SAUSAGE TREE CAMP – LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK

Sausage Tree Camp is set in the most stunning location on the banks of the Zambezi River in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park. The camp overlooks an expanse of narrow channels and low set reed islands teeming with game with the magnificent Zambezi escarpment as the backdrop.

With guaranteed private guiding the activities on offer include day and night game drives, walking safaris, canoeing, boating and fishing.

The camp has just 7 Luxury Suites which have lounge and dining areas, a large deck and a private plunge pool. For families and small groups, the Kigelia family tent is made up of 2 ensuite bedrooms joined together by an open plan dining and lounge area with its own private plunge pool.

The recently rebuilt front of house tent houses the dining, lounge and bar areas and connects to a large 25m lap pool which is idyllically situated overlooking the Zambezi River.

LOCATION

The camp is located on the banks of the Zambezi River in the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia. Access from Lusaka is by light aircraft taking around 30 minutes and from Mfuwe around 1 hour and 45 minutes.

CAMP

Sausage Tree Camp has no boundaries and is set in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park where the animals are free to wander straight through and around the camp making the comfort of your tent the ideal wildlife viewing sanctuary.

The Camp has just seven Luxury Suites dotted discreetly along the riverbank. Each suite is a spacious island of cool minimalist style and has a beautifully furnished lounge and dining area, a king size bed overlooking the private pool set into an expansive wooden deck, both indoor and outdoor showers, mini bar, leather sofas and a fabulous view of the river.

The camp also offers a large swimming pool which is idyllically situated overlooking the Zambezi River

All the suites and Kigelia House have their own personal Muchinda (butler) to attend to your every whim and all tents have 24 hour power and plentiful hot and cold treated water.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE

The Lower Zambezi National Park has a large variety of faunal species including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects, distributed in varying densities and in complex and diverse eco-systems.

During your stay in the Lower Zambezi you will have a very good chance of seeing the following large mammals: elephant, hippo, buffalo, waterbuck, zebra, impala, bushbuck and kudu. Of the carnivores, there are solid numbers of leopard, lion and hyena. Other commonly seen animals are wild dog, serval and the African wild cat. Smaller animals include the side striped jackal, dwarf, slender and banded mongoose, large spotted genet, civet, tree squirrel, honey badger, porcupine and aardvark.

These animals are widely dispersed during the wet season because there is plenty of water and forage. In the dry season they are largely concentrated along the valley floor, the banks of the river and islands in the Zambezi River.

Game drives are the most successful way to see a good variety of wildlife, both large and small. A larger area can be covered in a shorter time frame increasing the chance to find good game. The vehicles allow those ‘up close and personal’ experiences and the team of professional guides will ensure that it is not too close!

Night drives are the best way to experience nocturnal animals including leopard, genet, civet, porcupine and giant eagle owl. The big cats tend to be more active at night and you may find yourself following lions on the hunt. Your guide will also point out the constellations of the Southern night sky.

Sausage Tree Camp supports Conservation Lower Zambezi, a non-governmental organisation which supports the Zambian Wildlife Authority and local communities to protect the wildlife and habitat of the Lower Zambezi National Park.

Walking Safaris – search for the smaller creatures, learn about the trees, the plants and examine the different tracks and signs. Walking was pioneered in Zambia and remains one of the few areas where this can be truly enjoyed.

Led by a professional walking guide and National Parks Wildlife Officer, walking is carried out in small groups. Taking advantage of the cooler morning temperatures, you will take a game drive from camp to an open area where the walk begins.

Canoeing – the Lower Zambezi is well known for its spectacular canoeing. As one of the few operators based inside the National Park, the camp is able to canoe guests down the most stunning section of the Zambezi – The Chifungulu Channel.

Led by a highly qualified canoe guide explore the banks of the river where game can be seen from a totally different perspective. Canoe trips vary in length however a one-hour canoe trip is a great prelude to an evening game drive.

No experience or particular strength is required – it is an effortless drift, as the flow of the Zambezi pushes the canoes along. This is a time to relax, listen to the sounds of the huge variety of bird-life and admire the beauty of the area.

Boat Cruises – scenic boat cruises are a very relaxing way to view the game that comes down to the river to drink and enjoy the unique water wildlife. Until the Zambezi River is explored by boat, it is impossible to truly appreciate the huge hippopotami pods and crocodile populations. If you are lucky you can watch elephant crossing the Zambezi – from Mana Pools National Park to the Lower Zambezi National Park.

Birding – there are approximately 500 species of birds in the Lower Zambezi National Park from waders to wattle eyes. Some of the birds that can be found in the area are saddle- billed stork, African skimmer, roufous bellied heron, bee-eaters, black crowned night heron, amathest sunbird and Jamsons Firefinch to name a few.

Fishing – the Zambezi River is host to some of the most spectacular fresh-water sport fishing in the world with Tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus Latin for “striped river dog”) and Tilapia amongst others. Sausage Tree Camp offers both spinning and fly fishing, both strictly catch and release in accordance with the principles of the National Park.

Fishing is successful all year round, however the warmer months (September – December) are definitely the best time to catch Tigerfish. This is the breeding season when the fish are more active, feeding more regularly and are far more aggressive. The water level is typically lower and the visibility at its very best.

SAUSAGE TREE CAMP IS CLOSED FROM DECEMBER THROUGH TO MARCH EVERY YEAR

THE CAMP WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGED 12 YEARS AND OLDER. DO NOTE THAT CHILDREN HAVE TO BE 12 YEARS AND OLDER TO PARTICIPATE IN WALKING SAFARIS.