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Little Mana Sands Aerial
Credit: James Tyrrell
A golden-hour aerial view of Little Mana Sands, nestled discreetly beneath the tree line with sweeping views of the Zambezi River and escarpment. The camp’s rustic charm blends seamlessly into the floodplain, offering guests an intimate and immersive safari setting.
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Little Mana Sands Tent in Golden Light
Credit: James Tyrrell
Golden light spills across the deck of a Little Mana Sands tent, casting dappled shadows through the trees. Each canvas suite is tucked into the forest edge, offering a private, peaceful retreat with close connection to the natural surroundings.
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Little Mana Sands Exterior Family Tent View
Credit: James Tyrrell
Set beneath the trees and overlooking the floodplain, this Little Mana Sands’ family tent offers a front-row seat to the wilderness. Spacious, comfortable, and designed for simplicity, each tent opens onto a private deck with uninterrupted views of the escarpment and passing wildlife.
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Little Mana Sands Tent Interior in Golden Light
Credit: Diana Hewlett
Morning light spills across the bed in one of Little Mana Sands’ tented rooms, highlighting earthy textures, soft linens, and curated touches. Mesh walls bring the outside in, offering guests golden views of the bush from the comfort of bed.
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Little Mana Sands Family Tent Interior
Credit: James Tyrrell
A peek inside one of the family tents at Little Mana Sands — spacious, practical, and warmly styled. Twin beds and a king-bed area are separated by a wardrobe divider with ample room for play, relaxation, and quality time. Designed with families in mind, this tent offers an easy flow between indoor and outdoor living, just steps from the wild.
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Little Mana Sands Exterior Family Tent Private Deck
Credit: Diana Hewlett
As the sun sets behind the escarpment, guests relax on the private deck of a Little Mana Sands family tent. Overlooking seasonal pools and open floodplain, this secluded perch is perfect for quiet reflection, birdwatching, or a sundowner shared in stillness.
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Little Mana Sands Main Area by Night Astro
Credit: Mitch Riley
Under a canopy of stars, the main area at Little Mana Sands glows softly with lantern light and campfire warmth. Evenings here are about quiet conversation, connection to the wild, and the unforgettable magic of the African night sky.
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Little Mana Sands Main Area Fire Pit and Deck by Night
Credit: James Tyrrell
Guests gather around the fire pit and dining deck at Little Mana Sands, where evenings are spent under the trees with soft lighting, good company, and the sounds of the bush all around. This is safari life — unhurried, authentic, and deeply connected to nature.
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Little Mana Sands Dining Aerial
Credit: James Tyrrell
A bird’s-eye view of a shared lunch at Little Mana Sands. While not every meal is hosted this way, some are served family-style with your group, creating space for connection, conversation, and relaxed enjoyment in the heart of the bush.
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Little Mana Sands Exteriors WalkwayBridge
Credit: James Tyrrell
A guest walks along one of the few timber walkways at Little Mana Sands, used only where terrain requires elevated access. Surrounded by dense riverine bush, these discreet bridges connect select tents to the main areas while maintaining the camp’s natural, low-impact design and sense of wild seclusion.
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Little Mana Sands Tent Bathroom
Credit: Diana Hewlett
Each Little Mana Sands tent features a well-appointed en-suite bathroom with double basins, a walk-in shower, and thoughtful touches throughout. The toilet is tucked away behind a private sliding door for added comfort, while natural textures and soft lighting maintain the camp’s earthy, elegant feel.
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Mana Sands Main Camp Aerial Wide
Credit: James Tyrrell
A wide aerial of Mana Sands Main Camp, nestled in its private concession on the edge of a seasonal pan. The layout offers space, seclusion, and sweeping views of the floodplain — a rare sense of privacy on the remote Western boundary of Mana Pools.
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Mana Sands Main Camp Pool Deck and Surrounds
Credit: James Tyrrell
An aerial view of Mana Sands Main Camp’s pool deck, overlooking a seasonal pan directly in front of the eastern tents and main area. With shaded loungers and a private plunge pool, it’s an ideal space to cool off, unwind, and watch for wildlife drawn to the water.
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Mana Sands Main Camp Pool Deck G&T
Credit: James Tyrrell
Sundrenched and slow — a chilled G&T waits on the pool deck at Mana Sands Main Camp as guests enjoy a midday dip. With views over the seasonal pan and bush beyond, this is barefoot luxury at its most refreshing.
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Mana Sands Main Camp Private Deck Area
Credit: Diana Hewlett
A guest relaxes on the private deck of a tented suite at Mana Sands Main Camp. With plunge pools, loungers, and glass-fronted interiors, each suite offers secluded comfort and a front-row seat to the wild.
