Sausage Tree camp

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 and Sausage Tree Camp offer all the game, all the luxury without all the people!

Accommodation is in luxurious suites, completely rebuilt in 2018 to the highest of standards. Suites are generously spaced along the Zambezi Riverbank allowing the elephants to amble in between.

These are ultra luxury custom safari tents with massive gauze windows and sliding doors allowing cooling breezes to move through. 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 night’s rest.

Sleeping only 18 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.

Luxury Suites

Kigelia House

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 at Sausage Tree Camp …

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.

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.

Game drives

Game drives are the most successful 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.

Walking safari

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.

Minimum age for walking safari 12+

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”.

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

Getting To Sausage Tree

There are many different ways to get to the Sausage tree Camp.

International arrivals into Zambia can be made through, Lusaka, Livingstone and Mfuwe International Airports. Both Lusaka and Livingstone have daily flights from Johannesburg (South Africa).

Proflight/RwandAir – Johannesburg to Lusaka Direct Flight

This is a relatively new flight option but can make a lot of sense to get to Sausage Tree Camp.

Proflight & RwandAir have scheduled flights from Johannesburg to Luaska / return. These fly every day except Sunday and are the perfect inbound flights for visitors as they are synchronized to enable Proflight Zambia’s passengers to seamlessly connect to and from its network. Please contact us for more details.

To/From Lusaka

The majority of our guests fly by Cessna caravan (30 mins.) to “Jeki” airstrip, a dirt airstrip in the middle of the National Park. It is then a 1 hour game-drive/transfer through the park to Sausage Tree Camp.

To/From Livingstone

The scheduled flight takes about 1hr 45 mins to Jeki. Please contact us for the most appropriate option and availability.

To/From Mfuwe

Mfuwe is the main airport servicing the South Luangwa National Park and is about a 1hr 45min direct flight to Jeki.

Sausage Tree Camp is open throughout the best game viewing months of April to November. The season begins as soon as the rains are over. The vegetation is lush at this time but as the season progresses the bush dries out, the game gathers and sightings improve.

Low Season
1 April to 31 May

Visiting the Lower Zambezi after the rains is absolutely stunning, the skies are clear and the mountains seem so near. The migratory birds remain in plumage and are preparing to move on. The dense vegetation forces the lions to use the roads and the wild dog are readily seen in the open plains. April is very hot averaging mid to high 30’s (Celsius), but by late May the temperatures will have dropped to the mid 20’s (Celsius). This year we had fantastic leopard sightings in both April and May.

High Season
1 June to 31 October

This really is the very best time of the year in the Lower Zambezi National Park. The game viewing is phenomenal and the early season temperatures are near perfect! This is also a busy time to be in the camp, usually 14 or more guests every night. The Sausage Tree (Africana Kigelia) starts to flower, as does the flame creeper/burning bush (Chifungulu) which transforms the green vegetation to a bright red. Leopard and lion sightings are a daily occurrence, as are the elephant who wander through camp.

Later on in the season things really start to heat up in terms of weather as well as game viewing and fishing. Most waterholes have dried up, so game is more often seen on the river banks and islands. Bird watching is also spectacular with summer migrating birds returning – the carmine bee eaters really put on a show along the riverbanks. October is the hottest month with a feeling of build up to the rains.

Low Season
1 November to 30 November

When the first rains come, usually in November, the impala give birth, as do the warthogs and many other species. For any avid fisherman, this is probably the best time to be here.

Zambezi Fishing – Tigerfish, Vundu & Bream

The Zambezi River is host to some of the most spectacular fresh water sport fishing in the world with plentiful Tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus, Latin for “striped river dog”) and Tilapia amongst others. Sausage Tree Camp offers both spinning and fly fishing, both strictly catch and release in accordance with the principles of the National Park.

The most sporting and certainly the most fun fish to catch is the famous Tigerfish. A relative of the infamous piranha, Tigerfish have large carnivorous teeth, can grow to 15kg / 33lb (the camp record 11.3kg) and are renowned for their strength and spectacular “leaping out of the water” fighting performance.

Fishing is succesful all year round, however the warmer months (September – December) are definitely the best time to catch Tigerfish. This is the breeding season when the fish are more active, feeding more regularly and are far more aggressive. The water level is typically lower and the visibility at its very best.

A happy angler with her trophy tiger

Catch & release all fish at Sausage Tree

Nkupe (top) & Chessa are also commonly caught here

Boat Cruises experience

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.

Afternoon cruise heading out into the Zambezi

Sometimes the sightings can be very exciting

What an amazing buffalo sighting

The sunsets can be incredible.

Canoeing experience

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.

One can approach game closely when canoeing

The sunset views are stunning.

Lions can also be approached from the canoes.

The Chifungulu Chanel provides some amazing experiences

Walking experience

Keep calm - very calm 

Lion can be approached while walking.

Walking through the riverside areas

Elephants give us amazing sightings.

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.

Lion sighting on game drive

Stopping to look at one of the masive trees in the Lower Zambezi

Enjoying morning tea with the elephants

Another incredible lion sighting on a drive

Sausage Tree cam
Lower Zambezi National Park

The very Finest Lower Zambezi Cuisine

Sausage Tree Camp’s African inspired fusion cuisine will certainly be a highlight of your stay. Made from the freshest ingredients, the tastes and presentation will astound you.

But the experience of dining at Sausage Tree Camp goes far beyond the food itself. Dinners to the sounds of the African evening by candle light in the open air dining tent, by star light on the deck, by campfire light deep in the bush, or by lantern light in the privacy of your own deck; Lunches on a sandbank in the Zambezi River, the water lapping at your feet; Sundowners watching the sun set over the Zambezi escarpment from the deck or overlooking the river or open plains. Each meal will bring surprises and memories to cherish.

Should you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know when you make your reservation. We take pride in fulfilling your every desire, but a little preplanning may be necessary on our part.

Breakfast in the bush

Main Deck meals

Water lunches are always a fantastic meal experience.

Evening table set for guests

Meal overlooking the river

Some of the animals found in this area.
Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia.

The Elephant

Lion on the kill

Impala

The Buffalo

Baboons at their best

Some of the birds found in this area.
Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia.

Wether you enjoy waking up to the booming call of the impressive Ground Hornbill or watching the flittering of tiny Redbilled Firefinches there is something at Sausage Tree Camp and the Lower Zambezi for the novice and experienced 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.

Malachite Kingfisher

Carmine Bee-eaters

Always impressive

Always impressive

NUMBER OF ROOMS
7 x Luxury Suites
1 x Kigelia House

FROM PRICE PPPN
Over 1000

MIN AGE ACTIVITIES
Walking safari 12+

MIN AGE
9+

SAUSAGE TREE CAMP IS PART OF
Green Safaris

OFFERS

Long stay discount – free flights for 4 nights or more