Chongwe River House (Lower Zambezi National Park) Zambia
Location:
At just over 4000 square kilometers, the Lower Zambezi
National Park stretches in a narrow swathe from the Chongwe
river in the west to the Luangwa river in the east. Rich in
biodiversity, there are a number of biomes, or eco-systems
in the park, ranging from montane thickets on the slopes of
the escarpment to miombo woodlands, grassy floodplains and
riparian forests.
Zambia's Lower Zambezi valley is one
of Africa's last great wilderness areas. Renowned for
breathtaking scenery and incredible wildlife, it's also home
to one of the continent's top safari lodges - Chongwe River
Camp. Set beneath a canopy of winterthorns at the confluence
of the Zambezi and Chongwe rivers, this award-winning camp
combines the best of everything, from first-class service
and luxurious accommodation to exceptional game viewing and
enlightening cultural experiences.
Like the adjacent Chiawa Partnership Park, the Lower Zambezi National Park is home to all of the major species in the valley with excellent sightings of elephant, buffalo, lion and leopard a regular occurrence. Birdlife in the area is also outstanding, making this a real hotspot for ornithologists. Chongwe River Camp offers a range of game activities in the park including full-day picnic trips, canoeing and fishing excursions.
Accommodation:
The bedrooms, equipped with either king-size or twin beds
under huge mosquito nets, are arranged on two floors, each
open to the river and with its own private outdoor sitting
areas, carved from the elements. Intimate outdoor bathtubs
allow bathers to completely immerse themselves in the
wilderness experience and innovative showers echo the
waterfalls of the upper river.
The ground floor bedrooms
are each entered through a tunnel which gives the feeling of
walking through a cave. The curved entrance gives privacy
without the need for doors. The downstairs bathrooms have
water pouring out of the stone ceiling instead of the normal
shower rose, whilst the upstairs showers are waterfalls.
Taps are made from wood and the exquisitely carved basins
have been fashioned from wood and white marble by the famous
Zambian artist, Eddie Mumba. The upstairs bedrooms have
baths facing the balcony, from which you have a view across
the bush and downstairs are totally open air.
Activities:
A policy of non-intrusive enjoyment of wildlife and low environmental impact has helped to make the Lower Zambezi valley one of southern Africa’s premier game viewing destinations. Add to this the amazing fauna and flora found in and on the banks of Africa’s fourth largest river, and you begin to understand why this amazing wilderness is so special.
At Chongwe River Camp, activities are tailored to make
the most of this incredibly diverse wilderness. Game viewing
can be done from a vehicle in either the Lower Zambezi
National Park or the Chiawa Partnership Park or, if you
prefer, from a boat on the Zambezi. Canoeing, walking and,
of course, fishing, are also offered. And for those
interested in the rich cultural heritage of the area,
community visits can be arranged.
Responsible Tourism:
Chongwe is committed to the principles and ethics of responsible Tourism. As such, guests rest assured that their holiday spend is contributing directly to the conservation of the environment and the upliftment of the people of the Lower Zambezi valley. We are involved in a number of initiatives such as the funding of Chitende High School in Chiawa village and Conservation Lower Zambezi, an NGO combatting poaching and providing environmental education to local communities.
Chongwe also helped establish the Chiawa Partnership Park
and supports the Chiawa Cultural Village. And now, we are
launching Tsika Island as a four room canoeing camp option
for guests. $50 dollars per guest for every night spent will
go directly to the neighboring village.
Helpful Hints
Layers are most practical for the fluctuating day/night temperatures of the Lower Zambezi Valley. Dull and/or neutral colours are more suitable for safari; white is definitely not practical, and black and dark blues can attract tsetse flies. Don't bring too much - laundry is available in the camp - and there is a strict 15kg limit for baggage on light planes. It is best to pack hardy, durable clothing in a soft bag rather than a suitcase. Soft bags are also essential on light planes.
Don't forget to bring - cameras and binoculars, plenty of
spare film or digital memory, spare camera batteries and
recharger. The camp has an inverter, so recharging in the
evening from the generator is possible.
Climate -
Zambia's elevation on a plateau gives it a moderate to
tropical climate with three distinct seasons: December to
April is warm and wet, May to August (winter): cool and dry,
September to November: hot and dry. Average summer
temperatures range from 25 to 35 deg C and winter from 6 to
24 deg C
Accommodation Rates:- From $550 per person per night sharing. Please contact us for a quote and suggested itinerary.