Location & Facilities

Kiambi is situated in the Chiawa Game Management area of the Zambezi Valley, is set in a prime location on the confluence of the Zambezi and Kafue Rivers. The first guests were welcomed at Kiambi in May 1999 and have from their inception, enchanted one and all by truly capturing the essence of the Lower Zambezi. Kiambi Lower Zambezi offers a unique composite experience, a rare combination of Africa's culture, scenery and wildlife. This is "The real Africa".

Kiambi Safari developed the eco-sensitive Kiambi Lower Zambezi and all its facilities, in a strategically chosen area, to blend into a natural bush environment amongst the native flora and enjoy the surrounding scenery to the fullest. They view their contribution to conservation and the integration of the local community into this project, in a very committed light as the uplifting of the community and responsible tourism goes hand in hand at Kiambi Safari.

The combination of spacious, comfortable luxury air conditioned chalets, luxury thatched tented chalets, self-catering accommodation and camping facilities, all with breathtaking views over the Zambezi River, together with the aura of untouched Africa, promotes an invigorating sense of harmony and well-being. Our committed, dedicated team of professional guides at Kiambi Lower Zambezi poses an intimate knowledge of the area, its wildlife and birdlife. Their extensive experience enables them to draw out the very best the Lower Zambezi has to offer. Common animals sighted all year round from Kiambi Lower Zambezi are elephant, buffalo, hippo and crocodile. Further down the river within the Lower Zambezi National Park, lion and hyena are regularly sighted. Leopard and wild dog are not uncommon.

Accommodation & Rates

Luxury Air Conditioned Chalets
There are three newly furnished luxury en suite, air conditioned chalets, which are set away from the main lodge area, for complete privacy and relaxation. The three chalets offer tea and coffee making facilities, a fully stocked mini bar, a bath as well as a shower, DSTV, and a lounge area inside the chalets. Each chalet has its own verandah with side tables and directors chairs. A small private garden and a fire area (for those colder winter evenings) are found just outside our three luxury air conditioned chalets.

Luxury Thatched Tented Chalets
Each of the eight luxury thatched tented chalets is set on a raised wooden platform, with spacious en-suite facilities and private verandas with a view over the Zambezi. While relishing the supreme comfort, furnished stylishly in Rhodesian teak and equipped with the necessities to make your stay comfortable, Kiambi guests never lose that close-to-nature experience. All luxury thatched tented chalets come with a fully stocked bar fridge, tea and coffee facilities, fans, an en-suite bathroom with hot showers and can accommodate 3 single beds comfortably or 4 at a squeeze.

Self Catering Cottage
A delightful six sleeper self catering cottage is located right on the banks of the Zambezi River. Tastefully decorated, this thatched self catering cottage offers two twin bedrooms, a loft bedroom, a bathroom, a self contained kitchen with all equipment, a lounge area, as well as a barbeque area for our more independent travelers. Firewood is supplied free of charge and for your enjoyment a fire is lit outside the chalet, in the evening, by our staff. A maximum of 6 guests are permitted in this cottage. Self catering guests are welcome to eat their meals at the lodge restaurant at the set menu prices, with pre booking, should space be available.

Camping
There is a beautiful shady camping ground, with eight campsites, tailored for our budget traveler with an air-conditioned campsite bar, a big screen TV, DSTV, pool table and campsite swimming pool, communal fireplace and wash-up areas, all overlooking the Zambezi River. Tents are pitched on beautifully manicured lawns in a relaxing cool environment. Ablutions are clean and tidy with hot water. Each one of the eight campsites has a power outlet. The staff light complimentary fires in the evening and meals are available from the lodge restaurant at the set menu prices, should space be available. The campsite is situated away from the main lodge area. Lodge facilities are not open to campsite guests, unless discussed with management.

Rates

Luxury Tented Chalet – USD126 per person sharing per day
Luxury Tented Chalet – USD172 per person single per day
Luxury Airconditioned Chalet – USD172 per person sharing per day
Luxury Airconditioned Chalet – USD218 per person single per day
Above rates include all meals
A Two night stay entitles you to a sunset cruise and a three or more night stays entitle you to a sunset cruise and a half day canoeing safari.

Self catering Cottage – USD 172 per chalet (sleeps 6) per night

Activities

There are numerous activities offered at Kiambi Lodge, all conducted under the supervision of one of the experienced, knowledgeable local guides.  Boat game viewing cruises, canoeing, bird watching, tiger fishing, sunset boat cruises … or simply relaxing around the pool or on your private veranda to absorb the beauty and serenity of the Lower Zambezi.

