For a more informative look at Zambia we recommend that you purchase The Bradt Travel Guide for ZAMBIA, written by Chris McIntyre. To read the latest edition of this online, click the book:

 

ZAMBIA – THE COUNTRY AND IT’S PEOPLE

Zambia is located in the Northern part of the region referred to as Southern Africa and is comparatively large in size - about 750,000sq.km. Zambia has many National Parks and Game management areas that make up almost 50% of its total area.

The population of Zambia is roughly 10 million and about 10% of the people live in the country’s capital Lusaka. The official language in Zambia is English, the other main languages spoken are Tonga, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Bemba, Kaonde and Nyanja. The Zambian people are extremely friendly and treat visitors with warmth and hospitality.

 

TRAVELLING INFORMATION

VISAS

The visa fee waiver has been scrapped and tourists from most countries have to pay for a visa upon arrival in Zambia. Current information can be obtained from your travel agent or by clicking on the following link

Official Zambia Visa Guidelines

 

AIRPORT TAX

 There is a departure tax to be paid when departing from Zambian airports:

• International departure tax - $25

• Domestic departure tax      - $8

MONEY

 The local currency is called the Zambian Kwacha and the most acceptable foreign currency to use is USA dollars, which are accepted everywhere, but only newer notes. Old notes are not accepted. Credit cards are accepted in most places but not in remote areas, so cash and travellers cheques are your best option.

INSURANCE

We strongly recommend that comprehensive travel insurance (including Trip Cancellation/Curtailment & Medical Evacuation) be purchased.

TIPPING

Of course this is at your own discretion and is not expected, but a rough guide is $5 per person per night for the general camp staff tip box and a further $5 per person per night for your safari guide if you are happy with the effort and service provided.

MEDICAL

Malaria does exist in Zambia, therefore it is recommended that you take malaria prophylaxis. There are many different types of preventatives so it is important to seek advice from your physician on the best anti malarial pills to take.

It is also a good idea to take your own personal medical kit, although Chiawa has a comprehensive emergency medical kit and most medicines.

PHOTOGRAPHY

• Please be sensitive when photographing public buildings and people in Zambia. Be courteous, polite and always ask permission.

VOLTAGE

• We have 220-240 volt and 12 volt charging facilities in camp.
   

CURRENT TIME AT CHIAWA

• http://www.worldtimeserver.com/current_time_in_ZM.aspx

WHAT TO BRING  (Pack in soft duffle bags - maximum total weight 12kg!)

MOST IMPORTANT

Photocopy of passport photo page (in case of loss)
Passport
Airline tickets
Pen for filling out customs forms, etc.
Cash/Travellers cheques and credit cards
Approx. 35 $1 dollar bills for miscellaneous tipping
Insurance: Accident; medical; baggage and cancellation
Inoculations and other medications (As per your local Health clinic or personal physic

CLOTHING  (Dark bush colours of natural fabrics work best)

Wind-proof, warm jacket for morning & evening game drives
Light sweater/jumper for evenings in camp
Tropical-weight long sleeve shirts (2-3)*
Tropical-weight long pants (2)*
Casual pants (1-2) / Casual shirts (2)
Shorts (2)
Tennis shoes and /or boat shoes
Hiking boots (light & well worn in!) especially if going on walking safaris
T- shirts (2-3)
Underwear, pyjamas
Socks
Teva-type sandals
Cap or wide brim hat

          (Chiawa offers laundry service at no charge so don’t over-pack)

OTHER

Sunscreen (block) / lip balm (minimum 30 SPF)
Toiletries
Personal medications
Camera, long telephoto lenses for gameviewing & plenty of film
Locks for duffel bags & luggage
Aloe Vera gel for sunburn
Imodium AD tablets
Insect repellent (with high DEET concentration)
Consider a small first aid kit with bandaids, topical antibiotics, etc.

OTHER OPTIONAL ITEMS

Ear plugs (to drown out a snoring roommate, or snoring hippo)
2 zip-loc bags (half gallon size)
2 hefty bin bags for dirty clothes, etc.

