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Chiawa Camp
Chiawa Camp
Chiawa Camp
Chiawa Camp
Chiawa Camp
Chiawa Camp
Chiawa Camp
Chiawa Camp
Chiawa Camp
Chiawa Camp
Chiawa Camp

Reviews of Chiawa Camp

Wildlife sightings and reviews

89 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Chiawa Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa

Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Jun-2018, 27 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Chiawa Camp.
Lion

96% success

Leopard

85% success

Cheetah

0% success

Wild dog

18% success

Elephant

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Buffalo

88% success

Spotted Hyena

79% success

Zebra

52% success

Eland

13% success

Aardvark

5% success

Sable antelope

5% success

Pangolin

0% success

Showing 21-30 of 89
Duration
Arrival date
MrD & MsK
Gold Coast

"Chiawa Camp review"

3 nights Arrived 3 Sep 2019
"Luxury in the jungle.
Excellent food.
Large and well maintained comfortable rooms, with internal bathrooms.
Attentive staff. Excellent award winning guiding team.
Excellent on land and river safaris.
Elephants roam through the camp, as did 2 sub-adult lions at 2am one morning." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia; 2n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

10 sightings

Elephant

10 sightings

Hippo

10 sightings

Leopard

10 sightings

Lion

10 sightings

Spotted Hyena

3 sightings

Wild dog

6 sightings

E & S H.
California

"Chiawa Camp review"

3 nights Arrived 5 Aug 2019
"Our first thrill about Chiawa was its location - landing on a dirt strip in the bush, then a 15 minute drive to the river, followed by a 40 minute boat ride up the river. We truly felt that we were in the middle of nowhere.

In general our stay at Chiawa was really great. Our accommodations were lovely though we had come from a more luxurious camp and our suite at Chiawa wasn't as spacious, plus we shared a bathroom with our teenage children rather than having one for each room, which wasn't quite as easy - but all in all it was very nice and comfortable. Additionally, the food was excellent and the chef did a lovely job of catering to our gluten-free needs.

Because we were on the Lower Zambezi River, we got do enjoy water activities as well as game drives. We spent a morning fishing (though unfortunately didn't catch anything) and an afternoon canoeing which was amazing. The guides took us down a channel off the river and we were scarily close to hippos and crocodiles - even the guides got tense on a few occasions. We also got 'stuck' when a herd of about 15 elephants decided to cross the channel in front of us and we had to stay put for about an hour while they entered the water, a few at a time, took a drink, and enjoyed the water until eventually all of them had crossed. That was a truly spectacular hour.

Our game drives were also excellent. While we didn't see such a wide variety of animals as we had in South Luangwa (there are no giraffes and we didn't see zebras in the part of the park that we spent time in, although they are in a different part), we did see excellent and close up lions and leopards every time we went out, more than we had in South Luangwa. We went with different guides each time and all were superb.

For us, the only downside of Chiawa was that the meal schedule was a little rigid and usually communal. Lunch and dinner were at a set time and because everyone ate together no one sat down until everyone had gathered. At our previous camp we enjoyed one communal lunch and some chatting over drinks but had meals at our own table which suited us better and also meant there was flexibility on timing. I know many camps have communal meals and it was really nice to share information with other people but we did feel rushed a few times to get to dinner or lunch (including once when we were on a game drive watching a leopard stalk a prey)." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

3 sightings

Elephant

10 sightings

Hippo

10 sightings

Leopard

4 sightings

Lion

4 sightings

Spotted Hyena

2 sightings

Mr & Mrs S
Peyia,

"Luxury in the Bush"

3 nights Arrived 26 Jul 2019
"Arrived to be safely ushered to reception due to the presence of an elephant visiting the camp. This place was just luxury throughout - we were treated to a private lunch on the river, a private dinner on the balcony overlooking the river, a further "camp dinner" under the stars in the bush. It was just fabulous and a superb experience.


All the staff were friendly, helpful - they couldn't do enough. Due to the presence of animals in camp you were escorted from you room to reception on all occasions - the staff were prompt, efficient and really cared about you. Outstanding management that runs this place so well - Simon and Juliet.


