Sausage Tree Camp in the Lower Zambezi NP
Sausage Tree Camp is hidden amongst mature sausage and mahogany trees on the banks of the Zambezi River.
Guests are spoilt for choice, as the camp offers Bedouin-style tents with an ensuite bathroom and private veranda, as well as Honeymoon tents with an ensuite bathroom, dining area, personal bar, private pool and veranda. The sole-use Kigelia House is perfect for small groups or families, as it features spacious bedrooms, ensuite bathrooms, a sitting room, private pool and veranda.
Superb African-fusion meals are served in the open-air dining tent, on the main viewing deck or in the privacy of guests’ tents. Refreshing sundowners can be enjoyed in the welcoming bar area, which is fronted by an enormous teak deck that overlooks the Zambezi River, while a sparkling swimming pool completes the setting. Adventures include twice-daily game drives, walking safaris, canoeing, boat cruises and fishing.
Sausage Tree Camp is the epitome of bush chic, set in a stunning location along the Zambezi River at the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park. The pristine location offers all the game, all the luxury without all the people!
Sleeping only 16 guests, Sausage Tree Camp offers a civilized approach to a true bush experience with lavish attention to detail. The central dining and bar area is fronted by an enormous teak deck overlooking the Zambezi River and low set reed islands teeming with game. The 25m Lap-pool is idyllically situated right on the edge of the riverbank, under shading Mahogany trees with outstanding views.
Accommodation is in luxurious white Bedouin style tents, completely rebuilt in 2008 to the highest of standards. Tents are generously spaced along the Zambezi River bank allowing the elephants to amble in between. Local materials create a minimalist style in which the teak furniture, including sumptuous four-poster beds, contrasts with pure white fabrics and flowing mosquito nets. Nearly hidden from one another, and shaded by mature Sausage and Mahogany trees, the tents are cool, private sanctuaries to return to for an afternoon siesta or good nights rest.
Signature Tents
Each of the five ‘Signature Tents’ has a unique open-air en-suite bathroom, a distinct Sausage Tree Camp trademark, and sliding teak doors opening onto private decks with Zambezi River views.
Honeymoon Suites
The two enormous ‘Honeymoon Suites’ each boast indoor and outdoor bathrooms, dining area, bar and a king size bed overlooking the private pool set into the expansive teak deck.
Kigelia House
‘Kigelia House’ is the perfect choice for small groups or families, with two en-suite bedrooms separated by an open plan living area leading onto the private deck and pool.
Each tent has its own personal Muchinda (butler) to attend to your every whim. All tents have 24 hour power and plentiful hot and cold treated water.
Game Viewing
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 (african hunting dog); serval and the african wild cat. Smaller animals include the side striped jackal; dwarf, slender & 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
Game drives are the most succesful way to see a good variety of wildlife, both large and small. Visiting more areas, and witnessing the diversity of the Lower Zambezi National Park you can appreciate the unspoiled wilderness of Zambia. A larger area can be covered in a shorter time frame, increasing the chance to find good game. The vehicles also allow those ‘up close and personal’ experiences – our team of professional guides will ensure that it is not too close!
Night drives are the perfect way to experience the nocturnal animals, including the elusive 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 operates a fleet of new Toyota Landcruiser game viewing vehicles to ensure reliability and comfort.
Walking
Walking is the perfect way to 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. Beware -not only do you see the smaller things on foot, it is also not uncommon for us to see lion on our bush walks.
Canoeing
The Lower Zambezi is renowned for its spectacular canoeing. As one of the few privileged operators based inside the National Park, we are able to canoe guests down the most stunning section of the Zambezi, “The Chifungulu Channel”.
Led by one of our highly qualified canoe guides, explore the banks of the river, where game can be seen from a totally different perspective – looking UP rather than down!
Canoe trips vary in length (from one to seven hours) 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.
Rather than a work out, this is a time to relax, listen to the sounds of the huge variety of bird-life and admire their sheer beauty.
A full day canoe trip, stopping for a picnic lunch en-route is an unbeatable safari experience.
Boat Cruises
Scenic boat cruises are a very relaxing way to view the game that comes down to the river to drink and bathe, whilst also taking in 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. Lucky guests have experienced the truly memorable sight of elephant crossing the Zambezi, from Mana Pools National Park to the Lower Zambezi National Park. To view the most amazing sunsets in Africa, floating sundowners (Gin and Tonic are de rigueur!) in the middle of the Zambezi is a must! This can also provide a photographic opportunity for that perfect African sunset.
Sausage Tree Camp operates scenic boat trips using 7metre aluminium river cruisers. Designed for the Okavango Delta, they are the perfect boat for the Zambezi River as sandbanks make navigation on the water very difficult.
Birding
Weather you enjoy waking up to the booming call of the impressive Ground Hornbill or watching the flittering of tiny Redbilled Firefinches there is something for the novice and experience bird watcher alike.
We have approximately 500 species of birds in the Lower Zambezi National Park from waders on the shores of the Zambezi River to wattle eyes in the Miambo woodland in the escarpment. Some of the special and more interesting birds that can be found in the area are Sadelbilled Stork, African Skimmer, Roufous Bellied Heron, Bee Eaters, Black Crowned Night Heron, Amathest Sunbird and Jamsons Firefinch just to name a few.
A Typical Day on Safari
Sausage Tree Camp offers personalized safaris to all guests allowing you to set the pace of your day including the type and length of each activity. Here’s what can you expect when on safari …
05:30 – Wake-up to your favourite beverage.
06:00 – Breakfast.
06:30 – Morning activity: perhaps a gentle canoe trip meandering the river banks wildlife, or a game drive to catch sight of lion or leopard before they take shade for the day, or a walk to encapsulate the personality of a herd of elephant or buffalo and to take in the smaller and often missed intimacy of the African bush.
12:00 – Lunch, sustenance is such an important part of a bush day.
13.00 – As the days are warm (even hot) a little time to relax and read up from our library on the experiences of the morning – or enjoy a relaxing massage.
15:30 – Afternoon Tea, a little more fortification for the days activities.
16:00 – Afternoon activity, as the sun starts to cool now is the time for fishing, a Sausage Tree Camp spectacular, as we have the finest Tiger fishing in the world. Or you may prefer to head off into the early sunset by vehicle to enjoy the myriad of nocturnal species, not just cats, but honey badger or porcupine or the ever elusive but majestic Giant Eagle Owl or Pels Fishing Owl.
19:30 – Drinks around the camp fire, time to unwind.
20:00 – Our candlelit dinner whilst reminiscing the memories of the day, or just to enjoy the “spirits” of the evening, and so to bed for a good nights sleep, ready for the next days exploration.
