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John’s Camp

John’s Camp is a semi-permanent safari camp that lies on the banks of the Zambezi River, nestled into the pleasant shade of towering Trichelia and Mahogany trees. The camp opens in May of each year, and guests can visit until November 15th, when the camp closes for the rainy season. 6 Meru style tents overlook the river’s tranquil waters and the rolling landscape beyond. Guests can gather by an evening campfire and enjoy interacting and sharing exciting safari stories over a meal. John’s Camp is situated within Mana Pools National Park, where guests can walk across the floodplains and get up close to the incredible wildlife that roams the diverse landscape. Watch the silhouettes of passing African Bull Elephant herds as you see off the end of another day with a refreshing sundowner, as trails of blazing pink and orange streak through the clear skies.

Kavinga Safari Camp

Kavinga Safari Camp is located in a private concession within the southern boundary of Mana Pools National Park. The camp overlooks the dry Ruckomechi riverbed and is set against the extraordinary backdrop of the Zambezi Escarpment. The camp has 7 comfortable raised tents built on the edge of a cliff, with a view of the rising sun above the magnificent Zambezi Valley floor. The herds of buffalo that drink at the neighbouring Chitake spring are frequent visitors to the area, as they traverse the valley in search of grazing. Most evenings, herds of elephant gather in the riverbed, providing a wonderful wildlife spectacle. Shyer species, like leopard, civet and genet, visit the pan right below the camp under the cover of darkness.

Little Vundu Camp

Little Vundu is a private and intimate camp that rests on the banks of the Zambezi River in the private Vundu Concession. The semi-permanent camp consists of 5 Meru style tents which are set up at the beginning of May and taken down on the last day of November when the rainy season causes the river to rise and the floodplains become too wet. This small and exclusive camp offers guests the chance to enjoy an authentic and rustic safari experience in the tranquil setting of the private concession. Guests will rarely see another safari vehicle, meaning that they can focus on the incredible wildlife of Mana Pools, the stunning birdlife, and the breathtaking scenery.
Little Vundu is owned by Nick and Desiree Murray, who are both qualified guides with nearly 60 years of experience between them. Nick Murray was the lead guide in the Painted Wolf episode of BBC’s Earth series, where he worked alongside Sir David Attenborough, and guests will be able to see these incredible creatures (also known as African Wild Dogs) while staying at Little Vundu Camp.

Vundu Camp

Vundu Camp stands along the banks of the Zambezi River, half-hidden amongst a cluster of ebony and tamarind trees that offer both shade and a sense of privacy. Due to its riverside location, Vundu Camp is closed over the rainy season (December to April) when the riverbanks flood. The camp lies within a private concession within Mana Pools National Park, giving guests exclusive front row seats to exciting wildlife viewing from the comfort of the camp itself. The eight thatched chalets provide a luxurious setting for relaxing and waiting for the incredible local wildlife to come to you. Each room has a lounge area and outdoor seating that overlooks the tranquil waters of the Zambezi River, where guests can look out for hippos and crocodiles. Vundu Camp is also home to a number of wild dogs (also known as painted wolves) and the camp’s owners, Nick and Desiree Murray, worked alongside Sir David Attenborough for BBC’s Earth Dynasties painted wolf episode – shot at Vundu Camp.

Big Cave Camp

Big Cave Camp reposes atop an enormous granite whaleback commanding inspirational views across the famous Matobo National Park. Sophisticated African architecture incorporates colossal boulders into a comfortably appointed thatched lodge positioned amidst ancient Khoisan rock art. Retire at a day’s end to the natural rock-pool and sundeck, the Leopard`s Lair lounge and bar, a cave-style boma for pre-dinner drinks or the popular lodge library. The eight thatched A-frame cottages, each with en-suite bathroom and private balcony, resonate African creative flair. Find solitude within an intimate retreat as secluded as the original Kalanga grain bins that nestle amongst the rocks.

