Changa Safari Camp
Highlights
- Sunsets, sunsets and sunsets over Lake Kariba
- Game drives along the Matusadona shoreline and floodplain
- Guided walks on ancient elephant trails
- Boat trips into the Sanyati Gorge
- Tigerfish angling on Lake Kariba
- Outstanding summer birdlife
- Warm, personal hospitality in an 8-tent camp
Information
- Lodge type: Luxury tented safari camp
- Location: Private concession, eastern Matusadona National Park, Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
- Lodge size: 8 tents (6 double/twin, 2 family), up to 20 guests
- Recommended stay: 3–7 nights
- Malaria risk: Yes — Lake Kariba and Matusadona are a malaria area; take prophylaxis year-round
- Getting there: Kariba town is the gateway — a 45-minute boat transfer from Kariba harbour, or a light-aircraft flight to Kanjedza airstrip followed by a 30-minute game-drive transfer
Changa Is An Amazing And Remote Safari Camp On Lake Kariba In The Matusadona National Park
Changa Safari Camp is an 8-tent luxury camp on a private concession in the eastern Matusadona National Park. It holds about 4.5 km of Lake Kariba shoreline, and the Matusadona Mountains rise beyond the water. The camp sits 45 minutes by boat from Kariba harbour, yet feels a world away. Elephant and hippo are daily company, the floodplain draws buffalo and lion, and the sunsets over the drowned forests of Lake Kariba are among the finest in Africa.
Changa Safari Camp suits travellers who want something different from a classic bush camp without giving up serious game viewing. Here you get lake, mountains and floodplain in a single stay, with game drives, walks, boating and fishing all from one base.
Rooms and Suites
Changa Safari Camp has 8 canvas tents, all facing Lake Kariba: 6 double or twin deluxe tents and 2 family deluxe tents. Each tent stands on polished concrete floors with gauze-mesh windows that let the lake breeze through. Each has a private viewing deck and a spacious en-suite bathroom with his-and-hers basins, an indoor shower and a glorious outdoor bath under the stars. Every tent has:
- Electrical outlets, fans and a hairdryer
- A private lounge area
- An in-room safe
- Daily laundry service
Cuisine and Wine
Changa Safari Camp serves generous, freshly prepared meals throughout the day, and all meals, drinks and snacks are included. Your day begins with tea, coffee or hot chocolate delivered to your tent. Depending on the day's activities, breakfast, brunch or lunch is served on the deck above the lake. Dinner is three courses, taken in the dining room or at one of the outdoor dining spots, weather permitting. Private dinners for two can be arranged on request, and most dietary requirements are catered for with advance notice.
Facilities
Changa Safari Camp centres on a thatched main area with a lounge, indoor dining room and full bar, all looking out across Kariba. A shaded wooden deck steps down to the firepit. This is where every evening comes together: a drink in hand, a crackling fire, and hippos grunting somewhere out on the water. A swimming pool with loungers overlooks the lake, which is essential on Zambezi Valley summer afternoons. Power comes from solar and generator.
Please note:
- Cell phone coverage is minimal
- There is no landline telephone
- Free Wi-Fi is available in the lounge
Activities
Changa Safari Camp runs a full range of land and water activities, all led by professional guides:
- Game drives in open 4x4 vehicles along the shoreline and floodplain
- Guided walking safaris on old elephant trails
- Boat cruises on Lake Kariba, including trips into the Sanyati Gorge
- Tigerfish and bream fishing
- Birdwatching, at its best in the summer months
- Sundowners on the floodplain or out on the water
Few Lake Kariba lodges offer this range from a single camp at any time of year.
Changa Safari Camp FAQs
Where is Changa Safari Camp?
Changa Safari Camp is a luxury tented camp on a private concession in the eastern part of Matusadona National Park, on the southern shore of Lake Kariba in northern Zimbabwe. The camp holds about 4.5 km of lake frontage and faces west across the water, with the Matusadona Mountains behind. It is about 45 minutes by boat from Kariba town.
How do you get to Changa Safari Camp?
Changa Safari Camp is reached from Kariba town, which has an airport with flights from Harare and Victoria Falls. From Kariba, guests take a short road transfer to the harbour and then a boat transfer of about 45 minutes across Lake Kariba. Alternatively, a light-aircraft charter lands at Kanjedza airstrip, followed by a 30-minute game-drive transfer to camp.
Is Changa Safari Camp in a malaria area?
Changa Safari Camp is in a malaria area. Lake Kariba and Matusadona National Park lie in the low-lying Zambezi Valley, where malaria is present throughout the year. Guests should take antimalarial prophylaxis prescribed by a doctor or travel clinic, and use insect repellent and long sleeves in the evenings. The nearest doctor is in Kariba town, and medical air rescue is available.
When is the best time to visit Changa Safari Camp?
Changa Safari Camp is at its best in the dry season from May to October. Water sources inland dry up, pushing elephant, buffalo and predators onto the Lake Kariba floodplain. July to September offers the best combination of game viewing and weather. The summer months from November to March bring green landscapes and excellent birding, but also heat and afternoon storms.
What activities does Changa Safari Camp offer?
Changa Safari Camp offers game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, guided walking safaris, and boat cruises on Lake Kariba, including trips into the Sanyati Gorge. Guests can also fish for tigerfish and bream, go birdwatching, and take sundowners on the floodplain or the water. Elephant and hippo are seen almost daily, and buffalo and lion are regularly found on the shoreline.
Is Changa Safari Camp suitable for children?
Changa Safari Camp has 2 family tents but is best suited to guests aged 16 and over. Children under 16 may not join walking safaris, and some activities are open to children from age 12. Families with younger children should discuss age limits and private activity options with a safari specialist before booking, as policies can vary by season.
In Conclusion
Changa Safari Camp is the Lake Kariba stay for travellers who want the whole Zambezi Valley in one place. From one camp you get elephants on the shoreline in the morning, tigerfish in the afternoon, and a sunset that turns the drowned forest gold before the firepit is lit. Matusadona is quiet, the camp is small at just 8 tents, and the guiding is excellent. Come between May and October for the richest game viewing. Stay at least three nights so you can drive, walk and boat without rushing. Changa pairs beautifully with Victoria Falls, Hwange or Mana Pools on a longer Zimbabwe safari.
Uyaphi.com has been building tailor-made African safaris since 1999, and after 27 years we know how to fit Changa into the right route, at the right time of year, with the right transfers. Tell us your dates and the kind of safari you're dreaming of, and we'll build it around you.
Rates from US$ 440.00 Per person per night
Changa Safari Camp Rates
Per person per night sharing
Rates are in US Dollar
*Rates may vary according to season
- Accommodation
- All meals and snacks
- All beverages
- Teas and coffees
- Laundry
- Wi-Fi
- Listed activities.
- VAT and Government Tourism Levy
- All flights
- All transfers
- Visas
- National parks fees
- Conservation fees
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
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