Is Mana Pools in Zimbabwe, the new South Luangwa?
Safari aficionados have known of Zambia’s South Luangwa Valley for many years. It has great wildlife, the guiding is good, and the camps are exceptional. It’s one of the few places in Africa where people are happy to linger; too often, safaris are short stops in several national parks or reserves, but the quality of the South Luangwa means longer visits, and many people stay for a week, spending time in two or three safari camps during this time.
Mana River Camp, Zimbabwe
Across the border in Zimbabwe, Mana Pools is one of the world’s wildest and best preserved natural ecological areas. With 70% of the park only traversable on foot, it truly is an explorers’ paradise. It has phenomenal wildlife and Zimbabwe’s safari guides are often cited as the best in Africa. The Zambezi River and the escarpment on the Zambian side forms the backdrop to this stunning National Park, and with a gradual change in scenery and habitats as the rivers flows from west to east, it’s a wonderful to spend a week or ten days in several camps.
Mana River Camp, Zimbabwe
Ruwesi Canoe Trails
We love a mobile safari – it’s one of the very best ways to get under the skin of the African wilderness and this three night Ruwesi Canoe Trail from Bushlife Safaris in Mana Pools has really caught our eye.
Ruwesi Canoe Trails, Zimbabwe
If you’re in search of an adventure, its combination of walking, canoeing, and simple tented camps should be very appealing. Moving camp every night, guests explore this extraordinary wilderness in a style reminiscent of some early African explorers. Drifting quietly down the Zambezi there’s excellent birding, plenty of photographic opportunities with large mammals and good sightings of apex predators including lion, spotted hyena, crocodile, and wild dog.
Chikwenya Lodge, Zimbabwe
Machaba Safaris, Ingwe Pans
Machaba Safaris’ Ingwe Pan Tented Camp has an unusual setting under the trees beside a pan, or seasonal waterhole, several miles from the floodplain and the river, and offers guests a lovely contrast to the waterfront. This peaceful part of the park provides excellent wildlife viewing from the comfort of the camp with its beautiful mess tent. It’s easy to combine this with Mana River Camp, which as its name implies is beside the Zambezi. It’s a lovely simple traditional style safari camp, doing exactly what it says on the tin.
Ingwe Pan Tented Camp, Zimbabwe
African Bush Camps
This safari company has a collection of camps in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe offering guests wonderful safari experiences. At Nyamatusi Camp deep in the wilds of Mana Pools visitors can now stay in luxurious rooms in one of Africa’s last remaining wild frontiers. Nyamatusi sits on the banks of one of the world’s oldest rivers in an area of astounding beauty where visitors can walk, canoe and take wildlife drives amid the magnificent wilderness.
Nyamatusi Camp, Zimbabwe
Wilderness Safaris
Wilderness Safaris has an unsurpassed record of conservation work, protecting fragile and threatened habitat and endangered wildlife across Africa, as well as providing opportunities for thousands of people in isolated communities. They run Chikwenya Camp, on a private concession overlooking the Zambezi at the eastern end of Mana Pools. The camp offers a bit more luxury than some of the other camps in the area, and superbly peaceful wildlife viewing by vehicle, on foot, from a boat and a canoe. Combine this with Ruckomechi, or Little Ruckomechi, at the western end of Mana Pools, for a fabulous week or so on wonderful private concessions in this spectacular place.
Little Ruckomechi, Zimbabwe
Great Plains Conservation
Great Plains Conservation manages the Sapi Reserve on the eastern side of Mana Pools, a magnificent expanse of 337,000 hectares of rugged wilderness, with just one superb, luxurious tented safari camp, Tembo Plains. This is a fabulous place for spending days quietly exploring on foot, by canoe, boat, or in a safari vehicle, or enjoying a bit of peaceful fishing. The wildlife population is excellent and has recently been augmented by a huge mammal translocation project. There is no limit to how long you can stay out in the bush here as it’s a private reserve, which combines so well with other camps with contrasting styles and locations, such as Ruckomechi, Vundu, or Goliath.
Tembo Plains Camp, Zimbabwe
Any questions on a Mana Pools safari?
If you’ve got this far and not found an answer to a question you have that we should have included, please ask in the comments section below, or pop us an email. We’ll be sure to reply and may amend the article to include our answer.
What next?
We would be delighted to help you plan a holiday, or answer any questions if you’re at an earlier stage. Our team of experts have travelled widely throughout Africa and even experienced the new Great Mana Expedition. We can offer expert advice on every type of safari from family and beach holidays to riding and primate safaris. If you would like to talk to someone who has been there and done it, please just send us an email or give us a call.
Goliath Safaris[/caption]
Chad Katavi[/caption]
Jack's Camp[/caption]
I need to visit this place please advise of the cost per night for seven days and food cost for two
Dear Raymond, thanks for leaving a comment. I have forwarded your e-mail address to one of our travel experts who will be in touch soon. Best wishes, Katy