Reviews of Vundu Camp
(96%) From 32 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Vundu - one of our favourite African Lodges
For us it provided the perfect balance between "wild" and "comfortable". 24 hour electricity and fans in the room are great in October but it was also good to have an outside bathroom. It is the first lodge we have encountered with a gym (too hot to use in October). The accommodation is unbelievably spacious and the vehicles used for game viewing were excellent with plenty of space and a useful storage box between the seats. Our guide, Simeon was first class and all the staff at the camp were helpful and attentive. We put it in our top 3 of African Lodges (along with Musekese and Tafika in Zambia). The canoeing was excellent. The food was good but the steak we had for dinner the last night was the best we have had in Africa, so we are unsure whether to grade the food as good or excellent. Nick's nephew, Ethan, was an asset to the camp as he has a good sense of humour and excellent "people skills".
Read more about the whole safariUndue camp review
We loved the fact that here you got out of the car and got up close and personal on foot with elephants and wild dogs. Terrific. Quite different to any other lodge we have visited in Africa. Great views of a honey badger foraging in the daylight. Good birding.
Simeon was a very knowledgable and experienced guide. He got us great views and wildlife experiences.
The camp was slightly more basic, but with all the essentials. The food was plentiful, but the choice was a bit limited especially between deliveries.
Fabulous stay at great camp
From the time we were met at the strip by Melanie to the morning we left we felt at home - very friendly, extremely keen to ensure we had great experiences and close encounters with the game (especially lion, painted dogs and elephant) whilst always respecting the animals and their environment.
Daryl is a fabulous guide and committed to protecting the wildlife. Melanie is a great host and included all the staff ensured they got credit for their involvement in our stay. Daryl and Melanie seemed as excited as us to see the animals, especially the dog pups.
We will always remember our canoeing along the Zambezi and the unique views of hippos. The accommodation and food were excellent. It was also fascinating to hear about Nick and Daryl’s efforts with their Conservancy protecting the wildlife in the park.
Thoroughly recommended for any trip to Zimbabwe.
Vundu Camp review
Excellent.
Only reservation was that the area was a bit busy with traffic.
Bush camp on the Zambezi river
Nice location on the banks of the Zambezi river. Camp is a bit worn, bed linen was very worn. My bed sheets were badly stained and I had to ask for it to be replaced (which it was ).
Breakfast was minimal. No protein just carbohydrates. Toast and granola etc. There seemed to be a shortage of guides while we were in camp. Steve was hired by one camper as his private guide leaving Henry to deal with six of us. Two of these people did not want to walk due to health issues so we were quite limited for the first day despite our wish for lots of bush walks.
The next day, the couple who did not want to walk requested Henry to themselves and so we were in a bit of a pickle. Daryl (the manager) had to go to the airport to pickup more campers. Fortunately Steve was freed up for the day as the fellow who had hired him as a private guide decided to stay in the camp , so our day was rescued and we had a wonderful morning walk in the bush. Definitely will be back to Mana Pools. Uncertain if we will be back to Vundu Camp.
Dinners were excellent kudos to the chef loved eating en famille. Daryl and Melanie were wonderful hosts and there was lots of lovely dinner conversations.
Vundu Camp review
We were the first visitors to the entire park (early May), so game was quite disbursed since water was available everywhere.
This meant we have far fewer sightings than we expected, but the camp still was a pleasure to visit. It's in a beautiful spot on the Zambezi River, the people are very warm and friendly, and the guide Henry was excellent.
We did three approaches on foot to lions, and since we stayed fairly far away it was actually pretty tame!
Vundu Camp is the best!
We had a 3 night safari at Vundu Camp 2 weeks ago and loved our experience. It was our favorite camp. The family feel and welcoming environment is amazing. Our guide, Alex, was first class. He went above and beyond and absolutely contributed to our positive experience at Vundu. The walking tours and the opportunity to get very close to elephants on foot was incredible.
The staff are friendly and the food was good. You won't go hungry! In total, we stayed at 4 camps across Zimbabwe and Botswana and Vundu was our favorite experience for their amazing guides and warm hospitality.
Our only suggestion is for Vundu to invest in new mosquito nets as ours had a couple holes.
Vundu Camp review
Vundu is situated on the Zambezi River and lends itself to adventure seekers. It is a permanent tented camp with large bedrooms and living room. The staff is wonderful and accomomdating.
Expert Africa arranged for Nick Murray as a private guide here; these travellers commented:
When we were leaving Camp Hwange, one of the staff commented that Nick enjoys getting close to the wildlife. She was not kidding.
Nick has a vast knowledge of the wildlife in Mana Pools and is writing his dissertation on the wild dogs. Mana Pools does not allow off road vehicles, so all tracking is done on foot. Therefore, we spent one unforgettable day hiking to a blind to observe wild dogs in their habitat and then watching them minutes after a kill. Later, we were on foot within feet of lions mating. Our hearts still race as we recall the roar of the male as he mock charged us.
Truly an unforgettable adventure!
Vundu Camp review
Staff was top knotch and the food was good.
Simian our guide was very personable and went out of his way to look for the Painted Dogs. Very personalized guiding.
Listening to Nick and his guides recount their experiences over dinner was priceless. Mono Pools is a very remote and wonderful park. Incredible animal numbers and the walking on the flood plain is amazing, no telling what you may find. Will return in 2018! It's that good.
Great camp
Shortly after departing on the first game drive we came across painted dogs munching on an impala. We were able to get close and observe them. Amazing.
Great location on the Zambezi where you can hear the river and animal sounds through the night. Breakfast around the campfire. Excellent staff. Got to see Boswell the elephant rear up. Daddy, our guide, was knowledgeable and helpful in locating wildlife. An overall great experience.
