It’s like a scene from “Out of Africa.” Except that this is Zambia (which offers some of Africa’s most authentic safari experiences), not Kenya. And instead of Karen Blixen’s bush tents, Chiawa camp hugs the mighty Zambezi River.
Unforgettable elephants are the big draw at Chiawa. And hippos, crocodiles, Cape buffalo, baboons and even the occasional lion.
But Chiawa also nails the African, luxury-in-the-bush, glamping experience.
View from the bathroom of the honeymoon tent – photo Chiawa Camp Zambia
Sundowners anyone?
Elephant bulls fighting – photo Chiawa Camp Zambia
Top safari camp
Chiawa was the first safari camp to open in Lower Zambezi National Park back in 1991. Today, it’s still owned and operated by the conservation-minded Cummings family. And it’s the premier place in the Zambian park to get your game-viewing fix of river-based wildlife. Think:
- deluxe permanent tents outfitted with claw-footed tubs, colonial-style furnishings and plush king-size beds
- romantic champagne lunches on a small aluminum boat while drifting down the Zambezi, past hundreds of snorting hippos
- guided canoeing excursions, exploring myriad river channels (we saw amazing birdlife and crocs galore!)
Well, you get the picture…
Our “tent” at Chiawa Camp
A lion poses on a game drive – photo Chiawa Camp Zambia
There’s even a swimming pool at Chiawa – photo Chiawa Camp Zambia
How’s this for romantic dining? photo Chiawa Camp Zambia
Herds of elephants
And what about those elephants? About 2,000 pachyderms inhabit the Lower Zambezi National Park – and you see hundreds of them up close when staying at Chiawa. You might not even have to leave for a stupendous sighting.
A big long-tusked bull is a frequent visitor to the unfenced camp.
Sometimes he wanders right by the al fresco dining veranda at breakfast time, almost within touching distance. Just don’t spill your coffee if he thrusts his trunk at you and waves…
A big bull elephant walks by a tent – photo Chiawa Camp Zambia
At a glance
- Chiawa is one of two authentic safari camps, owned and run by the Cumings family in the Lower Zambezi National Park. Its smaller, more remote, sister camp is Old Mondoro.
- The camp has nine tents, all with timber floors, verandahs, WiFi (when you can get it) and king-size beds.
Read more about Chiawa Camp
See our story on Chiawa Camp, Zambia, on TravelSquire.com. To read about our canoeing-with-crocodiles adventure at Chiawa, see our post “Crocs? Hippos? We’re canoeing the Zambezi River!” (it links to our travel article published in The Vancouver Sun newspaper and Postmedia chain of major Canadian daily newspapers).
We’re Janice and George Mucalov, professional award-winning travel writers, sharing tales of luxury travel with a twist of adventure.
Hahaha.. seems like someone has traveled to the lovely country of Zambia. Forget Karen Blixen, Chiawa Camp looks likes the place to be.
Chiawa is pretty special :-)
Imagine waking up to see an elephant strolling past, now that really would be something! Looks a great place, especially the dining by candlight looking out across that river – magic!
Looks glorious from sunrise, to sundowner, to sunset!