In this blog we feature the Small Tented Safari options in Mana Pools National Park shown on the map below. The fully catered options are safari camps which provided tented accommodation (for a range of budgets) and are limited to 16 guests (or less). The self-catering options provide basic camping facilities for self-drive visitors. The links below provide more information about these wonderful destinations in one of the wildest places in Africa.
MANA POOLS AREA - SMALL TENTED SAFARI OPTIONS
Mana Pools National Park lies within a vast World Heritage Site covering the Zimbabwean side of the Middle Zambezi Valley. This wide, flat, low-lying valley is part of the great African Rift, and stretches approximately 55 kilometres between steep-sided escarpment mountain ranges to the south (in Zimbabwe) and to the north (in Zambia). The current course of the Zambezi River runs right up against the northern escarpment mountains, forming the border between the two countries.
As it passes through Mana Pools National Park the Zambezi River is a wide, meandering stretch of water filled with wild animals (especially hippos and crocodiles) and abundant bird life. The “floodplain” alluvial terraces and channels of Mana Pools are famous for their riverine woodlands dominated by dark mahogany trees and the pale green acacia-type “Winter-Thorns” which provide protein-rich “apple-ring” pods much favoured by wildlife. Here the elephants, antelope, buffalo and zebra congregate for food and water during the dry, hot season months, with the predators not far behind them.
There are a number of wilderness-orientated small tented safari camps along this stretch of the Zambezi River. Most are seasonal (closed during the rainy season months of Dec - March because access into these remote areas is very limited). Access during the safari season (April – October) is either by air charter, 4x4 road transfer or self-drive.
The interior of Mana Pools National Park, away from the Zambezi River, consists of large stretches of dry mopani woodland interspersed with dense "dry forest" bush growing on patches of Kalahari Sand, dotted with a number of seasonal pans, watercourses and springs. There are several safari camps located in the interior of the Park.
INLAND CAMPS (FULLY CATERED)
Kavinga Safari Camp
This luxury camp is located just off the main Mana Pools access road in the southern part of the National Park only 9 kms away from the well-known Chitake Spring. The camp has eight comfortable raised platform chalets each containing a twin or double tented room and en-suite bathroom. The chalets and a spacious central living/dining area are all perched on the edge of a steep cliff overlooking the wide expanse of the Ruckomechi riverbed and facing the sunrise over the magnificent backdrop of the Zambezi escarpment mountains.
Below the camp is a wildlife-frequented waterhole with a carefully-disguised viewing "Hide" at its edge, allowing incredible close-up photographic opportunities. Wilderness enthusiasts will love this place, with professional guides on hand to help explore the surrounding hills and river systems either by vehicle or on foot.
Hideaways Mhara River Camp
This is one of the newest additions to the inland tourism facilities in Mana Pools National Park. Situated overlooking the Chitake River in a remote area in the southern part of the park, this low-footprint, luxury camp has 6 spacious safari-style tents (twin or double) all with en-suite bathrooms, and a large open-plan central deck area for dining and relaxation.
Situated on its own private concession, Mhara River Camp offers a safari experience that is designed to be as wild, natural and uncommercial as the owners can make it. The area has a variety of landscapes to explore, with a focus on wildlife and some extraordinary birding experiences (viewed on foot or by vehicle in the company of professional guides) or from a hidden hide overlooking a waterhole. Special treats are al fresco brunches or sundowners in the wild along a river bed or atop a nearby hill with panoramic views. Access to the camp is by road (4x4 vehicles recommended) or via air charter from Harare or Kariba, to a nearby airstrip.
Ingwe Pan Camp (Machaba Safaris)
Ingwe Pan Camp (operate by Machaba Safaris) is situated inland of the Zambezi River on its own private concession at a large pan just off the Mana Pools floodplain.
The camp caters for a maximum of 16 people with 8 spacious and airy luxury safari tents with ensuite facilities and indoor and outdoor showers. All the tents are raised off the ground on eco-friendly decks which blend into the surroundings, and are positioned on the south side of the pan just metres from the water’s edge and under shady Jackalberry and Nyalaberry trees. The main lounge-dining-bar area is under canvas beneath a massive fig tree. Dining is a 3-course meal set outdoors under the stars overlooking the pan, with picnics, barbeques and brunches also part of the safari menu.
Activities include game drives, morning and/or late afternoon game walks with experienced Zimbabwean guides, morning canoeing and shoreline fishing. Access is by air or road.
Ingwe Pan Camp benefits from the proximity of a 6-tent seasonal sister camp - Mana River Camp - based on the banks of the Zambezi River (see below). Guests can enjoy a varied Mana Pools safari experience by spending some time in both camps.