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Mana Sands Main Camp Bed looking Outside
Credit: Diana Hewlett
A tranquil moment in a Mana Sands Main Camp suite, where the bed faces out towards the trees beyond. Neutral tones and soft textures reflect the surrounding wilderness, while the open design invites the outdoors in — a perfect harmony of comfort and immersion in nature.
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Mana Sands Main Camp Bed from Lounge Area
Credit: Diana Hewlett
Soft filtered light spills across the bed at Mana Sands Main Camp, highlighting natural textures, handwoven details, and a serene palette inspired by the bush. Thoughtfully designed for comfort and calm, each suite features air conditioning, quality linens, and an understated luxury that blends seamlessly with the wild surroundings.
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Mana Sands Main Camp Bubbles
Credit: James Tyrrell
Locally made and sustainably bottled, these bespoke bath amenities are crafted exclusively for Mana Sands. Infused with our signature Elephant & Albida scent — a soothing blend of essential oils inspired by the bush — they pair perfectly with a glass of bubbles and a long soak as the day winds down.
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Mana Sands Main Camp Bath
Credit: James Tyrrell
A guest unwinds in her bath at sunset, glass of wine in hand and plunge pool just steps away. At Mana Sands Main Camp, even a simple soak becomes a golden-hour ritual — surrounded by birdsong, wild air, and the quiet luxury of nature.
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Mana Sands Main Camp Private Plunge Pool
Credit: James Tyrrell
A guest enjoys a quiet moment in a private plunge pool at Mana Sands Main Camp, with uninterrupted views across the floodplain toward the Zambezi escarpment. Perfect for sunset soaks or midday cool-downs, this pool promises stillness, space, and soul-soothing luxury.
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Mana Sands Main Camp Private Deck Area Sundowners
Credit: James Tyrrell
As the sun sinks behind the escarpment, a guest savours a quiet sundowner on the private deck of her tented suite at Mana Sands Main Camp. With a plunge pool at her feet and lanterns ready to glow, it’s the kind of stillness that stays with you long after you’ve gone.
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Mana Sands Main Camp Private Deck Dining
Credit: James Tyrrell
Private dining on one of our private decks at Mana Sands Main Camp, set against a glowing sunset and mirrored reflections in the seasonal pan below. With attentive hosting and no one else in sight, this is safari elegance distilled into a single, unforgettable evening.
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Mana Sands Game Viewer at Sunrise
Credit: James Tyrrell
Our game drive vehicles are all new and built for comfort in the wild. Configured in a luxury 6-passenger setup in the back, they can be easily adapted to accommodate up to 9 guests plus one in the front beside the guide. Photographed here at sunrise, this is where your Mana Sands safari begins — with the promise of adventure just beyond the horizon.
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Mana Sands Game Drive
Credit: James Tyrrell
Game drives at Mana Sands are about more than just sightings — they’re about immersion. Here, guests journey through the dappled light and earthy stillness of Mana’s beautiful mopani forests. Whether it’s the thrill of tracking wildlife or simply soaking up the magic of these ancient trees, every drive reveals a new layer of the wilderness.
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Mana Sands Walking Safari Briefing
Credit: James Tyrrell
Before every walking safari at Mana Sands, our expert guides lead a thorough safety briefing to ensure all guests feel confident and prepared. These briefings are an essential part of the experience — offering insights into animal behavior, communication signals, and what to expect while exploring the wild on foot. Safety, respect, and situational awareness are the foundation of every walk in Mana Pools.
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Mana Sands Walking Safaris
Credit: James Tyrrell
Mana Pools is world-renowned for its exceptional walking safaris — and at Mana Sands, it’s easy to see why. Step off the vehicle and into an ancient ecosystem, where every sense sharpens and each moment stretches. Guided by some of the region’s finest professional guides, guests move quietly through the bush, often encountering wildlife like this dazzle of zebra — all without the hum of an engine or the frame of a vehicle. Just earth, breath, and wildness.
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Mana Sands Coffee Stop on Safari
Credit: James Tyrrell
Pause. Breathe. Soak it all in.
A morning coffee stop at Mana Sands is more than just a caffeine break — it’s a moment to reconnect, reflect, and revel in the rhythm of the wild. Whether you’re watching birds skim the water or simply enjoying good company, this is safari living at its most peaceful.
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Mana Sands Bush Breakfast with a View
Credit: James Tyrrell
There’s something magical about gathering for breakfast in the open air — fresh coffee brewing, stories from the morning walk or game drive shared between bites, and the gentle rustle of the bush all around.
At Mana Sands, our bush breakfasts are designed to nourish not just the body, but the spirit. Comfortable, considered, and deeply connected to nature — it’s slow safari living at its best.
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Mana Sands - Barefoot Luxury
Credit: James Tyrrell
At Mana Sands, luxury feels like warm sand underfoot, birdsong in the trees, and the thrill of walking through wild spaces.
