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
96% success
85% success
0% success
18% success
100% success
100% success
88% success
79% success
52% success
13% success
5% success
5% success
0% success
"Luxury on the Lower Zambezi"
The camp was excellently run by Peter and Anita, who produced some wonderful "Chiawa surprises"." See all these reviews: 16n in Zambia
"Beautiful Chiawa"
Game viewing, particularly on drives, was fairly quiet. To be fair, there was an abundance of certain animals, in particular elephants, it was just that we didn't see the variety of game we have seen in other places. This may have been bad luck or possibly the time of year?
Very good guiding yet again and guides were on rotation as at Tafika so you had a different guide for each activity.
The food was excellent and the lunch and dinner we had on the water were particular highlights. The bush barbeque was fantastic - the blackened beef is something we will long remember!" See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia
"Chiawa Camp review"
Great Statt and excellent activities with a lot of opportunities on the water, which has encountered to several unbelievable wildlife sightings. Lunch on a Cruise Boat with Champagne etc.....and so on.....Luxury pur!" See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
"Great Camp in a Fantastic Park"
The common areas are outstanding, as well. Well-designed, with plenty of space to stretch out, relax or socialize in.
Service is outstanding, without being over-the-top. Camp staff are efficient and genuinely friendly, and no request goes unanswered.
The quality of guiding is very good, the vehicles comfortable and in good shape. Sightings were not as frequent and animals not quite as abundant as in some parks, but ... that said, we had incredible, high-quality sightings with Chiawa! Watching a mother leopard and her eighteen-month old female cub play and interact in a tree, then groom each other on the ground, then call and greet the eighteen-month old male cub when he came home from his walkabout, is something I'll never forget! Nor another female leopard grooming her two, tiny cubs! Lower Zambezi Park truly deserves it reputation for leopard sightings!
The only small criticism I have regards the dinners, which were a bit uneven. The brunches (served buffet style) were outstanding, beverages on offer outstanding, but the dinners -- plated, 3-course affairs -- came out a bit flat, in my opinion. There seems to be a need to offer haute cuisine; as we are in the bush I am not sure why the catering folks don't simplify things and serve food that is perhaps more appropriate for a bush setting.
That said, the culinary highlight was a full moon BBQ (braai) set up and held on a small island in the middle of the Zambezi River -- truly magic!" See all these reviews: 18n in Zambia
"Chiawa Camp review"
We did find the number of hosts ( Peter, Anita, Tess and David ) plus the presence of the owner Grant, a bit overwhelming given that the camp is only twice the size of Tena Tena and Old Mondoro.
We have been married for 44 years , so it was very sweet of them to put us in The Honeymoon Suite!
Guides, as everywhere, were great company and very knowledgeable on game drives and over meals." See all these reviews: 17n in Zambia
"Lovely camp by the Zambezi"
Guides were helpful and gave us a lovely experience of a leopard. We stayed at the honeymoon tent which was really comfortable, if a bit hot and airless.
A rather smart camp did not quite have the "bush" atmosphere of others - maybe we should have stayed at Old Mondoro?" See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia
"Wonderful camp on the Zambezi"
Beds very comfortable and facilities excellent. Food was excellent. Camp activities were varied and very well organised. It was easy to choose an activity to suit and the guides were very helpful at tailoring activities, e.g. when one of us wanted to go birdwatching." See all these reviews: 15n in Zambia
"Chiawa Camp review"
Run exactly the same
Very nice indeed
See whole trip comments" See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia
"Chiawa another nice camp"
Guiding was good though we did not see much on our night drives as we did at Tafika and the red light used does mean that taking photographs was tricky, though we do understand why it was used.
The canoe trip was excellent and I highly recommend taking the longer canoe trip. Having a meal on the boat as it travelled down the river was also a lovely surprise, though I wish we had known a little in advance as we would have taken our binoculars and cameras with us." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia
"Chiawa Camp review"
Had a great walk which turned into an elephant dodge as there was so many elephants around including one that kept coming into the camp, especially at mealtimes." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
Holiday styles & special interests in Zambia
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Zambia.
Other lodges in Lower Zambezi National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Chongwe River Camp
A blend of the stylish and traditional in a most picturesque site in the Zambezi Valley, Chongwe River Camp offers an excellent safari experience and real value for money.
Old Mondoro Bushcamp
For an intimate safari in the Lower Zambezi, with superb guiding, Old Mondoro is up there with the best.
Sausage Tree Camp
Sausage Tree is a high-quality safari camp offering a luxurious stay and excellent personal service deep inside Zambia's Lower Zambezi National Park.
Potato Bush Camp
Potato Bush is located right in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park, with privately guided activities taking you on game drives, walks, boat trips and canoeing.
Anabezi Luxury Camp
Anabezi Luxury Tented Camp offers a high degree of understated luxury in a very lovely, quiet part of the Lower Zambezi with outstanding wildlife.
Amanzi
Opened in 2015, Amanzi is an intimate and rustic yet luxury camp in a very quiet area of the Lower Zambezi, with plenty of wildlife and good birding.
Kutali Camp
Kutali Fly-Camp offers the opportunity to experience the wilderness of Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park, in this simple fly-camp located on Kulefu Island.
Chongwe River House
Chongwe River House is a stylish four-bedroom house designed for the exclusive use of families and small groups, affording the ultimate in flexibility on safari.
Kasaka River Lodge
Kasaka River Lodge is a relatively simple, family-friendly camp. It's outside the Lower Zambezi National Park and, with a recent change of ownership for the better, it offers a great-value safari destination.
Chula Island Camp
Chula Island Camp offers the opportunity to experience the wilderness of Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park, in this simple fly-camp located in a natal mahogany grove on a small island on the Zambezi River.
Tafara Springs
Tarafa Springs offers the opportunity to experience the wilderness of the Lower Zambezi National Park, in this rustic bushcamp located next to the main Zambezi escarpment.
Lolebezi
A chic safari spot, luxurious Lolelbezi is the Lower Zambezi’s newest camp and offers a mix of walking, canoeing and game drives led by excellent guides.
