Mana River Camp (Machaba Safaris)

Mana Pools

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Mana River Camp is positioned in shady woodland on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River in Mana Pools National Park - nestled between this enormous perennial river and a much visited water pan, particularly enjoyed by elephants for mud bathing. 

The beauty of this camp is that it is a temporary mobile tented camp which is taken down at the end of each season, before the wet season begins. This gives the feeling of the old, authentic bush camping experience.

The camp is unfenced so wildlife can wander freely past in a tranquil atmosphere.  Elephants are common visitors. These giant pachyderms seem to want to introduce themselves to guests. 

The camp consists of 6 large canvas and gauze tents with zipped entrances, and verandas with folding chairs.  All have a view of the Zambezi River. The sleeping area has twin single beds which can be converted to king-size on request, hotel quality linen and towels, bedside tables and overhead fans. There is a table with a thermos of cold drinking water and glasses. The bathroom area has a flushing toilet, hot and cold shower, heated with chip boilers. There is a mirrored vanity with a porcelain basin and cold running water. A hot water flask is delivered each evening for washing. The usual amenities are supplied for your comforts i.e. shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and handwashing powder for personal laundry. The tent is powered with an inverter and solar lighting system. 

Other facilities include an open-air dining area with a relaxed family atmosphere, and a central media tent where all laptops, cameras and mobile phones can be charged during daylight hours (There are no charging facilities in the tents). 

Activities: Every effort is made to tailor-make the experience for guests. Activities include morning and late afternoon game drives, morning and/or late afternoon game walks with our experienced Zimbabwean guides who are highly regarded due to Zimbabwe’s stringent examination procedures, morning canoeing and shoreline fishing on a catch and release basis (fishing equipment not provided). Early notification is required for canoeing arrangements to avoid disappointment.

Mana River Camp accepts children aged 6 and above, and sole responsibility for their safety rests with the parent/guardian. Children under 12 are NOT permitted on Game Walks.

Access:  is by air, road or boat. Chartered flights incredibly reduce travel time, although road and boat transfers are a great way to see Zimbabwe. 

Mana River Camp is part of the Machaba Safaris Family, and we have the great benefit of having our permanent sister camp based further inland at Ingwe Pan in Mana Pools.

Reviews 4

Peter S, Zimbabwe 10 November 2022
We stayed 4 nights at Mana River Camp and enjoyed every minute. The tents were nice, though no fans which would have been nice during the hot October nights. The location is beautiful by the Zambezi with hippos across the river and the occasional crocodile swimming by. There were regular camp visits by animals such as elands, elephants and buffalo, an armchair safari. The food and service were excellent. Our guide for the game drives was very knowledgable and shared so much interesting facts about flora and fauna. Overall, it was a fantastic experience. Dear Peter S, We are thrilled you had an amazing experience at Mana River Camp recently. Thank you for mentioning that the tents are nice but that fans would be a great addition, we will be fitting fans during our annual closure so that when the camp opens in the new season the tents will be ready for the warmer months! Being on the banks of the Zambezi River is a very special location and we are pleased you were able to experience all the game visiting camp. Your review mentioned everything from the tents to the service, to the food, the guides and of course the flora and fauna. We hope you will come enjoy our camp again the future. Thank you for taking the time to send through your feedback!
Andrew Morgan, South Africa 31 October 2022
I visited the camp in May 2022 on my first ever trip to Mana Pools. From the moment I landed I was blown away by the exceptional guide that greeted me at the airstrip. The camp is set on the banks of the river in amongst beautiful large trees. There was constantly birdlife around the camp and wildlife can be seen walking by all the time. The tents were well spaced so that you don't feel on top of your neighbour which I really appreciated. The tents were well appointed and very comfortable, and the guest area provided a nice place to relax between game drives. I also enjoyed that meals are not always served in the same spot, and you can move around a little. A highlight was sundowners at the fire overlooking the river. I have done many safaris in various locations in Africa, and I think the guiding was the best I've experienced so far. Dear Andrew, Thank you for your amazing review of our new camp in Mana Pools National Park! We appreciate your detailed descriptions of the camp, the location to the river and how we have designed the layout of the tents. We pride ourselves on our unique and intimate camps. The staff at Mana River Camp are passionate about every aspect of the guest experience and we are thrilled to hear that our different meal set ups were enjoyable. We look forward to welcoming you back to Mana River Camp or one of our other Machaba Safaris Camps soon.
Eric M 30 October 2022
A great experience during the latter part of October 2022, the best time of the year for Mana Pools. The well-appointed camp layout along the Zambezi did not disappoint nor did the spacious safari tents. Camp Manager Shepherd and his staff cater for one's every whim.. and more. The catering is superb and drinks ice cold. The living area is comfortable and has a dedicated charging area and wifi. The game drives rewarding with lots to be seen along the river and inland, had wonderful encounters with elephant close at hand, hippo, lion and eland. Foot safaris are allowed. Definitely a camp to be visited again, its close to the air strip. Dear Eric M, What a wonderful review! We love hearing about our guests' experiences and how our staff positively affected their stays! Your mention of Shepherd and his team are appreciated, and we will share your feedback with them. Mana Pools National Park offers a unique safari experience and from your review it sounds like you got to experience it all. We look forward to welcoming you back to Mana River Camp or one of out other Machaba Safaris camps soon.
Rob H, South Africa 25 October 2022
Spent a few nights at Mana River Camp recently and was very impressed. The location, rooms, food and service are top notch. We also had amazing sightings with our guide, who was very knowledgeable. Wished we could have stayed longer. Dear Rob, Thank you for taking the time to send through your review. It appears that your stay at Mana River Camp left you with crisp clear impressions of our camp, the staff and the area. We are delighted that your stay was so memorable and hope you will stay longer next time! Until next time
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Telephone +27 10 4467691
Mobile +27 82 5795249
Skype machabacamp
Price Top-end
Full Catering

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