Old Mondoro – Lower Zambezi – Zambia

This classic Zambian “bush camp” is the perfect antidote for the stresses of modern life. Located in the beautiful Lower Zambezi National Park, nestled between the waters of the great Zambezi River to the south and the towering escarpment to the north. At Old Mondoro you feel at one with your surroundings, and the lines between inside and outside begin to blur.

The area is a magnet for big game and they often pass right through the camp. This is especially true of the elephants that love to come into camp to feed of the Acacia trees that shade the camp. After dark the views are replaced by the sounds, as the whole night fills with bush chorus.

For the best of the Zambezi, why not combine a big game safari stay at Old Mondoro with a stay at Royal Chundu from where you can explore the Victoria Falls.

Classic Bush Camp

With only 5 chalets, this is the smallest camp inside the Lower Zambezi National Park, giving it a wonderful, intimate feel. The chalets offer every creature comfort, with en-suite bathrooms with flush toilets, outside showers and even bathtubs on the deck with views out onto the river! Electricity is supplied 24 hours a day through innovative green energy production! Each unit also has a large private deck with day beds to lounge away while the natural world passes you by! The canvas, reed and wood construction has been designed give you the feeling of being outside, while still having the sense of security from being inside!

The main lodge area continues the theme, open on all side, ensuring your view of this incredible location is never lost. High thatch helps keep you cool while you sip a G&T and watch elephants stroll by, searching for juicy leaves from the overhead Acacia trees.

Old Mondoro Room

Safaris

The Lower Zambezi is a haven for some of Africa’s most iconic species including elephants, great herds of buffalo, crocodiles, lions, leopard and hippo. The area is also regarded as arguably one of the best leopard viewing locations on the planet. Strangely, giraffe and wildebeest have never been present in the park. The area is also a birder’s paradise, with some 378 species having been identified.

Safaris are an intimate affair at Old Mondoro, where a small number of guests means you always have a high guide to guest ratio. 4×4 open safari vehicle safaris are complimented by excellent walking safaris, boat and canoe based safaris and catch and release angling. Night drives are also included, using special red-filtered spotlights, which do not dazzle the game.

Old Mondoro Safari Leopard

A little extra…

The great Zambezi River provides the perfect backdrop for one of the most exciting safari adventures, a canoe safari! Head out with very experienced guides in canoes along the river, wending your way past snorting pods of hippos and crocodiles lazing on the banks in the morning sun. Wait while elephants cross in front of you on their passportless journey between Zimbabwe and Zambia. There are very few places in the world that offer you this type of safari and for many it is the highlight of their trip. If you feel that a canoe is a little too adventurous you can also opt for a boat based safari, in small motor boats, getting you just as close to the action, with a little less adrenalin!

Old Mondoro Canoeing

Prices:

Contact us for the best rates for Old Mondoro

What’s included:

  • Accommodation

  • All meals

  • Selection of local drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic

  • Twice daily safari activities – open 4×4 drives/walking safaris/canoe safaris/boat safaris/angling

  • Return airstrip transfers from Jeki Airstrip – approximately 45 minute transfer

  • Laundry

What’s Excluded:

  • Travel to and from the Jeki Airstrip

  • Gratuities for camp staff and guides

  • Daily $110.00 per person tourism/park/conservation/community levy (even for free nights)

  • Park fishing permit if you wish to fish, as well as charges for any lost or damaged fishing tackle.

Wildlife highlights:

  • Elephant

  • Leopard

  • Lion

  • Large herds of buffalo

  • Hippos and crocodiles

  • Wild Dogs are being seen more and more regularly.

When to visit:

  • January – April: Camp Closed

  • May – July: The beginning of the safari seasons, the rains have mostly ended and the temperatures are starting to cool down and the camp re-opens for the season.  The bush is green and lush which makes game viewing a little more unpredictable, but dries out as the months pass. Great early season specials in place.

  • August – October: The dry season progresses, temperatures warming up with very hot days, peaking in October. This is the prime game viewing period, as the wildlife begins to congregate around remaining water sources.  Tiger fishing on the Zambezi is at its peak by October. Carmine bee-eaters start nesting in the river banks by October. Supply of rooms is low, make sure to book in advance for this time of year.

  • November – December: Usually marks the arrival of summer rains with higher temperatures. The bush starts turning green, migratory birds return and many animals give birth to their young. The camp closes mid-November until May.

  • Old Mondoro is in an area that experiences malaria – please consult your doctor regarding anti-malaria prophylactics.

Weather:

  • April – Average High 32ºC (90ºF) / Average Low 11ºC (66ºF) / Average days with rain 11

  • July – Average High 29ºC (84ºF) / Average Low 12ºC (54ºF) / Average days with rain 2

  • October – Average High 38ºC (100ºF) / Average Low 22ºC (72ºF) / Average days with rain 2