Chongwe River House - Lower Zambezi

"Your kindness, enthusiasm, charm, good humour went beyond the call of duty. We have been raving about you non stop since we arrived back - I think we are about to bore our friends senseless." Paul, August 2002

  • Uniquely designed private house for up to eight guests
  • Four large ensuite bedrooms, massive dining/sitting area
  • Large swimming pool and platform with great view
  • The private chef and house manager will discuss menu planning for the stay
  • Activities and meals will be designed to suit the individual group requirement
  • All activities are exclusive to the house guests
  • Private guide, vehicle, canoes and boat
  • Drives, night drives, walking safaris, canoeing, fishing
  • Fly Fishing on the Chongwe River. Tiger fishing on the Zambezi River
  • Five Day Itinerary at Chongwe River House

Family Safaris

  • Equally suitable for families (min age 7) and groups of up to eight
  • Wide range of hosted activities for children, independent of parents, (with child minder available)

It was a trip of a lifetime – one to be repeated again and again

And so we arrived after the 1.5 hour flight from the South Luangwa (where we stayed at the Luangwa Safari House). The view of the Zambezi as we turned onto finals of the dirt strip was spectacular. A wide river with sand banks, buffalo filled reeds and hippo pods scattered in the green water. Chongwe River House is only a 20 minutes transfer and there we were – in some sort of fantasy house – Flintstones meets Lord of the Rings. The designer of this house must have a very active imagination. There was not a single straight line – the walls being made of cement following natural “wild wood” (dead branches). The main room is again open with a spectacular view of the Chongwe River and the Zambezi mountains.

The kids of course were again very excited by the house and had to investigate all corners. The bedrooms all had open fronts with great views as did the outside baths (Madam had a lovely long bath one night by candle and moon light). And the bathrooms – well artistically carved sinks out of marble or wood, showers like waterfalls and as with both houses – watching the elephant stroll by as you shave. All the furniture from dressing table, its stool, the “sofa” and even the dining table has been made from huge fallen trees. Everything is so natural. And, although a bizarre house, you feel very relaxed and comfortable.

Soon enough the kids were in the pool (a big one out by the deck) and we were sipping wine watching the constant stream of animals come down to the Chongwe River to drink. It will remain a high point of my life forever!

Activities include a lot of time on the Chongwe or Zambezi Rivers. Be it canoeing, exciting tiger fishing from a pontoon like boat, or a sunset cruise on a boat – the rivers are key here. This is the main difference to the Luangwa where more time is spent driving or walking. Having said that I did some wonderful walks with the guide Brendon (from Malawi) up the Chongwe River to a waterfall and above into the start of the mountains. Again the kids were superbly catered for by the fabulous Clem (a Brit). What a couple – they are living there, in the remote bush with Bruce, their young son. They simply love the house and what they are doing. And so did we.

Well – between the two houses... I believe we found the perfect holiday for the family and will be returning with friends for my 50th next year.