Within the Lower Zambezi National Park, beside the confluence of the picturesque Chifungulu Channel and the Zambezi River is the beautiful Sausage Tree Camp. Just in front of the camp lies the old sausage tree after which the camp was named; its branches providing the perfect resting place for numerous kingfishers.
Sausage Tree Camp has a very relaxed feel, yet it runs like clockwork. Nothing is ever too much trouble for the enthusiastic managers David & Tash who will go out of their way to accommodate your every need and make your stay as comfortable as possible. Sausage Tree has a great team, all of whom add to the camps comfortable feel and high standard of service.
Sausage Tree offers a range of flexible activities which are run by excellent guides. These include walking safari, game drives (day & night) in open 4WDs and boat cruises (using 9-seater motor-boats which seem rarely to have more than a few guests in them).
They also offer canoe trips guided by professional canoe guides down the Chifungulu channel. Usually there's a canoe guide in each canoe, although it's also possible to opt to paddle yourself. The channels used for canoeing here have a high density of hippos and crocodiles and can be narrow (see the satellite photograph of the camp, and note nearby channels) – so those who opt to canoe must understand that these trips can be a little hair-raising, and that there is a higher level of risk involved here than there is for most game activities.
Sausage Tree Camp practices catch-and-release fly-fishing and tiger-fishing deep within the Lower Zambezi National Park. Even for novices like me, catching a tiger was a lot of fun! The camp has a lot of tackle and kit; most is shiny and new, including expensive, professional rods & reels to cater to the serious fisherman who come here.
Sausage Tree Camp consists of seven Bedouin-style tents with white canvas roofs and reed walls. Two of these are honeymoon suites, the other five are standard tents; all are high-quality and bradly similar in feel and style.
The main area of the camp has wonderful views over the Zambezi River, and over a small island which is home to some resident hippos; it's a great spot to while away the afternoon.
Sausage Tree's food is first-class, thanks to the effusive Honore Kabongo, their Congolese chef, who has been with the camp for 7 years. Meals are taken as a group, and are eaten either in the dining room or on the outside deck.
Ideal length of stay: We'd recommend a minimum of 3 nights – and a maximum of about 7-10 nights.
Central facilities: A cold damp cloth, refreshing drink and smiling faces is how you will be welcomed at Sausage Tree Camp.
On arrival at Sausage Tree Camp by vehicle, the camp appears to be very modest. However, once you've stepped inside the main area and see their wonderful views over the Zambezi River, you'll know exactly why their guests return time and time again.
Sausage Tree's lounge and dining area is a simple, elegant white Bedouin tent with open sides to maximize the camps beautiful views. Inside you'll find some soft sofas, a small library, dark wooden trunks, dining room table and a well stocked bar (with quirky glasses made out of recycle J&B bottles).
Wooden decks, which are always spotless, extend from the main area almost right up to the river. Comfortable cane furniture is spread around the deck, so there is plenty of seating to while away the quiet afternoons. In front of the bar there is also a fire 'pit' where pre and post-dinner drinks are served under the stars.
Set aside from the main area, you'll find a large, crystal-clear swimming pool which also overlooks the River Zambezi. Sun-loungers and fresh towels make it the perfect spot for a relaxing afternoon.
Directions: Fly in from either Lusaka (30 minutes) or Livingstone (approximately 1 hour 10 minutes for as direct flight; more via Lusaka) to Jeki (the closest airstrip), then an approximately 1 hour transfer to camp.
An unusual possible alternative is to transfer by boat from Gwabi Lodge, a trip of almost two hours. The logistics for this can be tricky, and it's usually more costly than flying.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer
Key personnel
Owner: Independent / Owner Run
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Full Board
Food quality: When we last visited in June 2007 – the food at Sausage Tree was excellent! (Although I can only judge by the 3 meals that I ate there.)
Tea & coffee is delivered to your tent by your muchinda (your personal butler) along with your early morning wake-up call. A light breakfast of toast, muffins, cereal, yoghurt and porridge along with tea, coffee and fruit juice is then served prior to your early morning game activity.
Lunch is at 12:30. On my last visit we had lunch on a private island under a white umbrella, with overlooking a pod of about 10 hippos and some crocodiles basking in the sun. Lunch was delicious and consisted of a tuna salad, green salad, grilled vegetables, quiche and freshly based bread rolls. This was accompanied by pimms & lemonade and followed by cheese & biscuits.
