Lower Zambezi National Park

Gwabi River Lodge is only 2 hours drive from Lusaka and situated on the banks of the Kafue River.

Accommodation consists of 9 en-suite air conditioned chalets set amongst manicured lawns with beautiful views over the river. Each chalet accommodates two adults or up to four in a family arrangement. In addition to the chalets, there is also a large shaded camping ground overlooking the Kafue River.

The main area includes a dining/bar area and swimming pool with meals enjoyed either inside or out on the deck.

For bird watchers there are over a hundred species of birds to find. Gwabi River Lodge lends itself to supporting local communities as all staff are from local villages and speak proudly of their local history and socio-culture. For those who enjoy fishing or just want to game view down the river, there is a fleet of boats for hire. Clients may use our launch site for their own boats. Canoes are also available for hire and up to three day trips downstream can be arranged. All activities are offered at an additional cost.

Wild Camping – we camp wild on an island for 1 night while canoeing on the Zambezi River. Wild camps have no facilities; we will need to take our own water and all equipment. Wild camping can be very enjoyable but please remember that we leave no trace of our stay and take all rubbish away with us. Toilets will be of the “dig and bury” variety. Sunway supplies all the camping equipment, except for your sleeping bag and pillow, which you need to bring. The dome tents we use are 2.2 x 2.2 x 1.8 metres and putting them up or down takes only 5 minutes. Tents have built-in insect nets. We supply mattresses, which are about 5 cm thick, warm and comfortable. The camp chairs have a backrest. You will need to bring your own towel. No Wifi. 

Wake up to birdsong as the sun rises over the Zambezi River, reflecting the colours all around you. Listen to playful vervet monkeys scampering in the canopy as you watch elephants feed on the seed pods dropped from a nearby tree.

Named after indigenous plants growing in the area, the Cassia and Albida Suites are nestled under ancient towering trees at the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi Rivers.

The one-bedroom Cassia Suite is a private suite for two, perfect for honeymooners and couples. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom Albida Suite sleeps four guests and is great for families wanting their own space or friends travelling together. Both have en-suite open air bathrooms with a clawfoot bath, a canopied lounge and dining area, a pool overlooking the river, a fire pit and a dedicated butler.

Dine privately in your suite or in the main camp lounge on the riverbank, enjoying cuisine that celebrates local seasonal ingredients. Notice how much better your nightcap tastes when it’s served in a crystal glass by the fire.

Lower Zambezi National Park is known for the variety of activities on offer, including game drives, walking safaris, canoeing safaris, boat cruises and tiger fishing. The Albida Suite includes privately-guided activities.

The effortless and grounded luxury that Chiawa Safaris is known for, is right here at Old Mondoro. An intimate camp of only 5 chalets, the concept of this camp is simple – to provide guests with an authentic and unedited Zambian safari, providing a “back to the bush” atmosphere that centralizes on the wildlife and wilderness experience. That disconnects you from the internet and reconnects you with nature, yourself, and your loved ones.

A destination in itself, Old Mondoro is owned and operated by the Cumings family of the pioneer Chiawa Camp, which boasts enhanced luxuries and bush-sophistication, making a combination safari of these two camps a most rewarding visit to the Lower Zambezi.

Incredible wildlife encounters at this quintessential safari camp are those only found in your wildest dreams. Under the canopy of winterthorn trees and bordering the mighty Zambezi river, wild animals are part of the camp, sharing in your daily routine. Big cat sightings (some of the most prolific leopard sightings to be had in Africa) with the magic of the water providing island-hopping buffalo and elephant, as well as an extreme concentration of hippo.

“Mondoro” in Goba language means Lion. The camp name honours a mythical white lion that used to prowl nearby – although “Old Mondoro” is long gone, his descendants still roam the wilderness of the Lower Zambezi, wild and free.

Sausage Tree camp is the epitome of bush chic offering a civilized approach to a true bush experience with lavish attention to detail. This exclusive safari camp, voted number one on the BBC Holiday Programmes Ten Best Luxury Destinations, specializes in the very best game viewing with the highest international standards in luxury and service.
If you are visiting Zambia, then the Lower Zambezi National Park is a must and only Sausage Tree Camp will show you the very best of what the park has to offer.

Very few places on earth offer the absolute freedom and untouched wilderness as the National Parks of Zambia in Southern Africa.   Lower Zambezi, the first carbon neutral National Park in the world, provides a platform for unforgettable, unspoiled wildlife experiences on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River.

This piece of Africa combines a diversity of natural wonders, creating a wildlife rich landscape between the backdrop of the Zambezi escarpment and one of the world’s most intriguing rivers. This incredible phenomenon forms a natural wildlife corridor – boasting a profusion of wildlife and sanctuary sculpted by Mother Nature herself.

Royal Zambezi Lodge offers the discerning traveller a front row seat to these unique wilderness experiences, all the while welcoming you ‘home’ to luxury tented and thatched lodges overlooking the Zambezi River. Your stay with Royal will leave you with an indelible desire and love for Africa, a yearning for your return to a place that has stolen a piece of your heart.  An exciting African adventure awaits you in the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia – the team looks forward to welcoming you to the “Royal” family.

