We fancy ourselves as the experts in Mana Pools National Park. That’s because we have four exclusive safari camps in three very distinct areas of the park, giving us a varied perspective to offer our guests a holistic experience on the ground.
For those who want to travel when it’s quieter and more cost-effective, the shoulder season is for you. April and May will vastly differ from November, the tail of high season, yet each of these months encompasses the best of both seasons. During April and May, surface water is still abundant, which means the animals are spread out, and many of them (eland in particular) start to move down from the escarpment towards the flood plain. There is a lot more undergrowth within the famous forests of Mana, and in the clearings, vast pans appear. Here, you can expect spectacular birding.
Past guests say witnessing the first rains in November is a sacred experience, as you can almost see and feel the animals rejoicing for the showers, as green sprouts overnight, and animals breathe a sigh of relief as the rains cool down the hotter days.
The high season falls over winter and spring in Africa. When the climate is dry, there are two main benefits. Firstly, the undergrowth within the forests dies down, which means greater visibility to see animals. In Mana Pools, no off-road driving is allowed, so guides will often take their guests on foot to get a better view, making spotting wildlife an immersive experience. Secondly, in dry months, animals tend to congregate around water sources. Kanga Camp becomes the ideal location to sit back and take in the wildlife spectacle, as this is the only waterhole around for 10km. At Nyamatusi and Zambezi Expeditions, with so many animals lining the river, our guides can chart walks and game drives to maximize your sightings. You might even see a herd of elephants traipsing through your bush backyard as you enjoy lunch in the wild.
The high season falls over winter and spring in Africa. When the climate is dry, there are two main benefits. Firstly, the undergrowth within the forests dies down, which means greater visibility to see animals. In Mana Pools, no off-road driving is allowed, so guides will often take their guests on foot to get a better view, making spotting wildlife an immersive experience. Secondly, in dry months, animals tend to congregate around water sources. Kanga Camp becomes the ideal location to sit back and take in the wildlife spectacle, as this is the only waterhole around for 10km. At Nyamatusi and Zambezi Expeditions, with so many animals lining the river, our guides can chart walks and game drives to maximize your sightings. You might even see a herd of elephants traipsing through your bush backyard as you enjoy lunch in the wild.
During the rainy season, these camps are closed due to black cotton soil, making it nearly impossible for vehicles to navigate.
Nyamatusi Camp & Nyamatusi Mahogany are open for longer between December and 5 January.
Activities at Nyamatusi focus on walking, boating, birding and canoeing due to the soil and rains in this region during December and January.
Mana Pools is an excellent place to see unique wildlife and animal behavior. African wild dogs, also known as the painted wolves, are undoubtedly the heroes of Mana Pools National Park. Many explorers venture to this pristine wilderness to find them. The most natural form of safari in Mana Pools is on foot; it feels instinctive. Read our blog article and follow in Sir David Attenborough’s footsteps in finding and studying the African wild dogs in their natural environment.
Boswell is the Mana Pools local ‘celebrephant’ (celebrity elephant) who has learned to heave himself onto his hind legs to reach the Ana tree leaves. Many other young bulls have taken his lead and learned from him, whereas many female elephants in the dry and desperate seasons follow him around to scavenge off the excess when food is scarce.
Mitch is the resident hippo that hangs around Zambezi Expeditions, and at night, when everyone has gone to sleep, he ventures out and munches the good grass near the camp. Hippos are abundant at Zambezi Expeditions and Nyamatusi Camp, popping up to breathe and disappearing again. It’s hard to escape the constant grunting of the hippo when you’re by the riverside, but it adds to the ease of the safari life and creates a Mana Pools soundtrack you’ll soon learn the tune to.
In the Nyamatusi territory lives a pride of lions who roamed before the camps were a seed in our mind. They are habituated to the area and, from time to time, tend to bring their kills back to camp. You might be lucky to come across the Nyamatusi lion pride in camp. This pride is far more relaxed in the presence of humans on foot compared to other parks, so seeing lions, wild dogs, and elephants is not uncommon.
In Mana Pools National Park, walking safaris are a big focus, as 70% of the region is only traversable by foot. Here, you can set off on game drives, get out of your vehicle with your professional walking guide and approach the likes of lions and painted wolves within meters.
Famous for its alluring, magnetic safari, Kanga Camp is ideal for the beginning or end of your journey. While here, you can settle into the comforts of camp while elephants, wild dogs and leopards visit you at your doorstep. The Kanga Pan is the only water source in 10 km, which means the dryer the area becomes, the more animals have to venture to the pan before heading to the river. During the peak of the dry season, it is not uncommon to have multiple leopard sightings within a few hours. Our record is seven different leopards within one dinner sitting.
Paddling alongside elephants on the mighty Zambezi River on a canoe is exhilarating. Zambezi Expeditions and Nyamatusi Camps are situated on the banks of the Zambezi River and which is the best place to experience the land from a different perspective. Accompanied by one of our professional guides, a canoe trip is as exciting as it sounds, with opportunities to get up close to some of Africa’s wild animals while slowly cruising down the Zambezi. Elephants, hippos and crocodiles are frequent sightings. At the end of the canoe safari, one of our game vehicles will transfer you back to camp in time for an afternoon siesta.
Without a doubt, game drives put a spring in our step every morning in the African bush. We look forward to jumping into our Cruisers in anticipation, ready to explore and share our heartlands with you. Keep your eyes peeled and your binoculars at the ready because knowing that anything could be lurking around the next corner is enough ‘drive’ for any adventurer.
