Tsika Island Camp is a sister-camp of Chongwe River Camp, which started this as a community partnership project on an island near a local village. The village's name, Mgugrumenu, means “pulling teeth”!
Although not open yet, the plan is for Tsika Island Camp to be a canoeing camp that travellers can canoe to and from, but also to offer a community experience with visits to the local school in Mugurumenu, and to a 'cultural village' called Tsika, which is being set up on the mainland nearby.
As part of an agreement between Chongwe and the local community, the village will receive $50 per night per guest, in return for pledging the use of the land for the camp.
The main activity which will be available from Tsika Island Camp is canoeing on the Zambezi. In addition, fishing trips (on a 'catch and release' basis), walking safaris on the island are also planned.
Lodge overview
Ideal length of stay: It's our understanding that Chongwe will be offering 1 – 2 night stays on Tsika Island.
Directions: A light aircraft flight from Lusaka or Mfuwe takes guests to Royal airstrip. From there it is a 20-minute road transfer to Chongwe, and guests will then canoe out to the camp.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer
Key personnel
Owner: Independent/Owner-run - Chris Leibenberg
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Full Board
Dining style: Group Meals
Dining locations: Outdoor Dining
Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included
Children
Attitude towards children: We understand that the minimum age at Tsika will be 12 years.
Notes: Parents should be aware that the camp is unfenced and dangerous animals pass through exceedingly frequently. (During the dry season, there are elephants wandering around almost constantly.) Children should be supervised at all times.
Central communications
Power supply: None
Communications: The camp has radio connection with their guides at all times.
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: The guides at Chongwe are trained in first aid. For more serious inflictions guests will be taken to Lusaka by light aircraft.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Extras
Disabled access: Not Possible
Laundry facilities: No Laundry Facilities
Accepted payment: US Dollars and the local currency, Kwacha, are the only acceptable forms of payment.
Tsika Island Camp review
Very secluded lovely location on the Island in the Zambezi river. It was wonderful at this peaceful secluded camp.
We enjoyed the visit to the village which was educational for us. Seeing an actu...
Relaxed and peaceful setting at the riverside
Long river trip to Tsika Island, rather windy, beautiful scenery. Tsika island is perfect for a day or two of complete relaxation (apart from the 45 elephants in the camp the morning we arrived), bet...
