OLD MONDORO CAMP – LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK

Ol Mondoro is a small, intimate and rustic camp of only 5 chalets set under winterthorn trees which offers a simple but very comfortable safari experience focusing on a wildlife and wilderness experience.

“Mondoro” in Goba language means Lion and the camp name honours a mythical white lion that used to prowl nearby. The area has some of the most prolific leopard sightings in Africa and as the camp is very close to the Zambezi River good sightings of island-hopping buffalo and elephant as well as an extreme concentration of hippo are often experienced.

LOCATION

Ol Mondoro Camp is located on the Zambezi River in the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia.

CAMP

With no fences anywhere in camp the wild animals that live here – waterbuck, baboons, buffalo and elephant– occupy the space just as much as the camp and guests do.

The camp has just 5 chalets with romantically-netted king beds (or two large twins) which have fabulous views through the wide reed windows either directly onto the Zambezi or the hyacinth-filled channel weaving through camp.

An outdoor bath doubles as a plunge-pool (and occasional drinking hole) and an open-air shower allows you to enjoy showering under the stars at night. A private deck provides seating for afternoon naps, getting lost in a book or just watching the Zambezi or winterthorn trees across the channel where wildlife can be seen cooling off in the water.

An open-sided sitenje (dining area) looks out across the river towards the far bank which is Zimbabwe. Depending on the time of year and the day’s activities breakfasts, brunches and lunches are served plated, or hot and cold buffet style, usually al-fresco, sometimes in the bush, and even on a boat in the middle of the Zambezi!

Afternoon tea with sweet and savoury snacks is usually served overlooking the river and just prior to the afternoon safari activities.

Dinners are multiple courses and table d’hote – always offered with a choice of main course, and usually served under the stars or by the camp fire.

WILDLIFE AND ACTIVITIES

The Lower Zambezi National Park is set along the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe and is renowned for abundant wildlife in a raw and remote wilderness. From island hopping elephant and buffalo to prides of lion and prolific leopard sightings. Riverine ebony and fig trees grow thickly along the water’s edge, bordering inland floodplains with towering winterthorn and acacia. Rolling hills sit quietly as the backdrop of this just over 4,000 square kilometre park which is home to approximately 50 mammal species and 400 bird species as well as a wide variety of spectacular trees, grasses and flowers.

Game drives – are in open 4wd vehicles that have been specially adapted for safari use with comfy seats, pockets to stow your gear and bean bags to steady your camera. Usually departing in the early morning drives can last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours depending on what you see and in the late afternoon drives set off for an hour or so before stopping at a scenic point for sundowners. Once the sun has set night drives commence and your guide will use a filtered spotlights which does not interfere with the wellbeing and behaviour of the wildlife. Nocturnal wildlife you might see are civet, porcupine, genet and some of the larger predators on the move. It is not uncommon to see a pride of lions on a kill or a leopard stalking through the bush.

Bush walks – an armed ranger and qualified and experienced guide will guide you through the wilderness on foot interpreting spoor, identifying the various flora and fauna and highlighting conservation issues. Elephants and buffalo are seen on most walks and sometimes the big cats. The pace is leisurely and the walks normally last for a couple of hours.

River safaris – enjoy morning or afternoon cruises exploring numerous channels, viewing hippo, buffalo, elephant and prolific bird life.

Sunset and sundowner cruises – often completed with a night drive back to camp.

Canoeing – the camp uses six meter long Canadian canoes and trips may last anywhere from 1 hour to 1 day. The most popular canoe safari is 90 minutes long. You paddle downstream from the lodge to “Sunset Strip” for sundowners and then a night drive back to Chiawa Camp.

Fishing – expert guides are on hand to assist you in finding the notorious tigerfish which are caught on fly or conventional tackle.

OL MONDORO CAMP IS FROM THE 15TH NOVEMBER TO THE END OF APRIL EVERY YEAR

THE CAMP WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGED 8 YEARS AND OLDER. PLEASE NOTE THAT CHILDREN 16 YEARS AND YOUNGER MUST BE ACCOMPANIED OVERNIGHT BY AN ADULT AND CHILDREN AGED 14 AND OLDER CAN ENJOY WALKS AND CANOEING.