Chitake Springs Operator Mobile Tented Camps - Some of the safari operators mentioned in this Blog offer fully-catered mobile tented camping experiences for their guests who would like to spend an extra night or two visiting the remote Chitake Springs in the southern section of Mana Pools National Park. See below.
ZAMBEZI RIVER CAMPS (FULLY-CATERED)
Camp Mana
This intimate, simple, 12-bed tented camp has a magnificent location overlooking the Zambezi River. Each twin or double tent has its own en-suite bathroom area, with a flushing toilet and shower facilities. An expansive Bedoin-style tented area provides a shaded central living/dining area. The focus at Camp Mana is on a genuine immersive wilderness experience with a minimal impact on the environment. On offer are guided game drives and walking, canoeing, fishing and wilderness walking trails. The camp also offers a mobile tented camp for guests wanting to visit the remote Chitake Springs in the south of Mana Pools National Park.
Mana River Camp (Machaba Safaris)
Mana River Camp (operated by Machaba Safaris) is an intimate 6-tent (12 guest) seasonal safari camp in Mana Pools, positioned in shady woodland overlooking the Zambezi River.
This camp offers a simple, authentic bush camping experience. The tents are canvas and gauze with zipped entrances, and verandas with folding chairs. Each has an en-suite bathroom area with a flushing toilet and hot and cold shower heated with chip boilers. There is a large, open-air dining area with a relaxed family atmosphere, and a central living area tent with charging facilities during daylight hours (the camp is solar powered).
Activities include game drives, morning and/or late afternoon game walks with experienced Zimbabwean guides, morning canoeing and shoreline fishing. Access is by air or road.
Guests at Mana River Camp can also choose to vary their Mana Pools safari by also spending some time at Machaba Safaris' Ingwe Pan Camp - a sister tented camp situated a few kilometres inland of the Zambezi River.
Goliath Camp (Stretch Ferriera Safaris)
This long-established seasonal camp in Mana Pools is operated by Stretch Ferriera who is one of Africa’s most renowned and experienced professional guides. The camp's 7 luxury East-African style tents blending seamlessly into the bush along the banks of the Zambezi River There are comfortable twin or double beds,high-quality linen, mosquitos nets, hot outdoor showers, flush toilets and running water. The entire camp area has soft river sand to walk on and guests can enjoy a casual and barefoot stay! There is a covered public living area and an al-fresco dining room, as well as a large campfire area to enjoy stories under brightly-starred nights and braai (barbeque) nights. Exceptional wildlife experiences include guided walks, game drives, close encounters with wildlife, day canoe trips and fishing.
Natureways Safaris
The core product of this long-standing safari company is guided mobile tented canoe safaris along the Zambezi River, for small 6-8 people groups, suited to different tastes and budgets. These are highly rated as extraordinary wilderness adventure experiences. However, in Mana Pools, Natureways also offers static tented camps and guided walking safaris. These offer the added touch of comfort of a classic tented safari, with full waiter service, spacious walk-in tents, en suite facilities and hot open-air showers. All meals are freshly prepared in camp and all safaris are conducted by experienced and knowledgeable professional guides. Natureways also operate a mobile tented camping experience for guests wanting to visit the remote Chitake Springs in the south of Mana Pools National Park.
SELF-CATERING ACCOMMODATION
ZimParks - Crocodile Camp Tented Camp
ZimParks offer self-catering, en-suite tents located overlooking the Zambezi River at Crocodile Creek adjacent to Gwaya Camp just upstream of the ZimParks Lodges. The tents each accommodate two people and are fully-equipped, each with a braai/barbeque stand and a separate kitchenette adjacent to the tent. The tented camp is serviced. (Note that this camp is currently under refurbishment during 2025.)
ZimParks - Nyamepi Public campsite
This consists of about 30 camping sites set under shade trees along the Zambezi River for use by self-drive, self-contained visitors. There are 4 ablution blocks which have flush toilets, showers and hot and cold running water. Water is available from several taps in the campsite. Firewood can be purchased at the Parks office. The camp is not fenced, so it is necessary to exercise extreme caution as wild animals (includuing elephants, buffalo and lion) can wander through.
ZimParks - Exclusive Use campsites
These remote camping sites have no facilities at all except for a long-drop toilet each. They are available to groups of 6 - 12 self-drive, self-contained visitors and are located at various places along the Zambezi River - New Ndungu, Mucheni 2 & 3, Gwaya, Nkupe, and at Chitake Springs in the extreme south of the Park.
For some useful tips about self-drive camping in Mana Pools, to ensure safety in a wilderness area, please see the following Blog and Travel Advice :-
Mana Pools Camping - some important things to note
Codes of Conduct for Visitors to Mana Pools