Safari Par Excellence Mwambashi River Lodge Lower Zambezi National Park
	Menu Thorntree Lodge Mutemwa Lodge Kayila Lodge Specials Matusadona Reservations Site Menu The Adventure Options Lodges and Bushcamps Itineraries Safpar Home Zambezi Home			The Lower Zambezi National Park is a relatively unexplored National Park in Zambia being less known than the likes of the Luangwa and the Kafue. It is approximately 4 092 kilometres square in extent and is situated in the Lower Zambezi, the Chongwe River forming the western boundary (opposite Mana Pools Head Quarters) and the Musensenshi River forming the eastern boundary. The Park has become more and more popular to tourists wanting to visit the Zambezi River and the incredible wildlife that the area affords. Mwambashi River Lodge is situated in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park on the northern banks of the river, directly opposite Chikwenya Island and the eastern boundary of the Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. WILDLIFE Of all the activities and properties operated by Safari Par Excellence, Mwambashi River lodge has the greatest wildlife opportunities. The Lower Zambezi National Park is home to large herds of Elephant and Buffalo and Lion are common. Regular plains game sightings include Kudu, Zebra, Impala, Warthog, Bushbuck and Baboons. There are large pods of Hippo in the river directly in front of the lodge, as well as crocodile. Night drives are an option at Mwambashi and Leopard, Hyena, Porcupine, Civet, Genet and Honeybadger are commonly sighted. Wild-dog and Cheetah do occur in the Lower Zambezi National Park, but are not common sightings. The diversity of birdlife is impressive. ACCOMMODATION The lodge accommodates a maximum of 12 guests (to be increased to 16) in large walk-in tents on wooden platforms with en-suite toilet, shower and washbasin. The central dining area is on a raised platform under thatch with an open balcony overlooking the river. There is a bar and toilet on the ground level under the same thatched roof. ACTIVITIES Canoeing Day and night game drives Fishing (rods and tackle are not provided) Walking Sundowner cruises Game viewing by boat TRANSFERS Road and boat transfers with stopover for tea, drinks and lunch at Mtondo or Kayila lodge. Floatplane transfers to the Chongwe River with a road or boat transfer to the lodge through the National Park. Charter flights directly into and out of Jeki airstrip. The co-ordinates of the strip are 15 degrees 47 minutes south and 29 degrees 12 minutes east. (1 000 meters in length) Flying times are as follows:- From Lusaka ± 20 Minutes From Kayila ± 10 Minutes From Mfuwe Airport ± 1 Hour, 10 Minutes From Livingstone Airport ± 1 Hour, 20 Minutes   DEPARTURE TIMES AND MEETING PLACE Clients requesting road and boat transfers to Mwambashi River Lodge will be required to meet in Kariba at the Cutty Sark Hotel at 10.00 am. Customs and Immigration formalities are cleared on either side of the Kariba Dam Wall and clients road transfer to the Kafue River (+/- 2 Hours). A boat transfer down the Kafue River to the Zambezi Confluence and down the Zambezi River to Kayila / Mtondo Lodges takes +/- 45 minutes. Lunch is enjoyed at either of these lodges before boating down to the Chongwe River (+/- 25 Minutes) to connect with a vehicle transfer to Mwambashi River Lodge (+/-1½ Hours) or on a boat transfer (+/- 45 Minutes) The most efficient and enjoyable access is to charter into Jeki Airstrip. The strip is situated +/- 5 kilometres east of the lodge. Transfers to or from the Luangwa, the Kafue, Lusaka or Livingstone can be arranged by Safari Par Excellence. Charter prices on request. A floatplane transfer is a very enjoyable and novel method of accessing the lodge. Clients meet in Kariba, transfer over the dam wall clearing Customs and Immigration and transfer to Manchinchi Bay Lodge where the floatplane moors. The flying time to the Chongwe River is +/-45 minutes. Here a vehicle (1½ Hours) or boat (45 minutes) transfer to the lodge is arranged. The drive through the park is a great opportunity to view the prolific wildlife in the area. Clients can self-drive all the way to the lodge and directions etc would be on request. MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM PASSENGERS Minimum = 2 Pax Maximum = 12 Pax (to increase to 16)   AGE RESTRICTION The minimum age restriction at Mwambashi River Lodge is 15 years. There is no maximum age restriction. CLIENT REQUIREMENTS Guests are asked to please keep their luggage down to a minimum. Excess baggage and valuables can be kept safely at our office in Kariba or Lusaka and collected on your return. Requirements include:- Return air tickets Valid travel and health documents and travel insurance. Double entry visas for people requiring visas for re-entry into Zimbabwe. Zambian visas can be obtained at all border posts on arrival at an extra cost. Costs of visas and amounts of currencies that can be imported / exported from Zimbabwe or Zambia do change. Please check prior to commencement of the safari. Personal clothing - shorts and T-shirts are sufficient. A long sleeved shirt, towel or kukoi are recommended to protect arms and legs from the hot sun during the day. Toiletries Insect repellent Fishing rods and tackle Torch Binoculars Cameras if required - please bring a large supply of film Jersey / tracksuit for cool evenings Malaria prophylactics Personal medical requirements if asthmatic, diabetic etc Advise Safari Par Excellence of any dietary preferences and any particular interests e.g. botany, ornithology, fishing, walking etc   SEASON 1 April - 30 November