Chiawa

Chiawa Camp is situated in the Lower Zambezi National Park, on the banks of the river. The Zambezi is 1,700 miles long and meanders through the park, attracting much wildlife to its islands and banks.

Accommodation & Facilities
Chiawa is a private luxury camp owned by the Cumings family, who founded the camp in 1989 when it pioneered safaris into the area. Chiawa is tastefully designed to fit in with its magnificent setting amongst a grove of mahogany and acacia trees. Eight superior safari tents have king size beds, his and hers washbasins, ball and claw bath, indoor and outdoor showers and fabulous views from each part of the tents. They also have sunken seating areas below the deck, which incorporate small plunge pools. The Safari Suite is a larger room under a thatched roof, with space for children in a lounge area. It also has a private plunge pool on its deck, and offers the best views of the river and wildlife and the greatest privacy of any room at Chiawa. The camp has a thatched lounge with an upstairs observation deck. A swimming pool and fitness shack are discreetly positioned away from the the bar and dining areas, which look over the Zambezi River where the animals regularly come to drink around the lodge. A little way downstream, there’s a raised sleep-out deck with a viewing hide underneath. The hide is available for any guests but the sleep-out must be pre-booked.

Wildlife & Activities
While staying at Chiawa guests can explore the beautiful Lower Zambezi National Park either on foot with an armed guide or can enjoy excellent wildlife viewing on both day and night drives in open 4×4 vehicles. Canoeing on the Zambezi River is also a great way to view the birds and mammals along the riverbank, or for those who want the more relaxed option sundowner cruises can be organised. Guests can also visit the “Mud-Wallow Hide” that provides an eye-to-toe level viewing perspective and the opportunity to view wildlife at night with specialist night vision equipment. Chiawa’s guiding team is also on hand to assist those who wish to fish for the world’s most aggressive fresh-water fish – the tiger fish – and a strict catch and release policy is observed. Sleep-outs under the stars can be pre-booked for an additional charge, and combined with dinner on a boat, drifting slowly down the Zambezi as night falls.