Sausage Tree Camp lies on the banks of the Zambezi River, in the heart of a giant conservation area, and at the edge of Lower Zambezi National Park. The camp boasts incredible river views and guests can enjoy a range of exciting activities including canoeing, boating and fishing, as well as game drives and walking safaris. Sausage Tree Camp overlooks an expanse of narrow channels and low set reed islands teeming with game, with the magnificent Zambezi escarpment in the background. Guests can enjoy these incredible views from the camp’s large viewing deck, where you will also find a refreshing swimming pool, which is 25 metres in length. The seven luxury suites can cater for a maximum of 18 guests, offering an intimate and exclusive safari experience.
Zambia, Luangwa, POTATO BUSH CAMP
Sausage Tree Camp is located along the northern banks of the Zambezi River, which runs between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The camp rests on the edge of Lower Zambezi National Park and overlooks the distant Zambezi escarpment and labyrinth of channels and waterways. Guests can reach Sausage Tree Camp by flying to the Jeki Airstrip from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka. From there, guests will be driven to the river, taking around 10 minutes, before a 40-minute boat transfer to the camp.
- Located within Lower Zambezi National Park
- 7 luxury suites with riverside views
- Rich wildlife viewing opportunities
- Abundant birdlife
- Restaurant and bar
- Swimming pool
- Library
- Complimentary wi-fi
- Eco-friendly
Sausage Tree Camp’s seven Luxury Suites were recently rebuilt in 2018, and have been refurbished with enormous gauze windows and sliding doors that offer incredible views of the Zambezi River. The light and airy suites include a private outdoor swimming pool, set into a large decking area with sunbeds and plenty of space to unwind and relax. This can be accessed from your bedroom, where you will find a large king-size four-poster bed from which you can enjoy the stunning views. The spacious bedroom leads on to your large en-suite bathroom, which includes modern luxuries such as a flush toilet, twin basins, a large bathtub and both indoor and outdoor showers. The mesh windows allow guests to admire the scenery and look out for local wildlife while enjoying a relaxing soak in a tub of hot water, run by your own personal butler. Each tent also features a relaxing lounge area for snuggling up on a comfy sofa and enjoying a siesta during the warm sunny afternoons.
Kigelia House features two spacious and elegant en-suite bedrooms, providing the perfect space for a family or small group to enjoy a luxurious and unforgettable safari trip together. The centre of the house is the open-plan living room, which consists of a comfy sofa and seating around a coffee table, as well as a small dining area. Both bedrooms include four-poster beds with sliding doors that allow access to the outside area. The master bedroom has a large king-size bed, and the second bedroom features two comfy twin beds. Both rooms are large with plenty of room to move around, and both lead to separate en-suite bathrooms with flush toilets, large bathtubs, twin basins and showers. With a personal butler to cater for your every desire, guests can enjoy a relaxing and lavish experience in the heart of the wilderness. Outside, you will find an extended private deck, with a swimming pool, sunbeds and an outdoor dining area. The sliding doors to your deck stretch along the face of the house, allowing plenty of light and a pleasant airflow.
Guests staying at Sausage Tree Camp can look forward to three delicious meals each day as well as a rich afternoon tea, served with a selection of both sweet and savoury refreshments. Breakfast is available at any time and consists of a buffet including freshly brewed coffee, an assortment of teas and fresh juices, toast, oatmeal, pastries, muffins, cold meats, cheese, cereal, and home-made muesli. Cooked breakfasts are also available to order and will be freshly made to your preferences.
Lunch is typically a range of hot dishes, and guests can choose to enjoy lunch either at camp or on the sandbank of the Zambezi River with the water washing over their feet. Afternoon tea is served before your afternoon activity and includes freshly made lemonade, iced tea and snacks.
Dinner is a three-course affair, accompanied by South African wines, and can either be enjoyed at the communal table where you can converse with your fellow guests about exciting tales of your safari experiences, outside under the dazzling stars, or privately in the comfort of your own suite where your personal butler will wait on you.
