Lower Zambezi National Park -  at just over 4000 square kilometres, the Lower Zambezi National Park stretches in a narrow swathe from the Chongwe river in the west to the Luangwa river in the east. Rich in biodiversity, there are a number of biomes, or eco-systems in the park, ranging from montane thickets on the slopes of the escarpment to miombo woodlands, grassy floodplains and riparian forests.

Like the adjacent Chiawa Partnership Park, the Lower Zambezi National Park is home to all of the major species in the valley with excellent sightings of elephant, buffalo, lion and leopard a regular occurence. Birdlife in the area is also outstanding, making this a real hotspot for ornithologists.  

Chongwe River Camp offers a range of game activities in the park including full-day pinic trips, canoeing and fishing excursions.

The tents are light, airy and spacious with either a single king-sized or two single beds. Each of Chongwe River Camp's nine standard tents is equipped with enough luxuries to ensure your stay in the bush is exceptional.

Cotton linens, local textiles and hand-crafted furniture blend seamlessly with organic fittings and fixtures, all designed to make the most of what Mother Nature has provided, including the incredible views.

All of the tents are under thatch, ensuring maximum coolness in the heat of the day. Each has a large ‘outdoor’ bathroom with hot and cold running water, shower, toilet, vanity unit and dressing area with a wardrobe and full-length mirror.

When it comes to fishing, Chongwe is tiger country! The Lower Zambezi is home to the tiger fish, nicknamed the “water dog,” whose sharp teeth are matched only by its fighting spirit and reputation as one of the world’s top game fish.  At Chongwe River Camp we offer our guests the chance to head out onto the river in search of this formidable combatant, operating a strict catch-and-release policy in order to preserve stocks of this incredible fish.

Alternatively, you can try your hand at bream fishing on the Chongwe river itself, where a limited catch can be brought back to camp and served up with a delicious lemon butter sauce!

Fishing can be combined with game activities and all equipment is provided, with both conventional tackle and entry level fly rods available. We recommend serious fly fisherman should bring their own tackle. Please contact us for specifications and recommendations.

Each boat has its own guide and will always have a cooler box stocked with cold drinks. Boats normally leave the lodge around 5.30-6.00am, but you can arrange specific times with your guide to suit your needs. The hottest hours of the day are between midday and 2.00-3.00pm so anglers are encouraged to rest at the time, especially during the sweltering months of September and October. Boats will leave again from 3pm onwards and stay on the water until sun down.

Anglers will also be a fishing game drive. You will set out with your guide on a safari vehicle loaded with your tackle and head up the Chongwe River. The Camp has exclusive rights to Bream fishing on the river and apart from the Elephants behind in the bush you will have the spot to yourselves. The guides will bring bait for you and all one needs to do is sit or stand on the banks and cast out in front, into pools heavily stocked full of Bream.

Enjoy a sun down drink with your rod in Head back to camp via the notorious 'Leopard spotting tree' and hope to catch a glimpse of the spectacular cat. Return to camp.

Day 1: Flights usually arrive into the airstrip at approx. 2pm and from here it is a 10-15 minute drive to the lodge. Arrive and met by lodge manager who will give you an introduction to the lodge and show you to your rooms. You can opt to relax for the rest of the day, or head straight out onto the water with your private guide and boat.

Day 2:  Fishing every day, starting from 5.30/6am each morning. Arrange times with your private guides throughout the day and choose which parts of the river you wish to fish. Activities are included in your stay and you can choose at any time to have a break from fishing and join a game drive, go canoeing or take your boat for a game cruise on the river until sun down.

Final Day: Depart lodge in the morning by jeep to the airstrip, where you will board a small plane back to Lusaka.

LOW SEASON: MAY, JUNE & 1st– 15th NOV 

$550 per person per night

or  

$3,300 for 6 nights and 5 days

MID SEASON: JULY AND OCTOBER

Sharing $650 per person per night

or

$3,900 for 6 nights and 5 days

Single $850 per person per night

or

$5,100 for 6 nights and 5 days

HIGH SEASON: AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER

Sharing $700 per person per night

or

$4,200 for 6 nights and 5 days

Single $900 per person per night

or

$5,400 for 6 nights and 5 days

Included: Accommodation, Activities, Laundry, House Wines, Local Transfers, Meals, National Park Fees and Community Development Levy.

Not included: International airfares to and Lusaka Airport and Royal Airstrip, tipping, passports, visas, meals other than in camp, costs associated with medical advice and medications for your trip, lures, fishing tackle etc.

* All above costs are charged in US dollars and payments made in any other currency will be adjusted at the exchange rate at time of payment.

** All prices are subject by Zambian law to an additional 16% VAT (Value Added Tax) to that stated.

***A 50% deposit is required to reserve places when booking. The remaining payment is due 90 days before arrival in Zambia.

See our Kit Page for a PACKING LIST advice & suggested FISHING KIT

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