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Mana Pools National Park
Mana Pools National Park
Mana Pools National Park
Mana Pools National Park

A haven for wildlife and walking safaris

Elephants really do stand on their back legs

The elephant bulls are mostly very relaxed

Not a normal visitors position for photographs

Mana Pools National Park

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:

Showing 81-90 of 98
Duration
Arrival date
Mr T & Ms N
Toronto

"Ian and Michelle - Safari Sep-Oct 2012"

I visited Zambia and 1 other country between 29 Sep 2012 and 12 Oct 2012
""Wow". Words fail me when it comes to summarising our trip to Zambia and Zimbabwe.

We had done our homework before engaging the assistance of Expert Africa with Claire and the team including a lenghty chat with Chris where we asked many questions, so while we were first time safari travellers we did know what we wanted and we recognized and truly appreciated the expertise and the great suggestions offered. We planned our three week trip as our one chance to go to Africa and we wanted to do it right, and see the majesty and the wildness of Southern Africa while it was still there.

The two main areas we visited, South Luangwa in Zambia and Mana Pools in Zimbabwe provided us exactly what we were hoping for and in many ways exceeded our expectations. The grandeur of the vistas and the abundance and variety of the wildlife was impressive. The staff at each of the camps couldn't do enough in their genuine desire to make your stay pleasureable and memorable.

We were chatting with one of the other guests staying at the Tafika camp. They had a similar ideas to us a few years earlier which was to come once and make it good. They have been back many times since. I think we may also he headed down that same path. They offered up a quote I have re-used a few times since. "If you don't want to come back to Africa, then don't go to Africa."

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We returned home just yesterday from our trip.

The only hassles we experienced were due to airline troubles (delayed flights - LOST BAGGAGE!) and these had nothing to do with the great plans and logistics made by Expert Africa that made getting around remarkably simple.

Just as a side note. I am not one who is prone to exaggeration, and rarely give ratings of 'Excellent' as there are usually areas where improvements can be made. But here I have made an exception. We had the time of our lives on these safaris. It is difficult to point out where Expert Arfica could have improved our experience - and my rating reflect that.

Congratulations on a job well done. If (when) we go back to Africa, you will be the first call we make after we figure out where and when we will go. I have already recommended Expert Africa to my relatives who are considering a Southern Africa trip in 2013." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr N & Ms S
Zambia

"Our 10th trip with Expert Africa!"

I visited Zimbabwe and 1 other country between 20 Sep 2012 and 4 Oct 2012
"The fact that we have now made ten trips with EA since 2006 speaks for itself - and this one was right up there with the best. We continue to have no hesitation recommending Chris and his team to others." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs B
Northants

"Good destination for game viewing"

I visited Zimbabwe between 18 Sep 2012 and 29 Sep 2012
"We enjoyed our stay in Zimbabwe and found a very warm welcome from everyone we met. There is obviously a strong desire to promote tourism and in Victoria we were thanked for going there.

Many friends questioned the safety of our choice of destination before we went and so we ended up saying safari in Africa after a while! We encountered no problems nor any hostility towards us at all. We will now be able to tell people so.

Cash purchasing is all important so take plenty of it - 4 of the places we stayed had safe facilities. No one wanted travellers cheques, and credit machines seldom worked.

In Victoria, vendors are persistent but not aggressive - just keep in mind they just want to make a $. There are plenty of tourist police on hand if need be.

The Falls are stunning and well worth the visit. We had 3 nights in Victoria. Two is more than enough if it is only the Falls that you wish to see and in fact we did that on arrival so 1 night would have been sufficient for us with more time on safari.


Importantly the game viewing is excellent and the regions offer a great deal of contrast so it is worth doing as much as you can afford! I would not recommend less than 3 nights in any camp/area if travelling between regions as the travelling is long and tiring. Travel arrangements need improving overall including communication about them.

The guiding was all of a very good standard with obvious enthusiasm.
We had hoped to do more walking, but were constrained by our travel arrangements. This is a great pity. For the nervous, think carefully before choosing Goliath as the proximity to wildlife is challenging and could be very uncomfortable for some. For those who would like the experience, it is awesome.

