Introducing Zambia’s unparalleled Safari Lodges – The Chinzombo Story

With abundant wildlife, unspoilt wilderness, a circuit of simple yet stylish Safari camps and river lodges, insightful tour guides, Zambia undoubtedly is an up-the-hill top class safari destination for quibblers.

Among the many luxury safaris lodges for the affluent tourists to Zambia, Chinzombo is the place to stay. This camp is located in one of Zambia’s kept secret safari destination the South Luangwa National Park. The game park is one of the last great wildlife wonders of the world. This nine thousand square kilometres (3,475 square miles) pristine wilderness is a home to 60 different animal species, and over 400 different bird species including 39 birds of prey and 47 migrant species, definitely there is plenty for the birdwatcher to spot, whatever the season.

Internationally famous for the abundance of ‘leopards’ hence the parks nickname as “the valley of the leopard”. The only notable exception is the rhino, sadly poached to extinction.  The South Luangwa has been visited by wildlife safari enthusiasts from all over the world since its creation as a National Park in 1972. The park offers a safari experience unmatched by any other destination, allowing year around access, open game viewing vehicles, walking safaris and night game drives.

The Chinzombo Safari Camp is wildly luxurious, designed by award winning architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens. Chinzombo brings levels of comfort, style and elegance previously unseen to the Luangwa Valley in Zambia.

The old Chinzombo Camp was for years the green season base for Norman Carr way back in the 1970’s. Norman Carr was a young game ranger who came to this part of Zambia way back in 1950. His dream was to share his passion for this unique wilderness and secure its future by ensuring that the local population benefit through conserving the wildlife and infinitely varied habitat of the Luangwa Valley.

To realise his dream Norman Carr initiated a far-reaching and visionary conservation concept which was to pave the way for modern conservation and tourism in the South Luangwa operating under the Norman Carr Safaris (NCS). Most importantly Norman Carr initiated the renowned guided walking safaris in the game park, which became known as wilderness trails. These were very popular and have since been emulated throughout southern Africa.

The new Chinzombo safari camp is super-luxurious but retains its bush feel with grass and canvas walls and spacious living areas that melt into the exquisite surroundings of the beautiful, tranquil of the famous South Luangwa National Park.

Gigantic, ancient shade trees offer peace and tranquillity for guests staying in any one of the six stunning villas, one of which is a family suite with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, perfect for families or small groups. Each villa will have its private pool, cooled sleeping areas, and massive bathroom.

This wildly luxury camp is set out within 60 acres of private land with Luangwa River frontage; the views from its riverside location which teems with wildlife, plus the private, direct access into one of the most game rich areas of the National Park all combine to make this a truly unique place.

Throughout its history, NCS has always innovated. The first camps, the first walking safaris, the first community projects, the first bush camps, the first all Zambian expert guiding team, the list of firsts is a long one!  Chinzombo owners are proud to continue that tradition and be the first to bring this level of design and luxury innovation to the Luangwa allowing us to create unique and exclusive adventures for the most discerning of guests.

Chinzombo Camp is the perfect place from which to explore the majestic wilds of the Africa’s acclaimed South Luangwa in style, luxury and exclusivity – all year around.

Contributed by the Zambia Embassy in Paris and Permanent Mission to UNWTO.

Explore Zambia the real Africa - South Luangwa National Park

Zambia is African continent’s great unacknowledged safari destination, and indisputably its best value. The safari tours in Zambia are unfailingly excellent; the Zambian game parks offer a diversity of experiences hardly blended somewhere else.  The quality of accommodation and service provided in the safari lodges is incomparable added to this is the quality of local guides which is discerning.

Zambia offers a more natural and authentic bush experience than its better-known competitors. One of Zambia’s kept secret safaris destination is the South Luangwa National Park.

Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park is among the most vastly, well stocked and wildly, internationally recognised game parks on the African continent. Experts have dubbed as one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world, and not without reason. The concentration of animals around the Luangwa River and its oxbow lagoons is among the most intense in Africa.

The Luangwa River is the most intact major river system in Africa and is the life-blood of this 9059 km2 Park. The Park hosts a wide variety of wildlife, birds and vegetation. The now famous ‘walking safari’ originated in this Park and is still one of the finest ways to experience Africa’s pristine wilderness first-hand. The changing seasons add to the Park’s richness, ranging from; dry, bare bushveld in the winter, to a lush, green wonderland in the summer months.

There are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species in South Luangwa National Park and internationally famous for the leopard hence nickname “the valley of the leopard”. The only notable exception is the rhino, sadly poached to extinction. With about 400 of Zambia’s 732 species of birds appearing in the Park, including 39 birds of prey and 47 migrant species, there is plenty for the birdwatcher to spot, whatever the season.

An interest in the vegetation of Zambia will enhance your experience of the bush. Some magnificent trees and plants grow in the Luangwa Valley, and it certainly adds to the richness of one’s experience to be able to recognise the different tree species and to discover exotic wildflowers.

Among the more common trees in the valley are the mopane, leadwood, winterthorn, the tall vegetable ivory palm, the marula and the magnificent tamarind tree. There are some magnificent Baobab specimens and a few large ebony forests to admire.

A must be on the list of any tourist to Southern part of Africa

Contributed by the Zambia Embassy in Paris and Permanent Mission to UNWTO.