Reviews of Vundu Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
41 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Vundu Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa

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"Vundu Camp review"
The rooms are huge, but rather tired, and made of a canvas-like plastic material that wasn't very pleasant to live in. Three sinks, two toilets and two showers seem rather unnecessary. I'd rather have less, and smaller, but of better quality.
Food was excellent, and Dave, our guide, was wonderful. We did walking safaris to a pack of dogs, and to a pack of lions snoozing--and I'm not entirely sure who was more surprised, they or us, when we came upon them. Dave, however, reacted in the perfect way. We saw the elephant who stands on his hind legs to reach the best fruit, and he obliged us for a photo of that operation (and I forget his name). Also two hippos battling it out for control of the pond.
It was 44 degrees the day we arrived, and parched. We experienced the first rain of the season on our walk. Wonderful." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia; 10n in Zimbabwe

Buffalo
8 sightings

Eland
10 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Lion
5 sightings

Spotted Hyena
4 sightings

Wild dog
1 sighting

Zebra
10 sightings
"Vundu Camp review"
Mitch (my guide) and I really got around: walking, driving, and doing a bit of fishing.
And I truly enjoyed being able to talk candidly to Mitch, Des, and Dave (the other guide) about things going on in Zimbabwe and around the world (especially during the current pandemic).
Mana will be back in the rotation some time in the near future, and there's no doubt I'll be getting back together with Mitch and hopefully make my way over to Vundu." See all these reviews: 18n in Zimbabwe

Eland
10 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Leopard
2 sightings

Spotted Hyena
4 sightings

Wild dog
8 sightings

Zebra
10 sightings
"Vundu Camp review"
The highlight of Mana Pools is game, and especially elephants (which are amazingly numerous and largely habituated to human presence). Thanks to the resourcefulness of our guide, David Amyot, we had an exceptionally close encounter (1 meter) with the famous bull Boswell and even saw him rear up on his hind legs to feed in the trees. Really amazing. David also led us on a close approach to a den of wild dogs who were on the verge of weening their recently-born pups. A unique experience for us. Truly fascinating.
Any assessment of Vundu must take into account the conservation and anti-poaching efforts of Nick Murray, his impressive staff, and the Bushlife Conservancy foundation. A presentation on those efforts, and the problems they address, was truly eye-opening (if occasionally somewhat discouraging.)
We are glad to think that our stay at Vundu might have contributed in some small way to the protection of Mana Pools and its wildlife. We wish Nick and the foundation all the best." See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania; 12n in Zimbabwe

Buffalo
10 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Lion
5 sightings

Wild dog
10 sightings

Wildebeest
10 sightings

Zebra
10 sightings
"Vundu Camp review"
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." See all these reviews: 16n in Botswana; 10n in Zimbabwe

Buffalo
4 sightings

Eland
6 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Hippo
Multiple sightings

Leopard
10 sightings

Lion
1 sighting

Roan antelope
1 sighting

Sable antelope
1 sighting

Spotted Hyena
1 sighting

Wild dog
2 sightings

Zebra
8 sightings
"Great stay"
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." See all these reviews: 13n in Zimbabwe
"Wild dogs and standing elephant at Vundu Camp"
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." See all these reviews: 12n in Zimbabwe

Buffalo
5 sightings

Eland
10 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Lion
5 sightings

Spotted Hyena
3 sightings

Wild dog
1 sighting

Zebra
10 sightings
"Real Bush Safari at Vundu Camp"
Authentic bush camp atmosphere
Food was too copious in quantity and needs a little more refinement and imagination." See all these reviews: 13n in Zimbabwe

Buffalo
Multiple sightings

Eland
Multiple sightings

Elephant
Multiple sightings

Hippo
Multiple sightings

Lion
Multiple sightings

Roan antelope
Multiple sightings

Sable antelope
Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Vundu Camp review"
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." See all these reviews: 13n in Zimbabwe

Buffalo
1 sighting

Eland
1 sighting

Elephant
1 sighting

Hippo
1 sighting

Lion
1 sighting

Spotted Hyena
1 sighting

Zebra
1 sighting
"Vundu Camp review"
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?" See all these reviews: 10n in Zimbabwe

Buffalo
6 sightings

Eland
5 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Zebra
10 sightings
"Dogs... but much,much more"
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." See all these reviews: 17n in Zimbabwe

Buffalo
10 sightings

Eland
10 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Hippo
10 sightings

Spotted Hyena
1 sighting

Wild dog
10 sightings

Zebra
10 sightings
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