Reviews of Chongwe River Camp
(96%) From 116 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Unbeatable Beginning to our Safari at Chongwe
Chongwe River Camp was our first camp on our first safari, setting the standard so high it would be difficult to surpass. The camp has a idyllic setting along the river warmed by the early morning sun, with the escarpment and 'Never Again' mountain acting as a stunning back drop. Though a relatively large camp, Flossie seemed everywhere, always relaxed and smiling, making sure our every need was met. Having a large number of guests, from many parts of the world, made for enjoyable and entertaining dinner conversations. My dirty laundry has never, before or since, been returned so clean and tightly folded.
We loved the elephants who frequently wandered through camp, entertaining us with their antics. It was a real treasure to watch their greeting rituals up close and personal, and to observe a variety of their eating habits, again very close.
We stayed in the chalet furthest from the camp's central area and the Zambezi River, but closest to a floodplain along the Chongwe River. We enjoyed the near constant wildlife activity: impalas sparring; warthogs kneeling to eat between wheeling bouts, running off with tails straight up; baboons with their young clinging to bellies or backsides; cattle egrets by the hundreds; the early morning and evening procession of hippos to and from their nighttime grazing; countless variety of birds; and occasional bush or water buck, monitor lizard, frogs, etc. to keep us highly entertained. The pathways were raked frequently, allowing easy observation of tracks. I found it fascinating to learn what all was walking through camp.
I liked the screen netting of the tents, which allows a breeze and sounds to enter, but also allows one to see out (there are drapes pulled for privacy at night). Looking out paid off one morning as we had a hippo grazing next to our chalet, so I was able to move around and make a little noise, encouraging the hippo down into the river before I ventured out to sit under the awning, watching and listening to the day beginning as the sky gradually lightened. Coffee or tea was brought with the morning's wake-up call.
There is not the same density and variety of wildlife at Chongwe, as can be found deeper within the Lower Zambezi National Park, or especially as compared to the South Luangwa NP. But the close encounters with relaxed elephant was unrivaled in all other of our camps. The opportunity to sit in a boat near a pod of hippos, watching and photographing their interactions during the warm light of the setting sun, delivered us the best hippo experience of our entire trip. When Flossie became aware of our photographic desires, she turned our care over to guide Patrick, for the most part to ourselves, spoiling us early in our trip.
We spent an entire (12-hour) day in the park watching--a group of lions with cubs resting and playing, then unexpectedly giving chase to a kudu; the dynamics of baboons, birds, and antelope sharing the ripe fruit of a fig tree; a group of bad-boy elephants gather, then encircle a tree, bent on destruction; elephants, hippos, baboons, impala, waterbuck, kudu--a field of water lilies, termite mounds, erosional features where a town once was, always Patrick had us there with the best light, patiently explaining and answering our questions. Passing other camp's vehicles filled with 9-passengers, we were very appreciative of Chongwe's flexibility and willingness to help us attain our desires.
The bird life along the Chongwe and Zambezi Rivers is very abundant and diverse. The islands, banks, floodplains, and trees offer a wide range of habitat, so is filled with innumerable species. We very much enjoyed both our boat excursions, on both the Chongwe and the Zambezi, but the highlight of our stay was the canoe trip. The afternoon light was spectacular, gliding quietly through the water relaxing, with sounds breaking the silence enlightening. Sitting low in the water, it is very impressive looking up to buffalo, and having elephant mock charge. We eased for close up views of monitor lizards, butterflies, and birds. If I'd had any idea how thoroughly we'd enjoy the canoe trip, I would certainly have opted for more than one such outing.
I cannot recommend Chongwe River Camp highly enough for their varied water activities, elephant encounters, hippo viewing, and abundant birdlife.
Wow factor location in the Lower Zambezi
Super location at the confluence of the Zambezi and Chongwe rivers, camp is well laid out along the river front with spacious and stylish communal dining, bar and lounge lounge (small shop and charging facilities too) in the middle of the tents which are top quality pitched on concrete bases with thatched roof and an open air en suite, they also have a nice sitting area directly in front of the tents on the river front where you can watch the wildlife at leisure.
