Old Mondoro is a traditional bush camp on the banks of the Zambezi River, owned and operated by the Cumings family.
The camp is small and intimate, with just five simple but comfortable reed-enclosed rooms, that look out over the river and its lagoons. Old Mondoro's central area is a large, open-sided structure. It is a welcoming space with a canvas roof, polished stone floor, comfortable wicker furniture, a small library of reference books and novels, and a fairly well-stocked bar – as well as a communal dining table. Just outside the main area is a campfire, a perfect spot to enjoy a morning cup of coffee while watching the sunrise, and beyond this the river and the camp’s small boat station. The open layout of the camp allows wildlife to roam through unhindered, elephants are partial to the overhanging winterthorn trees, and often wander through the camp.
Old Mondoro is one of our favourite camps; we love its authenticity and the sense of truly being in the wilderness. The guiding, service, and home-style food are excellent. You can go on game drives, walk with an armed ranger, explore the river by boat, and take night drives that offer an opportunity to see nocturnal creatures such as civet, porcupine, genet, and also to spot some of the larger predators on the move. Fishing guides are on hand to take you out to try your hand at catching the notorious tigerfish, as well as other species, using fly or conventional tackle. Old Mondoro and its sister camp Chiawa have a strict catch-and-release policy. The best months for tigerfish are September - November.
This camp is great in an itinerary on its own or in combination with its sister Camp Chiawa which is in a different section of the park.
About This Area
The 4,000 square kilometre Lower Zambezi National Park is delineated in the north by an escarpment and in the south by the Zambezi. Zambia's youngest and least developed park, the Lower Zambezi, is a true wilderness. Great swathes are yet to be properly mapped, and the area is generally inaccessible to most vehicles. Home to herds of elephants, hippos, buffalo, waterbuck, and many of the big predator's, lion, leopard wild dogs and hyena, the game here is excellent. The area ranks high on our list of favourite places to go on safari.
Old Mondoro
