Lower Zambezi National Park Zambia
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#1 of 12 lodges in Lower Zambezi National Park
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“Best in Africa” multi-award winning hospitality and guiding - the family owned and operated Chiawa Camp is the original and authentic Lower Zambezi National Park safari.
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Property amenities
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Free breakfast
Fishing
Free airport transportation
Concierge
Mosquito net
Laundry service
Wifi
Pool with view
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast buffet
Airport transportation
Outdoor fireplace
Ironing service
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This camp is truly extraordinary. The site on the riverbank is stunning, the animal sightings amazing, the food and drinks absolutely excellent, but for me, the real highlight was the owners and every staff member. Without exception, everyone was incredibly friendly and welcoming. They took the trouble to know me by name, and to be in touch with all of my activities, so that they could be certain that I did everything I wanted to do, with maximum enjoyment. At all times, I was made to feel one of the family. One of the reasons I chose Chiawa was my wish to do a walking safari, and it certainly did not disappoint, but I think the small canoe trip was even better.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
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Room Tip: I highly recommend the walking safari, and canoe trip.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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+1
After visiting Mana Pools early this year, I was very interested to compare the experience with Lower Zambezi on the other side of the river. We picked Chiawa owing to its reputation for walking safaris and were not disappointed. The history of the camp, and the fact it is owned by the local family founders, was also a factor. The camp itself is fabulous, and were treated to a behind the scenes tour which showed what's needed to deliver such a top class experience - the river front is very much tip of the iceberg. We also met a regular elephant visitor behind the kitchen, a bull that has lost the both tip of its tail and trunk to crocs. One of the best things about being in camp was relaxing on the room deck with elephants sloshing in the river just a few metres away. Probably everything has been said about the quality of the food, guiding and facilities. There was literally nothing to find fault. The highlight of the 3-night stay was the canoe trip on a side channel of the river. It felt very safe despite the proximity of hippos and crocs, and was a really magical way to get close to the birds and animals. We walked as much as possible, guided by Moses and assistant Clement. If anything the walking here is even better than at Mana Pools - stunning Winterthorn and mahogany forests, with wildlife everywhere. As the lodges are concentrated on the river plain, which also has the best walking terrain, we saw occasional vehicles, but this did not detract from the experience. While walking, we encountered lion and elephant multiple times, but always at a safe distance. I've walked in quite a lot of places around Africa, and can say this is amongst the best, with the perfect combo of water, tree cover, wildlife, guiding and outstanding camp. …
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
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Room Tip: Important to follow the guidelines on room escorts. As well as elephant, I had a buffalo directly...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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An absolute fantastic tented camp with amazing food and game drive experiences. My favorite was the canoe, but the game drives, boat drives, night drives were equally wonderful. No two days are alike. A must see!
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
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Room Tip: We loved having critters wander through camp....
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Chiawa Camp more than met our expectations for a Safari Camp! We travelled as 2 couples. The staff was the most welcoming, accomodating and attentive of the camps we visited> We got to know many of them by name and they took the time to get to know us. Even though we were in camp with others we felt like the Safari was designed just for us. We had unexpected and unique dining experiences each day (in the tower, on a boat, on an island, by the pool) which made us feel quite special. The food was delicious, beautifully displayed, and they accommodated my gluten free needs well. Our guides worked to help us find and see amazing wildlife and taught us much about the beautiful lands and local area. Juliet was an ever-smiling face, always attentive to our needs and more than willing to share her experiences and customs with us. The canoe ride on the channel was especially thrilling and full of wildlife sightings. We chose to do that twice! The tents were spacious and well appointed and were close enough to the main area for convenience but far enough away from other tents to offer privacy. We were fortunate to share a boat ride with the owner Grant Cumings who shared his passion for conservation and protecting the wildlife. It was an amazing adventure, and time well spent at Chiawa. …
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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Room Tip: Take advantage of everything!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Sometimes it's just the little things you remember about your safari experience. At Chiawa, it was what the manager told me when we arrived. We were discussing our entire travel plans during my family's 15 days in Zambia and South Africa, with stays at 3 different safari lodges over 10 days. The manager said something to the effect of ... "I'm glad you started here first as this experience will be quite different from the other lodges you have booked." After looking back on our stay at Chiawa, she was spot on. Chiawa is like an old time safari experience. What made Chiawa unique and special compared to the other camps we stayed at is the overall feeling and vibes of the area.... waking up to a breathtaking sunrise over the Zambezi River, the remoteness of the camp and the feeling that you have the entire national park to yourself. The animal noises just outside your luxury tented camp was unique... no barbed wire separating the animals from you, no glass enclosed tents and no a/c. We were literally in the wilderness sleeping amongst the hippos and elephants. The guides and staff made our stay so special and the amount of animals during safari drives and canoe trips were off the charts. The nights are cool and comfortable but the late afternoon the heat can be a tad warm for some guests so check on the temperatures during dates that you are traveling. Chiawa does have a pool to cool off and each tent also has a small plunge pool . Overall wonderful experience and a great way to start our Africa experience.…