Game drives brilliant - exceptional guides. Took the opportunity to go canoeing (well sat in the boat whilst the guides paddled) - this was a highlight to see the place from a completely different aspect, no shortage of animals on any of the safari activities.


Cannot praise Chiawa enough for the entire experience and would never have thought you could get such perfection in the "middle of nowhere" - credit to the all the staff." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

2 sightings

Elephant

10 sightings

Hippo

10 sightings

Leopard

3 sightings

Lion

4 sightings

Spotted Hyena

1 sighting

JimBo M
Colorado

"Chiawa Always Delivers"

3 nights Arrived 7 Jun 2019
"Wonderful time at Chiawa.

Our guide Boaz was great, and had an awesome time fishing with Clement.

New room decor was very nice, but they need a place to unpack clothes." See all these reviews: 16n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Leopard

Multiple sightings

Lion

Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Mr S
West Yorkshire

"Chiawa Camp review"

3 nights Arrived 9 May 2019
"5th visit says it all. Chiawa and particularly its staff are both amazing and do great credit to Lower Zambezi National Park.

There has not been as much rain as hoped during the rainy season so the surroundings were dry with little vegetation and consequently we saw far more game than anticipated at this time in the season. Impala, baboons and elephant seemed to be everywhere and is a reflection on the conservation work being carried out.

My companion follows a vegan diet and, with prior knowledge, was well catered for." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Leopard

Multiple sightings

Lion

Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Mr & Mrs D
Oxon

"Chiawa Camp review"

4 nights Arrived 17 Oct 2018
"Our second time here and just as good as the first.


For us this is the standard that all camps should aspire to." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia; 7n in Malawi
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

3 sightings

Elephant

10 sightings

Hippo

10 sightings

Leopard

6 sightings

Lion

5 sightings

Spotted Hyena

5 sightings

Zebra

2 sightings

Mrs K
Netherlands

"Warm hospitality"

3 nights Arrived 16 Oct 2018
"The flight and the boattrip to Lower Zambezi and Chiawa Camp is already beautiful. What a splendid environment and what a warm welcome.

The camp with very luxery beautifully furnished "tents" is very good organised with excellent perfect service. The food is incredible good. Enjoyed the dining in a fairy like lighted bush, lunch on the river and my early morning tea in bed.

The guides are superb! They found everything we wanted. Also enjoyed the canoe trip very much." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

4 sightings

Elephant

10 sightings

Hippo

6 sightings

Leopard

3 sightings

Lion

4 sightings

Spotted Hyena

2 sightings

Mr A F, Torquay
UK

"Chiawa Camp review"

3 nights Arrived 25 Sep 2018
"See comments for 18th to 22nd Sept 2018" See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr A F, Torquay
UK

"High expectations realised"

4 nights Arrived 18 Sep 2018
"As a return visitor to Chiawa ( last visit 2014) I had very high expectations in respect of every aspect that makes up "The Chiawa Experience".
In all respects even these were exceeded.
Quality wildlife/ rooms/ food/ service and activities. Excitement, fun, interesting people ( guests and staff ),educational, healthy outdoor living and a great environment to stimulate ( and rest) body and mind.
Note: I am not a fisherman at home, but at Chiawa it is one of the activities a visitor has to try.On my last morning I caught a 62 lbs Vundu ( a freshwater catfish)......I know, boasting!!
The fish was returned unharmed to the river.
I will return to Chiawa." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs G
Dartmouth

"Chiawa Camp review"

3 nights Arrived 28 Aug 2018
"Best sited camp in whole trip. Most comfortable and loads of game in the camp.

In one hour we saw a troop of baboons, a small herd of elephant, bush buck, water buck, impala, warthogs and hippo from our verandha!

Most enjoyable canoe trip. Not at all strenuous and very relaxing." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

10 sightings

Elephant

10 sightings

Hippo

10 sightings

Leopard

5 sightings

Lion

10 sightings

Spotted Hyena

3 sightings

Showing 21-30 of 89
98%
89 reviews of Chiawa Camp by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
80
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