Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
Recommended Camps
Without doubt one of the most beautiful National Parks in Africa. The only Park in Zimbabwe to be afforded World Heritage status. The Zambezi River flows past 80kms of the Mana Pools shoreline. A river frontage that attracts a huge variety of birds and animals who come down to feed and drink at the waters edge. A few kilometres across the River on the Zambian side a soft blue escarpment raises up some 2000 feet (600m) offering an impressive backdrop. One of Africa’s premier walking areas through acacia woodlands that stretch as far as the eye can see with little or no undergrowth, giving an unimpeded view of all the numerous animals that inhabit the extremely scenic river terraces. Large numbers of elephant, buffalo, waterbuck, impala, eland, zebra, baboons and warthog are scattered beneath the huge acacia and mahogany canopies that make up much of this stunning Park.

Chikwenya Camp
My favorite camp in Africa! This well sited camp looks across the Sapi River mouth, to expansive acacia floodplains, the Zambezi River and Chikwenya Island, with the Zambian escarpment as an inspiring backdrop. Nine well appointed rooms have tented walls beneath thatch with huge gauze windows to take in massive views.

Buffalo on the floodplain in the front of Chikwenya Camp	Interior of a Chikwenya room

Sleep is punctuated the honking calls of hippo resonate across the water. The sound of their lips ripping the grass below the rooms can be heard throughout the night blending frequently with lion roaring and the rasping call of leopard. Safari activities offered at Chikwenya are walks to view the numerous animals that concentrate in this area. Game drives in open land rovers, returning to camp with spotlights to view the fascinating nocturnal life. Boating on the Zambezi on specially designed pontoon boats to view hippo and the numerous animals that can be seen at the waters edge and on scattered islands. This area is a bird watchers paradise. Fishing for the renowned tiger fish and bream prove popular in September and October. Well sited hides offer guests excellent opportunities to spend a few hours of each day quietly watching animal interactions. Morning and afternoon canoe trips from Chikwenya prove popular for those that like to float silently past the abundance of wildlife that line the channel ways.

All the rooms are perched on wooden platforms connected by aerial walkways	Chikwenya canoeists