Chongwe River House (Lower Zambezi National Park) Zambia

 

Chongwe River House, Zambia - www.africansafaris.travel

 

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.


Chongwe River House, Zambia - www.africansafaris.travel

 

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. 

 

Chongwe River House, Zambia - www.africansafaris.travel

 

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.

Chongwe River House, Zambia - www.africansafaris.travel

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.


Chongwe River House, Zambia - www.africansafaris.travel

 
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.