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Chiawa Camp

Last updated: 30 June, 2024

This classic tented safari camp is on one of the loveliest and most game-rich spots on the Zambezi River. It’s owned by the Cumings – one of the first families to live in this area and highly respected for their standards of service and conservation.

The tents are among the most spacious, comfortable and luxurious in Africa, with treats such as river views from both bed and bath. The double-storey thatched bar deck offers some of the most beautiful views, and is a wonderful place to watch elephants swim while sipping a G&T. Sunsets on the Zambezi are spectacular, as are the stars.

The Zambezi is still wild and very beautiful, and Chiawa is scenically located right on its shores.

Game & game viewing

This is one of the best places in Africa to see game from the water: elephant, buffalo, hippo and dinosaur-sized crocodiles. The surrounding national park also teems with game – day and night – and the birdlife is wonderful. Even if you’re not a twitcher, paddle downriver on a canoe to see everything from red-breasted carmine bee-eaters to great goliath herons.

See it all by canoe, riverboat, game drive and bush walk. The team of guides is extremely professional and knowledgeable and has won the Best Guides in Africa award.

Special activities

The fishing is fantastic here – from fighting tiger fish to 40kg vundu catfish. The wily and strong tiger fish, a cross between a trout and piranha with ferocious-looking sharp teeth that shred most fishing lines, is an irresistible challenge for any angler. It’s offered all year round, but best late-Agust to mid-November.

Local conservation & community

More than three-quarters of all staff are local, and trained to help in conservation education elsewhere in the area. The Cumings family has been involved in conservation, education, Aids prevention and community projects for decades. The camp annually raises money for conservation, school uniforms, educational tools and subsidised guide training – one of the reasons it wins Best Guides in Africa awards.

Taking the kids

Children over 8 are welcome; it is very wild here though, so children have to be strictly supervised. Children may join in their parents’ activities, as well as spending time in the camp, learning about tracks, plants, insects and fish. Canoeing and walking safaris are restricted to those over 12.

Getting there

The camp is a 30-minute flight from Lusaka, then an 80-minute game drive from Jeki airstrip – or a three-hour drive then a two-hour boat trip on the Zambezi.

Price

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General amenities

Key facilities

Airport transfers*
Beach: None
Fitness centre
Fitness classes
Golf course
Hot tub
Kids club
Parking: Not available
Pool (adults only)
Pool (indoor)
Pool (outdoor)
Pool (kids)
Spa
Tennis courts
WiFi: Free
Yoga

Food & drink

All inclusive
Kids menu
Restaurant on-site
Self catering
*
Additional charge

Room amenities

Room types

Apartments
Bedrooms
Cabins
Suites
Tents
Villas
Yurts

Room facilities

Air conditioning
Flat screen TV
Hot tub (private)
Pool (private)
Tea & coffee making facilities
WiFi

Bedding options

2+ bedrooms
3+ beds
Connecting rooms
Rollaway/sofa bed