Scattered within Mana Pools National Park, we have three riverside camps and one inland camp. Each of these camps reveals a different vista of Mana Pools National Park, with unique experiences that draw guests back time and time again.
While many people want to come to Mana Pools for the Zambezi Escarpment and riverside activities, Kanga Camp entices guests like it does animals on their daily search for water. You’ll feel a distinct sense of place at Kanga Camp, where, instead of searching for wildlife, they come to you. Before the camp opened, the concession was empty, and wildlife was at the mercy of poachers. With our presence here and our work to pump the pan and work within nearby communities, poaching in this region has ended, and the wildlife has returned to our haven in spectacular, close-up displays.
If you want remoteness, Kanga is the perfect combination with one of our river camps.
Nyamatusi Camp and Nyamatusi Mahogany are on the northeastern side of Mana Pools National Park. Found right on the riverside with wide-open spaces between the tents, making you feel as if you own a private stretch of water as you enjoy a dip in your private pool overlooking the Zambezi Escarpment. Nyamatusi Camp has just six luxury tented suites, boasting a private deck, air conditioning and idyllic communal areas to lounge and switch off. Space is the new luxury; you’ll feel miles away from everything here.
A recent guest had this to say on TripAdvisor: “Julia and I were hosted by the team at Nyamatusi Camp from 12 to 15 September 2019. As at Somalisa the previous year, our hosts at Nyamatusi were not disappointing. Russell, TK, the lead guide on the walking safari, our canoe skipper and every staff member gave us undivided attention, including the team at the garage who took custody of our vehicle during our stay. Contrary to some claims on this platform, we thoroughly enjoyed the organization and staging of a fantastic stir-fry dinner out in the bush under kerosene light. The meals were heavenly, including the vegetarian options. We could not ask for more. Your staff are professional, passionate and highly knowledgeable of the bush and all its inhabitants. Thanks, African Bush Camps, for maintaining outstanding and world-class standards at your camps, including Nyamatusi. Russell might look young, but it is not age that matters. It is the quality of leadership that he displays together with his supporting team. It is fantastic. I also wish to pay tribute to your business model, which brings everyone together, from daily activities to eating meals. Southern Africa has had enough of grouping people around the class. It is refreshing that African Bush Camps dissolves the servant-master structure at its site. Well done! Cheers – Foreman”
Nyamatusi Mahogany is our wildly luxurious family camp that offers a fantastic safari for every age and interest — equipped with an outdoor wood-burning fire, a pool in the main area, two family tents and enticing plunge pools on private decks.
“Mana Pools is probably my favorite place in the world. Nyamatusi Mahogany really does this stunning place justice. We went as a family of 4 with kids aged 7 and 10. Both us and the kids were treated like family/royalty. Nyamatusi is split in 2, with Mahogany being child-friendly – way beyond friendly, really. The lodge setting is perfect, with great views over the river floodplain with game a constant in camp and on the plain. Activities were varied, not just game drives, and every activity was as close to perfection as I have ever had. We were guided by Nick, who had a wealth of experience and knowledge, but more than this, he was amazing with the kids. Joyce hosted us, and again, nothing was too much for her. All the staff, Witness, Princess, Pamela and all the others welcomed us and took a real interest in us – fantastic service and just made the stay perfect. The wildlife was fantastic, with great sightings every day, but for me, Mana is about the landscape and the ‘feel,’ and this can’t be beaten. I can’t rate this highly enough; my kids cried as we left, and I might have had a bit of dust in my eye, too. This was a trip for my 50th, and it made my year.”
Zambezi Expeditions is an expedition-style camp with a whole lot of heart and adventure activities to boot. Here, six Meru-style tents are equipped with hot bucket showers and ensuites with unrivalled views of the Zambezi River. At this intimate camp, strangers quickly become family around evening fires and with shared meals.
Bob H from TripAdvisor has this to say: “Zambezi Expeditions left my wife crying when we left because of the personal touch the staff gives every day. This camp is amazing on every level. Cloud was an amazing guide that took us canoeing on the Zambezi, and Henry took us walking up to lions, hippos, elephants, and African wild dogs. Sabastian, Jorge, and Michelle were so nice and went way above and beyond for our stay, but every staff member did.”
Travel to African Bush Camps with Safari Logistics
Travel in Zimbabwe – and Africa as a whole – is limited due to insufficient infrastructure. Paradoxically, this lack of development is why we seek out these far away and untouched places to escape the hustle and bustle of modern stresses. Unfortunately, this makes it more challenging to get to these places. This is also why Africa, as a whole, can be expensive to travel to.
We have tried to mitigate this issue, which led to the development of Safari Logistics, our sister company. Safari Logistics offers scheduled transfer flights to faraway places so that we can streamline your safari planning process and ease you into life in the bush.
Safari Logistics offers safe and professional travel around Zimbabwe with both road and air access to some of the country’s top safari and wildlife areas in which we operate, including Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Lake Kariba and Matusadona, and Mana Pools National Park and Harare.
In addition, with offices located in Victoria Falls Town and at the Victoria Falls Airport, Safari Logistics is ideally situated to provide a professional meet and greet service and assist with ground handling services for all activities within Victoria Falls.
Harare is the closest international airport to Mana Pools if you are flying straight into the National Park. If you visit Thorntree River Lodge in Zambia, Somalisa, or Bumi Hills Safari Lodge in Zimbabwe, we can book and organize your intercamp flights for a seamless experience. If you upgrade to include Botswana camps, your intercamp flights and transfers will be booked by our consultants.
Contact our Mana Pools experts now and explore Africa’s best-kept secret!
