MoiraS

Hi! Me and my sister have both been swamped with work, but we're still trying to plan our trip when we can. One thing that we've found out is that the camps in Botswana are really expensive, so we're looking for ways to cut down a bit on our expenses.

One area that we think we might be able to save some money is in Zambia. We're looking at staying at Chongwe instead of Chiawa. Chongwe seems to have gotten good reviews here, and it's much less expensive.

Has anyone here stayed at both Chongwe and Chiawa? How would you compare them? Is Chiawa worth the extra money (it's almost double!)?

Moira

Roccco

Moira,

If you are traveling this year, I think, first, availability, will dictate where you stay, and, next, pricing. Zambia has definitely experienced a major surge in visitors compared to prior years.

The major difference between Chongwe and Chiawa is in the location. While Chongwe enjoys a beautiful location, it is outside of the park, requiring entry/exit of the park on each game drive. Meanwhile, Chiawa is within the park and you will never experience a park entry/exit (which can get quite annoying four times per day).

I would say that Chiawa is closer to 50% more expensive rather than double the price you have reported. However, Chiawa may be combined with Old Mondoro for a nice discount and Old Mondoro is really isolated deep within the park.

Personally, I will be at each Chiawa and Old Mondoro at the beginning of July and I can hardly wait.

MoiraS

Hi Rocco!

We will be traveling in 2008, so hopefully we still have time to pick our camps!

Have you been to Chiawa and Old Mondoro? I saw from an old trip report that you went to Chongwe.

How far from the gate is Chongwe? Is the game viewing better further inside the park, or is it the same as near to the gate?

Thanks!

Moira

matnikstym

I stayed at Chongwe in 2005 and really enjoyed the camp. The location is great, elephants in camp all the time, many activities to choose from, very attentive staff. I think they have more tents than Chiawa. Meals are more homestyle (lasagna, curry chicken, spaghetti etc.) on a kind of buffet line and everyone eats together. It was a fun camp and would go back.
Dennis

matnikstym

forgot to add, even though the camp is not in the park, it's a short drive and it's still a game drive getting to the gate as the animals don't just hang out in the parks boundaries.

MoiraS

HI Dennis!

Thanks so much for your post...do you have to go into the park for all of the activities at Chongwe, or can you do the canoeing from camp?

Some of the maps I've seen seem to show a lot of camps near that end of the park...was there ever a sense of being crowded, or any lines at the gate?

Thanks!

Moira

matnikstym

Hi Moira. If you do just a game drive, you do have to go through the gate but there was never a line at the gate. If you do canoeing, when you stop, they pick you up in the land rover and continue on with your game drive, stopping somewhere along the river for sundowners. The tiger fishing there is a lot of fun, didn't care for the walking safari as the guide was a little too cautious compared to the camp at South Luangwa. At most we saw 3-4 other vehicles at say a lion sighting but never felt crowded other than at dinner. (even though the meals were "homestyle" as I mentioned, the lasagna was the best I've ever had!) And not a day went by that there wasn't an elephant right next to the tent...AWESOME!