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Chongwe House Exterior view of the lodge with outdoor dining

Exciting Adventures at Chongwe House

Zambia

Content

Adventure and relaxation "off the beaten path"... A travelogue by Sonja Wohleser...

When you think of safari, most people immediately think of the well-known hotspots - Namibia, South Africa, Kenya etc.. But for our last, and first, African vacation we chose something very special: the beautiful Chongwe House, idyllically situated on the banks of the Zambezi River in Zambia. Unlike many other safari destinations, Zambia is largely untouched. Nowhere else can the "Big Five" live as freely and undisturbed as here. Chongwe House is the perfect place for anyone looking for an authentic safari away from the typical tourist trails - and despite the wilderness, there is no lack of luxury here.

The Chongwe River House - safari experience and luxury combined on the banks of the Zambezi

Deep in Zambia at a small fork in the Mighty Zambezi River lies one of the most beautiful places in the world: Chongwe House, a private hideaway in Flintstones style, directly on the Chongwe River.

Designed by Neil Rocher, an architect specializing in sustainable tourism projects, this lodge looks as if it has grown organically out of the African landscape. Up to 8 guests can stay here in the 4 en-suite bedrooms. Real highlights are the outdoor waterfall showers, the large swimming pool with a view of the Chongwe River or the lounge under the huge winter thorn tree. The lodge's flowing rooms, which merge into the natural surroundings, make you almost feel the nature that surrounds you. A safari experience couldn't be more authentic!

It is therefore not surprising that the lodge is located right in the heart of wild African life. We were able to observe elephants that paid us a visit at the house and monkeys that showed themselves at the foot of the house throughout the day. The nocturnal sounds of the hippos gave us a good night's sleep and numerous warthogs grazed peacefully in front of the lodge in the morning.

Eine blonde Frau sitzt mit vier Jungen beim Essen an einem großen Tisch aus Holz im Chongwe House. Alle fünf Personen schauen in die Kamera. Im Hintergrund ist eine afrikanische Landschaft mit einem Fluss und einem Elefanten zu sehen.
Eine blonde Frau sitzt mit dem Rücken zur Kamera auf einem Holzdeck an einem Pool. Hinter dem Pool in einer afrikanischen Landschaft mit einem Fluss und einem Berg steht ein Elefant.

A Safari Up Close: Our Greatest African Adventure 


In addition to wildlife viewing, the lodge naturally offers exclusive safari tours to the most remote parts of Zambia—specifically within the Lower Zambezi National Park—to provide the best possible safari experience. 

Our guide had an incredible knack for spotting animals—whether leopards, lions, elephants, or any of the many other wildlife species to be seen. We drove along bumpy trails to the most remote sundowner spots, paddled canoes alongside herds of hippos, tracked leopards and lions on the hunt, and dodged huge herds of buffalo.

So while the tours were incredibly exciting, we still always felt comfortable and safe. 

Familie posiert vor einem Fluss in Sambia
Elefant mitten im Camp des Chongwe House
Besuch eines Elefanten im Camp
Ein Affe läuft vor einer Sitzgelegenheit mit mehreren Kissen entlang.
Zwei Löwen ruhen sich in der Wildnis aus
Elefant in der Nahaufnahme im Chongwe House

Zambia Fact Check

  • Getting There: A 25-minute flight took us from Lusaka directly to the gates of Lower Zambezi National Park, where we were picked up by safari vehicle at the airport and taken straight to Chongwe House.

     

  • Climate: Tropical climate with ideal conditions for wildlife viewing during the dry season (May through October). During this time, animals gather at rivers and waterholes.

     

  • Health: Zambia is considered a safe travel destination, especially in the national parks and rural areas. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended.

     

  • Tip: Chongwe House can be easily combined with a lodge near Victoria Falls. For those who would like to relax on the beach after an exciting safari, we recommend a stay at Kaya Mawa Lodge on Lake Malawi.

Selfie des Tour Guides mit der Familie
Familienfoto mit dem Safari Guide vor dem Fluss

Great service and a warm welcome at Chongwe House

At Chongwe Lodge, personalized and flexible service is a top priority—around the clock. The entire team, including the guide and safari vehicle(s), was always on hand to make our stay unforgettable. And our personal chef spoiled us with the most creative dishes.

A huge THANK YOU to the fantastic team at Chongwe House! You made our stay truly special. A special thank you goes to Franklin, Hastings, John, Connelius, and Nickson—and of course to Mario Voss and TIME + TIDE. You made an experience possible that we will rave about for a long time to come!

We were brave, tested our limits, and placed ourselves trustingly in the hands of experienced guides. In doing so, we learned to trust—that the earth is a true wonder and that we are a part of it.

Our visit to the Time and Tide Foundation left a deep impression on us. We danced together with the students, and when our children boarded the boat that took us back to the beautiful Chongwe House, they were visibly moved and humbled. It was the local people who made this time so unforgettable and left a deep impression on us.

And sometimes, even today, I wake my children with the funny calls of the hippos that greeted us every morning.

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