Chiawa Camp is the classic honeymoon choice in Zambia's Lower Zambezi. The Cumings family opened it in 1989 as the first camp inside the national park. Grant Cumings still runs it. It sits on the Zambezi under a canopy of mahogany trees, with Zimbabwe's Mana Pools across the water and the escarpment rising behind. Days mix game drives, walks, boat trips and fishing, so you see elephants and hippos from the water as well as from a vehicle.
The camp was completely rebuilt in 2018 with larger decks and lounges, but it kept its intimate scale: eight tents and one safari suite. Each tent has a private veranda, a claw-foot bath with a view and an outdoor shower. The hilltop Safari Suite adds a private plunge pool and a four-poster bed.
It suits couples who want a polished, long-established camp with strong guiding and a river setting. It is not cheap. It also closes in the rainy season. Couples on a tighter budget should look at camps outside the park boundary, such as Chongwe. Those who want the best of the Lower Zambezi in a place with real history will find it here.
Highlights at a glance
- First camp inside Lower Zambezi National Park
- Eight tents with claw-foot baths and outdoor showers
- Hilltop Safari Suite with private plunge pool
- River safaris, walks and night drives
- Family run by the Cumings family since 1989
Why Couples Love Chiawa Camp
Chiawa has the benefit of decades on the river. The guides know the floodplain well. The camp has had time to pick the best spot on the bank, where the Chowe River meets the Zambezi and a viewing platform looks over both. Elephants feed on the islands in front of camp while hippos call from the water through the night.
The atmosphere is relaxed but polished. Meals come from seasonal menus, the bar is well stocked and the staff have a reputation for warmth. For couples, the appeal is the mix: a dawn walk, a brunch on the deck, a lazy afternoon in your bath looking at the river and a sunset boat ride with a drink in hand. You can do as much or as little as you like. The guides will tailor the day to both of you.
Tents and the Safari Suite
There are eight Meru-style tents and one Safari Suite.
- Tents 1 to 6 look over the main Zambezi. Each has a private veranda, an en-suite bathroom with a free-standing claw-foot bath, a rain shower and an outdoor shower. The deck has a small sunken seating area around a bath.
- Tents 7 and 8 are slightly larger, with thatched roofs for extra shade. Tent 7 faces both the Zambezi and the Chowe. Tent 8 faces the Chowe.
- The Safari Suite sits on a hilltop beside the Chowe River. It has a private plunge pool on its riverside deck, an open-air shower, a four-poster bed and a free-standing bath.
For a honeymoon, book the Safari Suite if you can. Otherwise ask for Tent 7 for the double river view.
Food, Drink and Down Time
The rate covers meals, select drinks and activities, so you can relax without keeping a tab. The kitchen works from seasonal menus, with breakfasts before the morning activity, a brunch or lunch in the heat of the day and dinner by lantern light. Tell the camp about dietary needs ahead of time, since supplies come in by air and road.
The camp has a swimming pool and shaded lounges where you can nap through the hot middle of the day. There is no full spa, so if massages matter to you, ask in advance whether treatments can be arranged. The camp often sets up special dinners for honeymooners, such as a private meal on your deck or on a sandbank. Mention the occasion when you book.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
Game drives run day and night, with spotlights after dark for leopards, hyenas and honey badgers. Walking safaris take you onto the floodplain on foot with an armed scout, a different way to see the bush. Boat trips are a highlight: you glide past elephants feeding on the islands and hippos in the channels, then stop for a sundowner as the escarpment turns copper.
Catch-and-release tigerfish fishing appeals to one partner while the other reads on the deck or joins a birding walk. Canoeing has been a classic Lower Zambezi activity, but it depends on water levels, so ask the camp before you travel. Sleepouts under the stars are also offered. Pack neutral clothes, a warm layer for early mornings and sunscreen for the river.
Getting There
Most couples fly into Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka, then take a light aircraft for about 40 minutes to one of the airstrips that serve the park. From there, it is up to an hour by open 4x4 through the park, with the last stretch sometimes by boat. The camp arranges transfers.
The camp opens only in the dry season, roughly from late April or May to mid-November, with exact dates changing from year to year. June to October is peak season for game. Bring a soft bag, since light aircraft have strict luggage limits. This is a malaria area, so talk to a travel doctor about prevention. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices for Zambia before you go.
Is It Worth It?
For a once-in-a-lifetime safari, yes. Rates are roughly $1,500 to $2,150 per person per night on a fully inclusive basis, so about $3,000 to $4,300 for two depending on the season. Treat those as approximate. That puts Chiawa in the top tier of Zambian camps, though it is still less than many comparable camps in Botswana or Kenya.
The value is in the guiding, the setting and the history. If budget is tight, look at Chongwe Camp, just outside the park boundary, which is cheaper and offers similar activities. If you want a more rustic, smaller camp, Chiawa's sister camp Old Mondoro sits farther downstream. Pair Chiawa with South Luangwa for a classic Zambia honeymoon that balances river and bush.
Insider tips
- Book the Safari Suite early; there is only one.
- Ask for Tent 7 for views over both the Zambezi and the Chowe.
- Confirm whether canoeing is running before you travel.
- Pack a soft bag to meet light aircraft luggage limits.
