Reviews of Zambezi Expeditions

"We enjoyed our time at Zambezi Expeditions.

The camp was a very friendly camp and from the moment we arrived until our departure we were made to feel at home.

Our guide was both knowledgeable and good company." See all these reviews: 13n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa

"Reggie, our guide at Kanga camp drove us to Zambezi Expeditions and we were greeted by welcome song and dance again.....and we joined and danced with them.

Room was simple, but it is my preference to stay at mobile type tent with bucket shower.

Our main purposes to stay here were walking and canoeing. We did both. Approaching to lions on foot was amazing experience.

I love African Bush Camps' warm hospitality. Thank you everyone and I would return soon." See all these reviews: 7n in Zimbabwe

"Travel intention: 9th trip to africa, looking for unique safari experience throughout Africa in a comfortable to luxurious Setting

Facilities: Located directly at the the Zambesi river, the landscape is breathtaking overlooking the river and the Sambian mountain side of the steep northern Zambezi Escarpment (the southern Escarpment on the Zimbabwe side is much gentler with a rather large area where wildlife has more space to roam). The camp provides a „glamping“ feeling – while everything is located within tents that will be removed at the end of the season, nothing is lacking including readily filled bucket showers and flush toilets. This allows the camp to really melt into the surrounding nature. For us, it started immediately as we had to wait for a crossing elephant group before we could get from the main to our tent. While relaxing in main area or in front of tent, there is always something going on (from catching a foto of a pygmy kingfisher in the branches in front of our tent to grazing/drinking animals).

Service: The camp host was Michelle, who was attentive and helpful (enabled us to use emergency WIFI for a family problem at home) and provided during family style dining interesting discussions about the changing face of the Zimbabwian society in modern times. Pre-dinner drinks and partly food were taken at a bush fire, good food.

Experience: Due to the 2019 drought, all of the pools were dried up, however, due to Zambesi river animal were still doing better than compared to Hwange (fewer dead elephants). A great place for game drives as the open areas beside the river can be overviewed nicely with a clear long-range view. Specific sightings: Unique elefant behaviour (standing up or climbing tree stems with forefeet to reach lower branches), close and extensive Eland sightings (rare elsewhere), Nile waran sitting in tree hole, excellent birding (Lilian lovebirds, African hoopoe, woodland kingfisher, as well as river birds such as fish eagle or different storks/herons). TK was one of the buest guides we ever had due to his entertaining, knowledegable and talkative nature.

Overall: Mana pools is one of the best places for safaris in Africa combining an excellent touristic infrastruture (while avoiding overtourism) with abundant wildlife and an eye-catching landscape. A bit more basic camp for those who want to go „glamping“ but will lack no comfort completely surrounded by nature. Camp is in a great location within Mana Pools park. Ask for TK, he is one of the best guides we ever had." See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe

"Great location beside the Zambezi, with animals - elephants, hippos, lions - coming right into camp. Wonderfully welcoming, helpful and friendly staff, led by our exceptional host, Sabasten. Tents were quite basic but very comfortable, with bucket showers available whenever we wanted. The food was excellent, provided by Derrick the chef and his assistants. Our guide, Cloud, was wonderful, very knowledgeable and friendly. He worked very hard for us to get the best experience from our safari, including having to pull our canoe in places as the river levels were so low. The canoe safari provided excellent viewing of hippos and elephants from a different perspective. We would not hesitate to return." See all these reviews: 10n in Zimbabwe

"This is a fantastic simple camp on the banks of the Zambezi run by a truly wonderful team.

The tents are not luxurious but are clean and very comfortable, looking out over the Zambezi River to the hills of Zambia beyond. Outside en-suite facilities include perfectly acceptable bucket showers and heated water in the mornings or when you want it. To lie in bed listening to the sound of hippos and other camp visitors at night is the archetypal African experience and this is the place to do it (Africa as it used to be).

