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Chongwe River House does have that certain stone-age feeling to it - it is quite a remarkable and unique design

Zambia is regarded by many as one of the last true wildernesses and this continent's greatest secret. Visitor numbers are small and her vast areas of pristine wilderness have remained unchanged for millennia. The opportunity to explore these areas and see the wildlife without sharing the experience with many others is a privilege that's hard to find these days.

Time + Tide Chongwe River House in Zambia is award-winning safari design at its finest. This stunning two storey, four bedroom private house is set on a tranquil stretch of the Chongwe River against a beautiful mountainous backdrop. The Chongwe area is famous for large elephants, and they will frequently wander past in search of seed pods from the winterthorn trees or cross the river right in front of the house.

Chongwe River House does have that certain stone-age feeling to it - it is quite a remarkable and unique design. Having been refurbished recently, the house is a destination in itself - one that would cater perfectly for families or small groups who want to have all the benefits of a private home. The location is just as superb with fantastic activities on offer giving you the full picture of what the Lower Zambezi has to offer. We can certainly assure you that Chongwe River House is one of a kind, and ultimately a breath of fresh air from typical lodge design!

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Where is Chongwe River House located?

4,000 square kilometres, the Lower Zambezi National Park is nestled between an impressive mountain escarpment to the north and the mighty Zambezi River to the south. The escarpment acts as a natural barrier for the wildlife, keeping it on the plains and in the rich woodland on the bank of the river.

The Lower Zambezi is a haven for wildlife and bird lovers with 60 mammal species and 378 bird species. Elephant, hippo and a diversity of plains game are abundant throughout the park. It also boasts a healthy lion and leopard population with sightings of hyena and wild dog common. There are relatively few camps in and around the park. With the absence of mass tourism the region remains a pristine wilderness, free from overcrowding.

What sort of accommodation is available at Chongwe River House?

Set in a beautiful riverside position in the Lower Zambezi area of central Zambia, Time and Tide Chongwe House is an architecturally impressive place, with guest accommodation in just 4 rooms and providing access to a very wide range of expertly-guided wet and dry safari activities. For private groups of up to 8 guests.

This really is an extraordinary looking place, it would be difficult to stay here and not feel really special, and it’s one of those places you simply have to try explain to your friends, but will never manage to fully convey the magic to them.

The house comes fully staffed and guests are able to stay here in absolute privacy, although are also welcome at the main Chongwe River Camp, which is less than 1km to the south. There are usually two chefs, two waiters and two house managers, as well as your safari guides.

When is the best time to visit Chongwe River House?

The best time of year is the Jun-Sep dry season, although there are good reasons to visit during other months.

Game viewing in the Lower Zambezi is primarily done in the dry season between the months of April to November, when the river levels are lower.

What should I pack and bring with me?

Your safari suitcase, packed properly, will ensure that you have everything you need for the ultimate African bush experience. Cotton clothing in neutral colours is recommended for all game drives and bush walks. It is best to avoid white clothing and dark colours for bush activities, as they tend to attract certain bugs. Formal wear is not required.

Important:

  • Passport
  • Visa - Most nationals can obtain their visa at the point of entry into Zambia for tourists of most nationalities, including US, Canadian, British and most European countries.
  • All visitors should be medically insured. We recommend that visitors to Zambia take malaria prophylactics. Tetanus, polio, typhoid and the hepatitis vaccinations are recommended. It is advisable to know your blood group type in case of an emergency.
  • Air Tickets/Vouchers/insurance details
  • Credit Cards (MasterCard or Visa) Debit Cards
  • Sun Glasses and Solid Case
  • Prescription Glasses (with extra pair) and Solid Case
  • Contact Lenses (with extra pair), we recommend that you also bring a pair of glasses in case of dust irritation.
  • The house runs off mains electricity. Three pin square plugs (adaptors available). Tap water is from a borehole and is safe for drinking; bottled water is also provided at the house free of charge.
  • Binoculars – a must!
  • Flashlight (small, with extra batteries)
  • Camera & Equipment: Battery Charger and Adapter, Large Memory Card etc.

What Activities are available at Chongwe River House?

During your stay, enjoy the impressive variety of safari activities, created for the ultimate exploration of this magnificent African paradise. By land, you can enjoy game drives and walking safaris, or take to the rivers and explore with boat cruises, canoeing safaris and tiger-fishing. 

  • Night game drives

Night vehicle safaris also feature highly here and are carried out to an unusually high standard. Good quality sightings of lions and    leopards are common, along with more common nocturnal favourites such as porcupines and bush-babies.

  • Vehicle Safari

Vehicle safari is the most reliable way to interact with the local wildlife.

Sightings are at their best during the May-Oct dry season, when animals from a vast hinterland converge on the river.

  • Private Guiding

A major highlight at this particular camp is that it inherently offers private guides and vehicles to all groups, which can be a massive upgrade on the overall experience and is in stark contrast with the shared safari approach taken by the vast majority of camps in this region.

  • Walking safaris

Walking safaris are also offered and, whilst they do more usually concentrate on the smaller fauna and flora, may also include deliberate approaches on to potentially dangerous wildlife such as elephants and lions.

  • Boat cruises

Motorboat safari may not offer as tranquil an experience as the smaller hand-propelled craft, but they do give you the chance to cover greater distances, which enables you to access more locations of interest and, hopefully, find more wildlife.

  • Canoe Safari

Canoe safaris are a particular speciality in this area and are particularly good for up close sightings of animals along the shoreline, notably the birdlife including kingfishers and, during Sep-Nov, impressive carmine bee-eater colonies.

  • Cultural Interaction 

Some guests make mention of Mugurameno Primary School as being a particular highlight.

Cultural activities are also possible, including visits to Chiawa Cultural Village (a living museum where visitors can learn more about the traditions of the local Goba tribe) and local villages.

  • Tiger fishing
  • Sleep-out Under the Stars
  • Wildlife hide

Does Chongwe River House cater for families with young children?

There is no minimum child age.

However the camp is not specifically geared up for children, is unfenced and could be potentially very dangerous. Adult supervision is essential at all times.

There are higher age limits on certain more risky activities.

Mokoro canoe safari: 12 years

Walking safari: 12 years

Why is Conservation and Responsible Tourism so important at Chongwe River House?

The Time + Tide Foundation promotes non-consumptive tourism as the most effective way for local communities and their natural environments to prosper symbiotically.

In partnership with the Time + Tide tourism brand, the objective is to relieve protected African habitats from the human pressures that compromise biodiversity. This is achieved by investing in social and economic projects that residents identify as important for communit

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Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour and catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore – Dream – Discover - Mark Twain - You can view clips of some of our own favourite discoveries here.


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As a guide, the cost of our extraordinary and utterly bespoke journeys tends to start from $1200 per person per day excluding international flights.

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