 Backpackers
Special
Spend
a few days at Sioma Camp - at a reasonable price.
Features:
-
Relax in
Barotseland
-
Experience the Lozi culture
-
Enjoy the Upper Zambezi River
-
Boat Trips to
the Ngonye Falls
-
Swimming in
Lumbe River
-
River Cruises
-
Fishing
-
Cultural
Tourism/Village Trips
-
Explore the wilderness around
Sioma Ngwezi National Park.
-
Bird Viewing
-
Bush Walks
-
Bush Drives
Location
Sioma
Camp is located between Sesheke and Senanga in Zambia’s
Western Province some 320 km from Livingstone. Sioma
Camp is situated on the banks of The Mighty Zambezi with
magnificent views over the river. Sioma (or Ngonye) Falls –
Zambia’s second largest waterfalls - are 12 km up streams
from the camp. Sioma Ngwezi National Park – Zambia’s third
largest park and pure wilderness - is only 20 km from the
camp.
About Sioma
Camp
Sioma
Camp has a camp site and four standard tented chalets,
available at a rate of US$ 50 pppn (if two people are
sharing; includes breakfast. Single supplement of US$ 20). A
library/drawing room as well as the main camp center with
restaurant and bar will open in December (2008).
With regard to
backpacker accommodation we can offer dome safari tents with safari
beds (Good views over the river). All you need to bring is your
sleeping bag. Camping in your own tent is US$ 8 pppn. Staying at
Sioma Camp may be on a self catering basis. There are basic bush
kitchen facilities at the camp site (as well as pots and pans,
cutlery, plates, glasses, cups etc.) for preparing your own food.
When our restaurant will be open (soon) we plan to offer ‘backpacker
specials’ at very
fair prices. (Please send us an email if you want
to get the latest news on the status of the restaurant).
Activities
A few
examples of activities
(Each rated at 25
US$ per person per activity):
-
Fishing – especially after Tiger Fish – is good.
(You
can rent fishing gear at a reasonable price).
-
The
birdlife – especially in
the rainy season – is prolific. Pay a small deposit and you
can borrow a set of binoculars. At our bush camp we have a
number of viewing platforms close to water
holes.
-
Bush drives or walks.
(See our website for more info on the diversity of wildlife
in the area).
-
River cruises
and trips to the Falls – may be combined with swimming
in nearby pools.
-
Boat trips to Lumbe River where you may swim in a 50
meter long rock pool (fish included; no crocodiles!)
-
Cultural tourism – visits to nearby villages.
 Otherwise
just relax in the area around Sioma Camp; enjoy the views over
the river and the birdlife around you. In and around the river
you may see crocodiles and some times hippos, otters and nile
monitors. In the dry season elephants occasionally come to drink
at the river as do various antelopes and other game.
From
various relaxation areas around the camp area you can enjoy a
cold beer perhaps while reading a book or updating your travel
diary. You may also cool off in one of the small ‘rock pools’ in
the river.
In the
evening you can relax in the library (it has a fireplace) or
around the outside campfire; or perhaps do a bit of star
watching using our star telescope. In the bush camp you may use
our night vision binoculars from one of the viewing platforms.
How to get here
The
cheapest option is to take the bus to Sesheke – daily departures
from Livingstone - and continue from there with bus to Sioma –
synchronized departures with the bus from Livingstone twice a
week (Tuesday and Friday).
You will
leave Livingstone in the evening around 9 and arrive at Sioma
the following day around 8 in the morning. Another option is to
contact private transfer companies in Livingstone or hire a car
– 4x4 - yourself. We may also be able to pick you up in
Livingstone or Sesheke for transfer to Sioma Camp.
From Sioma
you can – most of the year - continue with public transport via
Senanga and Mongu through Kafue National Park to Lusaka. From
mid January to May/June you may have to go by boat from the
pontoon at Sitoti (Kalongola) to Senanga (20 km) as the
floodplain may be flooded. From Senanga you can again continue
by bus.
Bus:
-
From
Livingstone to Sesheke = ZMK 50,000 per person
(15 USD) Return = 30 USD
-
From
Sesheke to Sioma = 50,000 kwacha per person
(15 USD) Return = 30 USD
-
Total
for a one way ticket is 30 USD for one person;
a return ticket for one person is 60 USD.
Transfer by Sioma Camp
(please enquire by email to
siomacamp@gmail.com )
One way
transfer from Livingstone to Sioma = 400 USD; if 4 people are
sharing the price will be 100 USD per person. Return transfer
costs 800 USD; if 4 people are sharing the price will be 200 USD
per person.
One way
transfer from Sesheke to Sioma = 200 USD; if 4 people are
sharing the costs are 50 USD per person. A return trip will cost
400; if 4 people are sharing the costs per person will be 100
USD.
Accommodation
costs
Camping at
Sioma Camp in one of our tents is 15 USD (safari dome tent). We
have smaller standard camping tents as well costing 10 US$ pppn.
Camping in your own tent is US$ 8 pppn. Staying in the tented
chalets (classic safari tents on teak decks with thatched roof)
cost US$ 50 pppn (two people sharing). Breakfast is included.
Single supplement US$ 20.
Trips to
the bushcamp can be arranged.
(For possible over night stays please
enquire by email).
As you can
see Sioma Camp may be an interesting option as a travel
destination for backpackers even if you are on a fairly tight
travel budget.
Hope
to see you.
Hans
Christian Aaskov
Sioma
Camp
Email:
siomacamp@gmail.com
Cell:
0977 771098
(coverage is not good; email communication is
better).
|
