Chiawa Camp, Lower Zambezi National Park: Eight large platform tents with enclosed bathrooms (shower and a footed tub). Each tent had a deck and outdoor shower. Charging stations in room and mosquito nets over the beds. No wifi. Very good food and wine selection. A small communal swimming pool. Large communal sitting area with a proper bar and a reading loft overlooking the Zambezi River. Fishing, boat rides, canoe trips, walking and game drives included.

Your ride down the Lower Zambezi to Chiawa Camp.

Chiawa Camp, Lower Zambezi National Park:  Eight large platform tents with enclosed bathrooms (shower and a footed tub).  Each tent had a deck and outdoor shower.  Charging stations in room and mosquito nets over the beds.  No wifi.  Very good food and wine selection.  A small communal swimming pool.  Large communal sitting area with a proper bar and a reading loft overlooking the Zambezi River.  Fishing, boat rides, canoe trips, walking and game drives included.

Sunrise over the Lower Zambezi, Chiawa Camp.

Fish eagle spotted on the canoe trip down the Lower Zambezi, Chiawa Camp.

My fellow canoeists spotted an elephant on the banks of the Lower Zambezi, Chiawa Camp.

One morning while doing yoga outside my tent, I got this feeling something was watching me…I turned around to see this gynormous croc sunning himself with one eye on me, on the banks of the Lower Zambezi, Chongwe River Camp.

My tent at Chongwe River Camp, Lower Zambezi.

The dining room at Chongwe House, Lower Zambezi.

Chongwe River House, Lower Zambezi National Park: A part of Classic Safari Camps of Africa.   Narrow tents just a wooden step off the ground with great views of the Zambezi River.  The rooms are nicely furnished with electricity and fully enclosed, however there are not mosquito nets over the bed and the bathrooms are partially open.  The communal style supper table sits just near the fire pit over looking the river.  There is also a large bar and complimentary wifi in the main  area.  The pool has just been refinished.  Good food and wine selection. Fishing, boat rides, canoe trips (afternoon only), walking and game drives included.  There is an amazing home at the camp which sleeps eight people.  Rustic safari chic, with a private butler, guide and pool on the river.  Note that the rooms on the first and second floor are wide open, though there are mosquito nets over the beds.

Spotted: mother and baby cheetah on walking safari, Old Mondoro.

Tent at Old Mondoro.

 Old Mondoro, Lower Zambezi National Park:  Same owner as Chiawa and about an hour down the Zambezi River.  A small common area right on the river, in fact I saw three elephants swimming across the river when I arrived.   The four rooms were small, with an open wall during the day and screened flaps which are closed in the evening.  Each had electricity, a charging area, a mosquito net and indoor toilet.  Bathtub and shower are outside, but connected to the room.  No wifi.

While taking an outdoor shower at Old Mondoro, I spotted these two having a swim.

Apparently everyone was having bath time…Old Mondoro.

Grant Cummings, owner of Chiawa Camp and Old Mondoro made us (from left to right: me, Trish Corzine and Muriel Truter) pose while one rather large elephant walked up the path. A little too close for my comfort.

On the way to the airport from Lower Zambezi.

The road to Nesfu, by Robin Pope on the Lower Zambezi was the same stream these locals bathed and did their laundry in.

I distracted this local from bath time.

Local children bathing. The little boy’s belly button is protruding from malnutrition.

Sunset at Tongabezi over the Lower Zambezi, Victoria Falls.

Tongabezi Lodge, Livingston near Victoria Falls: Five river cottages, seven rooms and one treehouse.  In the main area there is spotty wifi, curio shop, a communal pool and a reading loft where you can relax, dine privately or even check your email on the house computer.  Visit to Victoria Falls on the Zambia side, drives through the nearby national park, fishing, canoe trips, sunset cruise and visits to the local school (Tjuane Primary and Secondary Schools) which is fully supported by the owners and visitors of Tongabezi Lodge are included.  1.  The river cottages are huge and fully enclosed—the windows are open, but screened and mosquito nets over the beds.  An indoor tub and shower.  A covered sitting area and large deck right on the Zambezi River.  2.  The rooms have an open wall  with mosquito nets over the beds.  Large rooms with a sitting area and outdoor deck—each room is decorated differently.  All are up on the hill overlooking the river.  3.  The treehouse is a double room that hangs out over the river with trees growing through the middle of the room.  The treehouse is totally open but has a mosquito net over the bed.  Outdoor double basin shower and a u-shaped deck looking onto the water below.  Every room has optional AC.

Muriel Truter and I in front of Victoria Falls.

The bridge connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia. People (not me) bungee jump off this.

The water at the top of the falls was really high due to heavy rains, Victoria Falls (Muriel Truter left and me on the right).

Room at Nsefu, by Robin Pope, Lower Zambezi.

Nsefu, Robin Pope Safari House, South Luangwa:Five small colonial roundavels.  Beds had mosquito nets.  Windows were open, though screen flaps could be pulled down at your request.  Bathrooms were connected to the room, but open at top.  Beautiful views of the Luangwa River with plenty of hippo and elephant sitings.  Walks, fishing, boat safaris and game drives.  Ate a casual buffet dinner under the stars and around a campfire.

A view of the Lower Zambezi from Nsefu by Robin Pope.