Waterberry Zambezi Lodge

Waterberry Zambezi Lodge, on the banks of the Zambezi, is 30 minutes from Livingstone and 40 minutes from Victoria Falls. A small, friendly and informal lodge, it’s the perfect setting for visiting the amazing Falls and enjoying all the activities around Livingstone. The lodge has seven thatched cottages set in beautiful gardens around the central restaurant, viewing lounge and deck. All rooms are en suite, with air conditioning, ceiling fans, mosquito nets and private terraces. Waterberry is within easy reach of Livingstone and the Falls, but well away from the general buzz of the busy town. Guests usually spend a day around the Falls and the town and the next at the lodge, enjoying all that Waterberry has to offer – river activities and amazing birding with top class guides. A highlight is the visit to a completely uncommercial local village where many staff live and where Waterberry has built and manages local pre and primary schools.

Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge

Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge lies on the edge of the Gonarexhou National Park, surrounding by lush vegetation and towering trees and overlooking the tranquil waters of the Save River. From the comfort of the lodge’s spacious patio, guests will be able to spot lounging hippos, basking crocodiles and herds of elephants as they rest on the riverbanks. The lodge is light and airy, with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Guests can enjoy the natural beauty of the area while escaping to the cooling shade and interacting with fellow travellers. Chilo Gorge also features luxuries such as a refreshing swimming pool, library, lounge, dining room and bar, which all offer views of the lodge’s manicured gardens. Enjoy a relaxing stay in a comfortable setting that incorporates tradition with modern design, located in heart of the African wilderness.

Old Mondoro Camp

Old Mondoro is set in a grove of Acacia trees that tower above the massive elephant bulls that seem to be constantly feeding on them. On the banks of the Zambezi River in the Lower Zambezi National Park some 35 km downstream from Chiawa Camp this is a beautiful and remote site overlooking a maze of hippo-inhabited islands and channels. With only 5 rooms, 10 beds, Old Mondoro is the Lower Zambezi’s most intimate and private safari camp. Old Mondoro’s setting is exquisite, one of the few safari camps with views in all directions, from one’s chair – to the south the spectacular Zambezi river and its islands sprinkled with wildlife, swivel around to face north and see beautiful woodland full of towering trees dwarfing the impalas, waterbuck, buffalo and elephants. A fun addition is Old Mondoro’s outdoor “loo with a view” overlooking the Zambezi and its wildlife. If you wish to be truly immersed in nature but with all the comforts then look no further than Old Mondoro.

Island Bush Camp

Island Bush Camp is owned and operated by Ron & Anke Cowan, along with sister property Kafunta River Lodge located in the main Mfuwe area. Island Bush Camp is 2 1/2 hours drive south of Kafunta River Lodge (so about 3 1/2 hours from Mfuwe airport) in a very remote yet extremely game-rich area of the southern section of the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. It is in this complete solitude, far away from other crowds, that walking safaris are taking place in the mornings and afternoons. This seasonal, intimate camp lies under a grove of Mahogany trees, right on the banks of the Luangwa River. Island Bush Camp offers authentic bush accommodation in five elevated reed huts, with bucket showers and running water. The huts are open sided with a private verandah overlooking the Luangwa River. The camp runs on solar and paraffin lights, charging facilities are offered via inverters.

Mwamba Bush Camp

Set on the banks of the Mwamba River, a tributary of the Luangwa, the camp, sited under huge evergreen ebony trees, enjoys shady views of perennial water-holes, both of which have hides perched over them for fantastic photographic opportunities or simply quiet times viewing the animals. Mwamba Bush Camp takes only 8 guests in 4 reed and thatch chalets, uniquely designed with two soaring skylights (protected by mosquito gauze) set into the roof allowing you to experience sleeping under the stars. The nights at Mwamba are filled with wildlife action. Bats and owls (Pearl spotted and Scops in particular) set up the background sounds together with whirring cicadas. Puku and Impala alarm calls are often followed by the grunt of a leopard or whoop of a hyena as they pass through camp. Elephants are never far away and are especially fond of the tamarind and ebony fruit within the camp. There are two resident hippo in the waterholes that graze on the river bank at night, completing the picture. The game around Mwamba is excellent; large herds of buffalo, zebra, eland and in particular Cookson’s wildebeest (one of the last herds in the SLNP are found on the plains and in the Mopane/Crocodile bark woodlands close to camp). They are followed by the “Mwamba” lion pride.

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