Accommodation:
Resting peacefully inside the National Park, on the river bank, in a grove of mahogany and acacia trees, the lodge is constructed essentially of natural materials, and is designed to ensure its idyllic setting can be fully appreciated.
All tents are under shade, have en-suite facilities with hot & cold running water, twin or double beds, insect screens and solar powered lighting.
Only 16 guests can be accommodated in 8 well- appointed safari tents, each on a raised timber deck with private veranda. Access paths to the tents run through a grove of Mahogany trees behind them, maximizing privacy.
The honeymoon suite has a beautiful private view of the Zambezi, the escarpment and the Chiawa River bed.
The tent is light and spacious and the en-suite facilities are to die for. Victorian bath, his and hers wash basins and a shower for two all in wood and brass.
The spacious lounge and bar area has an observation platform built into its roof, providing one of the best views in the valley. Of course the dining area also looks out onto the river and the animals which regularly come to drink and feed at and near the lodge.
Enjoy barbeques under the stars on our al-fresco dining veranda, while your hosts oversee your comfort and the preparation of Chiawa's renowned cuisine.
Naturally vegetarians are catered for, however please give us advance notice of any special culinary requirements.
After dinner, retire to the campfire and enjoy a cocktail or two while taking in the sounds and magic of the African night.
Another viewing platform has been constructed in the quietest corner of the lodge, overlooking the confluence of the Chiawa & Zambezi rivers.
Sip a cup of tea or a Pimm's while watching nature move at nature's pace and savour the tranquility of Real Africa.
Dining a la Zambezi :
Chiawa Camp is renowned for its excellent cuisine, oft described as an Afro/Euro fusion, in which even the most demanding palates are catered for.
Craig Warland, Chiawa’s imaginative Executive Chef, ensures meals are of the highest standard, that they are prepared with the freshest of ingredients and with the utmost of care.
Depending on the day’s activities, breakfasts, brunches and lunches are hot & cold buffet usually served al-fresco, sometimes in the bush, and even on a boat in the middle of the Zambezi!
Afternoon tea with sweet & savoury snacks is usually served upstairs on the viewing platform overlooking the Zambezi and just prior to the afternoon safari activities.
Dinners are usually 4 courses, table d’hote, always offered with a choice of main course, and served under the stars by the camp fire or, if you are visiting during the full moon, on a sand bar in the middle of the Zambezi.
Activities:
Chiawa Camp employs enough guides and maintains a sufficient infrastructure that ensures maximum efficiency and flexibility. This means that guests will enjoy levels of choice & convenience not found elsewhere.
The guides at Chiawa Camp are experienced and qualified to help you get the most from your visit to the Lower Zambezi National Park. All boats and vehicles, canoe trips and walks carry first aid kits, and are linked to Chiawa Camp with our extensive VHF radio network. Chiawa Camp communicates with the rest of the world via HF radio.
Chiawa Camp has its own in-house guide training program to ensure quality and consistency are maintained. Guests can set their own pace and select activities according to their preferences.
Chiawa Camp is best experienced when a customised itinerary is made up of any combination of these activities.
Bush walks, game drives, fishing, canoeing, river safari’s
Honeymoons & Weddings:
Chiawa Camp can provide personalised magical weddings and honeymoons in the bush and we ask that you contact us if you are looking for the ultimate special day.
The following are just some of the wedding services we can provide for you – and for honeymooners we like to surprise you with something special each day!
- Minister and all legalities organised in Zambia prior to wedding couple's
arrival.
- Ceremony - either floating on a pontoon boat on the Zambezi River, on an island in the middle of the river, at Chiawa Camp overlooking the river or by a lagoon in the middle of the bush.
- Our special Zambian Chiawa Choir will sing for you at the wedding ceremony/ Traditional African wedding songs.
- Bouquet made for Bride and Bridesmaids from roses in a colour of your choice/ subject to availability.
- Bush wedding cake or profiterole wedding tower.
- Each wedding is individual and tailor made to your requirements.
- Drinks reception (Champagne and Pimms) on our observation deck after wedding ceremony.
- Four course wedding lunch or dinner.
- Flower arrangements for wedding ceremony and around Chiawa Camp.
- Upgrade to Honeymoon suite or Superior tent for Bride and Groom.
- Accommodation and activities arranged for all guests - so Bride and Groom can relax!
- Special honeymoon dinner on deck of honeymoon suite on the night after the wedding.
A guide from Chiawa Camp can take your wedding photographs or video. (using your equipment)
- Up to 16 guests can stay at Chiawa Camp, however we can arrange nearby
accommodation in surrounding camps for bigger wedding parties.
- Marquee hire available for up to 100 guests.
Access:
Although remote, Chiawa Camp is easily reached from Zambia's capital city, Lusaka. Consult your travel agent for information on flights to Lusaka which is serviced regularly by large international carriers such as British Airways and South African Airways. Once in Zambia, there are various ways to get to Chiawa Camp.
Air Charter:
Air charter is the quickest and easiest way to get to the Lower Zambezi. The flight to Jeki airfield from Lusaka International Airport is only 40 minutes and the scenery en route is spectacular. Jeki is situated deep inside the National Park and the game drive to Chiawa Camp can take anywhere from one to two hours, depending on the route selected and how much wildlife is seen on the way. Air charters are the best connections to/from any other National Parks.
Road & River:
First, a two hour drive on good road to Gwabi Lodge where the vehicles are parked and you board any one of our motor boats. The trip (75kms) down the river takes less than two hours and has been extremely popular with our guests. The first 50kms passes fishing villages before entering game- rich country where plentiful hippo, elephant, buffalo, many types of antelope and birds, and crocodile are seen en-route. This service is available from/to Lusaka or Kariba and the times involved from/to both are similar.
See our Access Chart below for a quick guide, however always consult your travel agent as air schedules are updated on a regular basis.
