Chiawa Camp, Lower Zambezi National Park

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The team

In 1989, the Cumings family founded Chiawa Camp and pioneered tourism into the Lower Zambezi National Park. As a family run operation, no effort is spared to ensure that every guest receives personal attention and a truly first class African safari.

The team at Chiawa Camp has an absolute love of the Lower Zambezi, and the determination to provide nothing but the best. This is reflected in everything that we do!

Trained to the highest of standards, our friendly, competent guides will show you the ways of the wild while always looking out for your safety and comfort.

Personal attention is the name of the game at Chiawa Camp. Our well-trained staff are always on hand to ensure that your comfort and convenience are well catered for.

The Cumings family

Dave & Jenny Cumings
Dave and Jenny essentially run Chiawa's operations in Lusaka, Dave overseeing all repairs and maintenance on the vehicles and boats (when he's not running his transport company), and Jenny overseeing reservations (at sometimes odd times of the day & night!) and procurement of supplies. Much of the smooth running of Chiawa in the bush is as a result of Dave & Jenny's tireless efforts in Lusaka. Naturally they take every opportunity to visit Chiawa, especially Dave, whose love of the bush and dedication to the protection of the Lower Zambezi keeps drawing him back.

Grant & Lynsey Cumings.
Grant & Lynsey oversee Chiawa Camp's day to day operations from Lusaka and in camp depending on circumstance. With Lynsey’s degree in Hospitality Management and background with Marriott Hotels & British Airways, and with Grant’s vast experience in guiding, conservation and the safari industry, you are assured of the highest standards in all aspects of your safari at Chiawa Camp. They were joined by their baby son, Scott, in January 2006 and daughter Lauren in January 2008, as such they are currently splitting their time between the bush and Lusaka.

Camp Management

Johan & Judy Van Zyl
Hailing from South Africa and a 5 year stint in one of that country's top lodges, they both started as pro guides but were soon fast tracked into management given their can-do, proactive attitude - exactly what Chiawa is looking for in its managers. So both are not only trained and qualified camp managers, but also pro guides. Enthusiastic and professional, guests at Chiawa Camp are assured of a first class safari experience.

Bren Graham
Bren Graham from Zimbabwe started with us in 2010 and who is Chiawa Camp's assistant manager. With a university degree in Sustainable Tourism (a priority of ours), relevant experience in both the South Luangwa and Sabi Sands, as well as of course on the Lower Zambezi, he is a well rounded and talented individual who complements the Chiawa Camp team perfectly. Bren is also a top fly fisherman and is happiest on the Zambezi casting to toothy tigers, or helping others to do the same.

Samantha Luyt
Zambian born, and raised on a game farm outside of Lusaka, Samantha has not only grown up in the bush riding horses amongst the wildlife but she also has a first class tourism and hospitality degree from South Africa - an ideal blend of outdoors & formal training for us at Chiawa.

Safari Guides

Boaz Chizuwa
Boaz is renowned for his ability to track down the big cats, for his sense of humour and for being one of the first indigenous Zambians to be licensed as a safari guide, trained by the legendary Norman Carr and Cecil Evans in the South Luangwa and Kafue before settling down in the Lower Zambezi. Boaz’s ability to identify bird calls and obscure plants is legendary.

Paul Grobler
Paul joined Chiawa Camp in early 2005 and comes to us from Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools. He is fully qualified in the skills of bush walks, canoeing and game drives as well as being an expert fisherman and boat driver. He brings his own wealth of experience with him and makes an excellent addition to the already strong crew of guides at Chiawa. He has a particular passion for astronomy and is a trained welder/metal-worker – Paul is a great example of the multi-skilled personalities we welcome to the Chiawa team.

Daniel Susiku
Daniel joined Chiawa Camp as a school leaver back in the 1990's and is a perfect example of Chiawa Camp's in-house safari guide training system, licensed in the disciplines of walks, canoeing and game drives he is acknowledged as one of the Lower Zambezi's most experienced and skilled safari guides. Equally at home on the river or in the bush, Daniel's deep knowledge and understanding of the African bush makes any venture an absolute delight.

Dispenser Chizuwa
As with Daniel, Dispenser joined Chiawa Camp as a school leaver and he too is one of the Lower Zambezi's most experienced safari guides following Chiawa's in-house safari guide training program. He has also benefited however from his father Joshua's and uncle Boaz's extensive knowledge and experience; and each one of Zambia's first indigenous safari guides. Known for his rapier wit and practical jokes, as well as his keen senses in tracking down the most elusive big cat or small bird, Dispenser is a key player in Chiawa's formidable guiding team.

Wallace Kabompa
Wallace is one of the most versatile and useful members of the Chiawa team. Being a first rate carpenter which was how he started off at Chiawa, a decade later and following our in-house safari guide training program he is now a fully qualified canoe/river, walking and game drive guide making him as qualified as one can get, as well as an adept hand at the spotlight on night drives. His knowledge on riverine fauna and flora is first rate and he is one of the most experienced guides on the Zambezi River.

Isaac Nyandoro
Having fished all his life along the Zambezi, Isaac started at Chiawa in 2002 and has become a firm favourite with our many repeat guests and leads Chiawa Camp’s team of first rate fishing guides. He is ably supported by Derek, Clement and Ruben – all of whom will put you in reach of the big ones, be it on fly or conventional tackle.

Chiawa Office Staff

Petrinah Muzhiwo
Chiawa's charming and efficient Reservations Manager joined us in July 2008 and whose name many of you may know given her vast and long standing experience in the industry.