We would recommend Zimbabwe from the experience we had. Just plan your route carefully" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Good
Miss P & Mr C
Weeton

"Mana Pools Safari"

I visited Zimbabwe between 9 Sep 2012 and 22 Sep 2012
"This was our 2nd visit to Zimbabwe. We went to Mana Pools as part of a safari to Zimbabwe in 2011. There we were guided by Mark van Zuydam. We were so impressed by the park and Mark's exceptional guiding that we asked Expert Africa to arrange a private safari to Mana Pools with Mark as our guide. This safari rates as our best anywhere in Africa.

Mark is extremely competent at what he does and was a pleasure to be with for our 11 nights. We had a fantastic time tracking lions at various locations throughout the park and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be able to spend so much of the time walking instead of being in the vehicle. We will certainly be going back in the future.

All the road transfers from Lusaka and across the border at Chirundu in Zimbabwe went very smoothly. The drivers at both sides helped us with the immigration procedures etc. The drive from Lusaka to Chirundu takes approx 2.5 to 3 hrs as the traffic in Lusaka is so busy, then the drive from Chirundu to Mana takes approx 2-3 hrs depending on where in Mana you are going.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

This is our 3rd trip with Expert Africa and will definately use them again in the future.
I can't think of anything you need to improve on. Keep visiting the camps as your 'on the ground' knowledge is the reason we use you." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 4 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs J
Sutton

"Zimbawe trip"

I visited Zimbabwe between 30 Aug 2012 and 10 Sep 2012
"Good to visit Zimbabwe at last. Discovering Mana Pools was a delight." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Good
Mr & Mrs W
Toronto

"My Aug 2012 trip"

I visited Zimbabwe and 1 other country between 25 Aug 2012 and 8 Sep 2012
"Trip was extremely well put together. Claire was very efficient and could not have been more helpful.

We had an issue with the transfer from Kaingo to Rukomechi. With hindsight had we realized it would take over 11 hours we would have probably made a different decision about the combination of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Secondly, there was a mix-up between Executive Air (Safari Logistics) and the booking for the transfer from Mana Pools Airstrip to Hwange. The plane arrived at 11:00 AM, which was his scheduled arrival according to his sheet but was an hour before we were expected to be picked up. Luckily the pilot waited for us and the two other passengers. We arrived at Hwange Airport at 2:15pm and there was no vehicle there from Camp Hwange. Again the pilot waited as he did not want to leave us at a closed airport building with no means of contacting the Camp. Finally a vehicle arrived at 3:15 pm.(the driver said he had been told to arrive for 3:30pm). The pilot Janade Krarim left with the other two passengers bound for Victoria Falls. Without the kindness of the pilot we could have been stranded." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
E & D
New Mexico

"My Jul 2012 trip"

I visited Zimbabwe and 2 other countries between 11 Jul 2012 and 29 Jul 2012
"Fantastic.

Malawi and Zimbabwe proved to be two great countries to combine on this trip. There were many similarities. We found the staff in the camps and the people we met along the way to be very friendly, helpful and interested in us. The high standards of our guides impressed us, from Chris the manager at Mkulumadzi who personally took us on a walk and on a boat up the Shire River, to Richard Chamwala at Mvuu who delighted in sharing all things big and small with us. In our book you can always tell the best guides when they like finding the little birds and bugs to point out, not just the hippos fighting 30 feet away from the boat, both of which Richard did.

Our guide Nduduzi Ndlovu at Camp Amalinda in Matobo Hills was great at listening to us and discovering our interests, as evidenced by the wonderful day we spent with him driving through the park and the local communal lands, visiting a school, and hiking up to a cave with ancient paintings. He not only knows 7 languages but also knows where to find a zonkey!

Even our drivers that took us from one camp to another (or to an airport) were excellent, like Mike from Wilderness Safaris who stopped the car several times so we could see and talk to people and who also helped me buy a tchenge (those colorful traditional fabrics that woman wear as a wrap) in a roadside market.

We went to both countries in the hope that our visit would encourage and support the conservation of wildlife and wild areas. We also came to really appreciate the people of these two countries, where life has not been easy but there is a great determination to carry on and do better.

Claire at Expert Africa, with assistance from Chris, shared many insightful comments from personal experience so that we came up with this list of places to visit that really suited us. As usual, all details were handled and executed perfectly on the ground. This is really saying something because we gave quite short notice of our desire to travel.

