Tented Camp Fly-in to Zimbabwe’s best National Parks (Fly-in)

This area is famous for its large concentrations of animals, including elephant. Due to the existence of year round water seeps, this area is ideal for game drives, producing incredible wildlife sightings.

Guide dependent walking safaris

Walking safaris are also conducted generally in the morning with armed guides. The walks are leisurely and time is taken to observe the smaller things in the bush that one normally misses when driving. Walking is weather dependent, or dependent on the condition of the terrain.

With over 420 species recorded Hwange National Park is a birding hotspot. The park is well known for its huge variety of raptors, grassland birds are well represented as well. From November to April yearly the park is flooded with migratory birds from Europe and northern Africa.

Early Morning and Sunset Game drives are included in your stay. Each game drive is approximately 3h30 minutes long.

Embark on a Guided Walk with your Ranger, as you learn about wildlife, fauna and flora in the area.

Half Day Trip
We offer an exciting half day trip that includes visiting our local School, a small rural village near
the National Park, and an informative stop over at the Wild Dog Research Centre.

A Brief Description - After an early breakfast at 7am, guests depart on a slow game drive north east towards Hwange Main Camp, which takes around 2 hours. Guests will visit The National Parks Primary School that we as Verney’s Camp have adopted and sponsor along with other operators in Hwange National Park. After the visit, guest travel to Mabale Village where we visit this authentic rural village typical to the area, and meet the local people from the district. Following this visit we then head to the Painted Dog Research Centre to learn more about the endangered African Wild Dog, guests also get a chance to meet the researches and get involved in future sponsorship of this critical study. Then it’s back to Verney’s Camp after a scrumptous picnic lunch at one of the numerous waterholes on the way.

Schedule
Best days are Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Pre-booking this activity helps us to coordinate with
the school and researchers (During school holidays and weekends the school is closed however the trip still operates to the other two venues).

Morning and/or late afternoon game walks. Mana River Camp offers the perfect environment in which to immerse yourself in nature by enjoying walking safaris. Walking safaris are particularly special in the Mana Pools National Park as the Zimbabweab guides are exceptionally experienced and highly regarded due to Zimbabwe's stingent examination procedures. On your walk, your safari guide will draw your attention to the details that form part of a bigger story, such as beetles, animal droppings, scents, sounds and spoor.

Game drives take place in the mornings and late afternoons along the floodplains and game rich river banks where there is a high concentration of wildlife. You will explore the floodplains surrounding the camp where the Albida trees attract various wildlife due to the source of excellent protein they provide. These trees are the reason the elephants have adapted to standing on their hind legs to stretch up and reach the delicacies of these Albida trees, especially in the dry season.

The Zambezi River and the floodplains are the main attractions for birds and birders but the diversity of habitats offers many more bird viewing opportunities. With over 380 species of birds recorded Mana Pools is an excellent birding destination. Although birding is good year-round it is at its best when the migratory birds are present from November to April.

Mana Pools is often referred to as a photographers dream. No matter what time you travel the unspoiled landscapes and wildlife offer spectacular photo opportunities. To add to the natural beauty at certain times of the year the light in the Zambezi valley is unique. At different times of the day you can take advantage of the dramatic lighting. These light tones go from golden glows of warm reds, yellows and oranges and then at other times the softer, cooler blue lights add to the depth of your images.

Canoeing on the Zambezi River in the Mana Pools National Park area is an exhilarating and immersive wilderness adventure like no other. Located in the northern part of Zimbabwe, this pristine section of the Zambezi River offers an unforgettable canoeing experience that allows you to connect with nature in its purest form.

The river's waters wind through untamed wilderness, flanked by riverbanks that teem with life. The calm Zambezi River does occasionally surprise with gentle rapids. These rapids are entirely suitable for beginners, offering an enjoyable and energizing aspect to your adventure.

Mana Pools National Park is renowned for its abundant wildlife, you'll have the opportunity to witness some of Africa's most iconic animals in their natural habitat such as elephants, hippos, and crocodiles as well as herds of antelope and buffalo grazing on the lush vegetation.

The birdlife is equally impressive. The Zambezi River is a haven for avian enthusiasts, with colourful kingfishers, majestic fish eagles, and a myriad of other bird species adorning the trees and skies. Your experienced guides will help you identify and appreciate the rich diversity of birdlife in the area.

Early notification is required for canoeing arrangements to avoid disappointment.

The Victoria Falls waterfall, also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders), is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

On your guided walking tour of the falls, you will have the opportunity to discover the many facets of the magnificent Victoria Falls. Explore the rainforest while learning about the history of the Falls, its geological significance and its flora and fauna. You'll have the opportunity to soak up the beautiful vistas, lush surroundings, magical waterfalls, and the spray of the Falls.

