Zimbabwe Walking Safari
Days 1 and 2 – Kanga Camp, Mana Pools National Park
On your arrival into Harare you will be met and assisted with your onward flight to Mana Pools National Park for the start of your Zimbabwe walking safari. Situated inland away from the Zambezi River, Kanga Camp is located around one of the only water sources in the area, thus attracting herds of animals throughout the day and night.
Spend your first day relaxing and watching the animals as they come to drink from the pan right in front of the main deck of the camp. For keen photographers there is a photographic hide at ground level giving you eye-to-eye shots of elephants as they walk past. If you are lucky you may see lion, leopard and wild dog come down to quench their thirst.
The Kanga Concession is a stunning area for walking safaris. Large open vleis link together, connected by dry riverbeds and forest thickets. As you head away from the camp you can start to track herds of buffalo and elephant and if you are lucky enough even lion. This is the perfect way to start your Zimbabwean walking safari in Mana Pools.
Day 3 – Mobile Camp, Mana Pools National Park
From Kanga you will be driven to the edge of the Mana Pools floodplain and from there you will continue walking to your first mobile safari camp on the edge of the Zambezi River. There is no rush to get to camp, so take your time with your walking safari guide and see what you bump into along the way. The Zambezi River attracts large herds of buffalo, zebra, eland, impala and elephant, so chances are you will have some exciting encounters along the way.
The mobile camp is basic, but comfortable with ensuite bucket shower and long-drop toilet.
Day 4 – Zambezi Expeditions, Mana Pools National Park
After an early breakfast you head off along the Zambezi River through the Mana Pools National Park on your walking safari. Your guide is an expert in the area and so will take you away from the river and roads and into the back country where there are open grasslands, woodlands and wetlands teeming with animals.
Mana Pools is renowned for having relaxed wildlife when it comes to people being on a walking safari, giving you the chance to get close to some of the areas famous elephants, wild dogs and even lions. Encountering lion, elephant or wild dog whilst on a walking safari is what Mana Pools is all about and will leave a lasting impression of your walking safari experience.
Enjoy a packed lunch out in the park before heading to Zambezi Expeditions for the night. Zambezi Expeditions has the look and feel of a mobile camp but is permanent. Each of the 6 tents has an ensuite bathroom with flush toilet and bucket shower.
Day 5 – Mobile Camp, Mana Pools National Park
This morning after breakfast you continue east along the Zambezi River, meandering through the famous forests of Mana Pools. Walking safaris are not always about the big animals but are often about the smaller tracks and signs that you miss when you are in a game drive vehicle. Your expert guide will be able to read the signs and will know what animals had passed through there just before you. You will also get to learn about the trees, insects, birds and medicinal uses of the plants in the area. By the time you get to camp in the afternoon you would have covered most of Mana Pools National Park on your walking safari.
Days 6 and 7 – Nyamatusi Camp, Mana Pools National Park
From your last mobile camp on the banks of the Zambezi River you continue downstream into the Nyamatusi wilderness area. This is a stunning area of the park that is generally off limits to vehicles, making it perfect for walking safaris. Arrive into camp and enjoy the luxuries of Nyamatusi Camp. A real treat after the last few days of walking. You have 2 nights here to enjoy the facilities, but also to enjoy game drives and canoeing safaris offered by the camp. This will give you a different perspective to Mana Pools.
From Mana Pools get a short flight back to Harare in time for your onward flight home or to South Africa.