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Date of stay: May 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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+1
Chiawa Camp was the first camp that we stayed in during our three week tour of Botswana and Zambia that we not run by a larger hotel group. Up to this point, our camp experiences had been exceptionally and we had no idea if a smaller, family run facility would be able to match what we had experienced prior to our arrival. Chiawa camp not only matched but exceeded every experience that we previously had. The camp's location is perfection...along the side of the river, nestled into the Lower Zambezi National park. Animal sightings within the camp are common (and the camp keeps you perfectly safe) and the setting is ideal for reconnecting with nature. The facilities are beautiful and have every possible amenity that one would desire. The rooms are decorated brilliantly, with natural woods and fabrics..setting the tone for a relaxing stay. The tents are spaced apart to the ideal measurement....far enough that you don't see/hear your neighbors, but close enough to know that they're there. The meals were very good, with dishes that could rival any high end restaurant in New York. Choosing our favorite meal would be difficult, but two meals clearly stand out. The first was a private table in the loft of the main lodge where the night sounds of the river provided the perfect "background music" for the meal. The second was bar-B-que eat out in the wild, with lanterns illuminating the picnic and the brilliant stars overhead....exceptional! But what really sets Chiawa Camp apart was the exceptional staff. Led by Simon, the general manager and assisted by Juliette (Associate Manager) and Tariese (Assistant Manager), the camp immediately makes guests feel like their extended family. Everyone is friendly, helpful, knowledgable and professional. Clearly led from the top down by these three exceptional managers, the camp feels like home...and the staff does everything within their power to make it YOUR home while there. Chris, the activity director, will make sure your game drive runs perfectly or a cruise along the river is as exceptional as it sounds. The servers, Syrus, Axon & George present the fantastic meals with a smile and know the menus presented like the back of their hands...truly exceptional!! Trywell, the bartender, makes sure that every cocktail is perfection and always there for any special requests that one has. And the drivers, Nobbi, Moses and Clement are the best in Africa, with knowledge at their fingertips and friendly advise for pictures...and the eyes of hawks finding the best animals to see. This was our first experience at Chiawa Camp...but clearly will not be our last. Thank you to everyone for making our 3-night stay with you so exceptionally special. Can't wait to see our new extended family again!!…
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Date of stay: June 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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+1
We loved our stay at Chiawa camp! The warm hospitality, beautiful setting and great guiding all contribute to a great experience. We loved our room and experiencing elephants walking through camp. Game drives were excellent and canoeing and boating excursions were thrilling.
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: I have been to many excellent safari camps. Chiawa ranks near the top of the list. If you have...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Enchanting! Utterly fantastic! Gracious hospitality is unsurpassed. The beauty of the Zambezi River and the proximity of the animals is utterly amazing. The accommodations are spacious, clean and have great views. The guides are so very knowledgeable and savvy. Moses is outstanding. This is our fourth trip to Chiawa and I hope to return.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Chiawa is truly a camp to remember! From the minute we arrived we were greeted with genuine warmth and smiles that said we are truly happy to have you spend time with us. We were met by an elephant who was wondering around the outdoor dining area...this was a first for us and we were delighted! Every detail of our stay is addressed from the start from Juliette! She is a wonderful person and such a pleasure to be around! Our 3 days on property were met by so many surprises when it came to our meals! We felt so special! Great guides and so knowledgeable. We also had the opportunity to share with the owners Grant and Lindsey. They are terrific. Our room was perfect with its lovely deck overlooking the river where we were serenaded by the hippos at night! Staff was warm and the attention to detail in every area was noticed. We loved our canoe ride with great opportunities to observe the elephants. We hope to have a return visit!…
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Date of stay: September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Helpful
My wife and I stayed at the camp for a couple of days celebrating a special anniversary. The team, the food, the drinks, the anniversary surprises, the game drives were absolutely stunning. Thank you so much. And we hope to be back (before the next special anniversary).
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Date of stay: July 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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ALSO KNOWN AS
chiawa camp hotel lower zambezi national park
LOCATION
ZambiaLusaka ProvinceLower Zambezi National Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
9
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Frequently Asked Questions about Chiawa Camp
What are some of the property amenities at Chiawa Camp?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a pool.
What food & drink options are available at Chiawa Camp?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Chiawa Camp?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Chiawa Camp have airport transportation?
Yes, Chiawa Camp offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does Chiawa Camp have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the river view available here.