Adventurous travellers who want to get ‘back to the bush’.
Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia
Designed to blend in with the bush, the chalets at Old Mondoro are made of natural reed and thatch. Each has a flush loo, hot water, and 24-hour electricity (though we prefer to use the flickering hurricane lanterns that are left out each night). Best of all are the open-air baths and showers. The tents all have their own verandas, with day beds for lounging while you're waiting for a herd of elephants or antelope to drift by just metres away.
The food at Old Mondoro is hearty, tasty home cooking, from early morning porridge before a dawn game drive, through to delicious desserts and a nightcap by the fire accompanied by the nocturnal sounds of the bush. Meals are jolly, and eaten communally. And facilities? Not much to mention here really, but with the delights of Mother Nature all around, we doubt you’ll lack for anything.
Game drives bring lions and buffalo, night drives offer leopards, genets and porcupines, and safaris on foot offer a matchless insight into the bush. All these are marvelous, but while you’re here, please be sure to venture out onto the river. Flashes of brightly coloured birds, the splutter of emerging hippos and elephants crossing the river at dusk are the true Lower Zambezi experience.
Old Mondoro is known for the quality of its leopard sightings, so request a night drive to have the best chance of seeing these aloof, beautiful cats when they’re most active.