About this hotel
General information
Chiawa Camp is a tented camp on the banks of the Zambezi in the heart of Lower Zambezi National Park. It was the park’s first camp, set up in 1989 when few travellers made it this far, and its name comes from the Soli language, where it means roughly “the one who shares”. The camp sits in a grove of evergreen mahogany trees, with tents spaced well apart and reached by paths behind them, so each feels private.
With only eight safari tents and a single suite, the pace is unhurried and the guiding team is large for the size of the camp. Elephant, hippo, buffalo, lion and leopard are often seen close to camp. Chiawa is carbon positive, draws at least 60% of its staff from neighbouring communities and buys vegetables, herbs and fruit from a fair-trade village co-operative. It opens for the dry season, from May to mid-November; scheduled activities and laundry are included, and children are welcome from the age of eight.
Location
The camp stands on the Zambezi beside the dry Chowe riverbed, looking over the river and its islands, with Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park on the far bank and the escarpment marking the park’s northern edge. The nearest airstrip is Jeki, about 35 minutes by light aircraft from Lusaka; between June and October there are usually direct flights from Mfuwe (about 90 minutes) and Livingstone (about 100 minutes).
Sports & leisure
Park activities are part of the stay:
- game drives in open, canopy-free vehicles with no more than four guests, a coffee stop in the morning and a sundowner in the afternoon;
- night drives with red-filtered spotlights that spare the animals’ eyes;
- morning walking safaris with an expert guide, 1–3 hours long, for up to six guests;
- Zambezi river safaris on stable pontoon boats with near-silent motors;
- tiger fishing with the camp’s river guides, artificial lures only and strictly catch-and-release;
- two photographic hides near camp, one at the river’s edge and one at a watering point that draws animals day and night;
- the Safari Sleepout, a night on an open-air bed tower above the Zambezi, reached by private boat after a four-course dinner served on the river at sunset, with breakfast brought at the hour of your choice (booked in advance, at a supplement).
There is also a small exercise area overlooking the river, and a private guide can be arranged in advance.
Restaurants & bars
Camp life gathers in the thatched main lodge, with a lounge, a bar and an upstairs viewing deck over the Zambezi. Meals are taken on an open-air dining veranda, and evenings end around the fire. The cooking blends international dishes with local produce and includes plant-based options, with plated four-course dinners. Lunch is sometimes served on a barge on the river, and bush barbecues with Zambian dishes are laid out under the stars.
Swimming
A shared swimming pool with a timber sun deck looks out over the Zambezi. Each tent also has its own small bench plunge pool, and the suite has a 16 m² plunge pool.
Rooms
Eight safari tents of more than 100 m² each and a suite of almost 220 m² face the Zambezi, all with timber floors, verandas and furniture made by local craftsmen.
Each has a claw-foot bath, his-and-hers basins, an indoor and an outdoor shower, ceiling fans, round-the-clock power with international and USB sockets, free Wi-Fi and a private plunge pool.
Safari Tent
A spacious canvas tent (two of the eight have thatched roofs) with a super-king bed that splits into two large singles, a lounge, a dressing area and a bathroom with a bath. The shaded veranda holds an outdoor shower, a table for two and a bench pool that fills within minutes on hot days.
Safari Suite
A one-bedroom suite with a king-size bed, a lounge with daybeds and a bathroom with Zambezi views, opening through 16 m of folding screen doors onto an outdoor lounge, dining area, private fireplace, outdoor shower and 16 m² plunge pool. It stands high above the river, with a sweeping view of the Zambezi.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.