CHONGWE RIVER CAMP

Chongwe River Camp: Our View

Even though Chongwe River camp has been around for a good few years now, the recent upgrades to camp have resulted in Chongwe becoming recognised by us as one of top end lodges of the Lower Zambezi. It certainly has the best location of any camp in the Lower Zambezi and the style of the new suites are superb. The only downside is the location outside the park which results in little game in camp and for that reason we prefer to send clients to Chiawa or Old Mondoro inside the park. But a great camp nonetheless.

Chongwe verges on being a 5 star property but its location being outside the park means the game is not as good as Old Mondoro or Chiawa which are the best properties in the park. So it gets 4 paws.

Chongwe River Camp: The Detail

Chongwe River Camp is situated on the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi Rivers, directly opposite Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools. The Chongwe River which the camp lies upon is the boundary of the Lower Zambezi National Park.

The camp itself looks onto both the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi rivers and the mountains of the escarpment to the north; it is a fantastic setting, regarded as one of the most picturesque camp locations in Africa. The standard rooms are large, with a well-appointed Mulati tents under thatch and a luxury open-air bathroom en suite. Situated under a canopy of Albida thorns and surrounded by cool lawns, they command fabulous views over the Rivers. The bathrooms are an experience on their own, open air with fittings made from natural materials found near the lodge.

Opened in 2007, Chongwe River Camps’ Albida suite, designed by Neil Rocher, is situated on the Chongwe and Zambezi confluence with a view of the escarpment to the North. It is on the finest site the camp has. The two rooms share a lounge and dining area appointed with fine furniture and antiques that over look a private pool and the Zambezi.

The en-suite deluxe rooms are separate octagonal tents with gauze windows on seven sides with inter-leading path ways and gardens. The bathrooms have a canvas roof but are open to the bush with a bath, double basins and double shower. One shower is under cover and one is open air.

The Cassia Suite is a stand alone unit at the very confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi Rivers. This prime site, which was originally owner Chris Liebenbergs’ home in the Valley, is ideal for guests requesting the exclusivity of a suite and offers privacy and the quintessential romantic setting for honeymoon couples. The Suite is built in the same style and grandeur as the Albida Suite with a custom-designed octagonal room tent. The adjoining bathroom has a canvas roof with double basin, shower and free standing bath with organic ferro walling interspersed with natural wood allowing privacy but also a sense of open air bathing.