Set on the banks of the great Zambezi River under acacia trees that often attract elephants, Old Mondoro looks out over a maze of hippo-filled channels and small islands in the Lower Zambezi National Park. The camp is simple in style but with all the comforts active travellers need: the philosophy behind Old Mondoro is simply to provide you with an authentic safari experience, without distractions from the game viewing. An exciting activity here is guided walking safaris, and in this remote area where there are few other camps this is an ideal activity.

You can also set out in 4×4 vehicles each morning and afternoon for guided game drives, or view hippos, elephants and other wildlife along the Zambezi from motorboats or canoes. There are plenty of opportunities for tiger fishing from canoes too, and Old Mondoro sits in one of Southern Africa’s top birding regions, with 391 recorded species. Although this is not Big 5 country (there are no rhino) and there are no giraffe or wildebeest because of the topography, be on the look out for 57 mammal species, including civets, genets and hippos.

‘Mondoro’ was an old lion that used to patrol the area and the surrounding plains are still full of winter thorn trees (also known as apple-ring acacias) that are a favourite of buffalo. The owners of Old Mondoro are passionate conservationists deeply involved with preserving Zambia’s wildlife, and this passion is echoed in the camp’s guides, who enjoy venturing out into the bush as much as guests do. The camp is open during Zambia’s dry season, from April to November.