Posted Oct 29, 2009
A TRIP TO THE LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK
For those of you who have ever visited the Zambezi River; been on safari with us or have lived in either Zambia or Zimbabwe will appreciate that there is something magical about this majestic River. It always brings back a feeling of nostalgia, when you think of having a sundowner on the Zambezi as the sun is going down and the sky is glowing with colour whilst watching game drink on the edge of the river or even catching that large Tiger Fish.
So with the sweltering heat at this time of the year, Jackie Peel and I didn’t need any excuses to leave our desks to get down to the Lower Zambezi National Park to visit various camps and lodge for the week. We have a rather large group that we need to co-ordinate in the Lower Zambezi valley and we went down to decide which camps we are putting our various clients in. So leaving our husbands behind who were both green with envy and grumpy at the thought of us been on the Zambezi River without them. The many sarcastic comments we both received washed over our heads!!!
Jackie and I headed off on a quick 35 minute flight by light aircraft to the lower Zambezi National Park. The Lower Zambezi is one of Zambia’s smaller parks, measuring 4092 km sq of which 120 km of the park has river frontage. This is a good park to see leopard, lion, buffalo, elephant and many species of plains game. There is a pack of 26 wild dog that are frequently seen. Giraffe and wildebeest however, are not seen in this park.
Bedroom at Royal Zambezi Lodge
Our first visit was Royal Zambezi Lodge which situated 
just outside of the park. This Lodge takes 24 guests in comfortable tents overlooking the river. Ideally suited for keen fishermen and families with small children as its one of the few lodges that will take children under 12 years. The staff and guides were also very friendly . Jackie and I enjoyed our first evening’s sundowner cruise on the river. Gin and Tonics served no less. I mean how can you tell your clients what the drinks are like if you don’t sample one!!!!! You have to have a “toot: as we call it on the river whether it be acholic or a soft drink.
Chongwe River Camp
We then popped up the River to Chongwe River Capm. 
Situated up the Chongwe River under a group of Albida or Winter Thorn trees. The camp has a lovely tranquil setting and atmosphere, overlooking a large pod of hippos who live in front of the camp. Jackie and I were treated to the Albida suite. We each had our own spacious tent with outside bathrooms and shared a private dining / lounge area with a private pool. We were only sad we didn’t have more time to enjoy all this comfort and luxury. General tents with en suite showers are also very comfortable, all built overlooking the Chongwe River. The staff were helpful and under the management of Caroline and Florence everyone was exceptionally friendly. We were taken on a very pleasant game drive and night drive into the park. The Camp offers other activities such as fishing, cruises, canoeing, game walks. A great place to also go and relax!
Canoeing down the Zambezi River at Chiawa
Back to work!!! Off we set to spend a night at Chiawa Camp. Owned by Grant Cummings and one of the first camps tobe built in the Lower Zambezi National Park and it was started in 1988. This is an exceptionally well run and professional camp. Under the management of Jason and Micheala the camp ran like clock work. The tents were incredibly comfortable and we impressed with the attention to detail. It was very noticeable that most the guests at Chiawa who had come from all over the world were repeat clients.
As we arrived we were whisked off on a private lunch cruise and joined a delightful American couple, Jim & Sherry Andelin who own a zoo in Virginia (USA). This was their first time to Africa. That afternoon we just had to see if the tiger fishing were biting and Sherry who claimed she had last had a fishing rod in her hand when she was 10 years old, had caught her first tiger within first 5 minutes of casting her line. She then proceeded to pull in another two in quick succession. I managed to bring a small tiger in and lost another two including Sherry and I getting our lines tangled wih a fish on my line. All great fun though! Back at camp there was a guest who had come from the UK with all his fancy equipment to thrash the waters for Tiger Fish. He hadn’t been very successful and grumbled at Sherry’s “Beginner's Luck’’!
The guides at Chiawa are exceptional and we had a very successful drive as we came across a male lion and then found a leopard later in the evening. The clients the night before had previously seen 3 leopard up a tree – an unusual sighting as leopard are solitary animals and it can only be presumed it was a female with her cub and she must have been in estrus. The morning we were up early to go walking in the bush with Paul Grobler who was a walking encyclopedia with his knowledge of the bush.
Back to the Chiawa Camp after our walk and we headed up river by boat to visit Sausage Tree Camp for lunch. Owned by Jason D Mott, an Australian, who like so many other people who have traveled through Africa, had fallen in love with the place. Jason worked in the safari industry and then bought the Sausage Tree Camp in the late 90’s. The camp has lovely peaceful setting and the luxurious tents are built under large shady kigelia trees. Our lunch proved to be very entertaining. 3 elephant bulls came into camp and one decided to pay us a visit during lunch. The photos say it all!!
Jackie enjoying her lunch A bit too close for comfort!!
After giving us a mock charge he departed to join his friends in the River. Jackie could now feel a bit more relaxed !!
Our last visit was Kulefu Camp. This is situated a good 40 minute boat drive from Sausage Tree and this fairly new camp was acquired by the Sanctuary Retreats Group some 2 years ago. We also loved this luxury tented camp built under huge Albida Trees. Again the camp was run very professionally by a young couple George and Meryl. The accommodation was great in large airy tents and the guides were excellent. Game viewing in the area was also very good. We saw large herds of buffalo down at this end of the park. Clients the night before had seen good sightings of leopard.
In the late afternoon Jackie and I had to go out and fish again. I couldn’t believe that Jackie had never caught a Tiger Fish before. There she is brought up in Africa, is in the bush all the time, has husband who is fantatical on fishing and her son Richie is studying Icthyology at Rhodes Unversity (for those who don’t don’t know what that is – he is studying fish!!!!!) When we are guiding clients there is usually not time to try fishing so we had to take up this opportunity. George who is also fanatical about fishing was tasked with the job to take us out and he was confident that we would catch.
Well we did and Jackie caught her first tiger - what fun we had!! Not a bad days work!!!!
Sadly we felt our trip was too rushed but we had achieved what we had set out to do, and we will just have to go back to one of the camps in the Lower Zambezi National Park for longer as a holiday next time!!
All the fishing in the Lower Zambezi National Park is catch and release. October might be unbelievably hot month to come to Zambia but the fishing and the game vewing are excellent. Due to the rains these camps all close from around the 14th November and reopen mid to end of April. All the camps we visited are small and personalised and offer an all inclusive package with a wide range of activities included such as fishing, canoeing, walking safaris, game drives, night drives and boating. So there is loads to keep people busy and for those of you who would love to catch a tiger fish – the Lower Zambezi in Zambia is the place to come!!!!
Jack and Mel Harper from New Zealand (on the left) sent us this photo of themselves enjoying swimming in the Boiling Pot on the edge of the Victoria Falls. They say they will be back to visit Zambia and we look forward to their next visit.
Till next time.
Take care
Ian and Daphne Lindsay and the Zamag Team
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