Boat cruises at Kiambi
With the Zambezi River as the focal point, you can explore the area by boat in search of the wildlife which frequents the river banks. This peaceful form of game viewing allows close-up encounters with a variety of game and birdlife, and - with the breathtaking scenery as backdrop – this is undoubtedly a photographer's dream. You can also enjoy sunset cruises or a full day game viewing cruise from the comfort of the boats. The sunset cruises depart in the late afternoon, and are included in a 2 night stay in the fully inclusive rates for the luxury air-conditioned tented chalets and the luxury thatched tented chalets. For those not on a fully inclusive rate, there is a small extra charge, but well worth it, as there is the possibility of seeing elephants, crocodiles, hippo, as well as many different bird species found in the Zambezi Valley. Drinks are served on board, often accompanied by spectacular African sunsets. Please note that they do have various boats for hire. If you have not reserved a boat when making your reservation, please enquire at reception on arrival for availability.

Canoeing at Kiambi
Arguably one of the finest ways to discover the secrets of the Zambezi.  All downstream, this is an easy going, enjoyable canoe ride, and no previous experience is necessary. We use stable 5m Canadian canoes, and all trips are accompanied by an experienced river guide. The best way to experience the Lower Zambezi River is by canoe. Short canoe excursions can be undertaken from the camp. The 3 hour canoe safari departs after breakfast at +-09h00 to the top of the Island in front of Kiambi, by power boat. From the top of the island, you canoe on the southern side of the island to the lower point of the island. You canoe on this side due to good game viewing. You are then returned back to Kiambi by power boat. They generally work on a 1 to 4 day canoeing safari (for further information on the 2, 3 or 4 night canoe safaris please contact us), but tailor made trips can be arranged to suit your interests. The canoe safaris include a visit to one of the local villages to exchange traditions and meet the friendly population of Zambia. The canoeing from Kiambi is unbeatable and if you truly want to experience nature at its best, what better way to do it than from a canoe..

Bird watching at Kiambi Lower Zambezi
Bird watching is excellent all year round in the Lower Zambezi, but the finest season is considered to be from the end of September to March, when the central African migrants are resident in the area. Remember to bring your binoculars and zoom lenses. Birdlife is abundant around Kiambi with a variety of raptors, water birds, and smaller birds commonly sighted. Trumpeter hornbill, Meyer's Parrots, Lilian's Lovebirds and Narina Trogon are but a few of the bird species which can be observed in the Zambezi Valley. Kiambi has a Roberts Multimedia Bird's of Southern Africa program on computer in the office, as well as many birding books. Please feel free to use these at your leisure, although they remain the property of Kiambi Lower Zambezi.

Fishing at Kiambi
If you are a keen fisherman or fly fisherman, remember to bring your own tackle. The Zambezi River is renowned for tiger fish, legendary for their ferocious fighting ability. We enforce a strict catch and release policy. The tiger fishing is best between September and November.
At Kiambi all the fishing safaris are tailor made, according to guest needs, and mainly based from Kiambi Lower Zambezi where guests can choose from the variety of accommodation options available  Meal times are tailored to fit in with the larger fishermen groups, as they normally like to get onto the river quite early in the morning … departing at around 06h30 and returning around 11h00 for a delicious brunch, quick rest and swim in the pool, then it's time to depart again at about 14h00 for further fishing adventures returning to camp at are 18h00 just as the sun sets, with a delicious dinner awaiting their return. Cooler boxes are sent on each boat, and again depending on your requirements, they usually only have about 3 to 4 fishermen on each boat ensuring you have the space for moving around the boat to fish. Each boat has a boatman, who is available to assist you with baiting the rods and to provide you with an awesome fishing safari.

How to get there

Kiambi Lower Zambezi is situated in the Lower Zambezi within the Chiawa Game Management area, near the confluence of the Zambezi and Kafue Rivers. The closest town to the lodge is Chirundu, a mere 22km upriver, and the Lower Zambezi National Park is situated 65km downriver. Kiambi Lower Zambezi is strategically placed in a prime location high up on the very edge of the banks of the mighty Zambezi River.

Kiambi is accessible by road all year round, a 4WD is not necessary, but a high clearance vehicle is recommended.  From Chirundu there is an 11km gravel road to the pontoon across the Kafue River, and thereafter, another 11km of gravel road to Kiambi.

By air, Kiambi’s closest airports are Lusaka International, or Royal Airstrip, near the Lower Zambezi National Park, or for smaller charter flights, they can use the private airstrip on Chiawa Estates.  Some of the scheduled and charter airlines that fly into Lusaka include British Airways, Kulula, Zambian Airways, south African Airways and Air Zimbabwe.

If flying into Royal Airstrip, a boat transfer can be arranged by Kiambi.