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Nyamatusi Mahogany
Nyamatusi Mahogany
Nyamatusi Mahogany
Nyamatusi Mahogany
Nyamatusi Mahogany
Nyamatusi Mahogany

About Nyamatusi Mahogany

Comfortable family tents, specialist children’s guides and a great location make Nyamatusi Mahogany a good choice for a family safari.

Children on safari can be a pleasure in the right camp – and that camp could just be Nyamatusi Mahogany. Hidden deep in the bush in Mana Pools National Park, it exudes plenty of style, yet with two dedicated family suites it is fully geared to the needs of families.

First up are two en-suite bedrooms in each suite, so you and your little ones have your own space – and view. Then there’s a proper corridor between the rooms, ensuring their safety if they wake in the night. And perhaps best of all, there’s the Ngwana Club, whose specialist children’s guides offer a range of child-friendly activities, from nature walks close to camp to traditional storytelling, cookery and crafts.

Youngsters can enjoy the pool, too, as well as the thrill of guided game drives with their parents. You’ll sleep in comfortable beds, relax in the small, open-sided dining area and gather at night around the firepit to share tales of the day, all in the experienced hands of African Bush Camps, whose safari hospitality has been honed over many years.

This is a relaxed, friendly camp, and makes a great option for families with animal-mad youngsters.

Our view

We have known the team behind Nyamatusi Mahogany for many years and while we have yet to experience the camp, we have every confidence that it will be well-run with great guiding and a welcoming atmosphere. Furthermore, with a range of child-friendly activities and no age restrictions we are sure it will be hard to beat for a family-friendly safari in Mana Pools.

Anton Walker

Anton Walker

Zimbabwe expert

Accommodation

4 suites

Children

Best for 7+

Open

April to November

Activities

4WD Safari

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Canoeing

Canoeing

Fishing

Fishing

Guided walking safari

Guided walking safari

Private activities

Private activities

Traveller reviews of Nyamatusi Mahogany

2 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


100%
2 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
2
Good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
T TfromBoise

Arrived 29 Jul 2021, 3 nights

"Nyamatusi Mahogany review"

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr R.fromMalmesbury

Arrived 7 Nov 2019, 4 nights

"Fantastic luxurious camp: stunning setting"

"The Excellent rating doesn't do this camp justice - it is totally amazing …" Read Mr R.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

See all Nyamatusi Mahogany reviews

Safaris visiting Nyamatusi Mahogany

Just ideas, we'll always tailor-make a trip for you


Map

Pied Kingfisher Safari

9 days • 3 locations • 1 country
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO HARARE AIRPORT

A luxury safari combining three of Zimbabwe's top highlights. The trip uses some of the finest safari camps in Zimbabwe and is perfect for a family or small group.

Visiting Victoria Falls, Hwange and 1 other area

US$8,470 - US$11,860 per person

Read more about the Pied Kingfisher Safari

Nyamatusi Mahogany: Our full report

Located in in the Zambezi Valley within Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park, Nyamatusi Mahogany camp is a ...

... laid-back, family-orientated tented camp. With two family rooms and no age restrictions, it is perhaps the first truly family-friendly option within the park for those with younger children.

When we visited the site of Nyamatusi Mahogany and its sister property Nyamatusi Camp in October 2018, the camps were little more than a few decks and piles of building materials. However, even at that stage it was clear that there was a lot of thought and attention to detail going into their construction.

Completed in mid 2019, the two camps back onto each other in the same way that their sister properties Somalisa Camp and Somalisa Acacia do in Hwange National Park. As with the Somalisas, the two Nyamatusi camps are nearly identical in terms of construction, style and location, and if you were to walk between them you could be forgiven for thinking they were the same property. In fact, depending on bookings, the boundary between the two camps can be altered, increasing and decreasing the size of the camps to accommodate larger or smaller bookings.

Despite the flexibility and proximity, both camps are run completely separately, each with its own kitchen, main area, camp managers and guides. The main difference is in the atmosphere, with Nyamatusi Mahogany being much more welcoming to families, especially those with younger children.

Nyamatusi Mahogany has four rooms:

  • Two standard suites are identical to those at the main camp. Each has a private plunge pool, large twin beds, or a double, under a mosquito net, air conditioning, minibar and small lounge area. Bi-fold doors at the front of the suites open up onto a deck overlooking the bush to the river and escarpment beyond. To the back of the suite is a large en-suite bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers, twin basins and a flush toilet.
  • The two family suites are formed from two en-suite tents linked by a short corridor. The master bedroom is the same as in the standard double suites, with all the same features. The second bedroom, which is made up as a twin, is a little smaller and has no outdoor shower. These family tents are the closest to the main area, too, so that guests and their children don’t need to walk far through the bush.
The main area at Mahogany is a double-storey thatched building housing the bar, dining area and lounge/library, while outside are a firepit and pool. The whole area looks out across the Zambezi floodplain to the river and escarpment beyond. 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.