Set in the breath-taking, untouched wilds of the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia, Lolebezi is the latest property in the African Bush Camps family and will undoubtably be one of the most spectacular. 

Set on five hectares of protected wilderness, the lodge has been designed to make the most of the one kilometre of private river frontage. Waking up with the majestic Zambezi River flowing just in front of your room is a truly exceptional experience! 

The Lower Zambezi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has some of the best wildlife sightings in the world. Famous for its leopard population and elephant herds, this amazing destination is best experienced on foot with one of African Bush Camps’ experienced guides. Walking through the towering acacia forests, searching for Africa’s famous wildlife is simply one of life’s unbeatable adventures. 

The contemporary lodge effortlessly incorporates the luxury expected in a world-class safari camp with a modest elegance and simplicity that can only be found in the African bush. Designed for both family and romantic escapes, Lolebezi has four superior suites and two double family units.  The lodge is fully airconditioned, with a private Plunge pool and thatched Sala on the river

The name Lolebezi is derived from a combination of the owners’ son’s name “Lole” and “Zambezi”, underlining the importance that is placed on family and the amazing experiences waiting to be shared.  

Each suite has a private plunge pool, perfect for whiling away the hot African afternoons, G&T in hand, watching the great river flow slowly past. All the food served at Lolebezi  is Halaal-friendly. For those looking for even more relaxation, there is an on-site spa with qualified treatment specialists, and a yoga deck. 

Activities include game drives, walking safaris, river cruises, fishing, and so, so much more! 

For the eco-conscious traveller, Lolebezi is ideal. Sustainability has been embedded into its design. Staying at Lolebezi will have a profound effect on all who visit and is setting new standards for luxury safari travel in Africa. 

Baines’ River Camp is located in the Lower Zambezi valley and offers the ultimate combination of luxury and game viewing making it a great camp to complete a safari at.

Three things you will love about Baines’

AN ELEGANT SAFARI

The camp has been designed for your ultimate comfort and exceptional safari encounters in mind.

UNCOMPROMISED STANDARDS

Our air conditioned rooms, wifi and signature Baines’ activities means you get to experience the best of the safari world in style and on your own terms.

EXCEPTIONAL WILDLIFE

Our unrivalled location in the Lower Zambezi makes Baines’ the best camp in Zambia to finish your safari on a high! 

Explore a wild wonderland in this award-winning private home away from home

Time + Tide Chongwe House rests on a peaceful stretch of the Chongwe River, set against a beautiful mountainous backdrop.

A two-storey, four-bedroom, four-bathroom private house, its design blends effortlessly into the undulating landscape around it, with river pebble accents and furniture carved from a fallen winterthorn tree. The house sleeps four to eight people and features private open-air bathtubs and waterfall showers, a large pool and spacious indoor and outdoor lounges with dining areas perfect for spending time together.

Listen to fish eagle calls and the faint sound of a resident family of warthogs ‘mowing’ the grass outside. Watch elephants wade across the river right in front of the house. Savour fine dining in the wild, featuring local and seasonal ingredients.

Game drives, walking safaris, canoeing safaris, boat cruises and tiger fishing are all on offer at Time + Tide Chongwe House. Throughout your stay, a dedicated staff and guiding team will look after your every need and ensure you make the most of this haven for lions, leopards, wild dog, 370 species of birds and more. Our nearby wildlife hide is great for photography and spotting rare nocturnal creatures.

Potato Bush Camp lies adjacent to its sister camp, Sausage Tree Camp. With a stunning panoramic view overlooking the Zambezi River and escarpment, this site is nestled under Mahogany, Sausage, Winter Thorn and Acacia Tortillas Trees, which provide excellent shade.

Accommodation at Potato Bush Camp comprises 3 well-appointed canvas and rosewood Safari Tents and also a 2-bedroom Family Tent.

The Safari Tents are very spacious and have en suite bathrooms with twin showers, twin basins and a full size four-claw bath tub.  Large folding doors lead onto the large balcony which hosts a 2-person hammock and a private plunge pool, with well-appointed furniture to complement the ambiance and architecture of the safari tents.  Two of the Luxury Safari Tents are furnished with king-size beds while the 3rd Safari Tent is a twin.

The 2-bedroom Family House is a 21m wide  "safari tent" offering a large central living, dining and balcony area which divides the two bedrooms.  Both bedrooms have their own en suite bathrooms with twin showers, twin basins and large four-claw bath tubs (with a view).  The Family House also features a plunge pool, fully stocked bar and fridge, private dining table and furniture that complements both the style of the tent and the surrounding environment.  Extra beds can be added in any of the rooms.

All beds are covered with large walk around four-poster mosquito nets and each fitted with a fan.  24-hour electricity is supplied to all rooms for charging batteries, cameras, computers etc.