THINGS TO LEAVE AT HOME

Jewellery, other valuables, drugs, firearms
Colognes (attracts insects)

LUSAKA INFORMATION

HOTELS

There are three main hotels in Lusaka:

• INTER- CONTINENTAL HOTEL – Haile Selassie Av,  Tel  250600 Fax  251880 – 200 rooms. (30 mins from airport)

• HOLIDAY INN Tel  251666 Fax 253529 – 155 rooms.(30 mins from airport)

• TAJ PAMODZI HOTEL  Tel  254455  Fax  224005 – 204 rooms.(30 mins from airport)

      Alternatively you might opt for one of the Private Game Park Lodges near Lusaka:

• CHAMINUKA LODGE  Tel: 233303  Fax: 2333305(1 hour from Lusaka airport)  8 twin rooms.

• LILAYI LODGE  Tel: 279022 Fax: 279026(1 hour from Lusaka airport) 12 rooms and 5 suites.

CURIO MARKETS

      There are several main markets in Lusaka      

• The New City Market along Lumumba Road,

• The Central Market on Chachacha Road and Kamwala market is off Independence Avenue.

Like any market you must be vigilant and do not take valuables with you, these markets are relatively safe if you use common sense and always pay attention to your safety. Chiawa has a small shop with a selection of curios, which we sell on behalf of the local crafts people.

LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK

RAINFALL

Virtually no rain during the safari season (mid April – mid November) and typically less than 400mm(15 inches) per annum.

TEMPERATURE

The temperature in the valley varies considerably, between a mean of 19 degrees Celsius in June to a mean of 30 degrees Celsius in October.

TEMPERATURES (CELSIUS)

              Weather Forecast  Click Here

SAFARI SEASON:           

Game viewing in the Lower Zambezi NP is excellent throughout the safari season although the Park looks different at different times of the year

  

THE TERRAIN           

The terrain in the LZNP is varied – if you are going to combine our two camps we recommend 3-4 nights at Chiawa and 2-3 nights at Old Mondoro.

It does not really matter which you do first as it is an issue of personal preference. You might like to start with the more sophisticated Chiawa and then finish off in the more rustic Old Mondoro. Or alternatively start at Old Mondoro and then ‘relax & recover’ at Chiawa.

Chiawa Camp Area:          

Chiawa is on the banks of the Zambezi in one of the most game-rich areas of the Lower Zambezi NP (& Zambia). Chiawa’s location is unrivalled, inside the LZNP and opposite Mana Pools NP in Zimbabwe; there is a bountiful wildlife population on both sides of the river with little human presence! Numerous elephant, lion, leopard & buffalo and other species are literally on our doorstep. None of the roads are for all-weather use. The bush is generally quite thick, with lovely lagoons, woodland and open grassland in the vicinity. The riverbanks are well established, as is the surrounding vegetation, with ancient baobab trees and acacia groves. Chiawa is between two renowned lagoons for canoeing, the Chifungulu Channel and Waterbuck Island Lagoon, and both are regularly utilised by our canoe trips. Although 1-3 hour walks are on offer at Chiawa there is more open country at our bush camp, Old Mondoro.

Old Mondoro Camp Area:           

Old Mondoro is our bush camp, also on the banks of the Zambezi some 30 kms downstream of Chiawa Camp. Although boating and game drives are available, here we concentrate on  exceptional walking opportunities. The terrain in this part of the Park is quite different from Chiawa – here the Zambezi Valley is a vast flood plain dotted with young Acacia growth (plus some absolutely stunning mature Mopane and Albida woodland) and laced with an extensive lagoon system. This is ideal walking country – vast open plains and groves of Mahogany trees, and bird-rich lagoons make this a walker’s paradise. This area is even more remote than Chiawa so the possibility of bumping into other game drive vehicles is even less likely, although this area sees more boating traffic than Chiawa does as Old Mondoro is opposite the Chewore Concession in Zimbabwe, which is not as well protected as Mana Pools NP.

This area is excellent for leopard, wild dog and serval, as well as for zebra and kudu. It does not have as many elephant or buffalo as Chiawa but the other species makes up for it. Of course lion & hyena are also seen regularly, with occasional roan and eland sightings!

 

 

TRANSFER TIMES (in minutes):

All transfers are entirely or mainly through the National Park, except Gwabi where transfers are partly through the National Park.

A DAY ON SAFARI

Although there is no such thing as a typical day on safari, especially as guests are encouraged to choose whatever activities they wish whenever they like, a day could include the following (times change according to the time of year):

                    The ‘schedule’ is determined by guest’s particular interests and enthusiasm.

There is also a community run public campsite, just outside the Park close to the Chongwe River, should you require such a facility 
 

Chiawa Camp
Email: info@chiawa.com

Chiawa Camp ~ Africa at its best