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Enjoy the best views in the Lower Zambezi at this family- and elephant-friendly camp!
Venture to the edge of a mighty river in the shadow of a mountain escarpment, where you’ll feel right at home under a shady grove of tress. Wake up from a peaceful nap to the sound of an elephant rubbing against the side of your tent as it lumbers past.
Dotted along the riverbank, Time + Tide Chongwe is set at the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi Rivers which wind through the forested valley, creating a haven for wildlife like lions, leopards and wild dog.
The small number of camps in Lower Zambezi National Park keep it free from overcrowding. The area is best known for its impressive variety of safari activities—enjoy game drives and walking safaris on land, take to the rivers on a boat cruise or canoeing safari, or to try your hand at tiger fishing.
Rooms
Time + Tide Chongwe River Camp Tents
Its nine classic tents are designed to make the most of what Mother Nature provided. Each has a panoramic view along the Chongwe River, a spacious open-air bathroom, a porch with comfortable lounge chairs, and features local textiles and handcrafted furniture.
Dotted along the forested riverbanks, Time + Tide Chongwe Camp is surrounded by wild beauty. Set at the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi Rivers against a beautiful mountainous backdrop, the camp has the best views in the Lower Zambezi. Sit outside your tent, listening to playful vervet monkeys scampering in the winterthorn trees overhead. Before you, an elephant wades across the languid river, dwarfed by the mountainous escarpment beyond. The resident hippos bellow their displeasure at this intrusion, breaking the tranquility. A warm breeze drifts past, carrying the earthy aroma of the river. Lean back and breathe deeply, letting the energy of this extraordinary, wild land revitalise your mind and soul.
THE SAFARI TENTS
+ 9 safari tents with en suite bathrooms
+ Open air showers
+ Outdoor seating area with river views
+ Double or twin configuration
+ Generator power with British three pin plugs in tents
+ Limited wifi in the main area and no phone signal
+ Main lodge – dining areas, lounge, bar, campfire and pool
NEED TO KNOW
+ Open 15 April to 15 November
+ Minimum age 7
+ 15 minute drive from Royal Airstrip
Facilities
FINE DINING
Despite the remote and tranquil setting, our culinary team creates extraordinary meals that satisfy the soul and delight the paletpalette. Designed to celebrate local ingredients, expect dishes such as perfectly grilled meats, handmade pasta,and fresh salads made with seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Whether you’re dining under the stars or on the forested riverbanks, our attention tto detail and warm hospitality will create a wonderful experience.
REFRESHMENTS
At the end of a lively day on safari, enjoy your Sundowner, a cherished African tradition. Whether you prefer a crisp gin and tonic or a local beer, our excellent bar staff have got you covered!
Chongwe’s outdoor, communal dining area is at the heart of the camp. Set overlooking the beautiful Chongwe and Zambezi rivers, with the escarpment providing a dramatic back drop, the view is truly stunning. Our team of experienced Chefs prepare a wide variety of delicious meals using fresh and locally sourced ingredients.
Meal times at Chongwe are fluid depending on the time of year and the choice of morning activity but a general guide is as follows
Breakfast 6.00am – 7.00am. Watch the hippos stir and early morning game drinking from the river bank in front of you while you sip hot coffee and enjoy a light breakfast buffet.
Brunch 11.30am – 12.30pm. After returning from your morning activity a buffet brunch is served. Join your guide and fellow guests to share tales of the morning’s adventures.
High Tea 3.30pm – 4.00pm. Meet for drinks and a delicious, freshly baked treat before setting off on your afternoon activity
Dinner 7.30pm – 8.00pm. After pre-dinner drinks and canapés around the roaring fire, guests are seated for a delicious three course dinner served al fresco under a canopy of stars.
Guests staying in our Albida or Cassia Suites have the option of dining privately or are more than welcome to join guests for meals at the main camp.
We are also happy to arrange earlier dinners for any younger guests upon request and pre-arrangement.
Our team of highly trained, local Chefs are more than happy to cater for any special dietary requirements you may have. If your food preferences or requirements could be considered out of the ordinary (vegetarian, vegan, gluten, dairy free etc) then we do ask that you inform us in advance of your arrival.
Activities
Game Drives
Driving safaris are all conducted in open 4X4 vehicles (Land Cruiser or Land Rover) with either two or three ‘rows’ of seats. We generally have 4, with no more than 6, people on a vehicle ensuring everyone has a ‘window’ seat.
Night drives are generally an extension of your afternoon game drive, canoe or walking safari. As the sun begins to set we stop to watch the day come to a close and as dusk falls set off to explore as the nocturnal animals start to emerge.
The best chance of seeing genets, civets, elephant shrew, porcupine and the fierce honey-badger is after sunset and the large predators, with the exception of wild dog, are most active at night. Night time birding can be very rewarding with nightjars, owls great and small, dikkop, bat hawk and coursers are all abundant.
The Africa night sky is simply magnificent and it’s worth coming all this way just to experience its vastness and splendour. The Milky Way seems 100 times brighter in the Luangwa Valley where there is no light pollution. We’re watched over by the Southern Cross, Orion and Scorpio amongst an infinite number of others and memories of sitting in awed silence listening to the distant call of lions, cicadas and a million tree frogs under the crescent of an African moon will live with you forever.