Activities from camp include the usual range of game drives, walking safaris (not for under 16s) and canoe trips. However, for younger children the camp also offers their Ngwana Club, with specialist children’s guides who include nature walks close to camp, cooking classes, traditional storytelling, and arts and craft/beading. The range of activities here should allow for a much more flexible family safari experience than anywhere else in the park.

Geographics

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

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Full Board & Activities
Food quality
We have not had the opportunity to sample the food at Nyamatusi yet but we would expect the same high standards here 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

Family holidays
With no age limit and child-friendly activities, Nyamatusi Mahogany is one of Zimbabwe's most family-friendly camps. For a family safari in a remote wildlife area with a relaxed atmosphere and more than a touch of luxury, it would be hard to beat.
See ideas for Family holidays in Zimbabwe
Private villas & houses
Designed as a standalone satellite camp to the adjacent Nayamatusi Camp, Mahogany is totally self-sufficient with separate guides and staff. It is a great choice for families or groups looking for some privacy and flexibility.
See ideas for Private villas & houses in Zimbabwe
Luxury
Looking to spoil yourself and your family while enjoying a world-class safari? Look no further than Nyamatusi Mahogany. 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 in Zimbabwe

Children

Attitude towards children
Children of all ages are welcomed.
Property’s age restrictions
None
Special activities & services
The Ngwana Club, with specialist children’s guides offers child focused nature walks close to camp, cooking classes, traditional storytelling, and arts and craft/beading. So, there is plenty to keep younger family members entertained.
Equipment
Highchairs and cots can be provided with advanced notice.
Generally recommended for children
Nyamatusi Mahogany is one of the only camps in Mana Pools National Park to cater specifically towards families and is one of the best options for children in the park. Although they don't have any specific age limit, activities are focused on safari, and there is often large game within close proximity. Because of this we would only recommend the camp for children over the age of seven.
Notes
Nyamatusi Mahogany is an open safari camp, deep in the bush, with dangerous animals often passing through. In addition, the camp’s swimming pool is unfenced and unguarded. As such children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.
Mana Pools park rules dictate that no children under 16 can take part in walking or canoe safaris.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Nyamatusi Mahogany

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Nyamatusi Mahogany 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

Roan antelope

100% success

Spotted Hyena

100% success

Wild dog

100% success

Wildebeest

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Leopard

50% 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

Activities

  • 4WD Safari

    4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Canoeing

    Canoeing

  • Fishing

    Fishing

  • Guided walking safari

    Guided walking safari

  • Private activities

    Private activities

Extras

Disabled access
On Request

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Nyamatusi Mahogany's location

Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Nyamatusi Mahogany.


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When to go to Mana Pools National Park

Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Nyamatusi Mahogany in Mana Pools National Park


Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Zimbabwe in January

January falls in the middle of Zimbabwe’s rainy season and is the wettest month of the year. Heavy rainfall occurs most days, flooding seasonal rivers and waterholes, with the occasional sunny spell.
With the high levels of precipitation the wildlife in the national parks becomes widely dispersed, taking advantage of the abundance of food and water, and is easily hidden by the thick, green bush.

While sightings of larger animals are possible, and many species drop their young at this time, game viewing is often sparse. However, many migratory species of bird arrive in Zimbabwe making it a peak month for birding.

The rains create incredibly sticky mud in Mana Pools National Park, preventing access and causing camps to close for the season. The majority of the camps in other parks remain open, with low rates attracting a smattering of visitors.

  • Peak of the rainy season: hot & humid with heavy rain most days
  • Bush exceptionally thick and green, with poor game viewing
  • Species such as impala drop their young
  • All camps in Mana Pools closed
  • Very few visitors, and low rates at open camps

Our view

A time to avoid if possible

Weather in January

Zimbabwe in February

February remains well within Zimbabwe’s rainy season. Although total rainfall drops, relatively short thunderstorms can still be expected most afternoons. On the plus side, there is a greater chance of some sunshine in-between.

Much of the country remains waterlogged, closing access to Mana Pools and severely restricting walking safaris in other parks. While game drives and canoeing remain an option, the abundance of water disperses animals, and thick grass can make it difficult to spot larger species, but birding remains excellent. Conversely, this is a great time of year to view the landscape, and is excellent for photographers. Sporadic cloud cover and clear air can make for some spectacular sunsets too, particularly over Lake Kariba and the Zambezi River where the reflections off the water add to the beauty.

