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Loading...Activities
At Chiawa Camp and Old Mondoro it is all about the wildlife, the bush and the river, and an impressive variety of safari activities are available, led by our award winning team of Africa-born guides with an unmatched fleet of vehicles, boats and canoes at their disposal - for all of which our safari operation has become world-renowned.
This means that guests will enjoy levels of choice & convenience not found elsewhere and where the duration of a safari activity is determined by the rhythm of the bush (& enthusiasm of our guests) rather than by the clock.
Not only that, your guides who are to differing extents products of our own in house training program, will guide sympathetically with the best interests of the wildlife, the environment and you at heart meaning that you will get the very best out of your visit to the Lower Zambezi National Park.
Safety is always a priority so all guides have recurrent Advanced first aid training and all boats and vehicles, canoe trips and walks carry first comprehensive first aid kits and are linked to both camps by our VHF radio network.
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Game Drives
This is the safest and most effective way to view big game. Drives are conducted in open 4wd vehicles that have been specially adapted for safari use with comfy seats, pockets to stow your gear and bean bags to steady your camera for those all important photos. Usually departing in the early morning, drives can last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours depending on what's seen and the requirements of the guests. In the late afternoon drives set off for an hour or so before stopping at a scenic point for sundowners.
Once the sun has set night drives commence. Zambia is one of the few countries that permit night drives, perhaps the most interesting of safari activities.
Using filtered spotlights, which do not interfere with the well being and behaviour of the subject and which make it much easier on your eyes too, this is an opportunity to see nocturnal creatures such as civet, porcupine, genet, and also to see some of the larger predators on the move. It is not uncommon to see a pride of lions on a kill or a leopard stalking through the bush. These drives last as long as they need to.
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Bush Walks
Pioneered in Zambia, bush walks are essentially a "micro-safari". An armed ranger with your qualified and experienced pro guide will guide you through the wilderness on foot, interpreting spoor, identifying the various flora and fauna, and highlighting conservation issues. However elephants and buffalo are seen on most walks and sometimes the big cats so expect anything at anytime. The pace is leisurely and the duration is determined by guests' requirements – and what is seen on the walk. Typically, a few hours are sufficient.
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River Safaris
One of the great aspects of a visit to Chiawa Camp and Old Mondoro is the variety of activities offered by virtue of our presence on the Zambezi river.
These are two of the few camps permitted to conduct waterborne safaris within the National Park, and our custom built, motorized pontoons are ideal to take advantage of this.
Enjoy morning or afternoon cruises exploring numerous channels, viewing hippo, buffalo, elephant and prolific bird life.
Also on offer are sunset and sundowner cruises, often completed with a night drive back to camp.
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Canoeing
Although the Zambezi offers many activities, perhaps it is best known for canoeing.
No where else is there such a combination of breathtaking scenery, varied wildlife and such interesting channels to paddle through.
Six meter long Canadian canoes are used and these trips may last anywhere from 1 hour to 1 day.
Our most popular canoe safari is 90 minutes long where guests paddle (always downstream!) from the lodge to "Sunset Strip" for sundowners and then a night drive back to Chiawa Camp.
Tranquil yet exciting, these trips can be longer and may drift through the likes of the Waterbuck Island and Chifungulu Channels, which are an excellent way to enjoy another aspect of the Zambezi River.
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Fishing
Chiawa Camp is internationally acclaimed as one of the world’s leading fishing destinations. Recommended by authoritative anglers and in publications such as The Best Fly Fishing Trips Money Can Buy and Forbes Traveler, expert guides are on hand to assist you in finding the notorious tigerfish (camp record 10.1kg, average 2kg) which are caught on fly or conventional tackle and other species that abound in the Zambezi River.
"Superlatives cannot describe the speed and power of this amazing creature. I've fished them all and I can say without reservation that the tigerfish truly is the toughest freshwater fish" Larry Dahlberg, international adventurer and host of ESPN's Hunt for Big Fish.
"Having the fuselage of a bonefish, the tail of a tarpon, the paint job of a striper, teeth like a bull shark and a compound hinged jaw that works like a turbo powered paper shredder, Hydrocynnus vittatus (Latin for striped river dog) is perhaps the most capable and impressive freshwater predator on earth."
The waters of the National Park are free from netting and are hence your best bet for lots of big fish. Naturally we enforce a strict catch & release policy. Best months for tigerfish are September - November.
Because of our privileged situation inside the National Park, we are restricted to operating two boats at any one time. Chiawa Camp can therefore only host a maximum of 4-6 fishing clients. Boats used are 6m pontoons. Guide, fuel and tackle are provided, however we recommend serious sport fishermen bring their own gear. Medium-heavy action 20lb spinning or bait casting rods/reels work best. Wire leader is essential, as are good quality sharp hooks attached to bright, shiny spinners and spoons.
The vundu catfish is the largest freshwater fish in southern Africa and can weigh in excess of 40kgs. Camp record 35kgs, average 15kgs.
Fifty Great Places to Fish Before You Die
Chiawa is also featured in this book which can be ordered from their website.
"Superlatives cannot describe the speed and power of this amazing creature. I've fished them all and I can say without reservation that the tigerfish truly is the toughest freshwater fish" Larry Dahlberg, international adventurer and host of ESPN's Hunt for Big Fish.
"Having the fuselage of a bonefish, the tail of a tarpon, the paint job of a striper, teeth like a bull shark and a compound hinged jaw that works like a turbo powered paper shredder, Hydrocynnus vittatus (Latin for striped river dog) is perhaps the most capable and impressive freshwater predator on earth."
SUGGESTED FISHING TACKLE LIST
FISHING TACKLE (bait-casting and spinning)- Bait-casting rods*(2) 6ft MH action
- Spinning rods* (2) 6ft MH action
- Casting or spinning rods, depending on your personal preference. Casting rods have been historically easier to cast and troll the large plugs, spinners and spoons needed to tempt tigerfish. Consider 2 or 3 piece travel rods for easy carry-on packing as opposed to cumbersome, 7 foot rod tubes.
- Casting or spinning reels + spare: Should possess smooth drags and have capacity to handle 125 yards of 14-20lb abrasion resistant line.
- Extra line (changing line is often necessary)
- 20-30lb wire test leaders (18-24 inches)
- Fly rods (2) from 8wt to 10wt
- Weight forward floating line
- 300 and 400 sinking fly lines
- Tippets 20lb and per your liking
- Wire Leaders 20-30lb
- Spare backing, spare lines, spare leaders
- Flies (at least 30): Clouser deep minnow, Lefty’s Deceivers, other Epoxy or weighted head baitfish Pattern flies in the 2 to 4 inch range on 2/0 hooksin the following colours: Silver, silver & red, black and silver, orange, white, chatreuse, Yellow (add flashabou or similar as attractor to most flies)
- Countdown Rapala Magnums (2-3 each) CD 9, CD11 and CD14. Hot colours are: Emerald shiner, Firetiger, Gold, Shiner
- lue Fox Vibrax Spinners (10 each) Size No. 6. Silver & Orange; Firetiger; Silver & Blue
- Blue Fox Pixee Spoons (15 each) 7/8- ounces (3): Nickel / fluorescent red insert
- Needle nose pliers, Split ring pliers
- Extra treble & single hooks, and split rings
- Circle hooks & lead weights if fishing for Vundu Catfish
- Hook sharpener
- Snap swivels & swivels (125-135lb)
- Knife or Leatherman tool
- Line clippers
- Polarized Sunglasses with good UV protection
- Replacement rod tip guides