Friendly, knowledgeable staff and exceptional wildlife viewing
Bring your safari dreams to life
Location
Chongwe Camp sits at the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi Rivers, a spectacular pocket of the Lower Zambezi. Remote yet easily accessed from Lusaka, it is perfectly placed for combining land and water safaris.
Rooms
There’s a lovely, understated charm to the tents here. Each of the nine classic safari tents offers river views, locally crafted furnishings, and open-air bathrooms that bring you closer to nature. For something extra special, we love the Cassia and Albida suites – one ideal for couples, the other for families – each with private plunge pools, outdoor bathtubs, and beautifully styled living spaces. It all feels very relaxed, yet effortlessly luxurious.
Amenities
At the heart of camp, the open-plan lounge and dining area is shaded by winterthorn trees and cooled by the river breeze. There’s a pool to retreat to in the heat of the day, and evenings are spent around the firepit with a G&T in hand. Meals are a highlight – fresh, seasonal and served in different spots each day, from the riverbank to under the stars.
Activities
This is a place where the pace is yours to set. Spend your days drifting along the river in a canoe or boat, spotting elephants, hippos and birdlife. Head out on day or night game drives, explore on foot with an expert guide, or try your luck with catch-and-release tiger fishing. You can also visit nearby communities supported by the camp’s foundation, something we really recommend for those wanting a deeper connection to the place.
Sustainability
The camp runs largely on solar and local materials, with a gentle footprint on the land. Through the Time + Tide Foundation, your stay helps fund girl-focused education, community health initiatives, and conservation work such as anti-poaching efforts and mitigating human-wildlife conflict.
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Best places to stay in Lower Zambezi
Lower Zambezi Trip Inspiration
When to go to Zambia
Find out the best time to visit Zambia with our month by month guide.
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
January
January is a good time to visit Victoria Falls, but the rest of the country is very humid and wet leading to many camps shutting during January.
February
February remains wet, so its a good month to visit the thundering Victoria Falls, however only a few camps stay open for boating and walking. The rains have created lush vegetation, during this time of year it is alive with the sound of migratory birds in their breeding plumage, an excellent time for birders to visit Zambia.
March
If you want to witness Vic Falls at its fullest, March is the month to visit, with huge volumes of spray often obscuring the view. The birding is still magnificent in March, and camps offer fantastic value for money as there are no crowds.
April
In April the weather starts to dry, however rain remains a prominent feature of April. In the Lower Zambezi National Park, lush vegetation is at its thickest making animals more difficult to spot. April is seen to be the best time of year to witness the rarely seen Wild Dog in South Luangwa National Park.
May
May is a mixed month, the onset of the dry season means rains are unlikely, however access to certain camps is tricky due to sodden grounds. Game viewing in South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi begin to improve as the vegetation things and waterholes begin to dry up, forcing wildlife together.
June
June is a great time to visit Zambia, the ground starts to dry out and camps are offering excellent deals and there are few visitors to share safari vehicles so you may have some areas to yourself.
July
July is high season, temperatures rise and all the camps are officially open. If you want to see game then South Luangwa is the best option, whereas the Lower Zambezi is perfect for river cruises and fishing.
Victoria falls is at its best, without being overly wet and clouded with spray.
August
August's hot and dry weather kicks off what Zambia is famous for, walking safaris. It is the prime time to combine game viewing with Victoria Falls.
September
Temperatures sore in September reaching high 20's making the long days particularly pleasant. This month sees Carmine Bee Eaters arrive, flocks of hundreds nest in river banks providing a thrilling spectacle of colour and sound.
October
October sees temperatures sore again, game viewing is best done in the early mornings to avoid the hot midday sun.
November
November brings the start of the rainy season, but the good news is the sporadic showers are not too disruptive and visitors get to see dramatic skies and stormy skies brewing. Temperatures are high and it can be humid, but the mixed weather brings great value stays. Plus many young animals are being born, making it a fantastic time to see the parks come to life.
December
The rainy season is in full force in December, grasslands begin to lengthen, foliage thickens and game viewing becomes a little trickier. The rivers rise and dependant on water levels travellers can visit 'devils pool' at Vic Falls, providing high excitement and a head for heights needed if you want to get close to the drop off.
Speak to a Zambia expert today
and start planning your tailor-made holiday
Alistair
Tamara
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