Sausage Tree camp is the epitome of bush chic offering a civilized approach to a true bush experience with lavish attention to detail. This exclusive safari camp, voted number one on the BBC Holiday Programme's 'Ten Best Luxury Destinations', specializes in the very best game viewing with the highest international standards in luxury and service.
If you are visiting Zambia, then the Lower Zambezi National Park is a must and only Sausage Tree Camp will show you the very best of what the park has
for your Perfect Luxury African Safari Holiday
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!
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
Perhaps the best African Safari Game Viewing
Sausage Tree Camp offers some of the finest game viewing in natural habitats anywhere in Africa. It's location within the Lower Zambezi National Park on the banks of the Zambezi River means that game viewing activities take place both on the water, by boat and canoes, and on the land by four-wheel drive game viewing vehicles or on foot (bush walks). The camp is well equipped with game viewing vehicles, boats and canoes allowing us to easily cater to the personal and individual needs of all our guests.
Sausage Tree Camp employs the most knowledgeable and experienced guides. All of our guides are fully trained, licensed and have many years of experience, ensuring that the highest quality of guiding and safety standards are achieved. We pride ourselves on our development programme for our junior guides.
Safety is our very first concern during all our activities. All of the boats and vehicles are fitted with VHF radios, for direct communications back to camp and carry a first-aid kit. All guides have first aid training and camp has direct communications back to our head office in Lusaka (the capital of Zambia).
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.
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.
Tackle
Sausage Tree Camp provides fishing tackle for spinning and lure (artificial) fishing, this includes a large assortment of spinners, rods and reels, wire leaders and swivels. However, anglers are welcome to bring their own preferred tackle and rods with them. The camp also offers basic fly fishing equipment, although most fly fishers bring their own tiger specific equipment with them.
Spinning for tigerfish requires a medium action rod, something around 7ft is recommended and if bringing your own then a 2-piece is best for traveling with. Reels can be either good quality spinning reels or a good baitcaster / multiplier type. Line should be good quality monofilament, flourocarbon or braid of at least 15lb (7kg) breaking strain. For chessa, nkupe and tilapia fishing a softer rod of 6ft to 7ft wth a spinning reel and at least 10lb (4.5kg) line is preferred. Piano wire steel trace is best when fishing for tigerfish and hooks should be sharp and strong #3 to #5 size.
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.
Fly Fishing
For most fly fishing we recomend a #8 or #9 rod of a faster type action and a fast sinking shooting-head or sink-tip type line. Normaly a short (5ft) non-tapered tippet of 15lb or 20lb mono or flourocarbon is best. On the end a 8 inch length of piano wire trace is recommended to connect fly to tippet.
In the Lower Zambezi successful flies are generally quite heavily dressed clousers or deceiver type flies in size #1-0 to #5-0. Colour combinations that work well are white & blue, white & silver and for early and late in the day black and black & red or black & grey work well.
Article and information taken from Sausage Tree Camp Website
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