Afternoon tea is then served before your afternoon activity, around 15:30 – and involved a choice of hot and cold drinks, and a very freshly baked cake.
Dinner is after your afternoon/evening activity, and possibly a shower, at around 20:00. On a recent 2-week trip to Zambia, Sausage Tree's dinner was the best I had! For starters we had pumpkin soup, followed by fillet of deck with roasted vegetables. Desert was crème caramel and glazed pear! I couldn't fault the food – really excellent!
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Room service: Unusual for a safari camp – this can easily be arranged by asking your own private muchinda (butler).
Drinks included: All drinks are included, including wines, beers & spirits. The exceptions to this are premium wines, champagnes and costly imported spirits
Special interests
Solo Travel: Unusually, although Sausage Tree Camp is ideal for honeymooners, couples and groups – and also a great camp for the solo travellers. I visited on my own, as a single woman, and the staff made me feel so welcome that I was very comfortable indeed here.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for Solo Travel
Honeymoons: Sausage Tree Camp is very romantic and elegant – as well as peaceful and remote. Honeymoon couples can stay in the honeymoon suite which has beautiful views over the Zambezi River, a large bathtub (big enough for two) a four poster bed and comfy sofa with river views. Private dinners can also be arranged!
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for Honeymoons
Birdwatching: Sausage Tree is a great camp for bird-watching; land and water birds are seen from game drives, walks, canoeing and from the camp itself. When last there, our more notable sightings included goliath herons and giant kingfishers – plus martial eagles, a Gabar goshawk and numerous of fish eagles.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for Birdwatching
Walking: Sausage Tree's guides are very good and the Lower Zambezi, like Mana Pools across the water, a really excellent area for walking safaris. There are plenty of glades with tall riverine trees, especially the lovely acacia albida, which make walking a real pleasure – and big game is never far away.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for Walking
Wildlife: Sausage Tree is within the Lower Zambezi National Park, so their game is considerably more dense than around the camps in the surrounding GMA. I saw breeding herds of elephants, (calves paddling in the shallows, still learning how to use their trunks) buffalo and lions. Not to forget the nocturnal animals on night drives, including civets, honey badgers, genets and porcupines.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for Wildlife
Children
Attitude towards children: Children over 12 years are welcome with their parents.
Age restrictions: Children between 8 – 12 years are welcomed, provided they are part of a group that books the entire camp.
Activities: Kids programmes will be arranged: for the boys, they can go 'hunting' - tracking spores; for the girls, they can make candles and cards.
Equipment: There is no furniture designed for small children, but an extra bed can fit comfortably into one of the tents; two can be arranged, but is a bit of a squash.
Generally recommended for children: We would recommend this camp for sensible children over 12 years, who are interested in wildlife and will understand the full safety implications of being in an area of dangerous big game.
Notes: Sausage Tree Camp is located on the edge of the Zambezi River and within the Lower Zambezi National Park. There are no fences around the camp, so dangerous animals do roam freely through the camp – at all times. Children should always be closely supervised. The camp also has a swimming pool which is not fenced in.
Central communications
Power supply: Generator
Communications: There is no land line to the camp and currently no mobile reception. However, the camp does have satellite communications for emergencies.
TV & radio: There are no radio or TVs here.
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: The camp managers are first-aid trained and so are the guides. In severe emergencies you will be evacuated to Lusaka and then down to Johannesburg.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Security measures: The camp is unfenced; dangerous game roams here freely. Guests are escorted to their tents after dark, and radios are provided in the tents in case of emergency. The guides' tents are spread out throughout the camp, so there is usually someone nearby to assist in case of emergency.
Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers, a water tap and fire blanket outside each tent.
Extras
Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: Full laundry service is included, except for underwear, for which washing powder is provided in the bathrooms.
Money: No exchange facilities offered, but then you're unlikely to need any!
Accepted payment: Credit cards are accepted. Rand, US Dollars, Pounds, Euros and Kwatcha are also accepted.
Sausage Tree Camp review
We loved our experience at Sausage Tree Camp. Our tent was fantastic with great views and a fantastic bath. We really felt like we were close to nature and could just sit in our tent and watch the Z...
Absolutely first rate
We have known about Sausage Tree for quite a while (this is our sixth time in Zambia).
Our first visit, and honestly couldn't fault it
Very highly recommended
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