To complement the accommodation there is an open plan dining, bar and lounge area, which is accessed by all four tents by way of raised timber boardwalks. The boardwalks also enable the camp to stay open from the 1st of April through to early January, when the heavy rains really start.

Potato Bush Camp offers professionally guided game drives, scenic canoeing and boat trips, educational walking safaris, exciting night drives, and, of course, fishing.

The four tented camp, perched on the edge of a high bank above a channel of the Zambezi, is the perfect intimate experience of the wild. Whether you take the whole camp for a big group, or just one tent for two, you can relax in true style, watching the river go by. 

Connected by a raised walkway, the tents are spacious and beautifully designed, with an indoor bathroom and private sitting room as well as a covered balcony overlooking the river. Two rooms are arranged to function as a connected family tent, making it perfect for small groups and families wanting to share this most exclusive and authentic safari adventure. With a plethora of activities including game drives, walks, birding, canoeing, boat cruises and fishing, led by a team of exemplary guides and staff, Amanzi has it all in unique privacy and luxury.

Enjoy the best views in the Lower Zambezi at this family- and elephant-friendly camp

Dotted along the riverbank, Time + Tide Chongwe is set at the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi Rivers which wind through the forested valley, creating a haven for wildlife like lions, leopards and wild dog.

Its nine classic tents are designed to make the most of what Mother Nature provided. Each has a panoramic view along the Chongwe River, a spacious open-air bathroom, a porch with comfortable lounge chairs and features local textiles and handcrafted furniture.

Every day our team serves up satisfying meals, your favourite drinks and big smiles in the relaxed main lounge. The wildlife hide is great for photography and for spotting rare nocturnal creatures.

The small number of camps in Lower Zambezi National Park keep it free from overcrowding. The area is best known for its impressive variety of safari activities—enjoy game drives and walking safaris on land, take to the rivers on a boat cruise or canoeing safari, or try your hand at tiger fishing.

Explore pristine and untouched wilderness in one of Africa’s most remote safari destinations. Anabezi sits on the banks of the Zambezi River in a secluded corner in the eastern area of Lower Zambezi National Park. Far from the majority of other camps,  Anabezi is surrounded by the iconic Winterthorn forest, renowned by safari experts, professional photographers, and documentary film crews.

Watch elephants roam the floodplain and bathe in the Zambezi River while relaxing in your private plunge pool from one of our 12 luxury tents. Each tent is your own personal retreat, built on elevated wooden decks and optimized for game viewing. 

Anabezi provides the opportunity to discover this unusual landscape and its abundance of wildlife through a variety of activities by land or water, offering day and night game drives, walking safaris, canoeing, water safari, catch-and-release fishing and spectacular birding.  Or, if you’re looking to slow down and relax, pamper yourself with one of our in-room spa treatments.

Chula Island Camp is a stunning tented camp with all the luxuries one could wish for, but with the charm and ethos of a true seasonal bush-camp. With just 5 guest tents, catering for no more than 10 people in camp at once - each tent is carefully and expertly located for the best possible views across the Zambezi River. The Chula tents are bespoke and very comfortable, with high quality linen and mattresses, alongside flushing toilets, running water taps and traditional bucket-showers! A main area stretch-canvas tent set beneath massive Natal Mahogany trees makes for an exceptional location for meals, reading, charging cameras and wildlife watching.

The family owned and operated, multi-award-winning Chiawa Camp, is the pioneer of the Lower Zambezi National Park, the first camp to settle along the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. Zambia’s premier luxury safari camp, Chiawa is a gentle and unhurried experience for both wildlife and guests, while still offering up a diverse range of activities. From game drives to heart-stopping game walks as well as canoeing, boating and angling – all in the company of Africa’s finest guides.

Each of the luxury tents boast spectacular views over the Zambezi River and its vast array of resident wildlife. Elephant, lion, leopard, hippo and much more, occupy this gorgeous region of Zambia.

The creative culinary team at the Chiawa Camp ensure meals are of the highest standard, from seasonal menus developed and enhanced over time.

Along with Chiawa’s renowned dedication to its guests, staff, local communities and conservation, allow yourself to share in Chiawa’s passion, so that you can enjoy one of Africa’s finest safari camps and the wildlife adventure of a lifetime.

In the Soli language, Chiawa means ‘The one who shares’ – an appropriate name for such a camp that honours the local people and their traiditions. Read more about Chiawa Camp, its range of luxury Lower Zambezi lodges, and its rich history.

Kutali is a comfortable tented camp with all the luxuries one could wish for, but with the charm and ethos of a true seasonal bush-camp. With just 5 guest tents, catering for no more than 10 people in camp at once - each tent is carefully and expertly located for the best possible views across the Zambezi River. The Kutali tents are bespoke and very comfortable, with high quality linen and mattresses, alongside flushing toilets, running water taps and traditional bucket-showers! A main area stretch-canvas tent set beneath the towering Winterthorn trees makes for an exceptional location for meals, reading, charging cameras and wildlife watching.