Chula Island Camp: Our full report
Chula Island Camp, formerly known as Buffalo Island Camp, opened in July 2018.
This rustic, mobile fly-camp is situated on a small island on the Zambezi River, to the eastern end of the Lower Zambezi National Park. Located in a natal mahogany grove, this simple camp has a focus on walking safaris, led by experienced guides.Chula Camp (chula means 'frog' in the local Goba language) is sheltered beneath tall mahoganies, on the small Katengahumba / Discovery Island, set back from the main Zambezi River and just a short drive from Jeki Airstrip.
The camp is small and intimate, with just five tents - not the standard dome tents you might expect, but rectangular and walk-in, with mesh sides to fully appreciate the views all around – though the tents have drop down canvas sides for privacy, or for any cooler evenings. Stretch-canvas shades each tent and bathroom, with reed matting to the front of the tent, under the canopy, providing a peaceful spot to sit and relax after an activity. You may spot a sixth tent a little distance from the others, but this is for private guides, or if there are numerous solo travellers in camp, allowing the maximum 10 guests in camp at one time.
Rugs line the floor, and each tent has either double or twin beds, with a luggage rack alongside. Solar lights hang from the ceiling, and you'll also find a torch, whistle, mosquito spray and an insulated water flask and glasses on the bedside table. Directors chairs are placed outside, facing towards the river, a good vantage point for watching the elephants and buffalo often found in front of the camp.
Each tent at Chula has an en-suite open-air bathroom, with a shower and toilet, partitioned by bamboo and reed walls. Hot water is available on request for the traditional bucket showers-with-a-view, with fluffy towels and towel rack, plus a small table with a mirror, and complimentary toiletries provided. Flush toilets are plumbed in alongside brushed copper basins, and your friendly wake-up call is accompanied by top-ups of hot water for your morning ablutions.
Chula's main area comprises of a large stretch tent, shading a dining table and directors chairs, as well as a small bar, water dispenser and reference library.
The camp is run by the team who also run Musekeseand Ntemwa Busanga camps in the Kafue National Park, all experienced guides with a wealth of knowledge of Zambia and its national parks.
While guided day and night game drives are on offer, the team at Chula focus on walking safaris, and, with the permanent Zambezi River running through the park, canoe-based safaris, though boating and fishing are available. We visited Chula Camp and Katengahumba Island on our last visit to the Lower Zambezi in October 2023 and though we didn't get to experience activities in the immediate area, whilst driving past we saw plenty of elephant, hippo and buffalo, and a large pack of wild dogs on the river banks as we boated away from the camp. Our walks at Chula's sister camp, Kutali, were with a fascinating and informative guide, so we would expect time at Chula to offer a similar experience to Kutali Island, whilst offering the diversity of scenery and location.
A stay at Chula combines naturally with Kutali, and a combination of the two allows for a more in-depth exploration of this eastern section of Lower Zambezi National Park. There is a wide range of accommodation in the park, and so both Chula and Kutali can be combined with some time at one of the permanent camps to the west.
Our view
Chula Island Camp is in a great location for walking safaris and river activities, and with a friendly, experienced and knowledgeable guiding team, we think Chula is a brilliant addition to the accommodation options in the Lower Zambezi National Park. Simple but comfortable, it combines well either with its sister camp or with the more luxurious options in the park.
Country manager: Zambia
Geographics
- Location
- Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia
- Ideal length of stay
- We'd recommend a stay of three to five nights between Chula and its sister camp, Kutali Island.
- Directions
- Chula Island Camp is just a short drive from Jeki airstrip, a game drive of around 30 minutes, though the time taken varies depending on the wildlife you see along the way. From Jeki you can connect to or from a scheduled flight to Mfuwe, Lusaka and Livingstone airports.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- We didn’t get the chance to stay for a meal at Chula Island Camp on our last visit, but we did stay at Kutali, its sister camp, and the same team of chefs cook for both fly-camps, so we’d expect a similar style and standard of food here. The camp has a basic kitchen, and the team at Chula are able to cater for a range of dietary requirements, with advance notice.
Breakfast is served around the campfire at 5.30am, with fruit, toast, jams, and porridge cooked to order over the fire, along with tea, coffee and juice.
Lunch timings are flexible, and a buffet is usually on offer, with meat or vegetable dishes, accompanied by home-baked rolls, salad and fresh fruit.
Dinner is a set meal and the table is either set up in the shelter of the main tent, or out closer to the river under the stars. - Dining style
- Group Meals
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Drinks included
- Filtered drinking water is provided, and soft drinks and local alcoholic drinks are included. Premium wines and spirits can be ordered in advance, and will be an additional cost.
Special interests
- Walking safaris
- The area around Chula is remote, but with plenty of wildlife - a perfect spot for a Zambian walking safari with one of the camp’s experienced guides.
- See ideas for Walking safaris in Zambia
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Chula Island Camp is happy to accept children younger than eight (their usual minimum age limit), though generally this would be as a private camp booking.
- Property’s age restrictions
- The camp will accept children of eight years and older. The minimum age for walking safaris within the national park is 12 years old.
- Special activities & services
- For children younger than 12, short nature walks within the camp can be arranged.
- Equipment
- None provided.
- Generally recommended for children
- We feel that, given the activities on offer, the age limit for walking safaris and the remote location of Chula, this camp is not suited to children.
- Notes
- Wild animals such as elephants, buffalo and hippo are found in camp regularly. Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Chula Island Camp
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Chula Island Camp have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
75% success
75% success
60% success
33% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- Solar panels provide electricity for the camp, and there is a small charging station in the main area.
- Communications
- Chula is in a remote section of the Lower Zambezi National Park, with no cell phone signal. The camp has radio contact with its sister camps, and also satellite Wi-Fi for emergency communications.
- TV & radio
- None available.
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- Flush toilets and cold-water basins are plumbed in, and bucket showers are filled with hot water on request.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- The managers and guides are first-aid trained, with first aid kits in both the main area and each vehicle, as well as on any walking or water-based safaris. The closest doctor is in Lusaka, accessible via a 35-minute flight from Jeki.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- An armed scout is based on site, and guests are escorted to and from their tents after dark.
- Fire safety
- Fire buckets are placed outside each tent, and there is a fire hydrant is located between the main area and kitchen.
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- A laundry service is included; clothes are hand washed and line dried. Washing powder is provided in the bathrooms for delicate items.
- Money
- There is a safe in the staff quarters where guests can leave valuables if they wish.
- Accepted payment on location
- There are no facilities to pay by credit card at Chula, but cash payments for any extras are accepted in US dollars, UK pounds, Zambian kwacha, South African rand and euros.
Other lodges in Lower Zambezi National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Old Mondoro Bushcamp
For an intimate safari in the Lower Zambezi, with superb guiding, Old Mondoro is up there with the best.
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.
Chiawa Camp
One of Zambia's top safari camps, Chiawa is family owned and run, offering superb service and a flexible approach from a location well inside the Lower Zambezi National Park.
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.
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.
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.
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 Camp offers the opportunity to experience the wilderness of Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park, in this simple tented 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.
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.
Royal Zambezi Lodge
This family-friendly lodge is located just on the outskirts of the Lower Zambezi National Park, in a great location overlooking the river.
