Time + Tide Chongwe Camp
Chongwe Camp is a tented lodge set on the banks of the Chongwe River at the confluence with the mighty Zambezi River on the western edge of the Lower Zambezi National Park.
Chongwe Camp has an absolutely gorgeous location with stunning views up the Chongwe River towards the Zambian escarpment beyond. Partly for this reason, and partly because there is so often game in view from camp, whether it is elephant, hippo, impala, bushbuck or warthog, the camp has always had a very idyllic and relaxing wilderness feel. The camp is slightly larger than many Zambian camps, and the standard tents are fairly compact and quite close together, which is perfect for some travellers but not private or luxurious enough for others. Their Cassia and Albida suites are however more privately located and more spacious. Chongwe has always had a relaxed, friendly atmosphere with communal meals and smiling staff. It is also less expensive than most of the other lodges in Lower Zambezi, making it a very good option for anyone looking to experience the varied activities, superb game viewing and beautiful scenery of the Lower Zambezi, without having to pay high end prices. However at some stage soon the standard tents will be upgraded and this will certainly change the dynamic of the camp.
Rooms
Chongwe Camp caters for a maximum of 24 guests in 9 luxury tents, the Cassia ‘honeymoon’ suite and their two-bedroomed Albida Suite. Each of the standard tents are set on a solid concrete plinth with proper framed doors. They are comfortably furnished with proper beds, bedside tables, wardrobes and a ceiling fan. To the front of each tent is a verandah with safari chairs looking out over the Chongwe River, whilst at the back of the tent and under the extended canvas awning is a spacious open-air bathroom, including a flush toilet and plumbed shower.
To one side of the camp, the stunning Albida Suite has two en suite bedroom tents (each with an attached outdoor bathrooms) linked by an open air living and dining area, which is perfect for families or friends travelling together. Beyond this the one bedroomed Cassia Suite is ideal for honeymooners, also with an open air bathroom and an open air living and dining area. Both suites look out over the confluence of the rivers, offering greater privacy than the standard tents, and both have private plunge pools.
Central Areas
The camp central areas include an open-air thatched lounge, dining and bar area, leading out to an open air dining and camp fire area, overlooking the Chongwe River. There is a swimming pool area with sunbeds located behind the tents overlooking the bush.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for charging – Yes
Swimming pool – Yes
Habitat & Wildlife
The Lower Zambezi National Park follows the northern banks of the mighty Zambezi River and offers a wonderful mix of miombo, mopane and acacia woodland interspersed with open plains and thick riverine forest.
Along the river, hippo are everywhere, snorting away in their ‘pods’, whilst crocodiles bask in the shallows awaiting their next meal as animals come down to quench their thirst. Elephants are numerous too and can often be seen crossing channels in the Zambezi to reach islands where they can feed peacefully. Buffalo stir up the dust as they approach the river to drink, whilst kudu, eland, zebra, impala, bushbuck and waterbuck graze the sweet grasses or browse on the tasty albida pods. Lion and leopard are the main predators, with leopard incredibly successful in the park and seen very regularly. Wild dog roam through the area, whilst spotted hyaena and side-striped jackals are never far from the action. Night drives can reveal the nocturnal species such as honey badger, porcupine, genet, civet, aardvark and even pangolin. The birdlife is spectacular, with both waterfowl and woodland species in abundance. During the late dry season (late August onwards), both white fronted and carmine bee-eaters nest in the banks of the rivers providing a colourful spectacle.
Activities
Chongwe offers game drives (by day and by night), guided walks, boat cruises and canoe excursions. Fishing is also possible (seasonal), including for tiger fish. A visit to a local village is possible, there is a viewing hide and sleep outs in the bush can be arranged.
Seasons
Chongwe is open from mid-April to mid-November, though game viewing will be best from July to October.
Children of 6 years and above are accepted at Chongwe Camp, whilst for walking and canoeing children must be minimum 12 years. The Albida suite is great for families with children old enough to sleep in their own tent, and in general Chongwe will best suit families with older children who are active and keen to enjoy the variety of activities on offer.
Time + Tide, owners of Chongwe Camp, operate the Time + Tide Foundation which connects their lodges with neighbouring communities. The projects undertaken by the Foundation reinforce conservation, health and education in the areas they operate with their current focus being on the educational opportunities for girls and handicapped children.
They are creating support structures in Liuwa and the Lower Zambezi for female students and handicapped children. Girls clubs will be introduced in schools to build their self-confidence, reproductive health knowledge and English language skills. Through sponsorship programmes in secondary schools they aim to increase girls’ academic advancement in spite of community views towards female education.
The Foundation aims to promote a home-based care programme that provides community volunteers with the skills to support handicapped children and so increasing the number of disabled children in formal education.
By working with parents, guardians and teachers to encourage a more open-minded approach to education, the Foundation hope to see 40% of all female students advance to secondary school and 70% of handicapped children in home-based programmes enrolled in primary schools.
