Old Mondoro

OVERVIEW:

There really is something very special about this little place and it’s hard to put a finger on exactly what it is. From the intimate atmosphere in camp, to the friendly staff, delicious food, incredible guiding, and wonderful location, it really is the gem of the Lower Zambezi and we think it epitomizes everything that Zambia is and should be.

ACCESS & LOCATION: 

Old Mondoro is located within the Lower Zambezi National Park boundary. 

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT OLD MONDORO: 

What we love about this camp is how Old Mondoro provides all the comfort you need, while managing to keep its bush-camp feel. We love this absolutely perfect balance of comfort and adventure.

The camp has just five rooms. The guest chalets have netted, king-sized beds (or large twins), with wide reed windows, an outdoor bath that doubles as a plunge pool, and an open-air shower that’s just perfect for an evening shower under the stars. The chalets’ private deck provides additional seating for afternoon naps, a leisurely afternoon reading a book, and the ideal pre-dinner relaxation area to simply watch the mighty Zambezi. There are no fences anywhere at Old Mondoro, so do expect elephants, waterbuck, buffalo, and baboons to wander between areas quite often, even using the chalet plunge pools as occasional drinking holes.

All meals are taken in the open-air main area or al fresco next to the river. The cuisine is Afro/Euro fusion and the chefs cater for all, including vegetarians, vegans, as well as guests on gluten-free or lactose-intolerant diets (with advance notice). Prior to the afternoon safari activities, afternoon tea is served overlooking the river, with travelers tucking into sweet and savory snacks.

ACTIVITIES AT OLD MONDORO:

Game drives by day and by night, walking safaris, boating and canoeing, and some of the best tigerfish fishing in the world – there is plenty to do at Old Mondoro! The activities available mostly revolve around game viewing, either on land or on the water:

• Expertly guided game drives

  – Game drives take place during early morning and late afternoon every day. As the camp is run by the same people in charge of the super-luxurious Chiawa Camp, standards of guiding and service are set exceptionally high.

• Walking safaris

  – Nothing beats a walking safari in Zambia! The walks last between 1 and 3 hours, and your guide will identify spoors, birds, plants, and insects, explaining how everything interacts within the natural environment.

• Canoeing safaris

  – Capable of accommodating either two or three people per canoe, all canoe safaris are led by at least one pro guide. The best experience in this area is in the channels above camp in the Discovery Channel. Guests usually leave camp at about 2:30pm and float back just before sunset.

• Boat and river safaris

  – Grab your camera and climb on board the boat cruise in the afternoon. The stable pontoon boat with canopy offers exciting opportunities to photograph hippos, crocodiles, wading elephants, and the dramatic African sunset. In the company of an expert guide, you’ll explore the Zambezi’s main bank, islands, and channels, home to countless wildlife.

• Wildlife to look out for

  – Incredible wildlife encounters at this quintessential safari camp are those only found in your wildest dreams. 'Mondoro' in Goba means lion, and you are sure to see plenty of lions and other predators. When near the river, be sure to look out for island-hopping buffalo and elephant, as well as an extreme concentration of hippo.

• Fishing

  – This takes the form of catch-and-release angling on the Zambezi, certainly a bucket-list activity. The river is home to the sharp-toothed tigerfish that puts up quite a fight, and you can spend a morning or afternoon trying your luck at fishing (season-specific).

*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.