  • Generally wet with frequent thunderstorms & hot humid days
  • Poor wildlife viewing due to dispersed animals & thick bush
  • Clear air, green landscapes & exceptional sunsets
  • All camps in Mana Pools closed
  • Very few visitors & low rates at camps that are open

Our view

This is not a great time to visit

Weather in February

Zimbabwe in March

March is the final month of Zimbabwe’s rainy season, when the rains start to trail off and sunny days become the norm. However, some days the clouds can still build, breaking into thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Mana Pools remains closed throughout the month but the majority of camps in Hwange, Matusadona and Gonarezhou remain open. Here, the landscape is green and alive, with migrant species of birds taking advantage of the abundant insect life. Larger animals remain elusive though, and walking safaris remain restricted.

By this time of year, the rains have normally trickled down to the Zambezi River and the flow of water over the Victoria Falls starts to increase, but without kicking up too much spray to obscure the views.

  • Last month of the rainy season: hot, humid days with occasional storms
  • Lush vegetation means good birding, but poor game viewing
  • Views of the Victoria Falls improve
  • All camps in Mana Pools closed
  • Open camps have few visitors & low rates

Our view

This is not a great time to visit

Weather in March

Zimbabwe in April

April marks the end of Zimbabwe’s rainy season and the end of summer. Clear skies are the norm, with just the occasional shower. Temperatures start to drop, failing to reach 30ºC most days and dropping down to around 10ºC at night.

As the rain fades the landscape starts to dry out. While the vegetation remains thick and green, the soil in Mana Pools dries enough for camps to open, and the only camps to remain closed are the most remote bushcamps in Hwange. Although viewing of larger animals remains tricky, the improved weather starts to draw back visitors, as do prices significantly below those in the peak season.

The Zambezi River and flow of water over the Victoria Falls is at its highest, although large amounts of spray diminish views of the waterfall itself.

  • Transitional period, with much lower rainfall & falling temperatures
  • Wildlife is still dispersed & hard to see, but sightings improving
  • Views of the Victoria Falls often obscured by spray
  • Camps in Mana Pools open
  • Visitors start to return & camps increase their rates

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in April

Zimbabwe in May

The first month in the dry season, May is also Zimbabwe’s first month of winter. If the rains are particularly late in a given year, you may catch the odd shower, but you can expect clear and sunny days the majority of the time. While it’s warm in the daytime, temperatures drop to single digits at night, so bring a warm jumper and gloves for early morning drives.

With the rain having cleared the air, the sky is bright blue, and it’s the best time of year for photography.

Even the most remote camps in Zimbabwe are now open. With the lack of rainfall, vegetation dies back significantly, and seasonal rivers return to sand. Not only does this open up the possibility of walking safaris, but wildlife viewing becomes much more reliable.

  • Start of the dry season, with milder days and cold nights
  • Game viewing significantly improves as vegetation dies back
  • Vegetation starts to turn from green to brown
  • Best time for photography with crystal clear air
  • Visitors start to return; all camps open & rates increasing

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in May

Zimbabwe in June

During June you can virtually be guaranteed of dry and sunny days, although temperatures continue to drop, and can get close to freezing at night in Hwange National Park. Jumpers, jackets and gloves are strongly recommended for early mornings and evenings.

The opportunities for wildlife viewing improve throughout the month as the landscape rapidly dries, and the animals start to gather on the banks of the Zambezi River and around Hwange’s waterholes.

Water levels in the Zambezi River start to drop, reducing the amount of spray kicked up at the Victoria Falls and greatly improving visibility, but still allowing a full curtain of water to cascade over the edge.

  • Middle of winter, with night-time temperatures close to freezing
  • Game viewing significantly improves throughout the month
  • Views of the Victoria Falls are at their best
  • Noticeable increase in visitor numbers
  • Camps considerably more expensive

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in June

Zimbabwe in July

July sits in the middle of Zimbabwe’s dry season. Although it’s warm at midday, temperatures are generally cold and in Hwange it’s been known to drop below freezing at night, with the lower-altitude Mana Pools feeling a bit warmer.

With wildlife clustering around the few remaining waterholes, sparse vegetation, and some of the best views of the Victoria Falls, this is one of the most popular times to travel, with camps charging peak season rates to reflect this. That said, visitor numbers to the country in general remain low, and outside of the Victoria Falls it’s rare for any areas to feel crowded.

