Reviews of Vundu Camp
(96%) From 40 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Vundu Camp review
The guides we had at Vundu were the best we had on our entire trip!
The food was also very good and they were accommodating to our dietary restrictions. We also enjoyed being able to cool off in the river given it was so hot outside and go fishing. Other camps did not offer any activities other than game drives so it was nice to have choices.
Vundu's work to conserve the area is impressive as well and we felt we were supporting a good cause.
Vundu Camp review
The accommodation, catering and guiding were all excellent.
We had morning and afternoon game drives and the latter incorporated night drives in the final hour driving back to camp after dark. There is an elevated hide overlooking a waterhole behind the Camp which afforded some great animal and bird sightings in between game drives.
Being able to walk from the vehicle provided a unique perspective and we were privileged to see a couple of "tree climbing" elephants "performing" and the local wild dog pack with their pups. The area was parched and at least 2 of the 4 Pools were long since dry. The wildlife was clearly struggling which made for some interesting interactions.
Great stay
An authentic experience. Des was a wonderful hostess and Mitchell Riley an absolutely excellent guide.
The wild dog experience is in danger of being over hyped, as they are not easy to see even close to the den.
But there is plenty of other wildlife and great area for walking. Scenically beautiful.
Wild dogs and standing elephant at Vundu Camp
Vundu Camp is a simple bush camp with everything you need but no frills, not even biscuits with your coffee or crisps with sundowners! But it is lovely...set between the Zambezi and a muddy waterhole the camp is open to wildlife. We were met by a large elephant standing feet away from the main building. The tents are well equipped with indoor and outdoor bathrooms with plumbed showers and generous supplies of hot water. The central area under a large tree is cosy and friendly.
The wildlife sightings were fascinating although drought meant many grazing animals looked poor. It was a wonderful to see wild dogs at their den with young puppies. Also to see one of the famous Mana Pools elephants standing on his back legs to reach the higher branches. Lovely sightings of carmine bee eater, racket-tailed roller and other birds. Despite feeling busier than the other areas of Zimbabwe we visited, there were seldom other vehicles in sight.
Our guide was excellent and we had the chance to walk towards the dogs and a group of lions. The camp's owners are committed to working for the protection of wildlife, especially the "painted wolves" in the area.
Real Bush Safari at Vundu Camp
First Class guiding and sightings
Authentic bush camp atmosphere
Food was too copious in quantity and needs a little more refinement and imagination.
Vundu Camp review
Again staff all very welcoming rooms a little more basic than previous camp. Food was very good just too much on your plate at dinner.
Would have preferred the buffet service that all the other camps used you could always go back for more food therefore less waste.
Overall we had an amazing holiday, very well looked after by all concerned.
Vundu Camp review
Good points: guiding from Jim Mackie was excellent ... knowledgeable, helpful, caring. Situation by the river was lovely, giving some beautiful moments both early morning and at sundowner time. Both of us were suffering from heavy colds when we arrived and we were very sympathetically looked after. Cabin/tent was spacious and comfortable. Elephant encounters were, at times, magical. Specifically, to spend time (approx 45 mins) on foot in the close company of "Spike" and, equally, to see "Boswell" do his "standing on his back legs" trick.
Not so good points: one of the major reasons for choosing to visit Mana Pools was to see the wild dogs ... alas we didn't. We also didn't see any of the large cats or hyenas. We do appreciate that the wildlife cannot be "planned" - but it was nevertheless disappointing. Regarding the room: water is heated by an open fire under a boiler. This is efficient in producing hot water, but at times we were aware of smoke smells in the room and on returning home we noticed that all our clothes smelt of wood smoke ... even our bags had to washed. We have been in camps elsewhere with similar systems without problems. Perhaps Vundu should invest in solar panels?
Dogs... but much,much more
We were the first visitors of the season and had the camp to ourselves for a couple of nights. Owner Nick Murray and his wife were away at a trade fair and we were well looked after by manager Natalie and very experienced freelance guide Jim Mackie, who has an encyclopaedic knowledge of wildlife (no doubt helped by being a former park warden).
The scenery here is spectacular, from the views over the Zambezi as you fly in to the different landscapes as you explore the area.
Most people come here hoping to see painted dogs and we did so on three occasions (once on our own). Again it had been a poor wet season so waterholes were all but dry with animals relying on the river. Elephants were swimming or walking across the shallower parts.
Jim's night drives were very productive with sightings of genets, civets, hyena and white tailed mongoose. And he was brilliant at spotting and identifying birds. It's worth taking the afternoon canoe trip - avoiding the hippos and crocs! - to gain a different perspective.
We enjoyed several excellent bush walks including tracking three lionesses who had left their prints in camp overnight.
Breakfasts were a bit spartan so you were ready for the excellent lunches. The tents are extremely spacious and right on the edge of the Zambezi, giving this place a special atmosphere.
It's worth noting that in Mana Pools as a whole there are now no tsetse precautions being taken, though at one time they were eradicated.
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.