Be prepared for close encounters, frequent visitors to the camp included elephant, kudu, impala and baboons, you are escorted back to your tents after dark!! The camp is very well run by Chongwe's General Manager, Flossie who spends a lot of time at the camp despite managing the other Chongwe operations in the area, Flossie is very ably supported by her husband and co-manager Allan, what a great couple! Food is excellent, Chongwe is blessed with a fantastic chef! Three meals a day with nibbles on activities and afternoon tea, a particular highlight were the dinners, superb! Special mention to Wilson the barman, attentive and always there!
Activities were flexible based on what you wanted to do but included drives, walks, boat trips, kayaking and fishing, all of which we did! Guides are top quality, very knowledgeable and friendly, many thanks to Richman for his great guiding. Although the end of the dry season during our stay there was still plenty of water about compared to South Luangwa and so wildlife was more dispersed, drives in to the Lower Zambezi NP were longer and generally game was less prolific than South Luangwa, it was good to spend time in a different location though. Activities on the water were particular highlights.
As with Kaingo the camp enjoyed a multinational set of guests during our stay which we enjoyed, the camp has a much more relaxed and laid back feel to it than many other camps I have stayed at, the more informal approach certainly provides for a very friendly and welcoming camp, there was a lot of laughter! The downside (only a small one) is that at times the small details can be overlooked or forgotten and time can slip away when you are wanting to get out and about. We had the opportunity to see the Albida suite, a 2 tented suite with private dining and lounge, this looks superb and would be fabulous for a family or group of friends.
Overall a great stay at a well run, superbly located camp with good guides and camp staff, I would definitely consider returning as part of another trip to Zambia.
Chongwe excellent river camp but limited game
This is a super camp in a lovely location with resident elephants! The camp staff are very welcoming and helpful which made our stay very enjoyable. However, the game drives were not of the same high standard as the two previous camps. This could be partly due to the relative paucity of game in the area and also the fact that our guide (Patrick) was not very outgoing and had obviously come back to work too early from being unwell. However, on the two river "drives" he demonstrated a huge knowledge (and enthusiasm) about the birds.
The individual "tents" are excellent and bathrooms very good as are the communal areas. All meals were really excellent - let down very slightly by the wine which although absolutely drinkable was not quite as good quality as the other camps. Because this camp is larger, there wasn't the same feeling of cameraderie as at the South Luangwa camps.
Chongwe River Camp review
This camp is sited on the Chongwe river, but with the backdrop of the great Zambezi river, both with flowing water. It was marvellous to see the constant activity of game and bird life across the Chongwe.
Once again elephant browsed their way through the camp at all times of day and night and had to be negotiated as we made our way to and from activities, not to mention the odd hippo en route.
On the first evening the staff had secretly arranged a bar-b-q in the bush a little way from the camp. A very nice touch, very well carried out with candle light and plenty to eat and drink for about 20 assorted visitors, most of whom disappeared at breakfast the next morning.
Excursions onto both rivers were great fun, and to see the game and birds from the river was most interesting. A beautiful leopard warming itself on top of a cliff face, which we watched for ages from the boat. Attempts to catch a fish failed, but it was a lot of fun trying.
It was here that the couple with whom we were travelling announced their engagement to be married, and the staff very kindly put out champagne for all present to celebrate the news. A kind and thoughtful gesture.
chongwe river camp
Beautiful position on the river, just outside the national park. Unfortunately, as it is such a dry season, the nearest portion of the park was very dry and only sparsely populated with game. Consequently, it would be about 2 hours of driving to get to the productive area of the park, which meant that afternoon game drives were not possible. The resident game in the GMA was also limited to some impala, waterbuck and elephant in camp and a night drive revealed a solitary genet!
However, being on the river, the birds were prolific and the access to the river by boat made up for the afternoon drives. A lot of customers were there for the fishing and therefore I don't think the management are as wholly focussed on game viewing as those within the park. We had to ask to leave camp earlier in the mornings as we were missing the light because of this and somehow we ended up with a private vehicle from that point onwards - an excellent bonus.
We also did an all day drive, which meant we had both AM and PM activities. I think it is worth the extra money to stay at a lodge within the park, but we booked too late for this.
