Location & Facilities

The Shona word for lion is Mondoro and the name Old Mondoro derives from the local legend of an old, white lion that used to frequent the area. This was in the time of the great explorers and when David Livingstone traveled through the Lower Zambezi on his ill-fated mission to prove that the Zambezi River was navigable. Although the old white lion has long gone, Old Mondoro Bush Camp reflects the wild spirit that lives on in his descendants that still roam free in this unique part of Africa.    

The concept of Old Mondoro is simple – to step back from the ultra-luxurious lodges seemingly springing up everywhere, and rather provide guests with an authentic remote safari that concentrates on the wildlife and bush experience.

Old Mondoro is set in a grove of Acacia trees on the banks of the Zambezi River in the Lower Zambezi National Park some 10km downstream from Jeki Airstrip, near the Chakwenga River confluence. A beautiful site overlooking a maze of hippo-inhabited islands and channels.

Here, the Park is characterised by vast flood plains and open woodland making for ideal walking and game viewing opportunities.  This is very different from the rest of the Park, which is on higher ground characterised by thicker bush and large inland lagoons.

The Park offers excellent game viewing throughout, with there being more elephant, lion and buffalo activity west of Jeki, and Old Mondoro’s area to the east which seems to deliver more frequent leopard and serval sightings, and more plains game such as Zebra and Kudu.  

Old Mondoro is also noted for its wild dog sightings as the dogs often den in the vicinity, and was the base for the African Wild Dog Conservation researcher for two years.

There are some excellent walking areas right out of Camp, and more just a short drive away. It is unquestionably the best walking area in the Lower Zambezi. However also on offer at Old Mondoro are game drives (day & night ), canoeing and game viewing by motor boat.

Whilst Chiawa Camp is more luxurious and sophisticated, guests will also enjoy the very different and “back to the bush” atmosphere of Old Mondoro.

Accommodation & Rates

Old Mondoro is appropriately constructed of canvas and natural materials, and has an open and more adventurous feel yet provides a comfortable retreat after a day filled with excitement in the bush, where emphasis is placed on non-motorised safari activities.

The “tents”, resting on temporary slabs, have en-suite facilities with flush toilets, and canvas bucket showers and washbasins.  Paraffin lanterns provide natural lighting.

The tents are left with open views during the day, and at night canvas drop-down blinds with windows are lowered to provide more privacy and security.

Two of the tents have two twin beds and two tents have a double bed, all with thick foam mattresses, comfortable bedding and large mosquito nets. Furniture in the tents is simple, with shelving throughout, a coffee table and chairs in each – complemented by shaded sundecks and outstanding views.

The Main Tent, which serves as a lounge and dining area, rests under a Winter Thorn tree and next to a Sausage Tree overlooking the Zambezi.

A traditional bush kitchen will supply outstanding meals and fresh bread baked daily from a homemade oven. The entire experience is unpretentious and uncomplicated, but promises a unique safari that gives guests the best bush experience possible.

We strongly recommended that a weeklong visit combining Chiawa Camp with Old Mondoro Bush Camp which will enable guests to fully appreciate the natural spectacle that is the Lower Zambezi.

Rates:
Old Mondoro: (open May 01 - Oct 31)  Kids 12+  - June 01 - Oct 31 - $650
Combo Rate (when combined with Chiawa Camp) - June 01 - Oct 31 - $575
May Discounted Rate - May 01 - May 31    $500
No single supplement all season   

The rate mentioned above includes:

• accommodation
• Transfers between Chiawa Camp/Old Mondoro & Jeki/Royal airstrips
• all meals and beverages
• professionally guided game drives
• angling, canoe trips, bush walks, boat trips 
• park fees
• daily laundry

And excludes:

• International flights and taxes
• Air or river transfers to or from the Lower Zambezi
•  private vehicles or boats
• lost or broken fishing tackle
• Park angling permits
• Gratuities
• Items of a personal nature

We strongly recommend you spend 2-3 nights at Old Mondoro combined with 3 nights at Chiawa for the ultimate Lower Zambezi safari.

Activities

Generally consist of morning walks and afternoon game drives. A motor boat for afternoon game viewing on the Zambezi River is also available as is canoeing.

Transport: One Landcruiser, one LandRover;  one motor boat.

Fishing is now available at Old Mondoro Bush Camp with October and November being the peak period for Tiger fishing.  Boats (2 x 4.5m spinners and 1 ali boat) and experienced skippers are on hand.

A Day in the Life: The day starts with a wake-up call about 15 minutes before sunrise. Guests meet by the campfire for a light breakfast and depart for morning safari activity soon after. Guests return to camp about 11am and a brunch buffet with optional full English breakfast is served around midday. Guest’s typically siesta or relax until afternoon tea which is served around 15:30 with sweet and savoury snacks before the afternoon activity which usually culminates in a night drive returning to camp about 20:00. Drinks and snacks are served at the bar or by the camp fire until a 3 course dinner is served. Coffee and liqueurs are offered after dinner and guests typically turn in for the night around 22:00. 

How to get there

Although remote, Chiawa Camp is easily reached from Zambia's capital city, Lusaka. (Lusaka is serviced regularly by large international carriers such as British Airways and South African Airways.)

Once in Zambia, there are various ways to get to Chiawa Camp.

By Air
Flying is the quickest and easiest way to get to the Lower Zambezi. The flight to Jeki airfield from Lusaka International Airport is only 30 minutes and the scenery en route is spectacular. Jeki is situated inside the National Park and guests are transferred to and from camp via a 80 minute game drive or 1 hour combined drive and boat ride depending on the logistics of the day.

By Road and River
First, a three hour drive on variable road to Gwabi Lodge where the vehicles are parked and you board any one of our motor boats. The trip (75kms) down the river takes about two hours and has been extremely popular with our guests. The first 50kms passes fishing villages before entering game rich country where plentiful hippo, elephant, buffalo, many types of antelope and birds, and crocodile are seen en-route.
This service is available from/to Lusaka or Kariba and the times involved from/to both are similar.
Old Mondoro is a 1 hour motor boat ride, or a two hour game drive, or an 8 hour canoe trip away from Chiawa Camp. Jeki Airstrip is only a 30 minute game drive away but Royal Airstrip is nearly 3 hours away.  Old Mondoro is 35km downstream from Chiawa Camp so canoeing from OM back to CC is not available.