  • Middle of the dry season with almost no chance of rain
  • Clear sunny days, but very cold nights
  • Wildlife viewing good; game drives and walking safaris unrestricted
  • Views of the Victoria Falls at their best
  • Camps charging peak season rates

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in July

Zimbabwe in August

While August is the end of winter and temperatures are starting to creep up, mornings and nights are still cold, and game drives in open vehicles can feel particularly chilly. Well into the dry season, the landscapes will have mostly transformed from green to brown and wildlife viewing in Zimbabwe’s national parks is approaching its best. Due to dust kicked up into the atmosphere and smoke from bush fires you may start to notice a haze on the horizon, but this doesn’t significantly impact photography.

August is one of the most expensive months, and the pleasant weather and decent game viewing attracts lots of visitors. While the national parks rarely feel crowded, Victoria Falls accommodation can sell out a year in advance.

  • Warm, sunny days but cold mornings & nights; almost no chance of rain
  • Wildlife viewing nearly at its best
  • Landscape turns brown, & an atmospheric haze develops
  • All camps charging peak season rates

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in August

Zimbabwe in September

Temperatures in September rarely drop below 15ºC, but are yet to reach the oppressive highs of summer. It will normally have been five months since the last drop of rain, so antelope and elephants cluster around whatever water remains, with predators never too far away.

The landscape is very brown, and the haze building on the horizon takes some of the colour out of the sky, so while animal subjects are plentiful, the background is not ideal for photography.

The combination of incredible wildlife viewing, hot and sunny weather, and cheaper flights outside of the school holidays make this the most popular time of year to travel, and availability at the camps can become limited up to a year in advance.

  • The best month for weather, with a pleasantly warm temperature range
  • One of the best months for game viewing
  • Victoria Falls starting to dry but still impressive on Zimbabwean side
  • All camps are charging peak season rates
  • Most popular time to travel, & space can be limited

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in September

Zimbabwe in October

October is the last month of the dry season with little chance of rain but building humidity. While the higher elevation of Hwange National Park limits temperatures to the 30s Celsius, they can easily top 40ºC in Mana Pools.

With little vegetation or water, wildlife is drawn to the few remaining water sources and viewing is at its best; visitors who brave the heat can be rewarded with some exceptional sightings, although haze in the air diminishes photos. Maximum visibility and dense wildlife concentrations can also make for very rewarding walking safaris, although the heat can make them uncomfortable.

Water levels in the Zambezi at the Victoria Falls drop significantly, and large stretches of the waterfall are a dry cliff-face – although it never dries completely. Camp rates remain at their peak, but visitor numbers drop as people avoid the heat.

  • Last month of the dry season; very hot with building humidity
  • Wildlife viewing at its very best
  • Dust & smoke in the air diminish photographic opportunities
  • Victoria Falls starting to look very dry
  • Camp rates remain at their peak

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in October

Zimbabwe in November

November is a transitionary period, with high temperatures and humidity. While they can’t be predicted with any precision, the first rains normally arrive halfway through the month, in the form of thunderstorms lasting a few hours each day.

Early November is a popular time to travel as the camps drop their rates, so if you’re lucky you can get peak-season game viewing at low-season rates. This is a gamble though as if the rains do arrive, animals are no longer limited to a few dangerous waterholes and will disperse into the bush. While all the camps in Mana Pools intend to remain open, the rains can make the airstrips unusable so you may find yourself moved to a different park, a risk that increases through the month.

  • Typically the start of the rains in Zimbabwe
  • Temperatures & humidity levels remain high
  • Wildlife viewing rapidly diminishes as the rains arrive
  • Camps remain open, but risk early closure in Mana Pools
  • Much cheaper time to travel as camps drop their rates

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in November

Zimbabwe in December

By December the rainy season has begun in earnest; this is one of the wettest months in Zimbabwe, with heavy thunderstorms most afternoons and occasionally continuous rain for a couple of days. While temperatures start to cool down the high levels of humidity can make the heat feel more oppressive.

With the rains comes an explosion of green growth, and the dust and smoke are washed out of the air. The resulting scenery – with the occasional bright blue skies – can be fantastic for photographers. Thick vegetation and plentiful water makes viewing of larger animals tricky, but with migratory species arriving the birding is at its best.

All camps in Mana Pools and the remote Hwange camps close, with those remaining open charging their lowest rates.

  • One of the wettest months in Zimbabwe
  • High temperatures & levels of humidity
  • Wildlife viewing poor, but birding good
  • Lush green landscapes & clear air; great for landscape photography
  • All camps in Mana Pools closed

Our view

This is not a great time to visit

Weather in December

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