TIGER FISHING ON THE ZAMBEZI RIVER

We enjoy a close association with the Chongwe River Lodge and Mwambashi River Lodge in the fabulous Lower Zambezi National Park. Both these lodges offer an ideal base from which to fish for ferocious tiger fish and to explore the stunning Zambezi escarpment and National Park with its prolific concentrations of wildlife including lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo. We have formulated a sample 6-day itinerary split between the two lodges, which are located some thirty kilometres apart on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. Guests can choose from serious fishing expeditions, boat excursions, canoeing trips and game drives - there is no such thing as a set itinerary, the choice of how to spend your time at these magical lodges is entirely up to you. We have compiled a list of condensed facts, a sample itinerary and a few photographs to whet your appetite. Please contact us to take advantage of our unbeatable rates and detailed knowledge of these sublime locations.

Fact sheet for Mwambashi River Lodge and Chongwe River Lodge

Accommodation: Accommodation at Royal Zambezi is in roomy Meru style tents under thatch with ensuite loo shower and wash basin.  Each room enjoys captivating views of the River Zambezi from the privacy of its own veranda. Mwambashi offers equally large rooms with similar facilities by way of permanent safari tents on raised wooden platforms, which also enjoy great views of the river. Guests at both camps eat in a centrally located thatched dining room. Mwambashi River Lodge has a refreshing plunge pool for guests to relax in during the heat of the day. Accommodation at Chongwe River Camp consists of luxury tented chalets with en-suite bathrooms. The tent is a large walk in canvas safari tent with two single or one double bed. The tent is hung from a thatch roof and stands on a concrete plinth. The bathrooms are open air - surrounded by a half stone and half grass wall for privacy. The water is heated by a gas geezer so hot water is guaranteed and available at any time. The fine weather and ample shade allow for an open air / star lit shower.

Activities: Although the stretch of the Zambezi between the two lodges is renown for its huge tiger fish and superb fishing, there is a wealth of other exciting diversions to enjoy. Game drives in open-sided four wheel drive vehicles are available for morning and afternoon excursions into the National Park, and it is also possible to  undertake night drives with powerful spotlights to illuminate rare nocturnal mammals going about their business. Guided walks into the bush are also offered. Many guests choose to spend a day exploring the river system by canoe and enjoying a delicious lunch served on the bank side in the shade, and an evening cruise aboard a comfortable pontoon to the backdrop of the setting sun is an experience not to be missed. We also strongly recommend the exciting experience of a walking safari in the Zambezi escarpment with Vintage Africa Safaris either before or after your stay in these lodges. Chongwe River Lodge offers walks on the boundary of the Chongwe Valley Park, and multi day walking itineraries can be arranged with a minimum of one month's notice. The Lower Zambezi is well known for its canoeing and Chongwe River can arrange canoeing on request. Overnight camping on islands can also be arranged with at least one month's notice, As with their walks, these camps are mobile by nature so there are no en-suite facilities but the camp is fully serviced.  

Cash:  Guests may wish to have small denomination $US available for staff gratuity at their discretion.

Children:  Children under twelve years old cannot be accepted unless by special arrangement through Wild and Exotic..

Clothing List: A recommended clothing list will be sent on request, as will a list of recommended fishing tackle. A free laundry service is provided at both lodges.

Drinks: All cordials and sodas, beers, spirits and wines are included in the price. Ice and lemon is supplied for drinks. Refreshments are provided with all activities and excursions.

Duration: In order to fully appreciate everything that these two lodges have to offer we recommend a 6 night stay (3 nights in each camp), however you may stay for as long or short a time as you wish, subject to availability.

Fishing: The fishing on this stretch of the Zambezi is as diverse as it is exciting, with opportunities for the skilled and casual angler alike. Tigers are the species that everyone wants to catch, however you can also expect massive vundu and other smaller species such as bream and nwembe. Catching tigers with bait or spinning rods is less challenging than using a fly rod - typically 9 or 10 weight with plenty of spare backing attached to a reel with a sophisticated drag system. When using an artificial fly one of the most successful techniques is to float down with the current on a roomy pontoon and cast into the swirling eddies downstream of various natural obstructions, such as fallen trees and sandbanks. The fly is retrieved as quickly as possible and the resultant take can be so savage that it is advisable to wear finger protection to prevent burn as the line is torn from the reel. The fight is also characterised by an acrobatic display as the fish dances vigorously on the surface of the river in an attempt to shake the fly free - often achieved for tigers have hard and bony mouths. Both lodges have experienced and capable guides to accompany anglers, and Wild and Exotic will send tackle lists and further detailed information on fishing the Zambezi on request. Chongwe River caters for the serious angler, however their experienced fishing guides are equally as happy to help first timers whose excitement of catching their first fish is always a pleasure and a surprise.