This wasn’t a scheduled walk, just one of those spontaneous moments — a sundowner stop that turned into a barefoot wander down to the river. No boots, no vehicles, no rush. Just guests, guides, and the golden hush of Mana Pools.
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Mana Sands - Magic
Credit: James Tyrrell
There are moments in Mana Pools that defy words — when the sky turns to silk, the water lies still, and a tusker appears as if conjured from the landscape. This wasn’t planned or posed. Just a quiet evening near one of the pans in front of camp, a few guests stretching their legs… and a gentle giant who wandered into view.
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Mana Sands - Zambezi Solitude
Credit: James Tyrrell
As the sun melts into the river, there's a quiet rhythm to fishing on the Zambezi. It’s not about what you catch — it’s about this golden light, the cast and pull, and the stillness that settles in as day turns to dusk. At Mana Sands, evenings like these are yours to savour.
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Mana Sands - River Experiences
Credit: James Tyrrell
Skimming across the Zambezi with the escarpment rising on one side and Mana Pools unfolding on the other — it’s hard to imagine a more iconic stretch of river. Whether you're heading out for a morning of fishing, a riverside sundowner, or just chasing the wind and wildlife, our boats offer comfort, speed, and a front-row seat to Africa at its wildest.
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Mana Sands Sandbank Lunch in the Zambezi
Credit: James Tyrrell
Tucked into the blue ribbon of the Zambezi and cradled by the golden shores of Mana Pools, our sandbank picnics feel like something out of a dream. With the escarpment rising on one side and endless river views on the other, guests can splash in the shallows before settling in for lunch or a G&T in the sunshine — feet in the water, eyes on the horizon, and not another soul in sight.
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Mana Sands - Lunch, Laughter & the Zambezi
Credit: James Tyrrell
There’s something magical about sandbank picnics on the Zambezi — a chance to slow down, kick off your shoes, and enjoy the wild in its simplest, most joyful form. Tables are set in the shallows, boats are anchored just off the edge, and laughter carries across the water. It’s barefoot luxury at its best — relaxed, unhurried, and utterly unforgettable.
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Mana Sands - Dining on a Sandbank
Credit: James Tyrrell
Lunch doesn’t get more memorable than this. With toes in the shallows and sunlight dappling the surface, our sandbank picnics are a signature Mana Sands WOW experience — relaxed, beautiful, and wildly remote. Whether it’s a long table shared with friends or a quiet toast for two, there’s something about dining in the river that stays with you long after you’ve dried your feet.
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Mana Sands - Sundowners, Mana Style
Credit: James Tyrrell
There’s something timeless about the ritual of sundowners on the Zambezi. The heat has softened, the bush begins to stir, and the river catches the last of the light. With the escarpment in silhouette and the fire-orange sky fading to indigo, this is where stories are told, silence is shared — and every sip just tastes better.
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Mana Sands - Canoeing on the Zambezi at Sunset
Credit: Diana Hewlett
As the sun dips behind the escarpment and spills golden light across the Zambezi, canoeing becomes a quiet meditation. Drifting with the current, each paddle stroke breaks the stillness as birdcalls echo from the banks. It’s a Mana Sands moment that slows time — wild, weightless, and utterly unforgettable.
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Mana Sands Birding - Lilac Breasted Roller
Credit: Diana Hewlett
Mana Pools is a birder’s paradise, home to over 400 recorded species — from iconic raptors and seasonal migrants to jewel-toned residents like the lilac-breasted roller. Known for its vivid plumage and acrobatic flight displays, this striking bird is a guest favourite and a frequent sight around Mana Sands. Whether you're a seasoned twitcher or simply enchanted by birdsong at sunrise, birding in Mana is as magical as the landscape itself — where even a quiet drive can deliver rare sightings, and every tree holds a surprise.
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Mana Sands Leopard
Credit: James Tyrrell
Elusive, regal, and breathtakingly beautiful — the leopard is the crown jewel of any safari. Spotted occasionally in the woodlands and riverine forests of Mana Pools, these silent predators are masters of camouflage. A sighting like this is always special, and when it happens close to camp, it feels nothing short of extraordinary. Mana Sands' varied terrain and low visitor numbers make moments like this possible — private, powerful, and unforgettable.
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Mana Sands - Wild Dog Pups
Credit: James Tyrrell
Playful, precious, and incredibly rare — wild dog sightings are always a thrill, but watching a pile of pups tumbling in the dust is truly unforgettable. Mana Pools is one of the last strongholds for these endangered predators, and our guests often have the privilege of observing their social bonds, high-energy play, and pack dynamics up close. From early morning hunts to lazy afternoons like this one, every moment with them is a gift.
