Chikwenya Camp
Mana Pools National Park
Accommodation
Situated on the eastern boundary of Mana Pools National Park, Chikwenya is a photographer’s paradise as it looks out over an open floodplain and the broad Zambezi River, with a backdrop provided by the mountains of the Rift Valley escarpment. The camp is surrounded by a dense forest of albida and Natal mahogany trees, which provide deep shade in the heat of the day. The albidas shed their protein-rich pods during the dry season, providing vital sustenance for many species, particularly elephant.
Chikwenya is a seven-tented camp, which includes two family units. All stand on low wooden decks and pine walkways link them to the raised main area. The lounge, dining and bar area are places of hospitality and relaxation, and a pool and deck offer alternate spaces to enjoy the scenery and passing wildlife.
Location
Mana Pools National Park is situated in Zambezi Valley, North Zimbabwe, on the border with Zambia. The opposite side of the Zambezi is home to the mountains of the Great African Rift Valley and Lower Zambezi National Park. This section of the Zambezi is renowned for its four large lagoons: Main, Chine, Long and Chisambuk. ‘Mana' actually means ‘four' in the local Shona language.
Chikwenya can be reached by flying to Harare in Zimbabwe before taking a 1.5-hour light aircraft flight to camp, or in a light aircraft from Victoria Falls (2 hrs). Transfer from Chikwenya Airstrip to camp takes around 10 minutes.
Wildlife
Mana Pools is renowned for its dense concentration of elephant, buffalo, hippo and crocodile. The winter months are particularly busy, with small and great alike sipping the river water. Such predators as lion, hyena and wild dog are regularly sighted, even cheetah is possible. Leopards are normally only seen after dark.
Please note that rhino, wildebeest and giraffe are not present in the park.
Exclusive access to a spectacular stretch of the Zambezi River, including productive floodplain, permanent inland pans, the Sapi River and Chikwenya Island, the many different habitats make this an exceptional area bordering the Mana Pools National Park.
Activities
The camp offers game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, boat trips and canoe trips, nature walks. Due to its location just outside the park, the camp enjoys more freedom in terms of how to organize walking safaris and game drives.
