The Very Best of Zimbabwe 2024 - Mana Pools, Lake Kariba and Hwange National Park

Game drives at Kanga Camp are always full of surprises. Safaris in this game-rich region of Zimbabwe means there are common sightings such as leopard and wild dog. During the dry season, game drives are often not needed as the game comes straight to the pan in front of Kanga where fresh water is pumped throughout the day. Being the only pan within a 10km radius, this brings the true meaning to an Armchair Safari.

Walking at Kanga Camp is absolutely superb With the guidance of one of our professioanl guides in camp, walking in Mana Pools is one of the closest things we can get to being in the complete wilderness. Get to know the flora of the region or track lions on foot. A walk in Mana Pools is something truly special.

Relax on the upper deck lounge under the shade of a mahogany or sit on the deck below near the splash pool and soak in the uninterrupted views of Kanga Pan’s hyperactive watering hole as the animals come to you – the perfect “armchair safari”. The Armchair Safari is best experienced during the dry season when the water levels are low.

Delight in the call of the African skimmer, photograph the Southern carmine bee-eater and the Narina trogon. Or simply sit back and enjoy their beautiful songs.

This one-of-a-kind feature within our host of camps attracts an array of wildlife such as elephant, leopard, wild dogs, antelope and bird species. A highlight for photographers, Kanga’s unique hide offers a beautiful way to experience nature from a safe, immersive vantage. Capturing a copper sunset bathed in the soft, amber light of ‘magic hour’ is an experience not to be missed.

One of the main highlights is a game drive along the flood plain in an open 4 x 4 Land Cruiser that takes you into the heart of an Africa dream abounding with the continent’s unique animals − eland, elephant, African wild dogs, water buck, big herds of buffalo, kudu, lion and leopard.

Take a walk in the wild and encounter wild animals up close with Zambezi Expeditions Game Walks. Accompanied by one of our professional and highly-trained field guides, explore the banks of the Zambezi River on foot.

The Lower Zambezi River is the perfect setting for an adventurous canoeing safari. Paddle along the tranquil waters of the Zambezi River and take in the pristine scenery of Mana Pools National Park from a unique angle. On your canoeing safari you’ll get the chance to see wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and incredible birdlife.

The Zambezi River is well-known for some of the best tiger fishing spots in Africa. The slow flow of the Zambezi allows for great catch-and-release tiger fishing and our guides are on-hand to assist in some early morning or afternoon fishing.

Delight in the call of the African skimmer, photograph the Southern carmine bee-eater or the Narina trogon. Or simply sit back and enjoy their beautiful songs.

Lead by one of our experienced guides, you’ll see magnificent wildlife indigenous to the area. Your guide will show you the hidden spots best for game viewing and give you an insider’s knowledge. With years of experience, our African Bush Camps guides are some of the best in the business.

The Bumi Hills Wildlife Area is bordered in the north west by the Chalala and Mola communities, which are home to the Tonga, a delightful and very spiritual people who have resided in this area and along the length of the Zambezi river for centuries. They have preserved ancient traditions and still live a largely subsistence lifestyle that is reliant on fishing, livestock and small scale farming. In the village of Chalala these customs have melted together with the inevitable infiltration of modern ways of life. However the luxuries of a permanent electricity and water supply to homes are still absent, leaving the communities still largely reliant on the surrounding environment for their livelihood.

After a morning game drive, enjoy a delicious lunch on Starvation Island

Delight in the call of the Giant kingfisher; photograph the majestic Squacco heron or Collared pratincole. Or simply sit back and enjoy their beautiful songs.

Enjoy dinner from atop the hills overlooking Lake Kariba. This iconic view is the undoubtedly the best in Kariba.

Chart a course across the watery wilderness of Lake Kariba and discover the aquatic wonders of this life-giving body of water. Our boat-based adventures afford a unique glimpse into the mysteries of Lake Kariba. Experience the thrill of catch-and-release fishing, observe unique bird-life of the area and relish eye-level wildlife encounters. All are possible during your time with us on the water.

Spend the day cruising the water and taking in the gorgeous views. Try your hand at fishing for tiger, bream (tilapia) or vundu to be caught and then released.

From your floating vantage, sundowner in hand, watch (and listen) as elephants, embossed against a shimmering copper sunset, slake their thirst in mighty Lake Kariba. We can think of no better way to celebrate another magical day on safari in Zimbabwe

Awaken your senses and discover all that the bush has to offer on a walking safari. Accompanied by one of our experienced walking guides, explore the wild for one to two hours. For a full day walking safari, a private walking guide will need to be pre-booked with us. Children under 16 can experience nature walks around the camp led by our child-certified walking guides as part of the Cub Club.

After an day in the bush, relax next to the camp fire and allow yourself to get lost in the starry night above. At night the stars utterly dominate the land; their brilliance and immediacy are totally arresting. Our guides have a growing passion in astronomy and are able to show you show you several star constellations including those which make up the Milky Way.

Our private concessions allow for game drives after the sun has set. Experience the bush when elusive nocturnal wildlife awakens to hunt, forage and live their lives under the cover of darkness.

From nature walks around camp and storytelling to cultural arts and crafts and cub club cooking classes, the African Bush Camps’ children focused Ngwana Club creates a fun and educational environment for children on safari.

Lead by one of our experienced guides, you’ll see magnificent wildlife indigenous to the area. Your guide will show you the hidden spots best for game viewing and give you an insider’s knowledge. With years of experience our African Bush Camps guides are known for being some of the best in the business.

Awaken your senses and discover all that the bush has to offer on a walking safari. Accompanied by one of our experienced walking guides, explore the wild for one to two hours. For a full day walking safari, a private walking guide will need to be pre-booked with us.

Hwange National Park offers some of Zimbabwe’s best birding. Delight in the call of the racket-tailed roller or the kori bustard, and photograph the majestic Martial eagle. Or simply sit back and enjoy their beautiful songs. There are up to over 470 bird life species in the area.

The African Bush Camps Foundation believes in creating a longlasting, positive impact on the local communities. This is achieved by partnering with these communities to uplift their circumstances through tourism. The ABCF started out in the Dete, Mambanje and Hwange Main Camp communities boarding Hwange National Park. Within these communities, the Foundation focuses on Education, Conservation, Community Infrastructure and Community Empowerment. A visit to these communities takes a day and needs to be booked in advance, however, it is a rewarding day that is worth the trip.