Safari lodge
Canvas, deep shade and the sounds of the bush—Chula and Kutali capture the spirit of a traditional African safari. Set beneath beautiful trees along the Zambezi, these small tented camps blend the character of an expedition with the comforts of a thoughtfully prepared room. Comfortable beds, quality linen, electric fans and charging points make it easy to settle in, while mesh walls let the breeze through and keep insects out. Each tent has a private en suite bathroom with a flushing toilet, running water and an outdoor bucket shower. Between adventures, there's time to read in the shade, watch the river and enjoy the quiet of camp. It's a simple, comfortable way to live in the bush, where canvas is all that separates you from the sounds of Africa.
Beyond the fishing
Beyond fishing, the Lower Zambezi is a place of extraordinary wildlife, wide horizons and unhurried days. Game drives through the national park reveal elephants, buffalo, zebra, kudu and waterbuck, while leopards and wild dogs are occasional, thrilling sightings. With experienced guides leading the way and the river as a backdrop, each drive becomes its own quiet story of the bush.
Canoeing down the Zambezi is one of Africa's most memorable experiences. Drifting past pods of hippo, watching elephants cross the channel and hearing the splash of a fish eagle all become part of a day that moves at the pace of the water. Walking safaris, led by armed guides, offer a closer, more grounded way to read the bush—tracks, droppings, chewed bark and the small signs that reveal who passed by an hour or a day ago.
Evenings bring sundowner cruises along the river's edge, with the sky turning copper and the bush settling into its night-time chorus. For non-anglers—or simply for days between rods—it's a chance to experience Africa fully, in all its forms.
Fishing
Tigerfish are the ultimate game fish. Found only in Africa, they have earned a reputation among anglers as some of the fastest, hardest-hitting fish in fresh water. Takes can be plentiful, but securing a hook and staying connected through powerful runs and jumps is another matter. That challenge is what keeps anglers coming back.
In the protected waters of the Lower Zambezi National Park, we fish entirely from custom-designed, 18½-foot aluminium drift boats. Each carries two anglers and an experienced Zambian guide, sometimes joined by an international host guide. Built specifically for this river, the boats give us access to narrow channels and precise control as we drift banks, explore deep holes and work flies past fallen timber, shaded pockets and sandbar drop-offs. With elephants and buffalo along the banks, the setting is as memorable as the fishing. Every tigerfish we land is carefully released.
The Zambezi holds more than tigerfish. The mighty vundu, a giant catfish, shares these waters with sharptooth catfish, nkupe, several species of bream and the elusive African pike—all potential targets on fly.
Getting there
Fly internationally to Lusaka (LUN), Zambia's capital, with an overnight stop in Johannesburg (JNB). From Lusaka, a charter flight of approximately 35 minutes takes you into the Lower Zambezi National Park, followed by a 15-minute game drive to camp.
We recommend a comfortable overnight stay at a Johannesburg airport hotel before the two-hour flight to Lusaka the following morning. Hotels within walking distance of the terminal make the stopover straightforward. Alternative connections are available through Dubai, Doha or Addis Ababa.
Cape Town and Livingstone, the gateway to Victoria Falls, are convenient additions before or after your time in camp.
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