Embark on a game drive and discover the incredible wildlife of Lower Zambezi National Park from the comfort of a specially designed open-top safari vehicle. The park is home to a range of amazing creatures including African Bull Elephants and regal lions. Watch antelope as they congregate at the waters before scattering across the plains as predators approach. The camp’s knowledgeable guides will be able to teach you interesting facts about the incredible animals of Zambia, as well as showing you the best spots for viewing game. The open-top design of the vehicles is ideal for photographers and allows you to enjoy uninterrupted views of the amazing creatures of the African bush.
Night drives are also available, offering the unique chance to catch sight of Zambia’s nocturnal wildlife. Look out for the elusive leopards as they prowl through the darkness, searching for prey. You may also see civets, porcupines or the giant eagle owl. Weather permitting, your guide will be able to point out the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere which cast a magical glow over the nighttime safaris.
Explore the bush on foot on a walking safari, and experience the smaller details that make safaris more immersive. You may catch sight of the small species and beautifully coloured insects that often go unnoticed during a fast-paced game drive. Your experienced guide will be able to teach you how to recognise tracks and follow clues left in the wilderness that will lead to incredible game viewing opportunities. Get up close to gigantic elephants and realise the sheer size of these amazing animals. Walking safaris allow you to explore at your own speed, without the noise of an engine to startle the wildlife, and take advantage of incredible photographic opportunities.
Enjoy a safari from a completely new perspective by taking a canoe along the Zambezi River, where amazing game viewing awaits you. Watch elephants and hippos as they wade through the waters to escape the hot sunshine, and observe eland and antelope as they gather at the riverbanks for a drink. Canoe safaris allow guests to enjoy a leisurely exploration of the Zambezi region and appreciate the stunning landscape while drifting along the soothing waters.
Venture out on one of Sausage Tree Camp’s scenic boat cruises and view the local flora and fauna in the most relaxing way possible while you drift along the Zambezi’s gentle waters. Encounter the incredible populations of hippo and crocodiles as you view the open plains from a completely new perspective. Watch elephants as they congregate on the riverbanks to drink, bathe and play. Guests may see these grey giants as they travel through the river from the nearby Mana Pools National Park towards Lower Zambezi National Park.
Finish off this incredible experience with a sundowner as the sky turns a burning orange and the landscape darkens, offering mere silhouettes of the riverine trees and distant escarpment. Sausage Tree Camp’s boat is a 7-metre aluminium river cruiser, designed to navigate the difficult waters of the Zambezi sandbanks.
Lower Zambezi National Park is home to 378 recorded species of birds. Several species of kingfisher can be found along the Zambezi River, along with cormorants, darters, herons, and African fish eagles. As the dry season progresses, guests may find colourful carmine bee-eaters and Pel’s fishing owl as they nest along the riverbanks. Lower Zambezi National Park’s Miambo woodland, escarpment, dry plains and riverbanks create an ideal habitat for a range of birds such as the Black Crowned Night Heron, Amethyst Sunbird and Jameson’s Firefinch. Enjoy searching for these incredible creatures and listening to their soothing melodies.
Enjoy a peaceful afternoon by the river and fish for a range of amazing species including Tilapia, Vundu Catfish and Bream. Admire the stunning riverside views and the distant shores of Zambia as you reel in beautiful fish, and try your luck against the infamously difficult-to-catch African Tiger Fish.
Sausage Tree Camp offers both spinning and fly fishing, and has a strict catch and release policy, following the rules and population protection protocols of the National Park. Guests can enjoy fishing year-round, although the optimum months are from September to December, which is the breeding season when the fish are more active. The water level is also lower during these months, aiding with visibility.
Sausage Tree Camp is part of Pack For A Purpose, an initiative where safari camps and lodges encourage guests to utilise their spare suitcase space in order to provide essential items that can benefit the local community. These can include school supplies, such as stationery, notepads and textbooks; sports equipment like footballs, or medical supplies. The items will be collected by the camp before being taken directly to a distribution centre where they will help transform people’s lives.
Children aged eight years and over are welcome at Sausage Tree Camp.