The albida suite was fabulous - I could get used to having a butler!
Stunning setting
Chongwe River Camp has a stunning location and is excellent for water activities - I particularly enjoyed learning to fish and evening canoe trips.
Food and service were both excellent, and being able to lounge by the pool in between activities was lovely. Game viewing would have been very good by most accounts, but arriving after an epic week in South Luangwa, it paled a bit by comparison.
Chongwe River Camp review
We stayed at Chongwe River camp for 5 nights. Each day the activities were different. This is a bigger camp with 9 tents and when full 18 guests. During our time there most people stayed for 2-3 nights so we met a variety of very interesting and fun folks.
We were always only 4 and just once 5 guest in a vehicle which made for a comfortable ride even though the vehicles are older. The activities we experienced were game drives, boating and fishing for tiger fish which was exciting and became quite a competion between the guys and gals as to who would catch the biggest fish. Gals won!
Our guides were again very knowledgable and went out of their way to make the safaris interesting and to find game that we had yet to see. One of our game drives left very early before breakfast and our guides Patrick and Givern cooked breakfast over a camp fire deep in the National Park with all the trimmings! The tents were very comfortable and the meals and service very good.
The management group appeared to work together as a cohesive team and were very anxious for feed back on any aspect of the camp that we thought warrented improvement. In fact we received an e-mail from them with information that they were installing solar pannels for power something we had suggested. All the camp staff were very helpful and very cheerful.
I used the pool and found it a bit stark but do understand that there are issues with the umbrellas and the baboons. One late night discussion concerned whether some sort of exercise equipment should be bought for the camp. While I do not know the demand, I suggest that any such installation be at or close to the pool. This will make it available to all and I suspect that many people will use the pool after a workout.
I was pleased that the water is treated and thus reduces the need for plastic water bottles.
Another highlight was visiting the Conservation Lower Zambezi facilities.
Perfect Location at Lower Zambezi
Chongwe River Camp is located at the confluence of Chongwe River and Lower Zambezi - couldn't be better !!!!
The tented rooms are spacious enough and have a wonderful en suite outdoor-bathroom. All people are very friendly and helpful, service and food are excellent. Our Guide Patrick was very good and joined us on all our activities: game drives, walking safari, boat criuse, canoeing (highly recommended!) - and we were max. 4 people on a boat or vehicle !!!
We saw lot of game - many already at the camp!! Hippos and crocodiles are just in front of the camp in the river and you can see many other animals coming to the river for drinking. And elephants were visiting the camp and esp. our tent every day - amazing!
Going on a game drive you first have to cross Chongwe river with the vehicle (the river is the border of the National Park!). Then you are in the park and there you can expect different landscapes and many different species of animals. There seems to be less game in Lower Zambezi than in South Luangwa but still enough to see and there are definitely less vehicles there (if compared with the central Mfuwe area in South Lungwa). We saw small and big game, lots of birds and at least 2 big male lions and a pride of 7 lions and 2 leopards (one at day and one at night!).
People who are interested in tigerfishing are invited to try to catch one - an activity we didn't join!
In conclusion: We started our Zambia safari at Chongwe River Camp / Lower Zambezi and it was the perfect start ... regarding everything: camp, location, activities and of course wildlife !!!!
Absolutely Brilliant Camp!
Stunning location at the confluence of the Zambezi and Chongwe river, with amazing wildlife IN and around the camp.. Excellent accommodation, food and atmosphere.
The fact that I was travelling solo didn't seem to make any difference as regards the level of quality service, flexibility, professionalism showed by all the guides. I particularly enjoyed fishing with Sam and then with George. The canoeing and evening game drive were also delightful
I loved Chongwe River Camp the minute I set foot in the place! Flossie is most welcoming and top marks to all the staff for making it such a wonderful stay! I will Definitely return!
Very pleasant and well run
This camp was larger than our usual choice but we were pleasantly surprised. very well run and lots of activities with everyones choices met with many guides and scouts present. Not all guests totally focused on game but guides dealt well with this.
Game not as brilliant as before but still had lots of elephant in camp!
Flight out from Royal very convenient to connect with BA flight home
