Reviews of safaris to Mana Pools National Park
We have always listened to our travellers, and now you can learn from them also. Below are links to feedback from recent trips - these are their views, not ours! See what they think of us, and about our trips to Africa:
Mr D & Miss P
Bucks
"My Jul 2022 trip"
I visited Zimbabwe between 20 Jul 2022 and 2 Aug 2022
"One of our best safari holidays, partly because of the service from Expert Africa, and partly because of some amazing experiences which could never have been planned for.
Tom clearly understood the sort of holiday we were looking for, and his attention to detail was very good." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari
Tom clearly understood the sort of holiday we were looking for, and his attention to detail was very good." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs M
Ascot
"My Jul 2022 trip"
I visited Zimbabwe between 6 Jul 2022 and 23 Jul 2022
"We saw what we set out to see [wild dogs] however whilst Chitake was good I was surprised by the lack of wildlife at Vundu.It was hardwork to see wildlife and I would imagine for first timer on safari disappointing"
Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Good
Mr B & Ms N
Georgia
"My May 2022 trip"
I visited Zimbabwe between 26 May 2022 and 4 Jun 2022
"Claire is a Rock Star. Attention to detail and trip planning was perfect.
Thanks again Claire!" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari
Thanks again Claire!" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs M
Japan
"Trip for the first time in 2 years"
I visited Zimbabwe between 28 Apr 2022 and 8 May 2022
"I was really happy that finally I traveled to Mana Pools. I had to postpone this trip for 2 years and had to change my itinerary many times.
Covid-19 pandemic is going to be over soon and we are starting to get back our normal.
Thank you Claire, for being patient and supportive. I will plan my trip to African countries with Expert Africa again." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zimbabwe safari
Covid-19 pandemic is going to be over soon and we are starting to get back our normal.
Thank you Claire, for being patient and supportive. I will plan my trip to African countries with Expert Africa again." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Thor & Deb
BC Canada
"My Oct 2021 "Alone in Africa Because of Covid" trip"
I visited Zambia and 1 other country between 25 Oct 2021 and 16 Nov 2021
"A big shout-out to Maruska who held our hands through extraordinary times. We had to delay the trip by a year, and then became very much the vanguard of the African safari tourists because of Covid.
We felt as if we essentially had the continent to ourselves--which was wonderful but a bit weird too. The pandemic complicated things quite considerably because of the need for timely PCR tests, flights disappearing, places closing, etc., but Maruska helped get it all organized and all the facets of the trip she organized came together perfectly.
This is our second trip with Expert Africa, the first the result of a recommendation from a friend. Elizabeth, who organized our first trip, did a fabulous job, and now that high bar of service continues. We are likely to go on safari again, and we will most certainly use Expert Africa again--and will recommend your services to friends.
Again: thank you for taking such great care of us, Maruska. I very much appreciated your solicitous and friendly professionalism.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Maintain that high standard!" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari
We felt as if we essentially had the continent to ourselves--which was wonderful but a bit weird too. The pandemic complicated things quite considerably because of the need for timely PCR tests, flights disappearing, places closing, etc., but Maruska helped get it all organized and all the facets of the trip she organized came together perfectly.
This is our second trip with Expert Africa, the first the result of a recommendation from a friend. Elizabeth, who organized our first trip, did a fabulous job, and now that high bar of service continues. We are likely to go on safari again, and we will most certainly use Expert Africa again--and will recommend your services to friends.
Again: thank you for taking such great care of us, Maruska. I very much appreciated your solicitous and friendly professionalism.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Maintain that high standard!" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Andy
Queens, NY, USA
"Zimbabwe 2021"
I visited Zimbabwe between 5 Aug 2021 and 23 Aug 2021
"Despite the challenges of postponing from August of 2020, traveling during a pandemic, and having to deal with last minute camp closures, I can't imagine having a better experience."
Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 18 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
T T
Boise
"Once in a life time experience!"
I visited Zimbabwe and 1 other country between 21 Jul 2021 and 5 Aug 2021
"My biggest fear of going on safari was not acquiring COVID but having testing for one or all of our 5 party members significantly impacting the trip.
I put my faith in Expert Africa, and everything went seamlessly. From pick up and testing at JNB airport for our initial tests for Zimbabwe to all the planes and vehicles along the way, there were conscientious staff on time waiting to assist us.
While it was a leap of faith, we were rewarded with camps with few other travelers giving us undivided attention and spectacular game viewing.
Here a few things I felt were important in making my trip such a success so that you might consider duplicating them for future clients.
First, I feel the order of the camps is crucial. Somalisa Acacia in Hwange national park was a good place to start. The camp itself is luxurious and beautiful, and the game viewing is very good. If guests can request a guide, I highly recommend Calvit. He made the experience. This camp, however, is about 10° colder than the others. I think going from cold to warm is much easier to adapt to than the other way around.
