Fantastic wildlife viewing even from the bedroom window
A unique venue that seems to grow organically from the ground
Location
Tucked into a peaceful stretch of the Chongwe River, right where it meets the Zambezi, Chongwe House is one of those rare finds that feels both wonderfully remote and reassuringly luxurious. With the escarpment rising behind and elephants regularly ambling through the river shallows, the setting is pure wilderness magic.
Rooms
Designed for exclusive use, the house sleeps up to eight guests in four spacious, en-suite bedrooms. Each opens up to the outdoors, with canvas drop-downs that let in birdsong and fresh air while preserving privacy. We love the deep stone bathtubs and waterfall showers – perfect after a game drive – and the sense of being cocooned in nature while surrounded by thoughtful design. It’s ideal for families or groups looking to slow the pace and share the adventure.
Amenities
Everything here has been created with relaxed gathering in mind. The open-plan lounge, dining area, and riverside terrace lead out to a private pool and firepit, with a pizza oven and barbecue for al fresco feasts under the stars. There’s no set routine – meals, activities, and moments of stillness all flow naturally, tailored entirely to you.
Activities
Whether you’re tracking leopard on a private game drive, drifting silently past hippos in a canoe, or casting for tigerfish on the Zambezi, the rhythm is yours to choose. You’ll have a dedicated guide and team throughout your stay, so you can explore as much or as little as you like. There’s also a riverside wildlife hide for close-up encounters, and a star bed sleepout for the more adventurous.
Sustainability
Chongwe House is built using local materials and powered in part by solar. But what we really value is the work behind the scenes. Through the Time + Tide Foundation, your stay supports everything from anti-poaching efforts to girls’ education, conservation scholarships, and inclusive community health projects.
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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.
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