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FROM US$6,340-US$7,200

Tigerfish Safari

Go fully off grid on this adventurous exploration of Mana Pools National Park combining a classic canoe safari along the Zambezi with some excellent walking. Not for the faint-hearted.

Tigerfish Safari: Summary

Tigerfish Safari in a nutshell

In Zimbabwe’s remote north, Mana Pools is a vast UNESCO-protected national park, part of an incredibly rich wilderness which spills across and down the Zambezi River into Zambia and Mozambique. While there are more luxurious safaris here, this canoeing and walking focussed trip is one of the most exciting and immersive ways to discover the bush.

Begin with one night at Vundu Camp, a classic canvas and thatch set up in a private concession right in the heart of the park and great introduction to Mana.

Then take to the wide waters of the Zambezi in canoes for a wild three-night adventure. Whether paddling between sizeable crocodiles and snorting hippo pods or letting the current float you downstream past elephants pausing for a drink, this is truly wild experience for the intrepid. A mobile fly camp will be set up each evening on the riverbank, eating well-earned hearty dinners around a campfire.

Return to Vundu Camp for a final two nights in search of more wildlife on land. Up close on foot encounters with elephants known by name, wild dog packs and more are a speciality here. Or relax with some fishing and birdwatching.

Both Vundu Camp and the Mana Canoe Trail are overseen by Nick Murray, an old friend of ours and a well-respected guide with three decades of experience. Nick’s handpicked team are always excellent with particularly exceptional guides – exactly what you need when navigating wildlife on the Zambezi and exploring the park on foot.

At a glance

Starts: Harare International Airport
1 night Vundu Camp - Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe Full Board & Activities
3 nights Mana Canoe Trail - Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe Full Board & Activities
2 nights Vundu Camp - Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe Full Board & Activities
Ends: Harare International Airport

Vundu Camp

Day 1

Vundu is a small camp with a long-standing reputation. It sits in a private concession on the banks of the Zambezi River, in the heart of Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park, shaded by a grove of ebony and tamarind trees. An owner-run property, it focuses on offering a variety of activities in a game-rich area of the park.

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Mana Pools Canoe Trail

Days 2-5

Canoeing is a superb way to see the Zambezi Valley, and particularly Mana Pools National Park. Floating down the river, between Mana Pools and Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park, the wilderness surrounds you really is one of the ‘classic’ African safari experiences.

View full itinerary

Vundu Camp

Days 5-7

Vundu is a small camp with a long-standing reputation. It sits in a private concession on the banks of the Zambezi River, in the heart of Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park, shaded by a grove of ebony and tamarind trees. An owner-run property, it focuses on offering a variety of activities in a game-rich area of the park.

View full itinerary
Vundu Camp

Vundu Camp

Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

Mana Pools Canoe Trail

Mana Canoe Trail

Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

Vundu Camp

Vundu Camp

Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

About image

Highlights

Our thoughts on five of the top experiences of this Tigerfish Safari.

  • Paddling past crocodiles as big as the canoe
  • Dinners around the campfire on the Zambezi’s banks
  • Getting close to wild dogs and elephants on foot
  • A real wilderness experience with superb guides
  • Being active and spending so little time in a vehicle

Activities

Some activities which can be included in the Tigerfish Safari: talk to us about those which interest you.

  • 4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

  • Canoeing

  • Fishing

  • Fly-camping

  • Guided walking safari

  • Sleeping under the stars

About image

Key species to see on the Tigerfish Safari

Based on our travellers' observations, we’ve estimated the likelihood of seeing these species during the Tigerfish Safari. Click on the animals and our wildlife surveys page for more info.


Lion

100% chance

Elephant

100% chance

Hippo

100% chance

Spotted Hyena

100% chance

Zebra

100% chance

Buffalo

85% chance

Eland

85% chance

Wild dog

71% chance

Roan antelope

19% chance

Leopard

15% chance

Wildebeest

10% chance

Sable antelope

9% chance

Cheetah

0% chance

Aardvark

0% chance

Pangolin

0% chance

Let us help you customise your trip

Like all of our holidays on this site, this is just an idea. All of our trips are tailor-made, so we'll always adapt them to suit you.


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Set up your itinerary

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Prepare for your trip

The same Specialist will make the seamless arrangements for your trip, send you detailed travel documents, and be available to answer any questions before you depart.

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After you set off, you’ll be cared for by our partners in Africa, most of whom have worked with Expert Africa for decades. And if you ever need us urgently, we’re available 24/7.

When you return

We love to learn about your trip, and so will always be grateful if you’ve the time to give feedback to your Specialist when you return.

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