Steve Edward’s camp at Lake Kariba is significantly different than the other two camps. It is largely water-based which offers a different experience from typical game drives. I think it was a nice way to break up the land based parks. While I felt the game viewing wasn’t as good as the other two locations, the ability to go to the fishing village and see how a large portion of Zimbabwe lives was the most interesting thing I experienced on the trip. An opportunity not to be missed by any of your clients. Also fishing was tremendously fun for my boys.
Finally, I cannot praise the final camp at Mana Pools enough. Its location along the Zambezi river with an expansive view and extraordinary game was by far the highlight of the trip. No camp will surpass it and by having it last, the vacation ends with a crescendo. Also, we found Mash to be an excellent guide again to be recommended if possible.
The Armadale Lodge was very pleasant with large private grounds if a day in Harare is required. My wish is that others may have our experience.
Once in a life time experience!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zimbabwe safari
I put my faith in Expert Africa, and everything went seamlessly. From pick up and testing at JNB airport for our initial tests for Zimbabwe to all the planes and vehicles along the way, there were conscientious staff on time waiting to assist us.
While it was a leap of faith, we were rewarded with camps with few other travelers giving us undivided attention and spectacular game viewing.
Here a few things I felt were important in making my trip such a success so that you might consider duplicating them for future clients.
First, I feel the order of the camps is crucial. Somalisa Acacia in Hwange national park was a good place to start. The camp itself is luxurious and beautiful, and the game viewing is very good. If guests can request a guide, I highly recommend Calvit. He made the experience. This camp, however, is about 10° colder than the others. I think going from cold to warm is much easier to adapt to than the other way around.
Steve Edward’s camp at Lake Kariba is significantly different than the other two camps. It is largely water-based which offers a different experience from typical game drives. I think it was a nice way to break up the land based parks. While I felt the game viewing wasn’t as good as the other two locations, the ability to go to the fishing village and see how a large portion of Zimbabwe lives was the most interesting thing I experienced on the trip. An opportunity not to be missed by any of your clients. Also fishing was tremendously fun for my boys.
Finally, I cannot praise the final camp at Mana Pools enough. Its location along the Zambezi river with an expansive view and extraordinary game was by far the highlight of the trip. No camp will surpass it and by having it last, the vacation ends with a crescendo. Also, we found Mash to be an excellent guide again to be recommended if possible.
The Armadale Lodge was very pleasant with large private grounds if a day in Harare is required. My wish is that others may have our experience.
Once in a life time experience!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr A
Washington DC
"July/August 2021: Zimbabwe and Tanzania"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 19 Jul 2021 and 12 Aug 2021
"Our fourth trip to Africa with Expert Africa was another memorable adventure.
Expert Africa has always done an excellent job putting together workable itineraries that meet our (sometimes particular) travel goals. For this trip they had to deal with the vicissitudes of COVID testing requirements as well. The result was a wonderful sequence of adventures across beautiful Zimbabwe and Tanzania and was everything we hoped it would be.
Many thanks to our friends at Expert Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No suggestions" Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari
Expert Africa has always done an excellent job putting together workable itineraries that meet our (sometimes particular) travel goals. For this trip they had to deal with the vicissitudes of COVID testing requirements as well. The result was a wonderful sequence of adventures across beautiful Zimbabwe and Tanzania and was everything we hoped it would be.
Many thanks to our friends at Expert Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No suggestions" Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
S.
Germany
"Simbabwe VicFalls/Huangwe/ManaPools 11-2019"
I visited Zimbabwe between 10 Nov 2019 and 21 Nov 2019
"Great safari experience throughout Zimbabwe in a luxurious Setting in diverse places. Great lodges and especially in view of current economic struggles of the Country a very professional infrastructure for national park tourism. While nature was suffering from the 2019 drought, nevertheless unique game viewing experiences.
Information on the Website of ExpertAfrica was very detailed and accurate, we planned our trip with Tom who was very helpful and knowledgable, we ended up with a trip that was everything (and more) we expected, highly recommended." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari
Information on the Website of ExpertAfrica was very detailed and accurate, we planned our trip with Tom who was very helpful and knowledgable, we ended up with a trip that was everything (and more) we expected, highly recommended." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr R.
Malmesbury
"Great: lovely lodges; perfect arrangements"
I visited Zimbabwe and 1 other country between 1 Nov 2019 and 11 Nov 2019
"The trip as a whole was fantastic - all arrangements worked like clockwork with every single transfer being on time and with friendly smiling staff - our thanks to Expert Africa.
The combination of Victoria Falls, Okavango Delta and Mana Pools was ideal and we saw a huge variety of wildlife and had some amazing experiences. The lodges were great - with Nyamatusi in Mana Pools being the best - so totally luxurious and in a stunning setting.
Thank you all.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No - it was all great thank you." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zimbabwe safari
The combination of Victoria Falls, Okavango Delta and Mana Pools was ideal and we saw a huge variety of wildlife and had some amazing experiences. The lodges were great - with Nyamatusi in Mana Pools being the best - so totally luxurious and in a stunning setting.
Thank you all.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No - it was all great thank you." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
95
reviews of Mana Pools by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
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Where to stay in Mana Pools
Our suggestions for safari camps in Mana Pools National Park