And next time I will really believe you when you say that it gets cold in July at night!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs M
Bucks

"A great return to Zimbabwe"

I visited Zimbabwe between 3 Oct 2011 and 14 Oct 2011
"The political situation in Zimbabwe had kept us away from the country for 11 years, but after conferring with Expert Africa, now seemed the right time to go back.

On our previous visits, we loved the country and the people and had amazing wildlife encounters. We therefore had a certain fear that this viist would not live up to our previous experiences. Happily, these fears proved unfounded and we had one of our best trips ever to Africa.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

None. We have been very happy with Expert Africa for a number of years now and this is also reflected in what the camp owners and managers tell us about their experiences with you." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs B
Wokingham

"Excellent safari and many memorable moments"

I visited Zimbabwe and 1 other country between 2 Oct 2011 and 12 Oct 2011
"When the game is as good as it was in Hwange, the waterhole at Kanga so enthralling, the scenery at Mana Pools so beautiful and the company so much fun it's easy to forget the negatives.

In overall terms we had a really good time." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs H
Northwood

""

I visited Zimbabwe between 30 Sep 2011 and 12 Oct 2011
Overall trip
Average
Showing 81-90 of 98
97%
98 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


Vundu Camp

Vundu Camp

Overlooking the Zambezi River in Mana Pools National Park, Vundu Camp is a small, comfortable bushcamp offering top-notch guiding.


95% (46 reviews)
Kanga Bush Camp

Kanga Bush Camp

Unspoiled and peaceful, Kanga Bush Camp is located in a remote and exclusive part of Mana Pools National Park, overlooking the Kanga Pan.


91% (16 reviews)
Stretch Ferreira Safaris Camp

Stretch Ferreira Safaris

Stretch Ferreira Safaris Camp is a small, owner-run camp on the banks of the Zambezi River in Mana Pools National Park, with the emphasis on great guiding.


95% (15 reviews)
Ruckomechi Camp

Ruckomechi Camp

In a very scenic spot beside the Zambezi, Ruckomechi is a smart camp offering excellent walking, river safaris, night and day 4WD game drives.


93% (15 reviews)
Zambezi Expeditions

Zambezi Expeditions

Zambezi Expeditions is a simple, semi-permanent camp along the Zambezi River that offers excellent guiding and standards of service.


97% (12 reviews)
Nyamatusi Camp

Nyamatusi Camp

Overlooking the Zambezi River, the luxury Nyamatusi Camp occupies a pristine wilderness environment.


91% (7 reviews)
Little Vundu

Little Vundu

Closely associated with Vundu Camp, Little Vundu has the same great location and quality of guides, and is occasionally used for private group bookings.


95% (4 reviews)
Mana Pools Canoe Trail

Mana Canoe Trail

The Canoe Trail is a multi-day trip, along the Zambezi with some of the best guides in Africa. Each night you'll camp on the banks of the river.


100% (4 reviews)
Kavinga Safari Camp

Kavinga Safari Camp

Kavinga is a comfortable tented camp tucked away in a less-visited area of Mana Pools National Park with surprisingly good wildlife and an excellent hide.


93% (3 reviews)
Chikwenya Camp

Chikwenya Camp

One of the original properties in Mana Pools area we are excited to be featuring Chikwenya Camp again.


90% (2 reviews)
John's Camp

John's Camp

John's Camp is a semi-mobile tented camp offering walking safaris, game drives, and fishing in Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park.


90% (2 reviews)
Nyamatusi Mahogany

Nyamatusi Mahogany

Nyamatusi Mahogany is a family-friendly, yet remote and luxurious safari camp in Mana Pools National Park.


100% (2 reviews)
Little Ruckomechi

Little Ruckomechi

In a shady spot beside the Zambezi, Little Ruckomechi is a small but luxurious camp offering a reange of activities including walking and canoe trips.


100% (1 review)
Ingwe Pan Camp

Ingwe Pan Camp

Ingwe Pan Camp is due to open in May and will be located in a remote area in the north of the Mana Pools National Park


No reviews yet
Tembo Plains Camp

Tembo Plains Camp

Building commenced on Tembo Plains Camp in February 2021. Details are sparce at this stage but we'll update this page once we know more.


No reviews yet
Mana River Camp

Mana River Camp

Mana River Camp sits on the banks of the Zambezi River, a site formerly occupied by Mwinilunga Camp.


No reviews yet

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