Game: The Zambezi River provides food, water and shelter for huge concentrations of game, especially during the dry season when alternative resources have been depleted. The Lower Zambezi National Park is famous for the diversity and quantity of wildlife populations it supports, including huge herds of buffalo and elephant - which are frequent visitors to the Mwambashi Lodge site - as well as lion, leopard and plains game. Mwambashi is also well known for the pack of wild dogs that frequent the vicinity. The Zambezi acts as a magnet to over 300 different species of  birds, and a colony of gorgeous carmine bee eaters nest in the sandy banks of the river just downstream from Mwambashi Lodge.

How to Get There: Flights to Lusaka, and then onward charter flight to your lodge. These flights are by private charter and take around 45 minutes flying time. Alternatively guests may make the transfer by road, however this is a five hour drive and is not recommended. We recommend that guests who are booked on flights departing early morning leave the Zambezi on the afternoon of their final day and fly back to Lusaka, where they are collected and driven to Chaminuka, a comfortable and stylish lodge in which to spend their final night, and within easy access to make an early check-in for the return flight the following morning. Wild and Exotic are licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority (license number 6445) to sell the international flights necessary for this itinerary. Please contact us for further details and our recommended airlines.

Insurance: Whilst the owners of these lodges carry public liability insurance and their staff take all possible care, full medical and holiday insurance is a condition of your stay. Wild & Exotic can arrange a competitive quote this if requested.

Location: Chongwe River Lodge is located on the banks of the Chongwe River. Accommodation consists of luxury tented chalets with en suite bathrooms. Mwambashi River Lodge stands on the banks of the Lower Zambezi, in a glorious setting, opposite Chikwenya Island. Mwambashi River lodge offer a choice of twin and double bedded rooms, tastefully decorated and use cotton bed linen and feather pillows.

Meals: Dawn game drives are preceded by coffee or tea, bread and cakes delivered with your morning wake-up call. A delicious and substantial brunch is served on return to the camp from your morning activity, and a light lunch in the early afternoon. Three course dinners with superbly cooked fresh ingredients are served each evening.

Number of guests: Mwambashi River Lodge has eight rooms and a maximum capacity for just 16 guests.

Safety: Both lodges are covered by Medical Air rescue services, who in the case of an emergency evacuation would use either Kayila or Jecki airstrip. There are medical aid kits for use in the boats and vehicles during activities and excursions, and a large medical aid and equipment kit (including oxygen) at both lodges. The managers are also paramedic qualified. Guests are strongly advised to take anti malarial medication before and after their stay.

Single Supplement: There is a single supplement of 25%, however this may be waived at the discretion of the management..

Terrain: This is flood plain dotted with thorn and thick scrub, rising gradually to merge with the foothills of the Zambezi escarpment, whose rugged outline dominates the northern horizon. The mighty Zambezi River is the outstanding feature of the landscape as it carves its way seawards downstream of Lake Kariba, flowing through deep pools, shallow sandbanks and past thousands of islands. Many visitors to other African rivers are struck by the unusual clarity of the Zambezi's waters.

Weather and Best time to Visit: Both lodges are closed between November and April. The fishing can be very good from April onwards, however the optimum time frame is considered to be from mid August to the end of October. Game viewing is best later in the year, when conditions are at their driest and vegetation has died back. The cooler months of a Zambian winter run from May until September, with temperatures dropping as low as 12 degrees centigrade during July nights, although they hover around 27 degrees during the day. The peak season runs from June to the end of October.

Weather: The optimum time of year to visit is between May and September, during the "winter" months when temperatures are warm by day (high seventies) and cool at night with clear blue skies overhead, although the weather is often equally as pleasant in March and April. The temperature becomes very hot in November and the rains also arrive during the course of this month.

Mwambashi River Lodge	Elephant in the Zambezie	Buffalo in river

PHOTOGRAPH GALLERY

A selection of photographs taken by Wild and  Exotic at Mwambashi River Lodge