Chiawa and Old Mondoro nail safari glamping in Zambia

It’s like a scene from “Out of Africa.”

Except that instead of Karen Blixen’s bush tents in Kenya, Chiawa Camp hugs the Zambezi River in Zambia.

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.

About Chiawa Camp

Chiawa tents

Think claw-footed tubs, colonial-style furnishings, plush king-size beds with Egyptian cotton linens and indoor and outdoor showers.

There’s even a pool and WiFi!

One tent, the new Safari Suite, is a family villa.

It has a king bedroom, a living area-cum-lounge that converts into a second bedroom, its own private pool and a gazebo.

Mmm… What’s for dinner?

Dinners are four-course plated meals served by candlelight.

Perhaps potato rosti with smoked salmon, cream cheese and a drizzle of maple syrup to start, followed by cream of broccoli soup, then a choice of chicken stuffed with sun-dried tomato and feta, accompanied by cinnamon rice and beans, or home-made pasta.

And for dessert? Maybe a very decadent caramelized sugar pie.

Zambezi safari activities

As for activities, game drives are mixed up with guided canoeing excursions, where you explore myriad river channels.

You can also enjoy a romantic champagne lunch on a small aluminum boat while drifting down the Zambezi, past hundreds of snorting hippos.

Old Mondoro

A one-hour speedboat ride downriver takes you to Old Mondoro, Chiawa’s satellite wilderness camp.

With just four tents, Old Mondoro is one of the last true bush camps in Africa.

The tents are open-sided (the canvas is rolled down at night).

They feature indoor loos plus outdoor showers and splash tubs overlooking the Zambezi River.

Just be aware you might have to jump out of your bathtub if an elephant turns up to drink the bathwater!

A seasoned safari-goer we met at Old Mondoro – who amazingly had done some 50 safaris all over Africa – raved that Old Mondoro was her favorite place in the whole African continent for a pure, authentic safari escape.

Canoeing the Lower Zambezi

As it turned out, we did see crocs galore. And loads of hippos.

The hippos are actually more dangerous than the crocs, because they can tip canoes.

But we were also treated to a tableaux of amazing birdlife – African jacana, southern ground hornbill, beautiful blue-cheeked bee-eaters, kingfishers and more.

The river scenes were surprisingly peaceful, and the canoeing was a highlight of our Zambezi safari.

Elephants galore

And what about those elephants?

About 2,000 pachyderms inhabit the Lower Zambezi National Park – and you’ll see hundreds of them up close when staying at Chiawa safari camp and Old Mondoro.

You might not even have to leave for stupendous sightings.

Big long-tusked bulls are frequent visitors to the unfenced Chiawa and Old Mondoro camps.

Sometimes they wander right by the al fresco dining veranda at breakfast time, almost within touching distance.

Just don’t spill your coffee if they thrust their trunks at you and wave.

Zambia safaris

We found the “real” Africa we were seeking in Zambia.

We loved it so much that after visiting Chiawa and Old Mondoro, we returned to the country for a second safari.

Off the radar for most tourists, Zambia offers some of the continent’s most authentic and wild safari experiences.

You’ll probably sleep in a tent without A/C (albeit a luxurious one).

But the wildlife parks teem with animals, and your up-close-and-personal animal viewing will rival what you see on National Geographic TV shows.

Victoria Falls:

Zambia also boasts majestic Victoria Falls, the world’s largest waterfall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Zambia/Zimbabwe border.

Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa:

To make the most of your Zambia visit, we suggest combining safaris at two main parks, South Luangwa National Park and Lower Zambezi National Park, along with a stay in the tourist town of Livingstone to explore the Falls.

Puku Ridge in South Luangwa:

Chiawa also has a new camp in South Luangwa National park, Puku Ridge – a collaboration between the Cumings family (owners of Chiawa and Old Mondoro) and Chichele Safaris.

Staying at Puku Ridge would allow you to create a seamless Zambia itinerary through Chiawa that covers both the Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa.

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