The Lower Zambezi Safari

 Trip Code Z843

 A 5 night, 6 day all-inclusive safari combining the luxury of Chiawa with the traditional comfort of Old Mondoro bushcamp. Starts and ends Royal airstrip, best connected from Lusaka.

Cost

US$3995 for 2008 available June to mid November only   

Where

• Three nights at the luxurious Chiawa Camp on the banks of the Zambezi - directly opposite Mana Pools National Park
• Chiawa Camp was rated in Conde Nast's "Best of the Best" series as one of Africa's Top Ten safari camps - the only award winner from Zambia
• Two nights at the Old Mondoro bushcamp some 30km downstream of Chiawa opposite the Chewore Concession.
• Old Mondoro is a comfortable but simple "back to the bush" camp offering a traditional safari that focuses on wildlife in a remote setting.
• Chiawa and Old Mondoro combine perfectly - simply the best safari you'll find on the lower Zambezi
   
   
  

Highlights

Chiawa Camp

• Chiawa is "home" to the Cumings family on a spot through which David Livingstone ventured 150 years ago.
• This was the first photo safari operation in the Lower Zambezi National Park - it's renowned for wildlife and conservation efforts on the lower Zambezi today.
• Situated between the Chifungulu Channel and Waterbuck Island Lagoon, Chiawa caters for 16 guests in luxurious fully en-suite tents with wonderful views of the Zambezi Valley.
• Activities at Chiawa include day and night game drives, bush walks, river safaris,  canoeing and angling.  The camp has a game viewing hide and offers exceptional photographic opportunities through the season from June to November.

Old Mondoro

• Derived from the Shona word for Lion and named after a legendary old white lion that used to frequent the area the Old Mondoro bushcamp takes a step back in time without compromising on comfort.
• Accommodating only 8 guests in traditional style, Old Mondoro is reminiscent of the mobile camps of East Africa, rebuilt from scratch and then dismantled each safari season.
• There are some excellent walking areas right out of camp, and more just a short drive away.
• This is unquestionably the best walking area in the Lower Zambezi with vast flood plains, open woodland, large inland lagoons and thick bush.
• Old Mondoro is noted for its wild dog sightings earlier in the season as the dogs often den in the vicinity. The area is also well known for elephant, lion and buffalo, frequent leopard and serval sightings and excellent plains game such as Zebra and Kudu.

Best time of the year

• Whilst Chiawa is open between April and November inclusive, Old Mondoro and hence this combination is only available from June to mid November.
• Our dry season runs for the full period, cooler during our winter months to the end of July and then getting progressively hotter until the rains break in November.
• Game conditions generally improve as the season gets hotter and remaining water sources elsewhere in the valley diminish forcing game to concentrate closer to the Zambezi itself.
• Migrant birds start moving back into the valley in September.  If you can handle the heat the valley is best for game and birdlife in October/November.
• For "green season" safaris in the Zambezi valley we recommend our canoe safari options.

Best Access

Lusaka is the primary access point for this safari.  We fly on a light aircraft to Royal airstrip and then do a 60' road transfer into Chiawa, 90' for Old Mondoro.  There are return flights between Royal airstrip and Lusaka every day as required through the season.  (Jeki and Gwabi are alternate connection points.)
Speak to us about taking care of your connections from the Luangwa, Kafue, Kariba, Victoria Falls or further afield in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe or Namibia.

Tips and notes

• 
  The Zambian safari picture is complete when the lower Zambezi, Luangwa and Victoria Falls areas are combined...speak to us about combining the best spots at different times through the season.
• The camps are generally full from July to mid September so advance bookings are strongly recommended. 
• Our lower Zambezi canoe safaris are absolutely complementary with both Chiawa and Old Mondoro during the high season and are the perfect alternative when camps are closed from December to May...speak to us about the "green season" options.
• This safari includes food, drinks, all activities, park fees and return road transfers from the airstrip. The following costs are specifically excluded: flights in and out of the Royal airstrip; single supplements; any levies, taxes, surcharges and visa fees; bank charges, gratuities and purchases of a personal nature  
• ALL FARES AND TAXES ARE SUBJECT TO INCREASE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE AND AT THE DISCRETION OF THE AIRLINES AND GOVERNMENT. ALL FARES ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY IN THE CORRECT BOOKING CLASSES AT THE TIME OF MAKING THE RESERVATION
  

Access

By light aircraft - baggage alloawnces are restricted to 12kg in soft bags, special allowance for additional photographic equipment must be made in advance.

Featured Camps

Chiawa

Old Mondoro