Reviews of Chongwe River Camp

"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." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia

"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." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia

"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!" See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia

"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." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia

"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." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia

"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 !!!!" See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia

"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!" See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia

"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" See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia

"Chongwe river camp is located in a very beautiful setting, facing both the Zambezi and Chongwe river. Baboons, warthogs, waterbucks and even elephants are regular visitors of the camp.

From your tent you can watch the animals coming to the river to drink water. The tents are spacious, clean and comfortable offering with a beautiful view over the river.

The density of game in the park however does not compare to the one we experienced in South Lwangua." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia

"Super camp, although could be less individual after the smaller Robin Pope camps, but fortunately, (for us), it was not full. Upgrade to a suite was terrific.

Less game than Luanga but still exciting and stimulating with mighty river on your doorstep." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia