south ZAMBIA OPERATORS - old mondoro bush camp

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.

Where the call of the hyena replaces the hum of a generator, where harsh electric light is replaced by the soft glow of a lantern, where some of the best guides in Africa will help guests experience a closer look at the natural world.

Old Mondoro Bush Camp, which is a joint venture between the owners of Chiawa Camp and Sausage Tree Camp, 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.

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 several sightings, and more plains game such as Zebra and Kudu.

Appropriately constructed of canvas and natural materials, the camp 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.

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.

Accommodating only eight guests and of traditional design, Old Mondoro is somewhat reminiscent of the mobile camps of East Africa, rebuilt from scratch and then dismantled each safari season.