge with the most commanding & expansive views of any room in the Lower Zambezi, this gorgeous 220 sq meter Safari Suite is for those guests looking for more luxury, space and exclusivity. Comprising a thatched roof, canvas walls with screen windows (similar in design to our new T7 & T8), a king bedroom, a lounge area which converts easily and attractively into a second bedroom (with daybeds and mosquito nets) for families with a guest loo and washbasin, an inter-leading bathroom with indoor shower, indoor loo, his & hers washbasins and bath all with stunning views.
These three rooms all open onto a shaded, timber veranda via folding/sliding screen doors to an 18 sq meter swimming pool, outdoor lounge, outdoor dining complete with daybeds, outdoor shower and private fireplace. The Safari Suite has its own minibar, tea/coffee facilities and of course free wifi. An off-grid haven with the utmost privacy, the Safari Suite has its own road access and is especially convenient for privately guided game drives. The suite is powered entirely by solar with a backup generator when needed. There are four overhead fans including one within the mosquito net of the main bedroom, as well as 24/7 220V power with international plug points, and a hairdryer connected to the generator.
SAFARI TENTS
The Safari Tents I – VIII at Chiawa Camp are the newest tents in the Lower Zambezi National Park, completed in 2020 in Chiawa Camp’s classic style but much upgraded in size, features and spacing to provide the ultimate safari tent – appropriate to the location and purpose but with high levels of comfort and features, where that rare, perfect blend of form and function is artfully enhanced by light and space aplenty.
Each room naturally blends in respectfully with its sensational surroundings while providing our guests the ideal retreat from which to enjoy all that Chiawa Camp has to offer. The furniture was made by local craftsmen and materials, including the hanging lampshades.
Each tent is about 100 sq meters in area. Comprising canvas roof (TVII & TVIII have thatched roofs), canvas walls with screen windows, a super-king sized bed that splits into 2 oversized single beds under a massive mosquito net within which spins a cooling electric fan, a lounge area with another fan and the option for an third bed or bunkbed for younger families.
There is a ball & claw bath, his and hers double vanity/washbasins, an indoor loo and shower, a large changing area with ample storage for luggage and his & hers closets, a vanity desk with hairdryer, a writing desk and numerous international plug points with USB ports. And lighting, lots of it, for mood and function!
The tents open via a massive, easy-running sliding door, onto the shaded veranda which features an outdoor “waterfall” shower, a dining table for two, comfy leather reclining safari chairs and the piece de resistance – Chiawa Camp’s very own “bench wallow” which in cool weather is a sunken lounge area and in hot weather, a plunge pool on demand that fills after just a couple of minutes at the turn of a tap and empties at the push of a button.
24/7 lighting and charging facilities (220v, multi-national plugs and USB outlets)
24/7 hot & cold running water
Super-King size bed with overhead fan inside the mosquito net
Egyptian cotton linen
His & Hers washbasin
Ball & Claw Bath
Indoor and outdoor shower
Indoor and outdoor seating
Spacious, shaded veranda
Private dining on the veranda by special request
Bench-wallow -a refreshing plunge pool / relaxation area (TI-VIII only); large private plunge pool for the Safari Suite
Ample luggage storage and charging facilities
Dressing table and hair dryer
Tea/Coffee facilities
Free WiFi
Game Drives
Often the most popular Zambian safari activity, the game drive is conducted in an open 4×4 safari vehicle. This is the most effective way to see Zambian wildlife, as these cover much ground and can get close sightings without placing our guests in harms way or disturbing the wildlife.
Walking safari
Bush walks are an interesting way to get a back stage pass look at the Zambian wildlife, and how the ecology of the Lower Zambezi works
Canoeing
Our Lower Zambezi River Canoe trips always head downstream, eastwards, as the current of the Zambezi is deceptively powerful. The canoes take either 2 or 3 people.
River Safaris
Boat Cruises, or Zambezi River Safaris are conducted on custom built, stable pontoon boats with a canopy that can be raised or lowered according to circumstance and powered by near-silent, environmentally sensitive 4-stroke outboard motors.