*Excludes rainforest entry fees

Walking at a comfortable pace allows you to experience nature more consciously, and guides will reveal the hidden gems you may have never noticed. There is no vehicle, no noise and no distractions.

Every detail dotted around the landscape forms part of a story, read with an expert eye by your professional guide. Broken branches and bird calls weave together a narrative and draw a map of animal movements across the rugged landscape. The birdlife at The Elephant Camp offers visitors an entirely new frontier in wilderness engagement, with over 420 bird species on the concession. Zebra, impala, sable, wildebeest, kudu and warthogs have also made the Wild Horizons Wildlife Sanctuary their home and curiously survey you as a guest exploring their world.

The Lookout Café has become a bucket-list experience in a bucket-list destination and a Victoria Falls landmark restaurant. Perched on the edge of the Batoka Gorge above the raging Zambezi Rapids, the Lookout has panoramic views of the Victoria Falls Bridge that hangs in the chasm of the Gorge, connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Though called the Lookout Cafe, the meals are more refined than everyday eats. Enjoying dishes like the grilled lemon and garlic Zambezi bream, with the gentle rumble of the river drifting over the rim of the Gorge, makes the 'place on a plate' sentiment a reality. Every dish gains both place and style when paired with imported wine from South African vineyards. Casual dining has never been more decadent.

Indulge in a selection of cocktails and canapes on the rim of the Batoka Gorge, where the Zambezi Rapids rage 120 meters below. This hidden gem is the perfect place to enjoy a sundowner and is exclusively for guests staying at The Elephant Camp.

Travelling is one of the ways we write the story of our lives. It is also one of the best ways to hear stories of other cultures, beliefs and people. The Village Tour digs beneath the surface of Victoria Falls' and celebrates cultural diversity. The Village Chief will take guests around a nearby rural village, explaining the local customs, traditions and lifestyles. The Village Tour empowers the local community to share their heritage with visitors, and the experience gives guests an insightful understanding of the local culture.

The Canopy Tour is a fantastic family-friendly adventure that consists of a network of slides, trails and rope bridge walkways within the Batoka Gorge. The activity and offers incredible views of Zambezi rapids, Victoria Falls Bridge & the spray of the Falls. Located next to the Wild Horizons Lookout Café, the guided two-hour tour reveals a unique birds-eye view of one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

The Elephant Camp is surrounded by natural beauty, and we focus on creating a space where guests can form a relationship with and learn about the environment they are in. We do this through our partnership with The Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, located in the Wild Horizons Wildlife Sanctuary adjacent to the lodge. The Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, a non-profit entity and dedicated vehicle for promoting conservation awareness, education, and community empowerment.
A tour of the Trust is part of our guest experience. Guests will visit the High-Care Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre and Laboratory facilities to learn about innovative conservation initiatives from a team of passionate research and wildlife experts.
Included Activity- this activity is included in our rates but must be scheduled with management on arrival and is subject to availability.

Included Activity- this activity is included in our rates but must be scheduled with management on arrival and is subject to availability.

The Wild Horizons Elephant Sanctuary and Orphanage was established as a safe haven for orphaned and injured elephants after culling operations in the 1980s. The resident herds roam freely through the wilderness concession, and when guests visit the Sanctuary, they are taken to the elephant, not the other way around. The Elephant Encounter is best described as an experience and not an activity. Our goal is to have visitors spend time connecting with resident herds in the most positive and natural way possible while learning about this keystone species and gaining a deeper understanding of conservation initiatives.

In an open thatch boma on the edge of the Masuwe River in the Sanctuary, guests will listen to a presentation by one of our experienced elephant caretakers. They will learn about the history of the Sanctuary, the elephants, and the rescue-rehabilitate-reintegrate program. Then, guests venture out to where the herd has chosen to spend the afternoon. They are invited to take photographs, observe and immersive themselves in the experience.

The Zambezi River Sunset Cruise is one of the most popular activities in Victoria Falls. Typically lasting around two hours, the luxury Zambezi Royal cruise explores sections of the upper Zambezi close to the Victoria Falls and further upstream where the Zambezi and Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Parks flank the river. Guests can look forward to 5-star service, hot & cold canapés, creative cocktails and a selection of beverages. The cruise captain will give a brief presentation on the journey of the Zambezi while guests enjoy the stunning scenery on the upper Zambezi River.

Embarking on a game drive embodies the essence of a safari adventure. As the seasons transition from summer rains to winter chill, the wilderness and animal behavior evolve. Yet amidst this change, one constant remains: the chance to forge a profound and genuine bond with the natural world.

Led by expert, enthusiastic, and well-informed Guides, game drives at The Elephant Camp take place during the early mornings or the late afternoons when wildlife is most active during the day.

Selected Spa Treatments are available in the privacy of your suite (subject to availability, on request at an additional charge).