Nyamatusi Camp

15°41’58.8"S 29°25’36.7"E

91% (7 reviews)

Full review Our view Geographics Food & drink Special interests Children Wildlife sightings Communications Health & safety Activities Extras

Nyamatusi Camp: Our full report

Located on the eastern side of Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park, overlooking the Zambezi River, Nyamatusi ...

... Camp opened in April 2019. With just six luxurious tented suites, this is African Bush Camps’ new flagship camp, designed to make the most of a wonderful wilderness location while also providing high levels of luxury and comfort.

When we visited the site of Nyamatusi in October 2018 it was little more than a few decks and piles of building materials, yet even at that stage it was clear that the camp was going to be something special.

Each of the vast suites, whose decks were already constructed, was sheltered under the shade of a large tree and well spaced for privacy. All were to have slightly different layouts depending on the shape of the tree and their orientation to ensure that each would have a river view.

Now complete, the six suites each features a private plunge pool, large twin beds (or a double) under a mosquito net, air conditioning, a small lounge area and a minibar. At the back of the suites, the large en-suite bathrooms come with indoor and outdoor showers, twin basins and flush toilet. Then at the front, bi-fold doors open up onto a deck overlooking the bush to the Zambezi River and the escarpment beyond.

The main area at Nyamatusi is a two-storey thatched building whose upper level doubles as a lounge and viewing deck. On the lower level you’ll find an ingenious sunken wine cellar, along with a bar and dining room that open up onto a large firepit. Due to the dispersed nature of the tents and the distance between them and the main area, guests staying here are shuttled to and from the main area by vehicle day and night. There are radios in the tents to summon a lift if you haven't pre-arranged one.

As you would expect, activities here focus on game drives and walks in the park with a fully qualified guide, though other options include shore fishing and canoe trips.

Although we haven’t stayed at Nyamatusi yet, we would expect to work well with other African Bush Camps’ properties, particularly within Zimbabwe. Zambezi Expeditions and Kanga Bush Camp combine with it to offer a range of experiences in Mana Pools, while Somalisa Camp or Bumi Hills Safari Lodge are great options for those wanting to explore other parks within the country. And for those with children, Nyamatusi’s adjoining sister camp, Nyamatusi Mahogany, could be the perfect choice.

Our view

While we haven’t yet seen Nyamatusi completed it was clear to us on our visit that there was a lot of thought and planning going into making this a very special camp. We have known African Bush Camps since they opened their first camp in the early 2000s, and we’d expect the same excellent accommodation and service here as at their other properties – so we cannot wait to stay at the completed camp.

Lucy Copson

Zimbabwe expert

Geographics

Location: Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
Ideal length of stay: We’d recommend a minimum of three nights at Nyamatusi as a stand-alone stay, or two if combined with another property in Mana Pools.
Directions: Guests staying at Nyamatusi will generally fly to Mana Main airstrip before taking a 4WD game drive transfer through the park to the camp.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board & Activities
Food quality: We have not yet dined at Nyamatusi, but we would expect the meals to be of the same high quality as at other properties in the African Bush Camps' portfolio.
Drinks included: Standard soft drinks, local beers, local wines and house spirits are included. Premium drinks such as champagne are available on request for an additional charge.

Special interests

Honeymoons: Perhaps the most luxurious lodge in the Mana Pools area, Nyamatusi is the perfect place to indulge on your honeymoon. Large air-conditioned suites with spectacular views of the Zambezi are set well apart, giving guests their own slice of one of Africa’s premier parks.; See ideas for Honeymoons
Luxury: Looking to spoil yourself and enjoy a world-class safari? Look no further than Nyamatusi Camp. Set on the Zimbabwean bank of the mighty Zambezi River, the camp effortlessly combines great guiding and prolific wildlife with touches of opulence for a truly luxurious stay.; See ideas for Luxury

Children

Attitude towards children: Nyamatusi is designed as an adult-only camp, but for families with children they have created the neighbouring Nyamatusi Mahogany.
Property’s age restrictions: No children under 7. Children under 16 are not allowed on walking activities.
Special activities & services: None
Equipment: None
Generally recommended for children: Nyamatusi is not well suited to children, who would be much better placed at the neighbouring Nyamatusi Mahogany.
Notes: If families do stay at Nyamatusi, they need to be aware of the need for constant supervision of their children in the presence of dangerous wild animals.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Nyamatusi Camp

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Nyamatusi Camp have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

Buffalo

100% success

Eland

100% success

Elephant

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Lion

100% success

Zebra

86% success

Spotted Hyena

67% success

Leopard

60% success

Wild dog

50% success

Roan antelope

29% success

Wildebeest

17% success

Aardvark

0% success

Cheetah

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Sable antelope

0% success

Communications

Water supply: Other

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended: Yes
Medical care: The management and guides at Nyamatusi are first-aid trained. In an emergency, medical evacuation by air would be arranged to Harare.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Fire safety