Without doubt it is the staff, however, who turn this camp from good to brilliant. It was like staying with friends for 3 nights and we wish we could have stayed longer. Every single person in camp was a delight and a credit to African Bush Camps." See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe

"From the moment we arrived, everyone made us feel welcome in a non-fabricated way. Staff and guides all gave the impression of genuinly enjoying their work and their enthousiasm was contagious. Very high level of professionalsm without being formal. The emphasis on guiding is obvious, but other members of staff were just as good, which made the camp a complete picture. Location right on the riverbank is fantastic. The park itself is packed with wildlife and at the same time relatively quiet when it comes to tourists. Even with the wild dogs sightings we never saw more than 6 vehicles at the same time. Incredible encounters with elephants, hyenas and all kinds of antilope right in front of the tents. African Bush Camps keep a very good balance between a true safari experience on one side and environmental care, safety and sustainability on the other side. We were impressed by the level of knowledge the guides showed, ranging from the latin names of plants to mixing the perfect G&T.
In all; very highly recommended and a shame we had to leave." See all these reviews: 7n in Zimbabwe

"We stayed 3 nights at this wonderful, down to earth tented camp. It was exactly the experience we wanted. Would be perfect for someone who is not wanting "luxury". The tents are simple, there is sufficient storage, cotton robes are provided, a bucket shower (which does 2 showers) which can be ordered cold, warm or hot, a flush toilet and cold running water. Refillable metal bottles in the room for drinking (not recommended for guests to drink the tap water).

It was quite hot when we visited (although we understand it will get hotter). A fan in the room is the only suggestion we have for improvement.

We were driven to the camp by Guide TK (then Cloud was our wonderful guide for the duration of our stay) and met by the staff singing and dancing. Wow! Camp Host Dophas was a warm and congenial man ("down to earth" was his description of the camp) and we enjoyed the conversations around the fire. All the staff were great. They tried to help me with my Shona pronunciations, Ndatenda!

We found the meals here were the best of our 3 camps. Lunches were self serve, some dinners were plated. Especially loved the tilapia bream plate one night and the oxtail stew on the traditional night. Veggies always cooked perfectly, good salads, lovely desserts. All good!

Mana Pools was a bit busier than Hwange NP in that we saw vehicles from other camps more frequently, and many self drivers. But this did not really detract from the experience, it's just worth noting. Certainly, if anyone had a sighting, they passed on the information to other drivers.

We noticed a difference in the sightings from Hwange as well: animals seemed to be sighted as individuals or in small groups. We did not see many larger groups of animals. Although we were lucky to see a pack of wild dogs twice (a group of 9 including pups). Among our other sightings were many eland, cape buffalo, of course many elephants, hippos, 2 male lions, and zebras.

On our last morning, we were given a takeaway lunch as we left, which was much appreciated.

Thank you to Cloud and Dophas especially, also Peter, TK, Sebastian and all of the wonderful staff. Apologies for forgetting or misspelling some names. Dophas: you did indeed exceed expectations." See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe

"A day on a walking Safari is a must do, you defiantly see thing's from another perspective, very exciting moment when we bumped into a Bull Elephant on it's own, another highlight, was the canoeing down the Zambezi, trying to keep out of the way of the Hippo's, all the staff were lovely and banter was excellent, just lot's of laughter, love those guy's!!" See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe

"There was an issue with the guiding which has now been addressed by Expert Africa with African Bush Camps" See all these reviews: 14n in Zimbabwe

"This camp was totally different to Somalisa but no less amazing. To be so close to the wildlife is something neither of us will forget. Every night we heard hyena, hippos and the occasional lions.

Although the tents were not as luxurious as Somalisa they were still comfortable and had all we needed.

Again all the staff were friendly and as we were the only ones in the camp they were very attentive.

Considering the Chef was cooking on open fires the food was incredible.

Our guide, Lovemore, took us on a couple of walking safaris which was an experience in itself. On one walk we came across a lioness on a buffalo kill which took all of us by surprise, especially as it turned out she was part of a pride of eight lions.

This was a wonderful experience being by the Zambezi River with all the wildlife around us." See all these reviews: 10n in Zimbabwe