7 Days Lake Kariba and Mana Pool Safari

Tour Type

Explore Tours

On this 7 Days Lake Kariba and Mana Pool Safari, guests visit two different camps in two very different National Parks in Zimbabwe, the Matusadona National Park and the Mana Pools National Park. Both National Parks and the featured accommodation offer unique features and a variety of activities, all aimed to ensure an exciting and diverse safari experience. Gondwana Tours and Safaris will tailor make any safari according to your individual needs – please contact us directly should you wish to change this itinerary in any way.

7 Days Lake Kariba and Mana Pool Safari Highlights

Day 1: Arrive at Harare, flight to Bumi Hills (Lake Kariba) & boat transfer to Rhino Safari Camp Day 2-3: Explore the area around Rhino Safari Camp Day 4: Transfer by boat to Bumi Hills & by light aircraft transfer to Kanga Camp, Mana Pools Day 5-6: Explore Mana Pools with Kanga Camp as your base Day 7: Light aircraft transfer to Harare

7 Days Lake Kariba and Mana Pools Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Harare, flight to Bumi Hills (Lake Kariba) & boat transfer to Rhino Safari Camp

On arrival at either Victoria Falls or Harare International Airport you will be met and assisted to board your light aircraft charter transfer to Bumi Hills at Lake Kariba. From here a boat transfer will take you to Rhino Safari Camp. Rhino Safari Camp is an intimate, traditional bushcamp nestled within dense bushveld along the shoreline of Lake Kariba at the north-western end of the Matusadona National Park.

Arrive at Rhino Safari Camp and check into one of the seven twin bedded, open fronted, en-suite bedroom chalets, raised on stilted platforms and discreetly spaced along the shoreline – all with spectacular views over Lake Kariba’s panoramic water. Enjoy afternoon tea before heading out for some afternoon activities such as a sunset boat cruise or afternoon game drive. Upon return to the lodge dinner awaits you.

Day 2-3: Explore the area around Rhino Safari Camp

Spend the next two days exploring the area round Rhino Safari Camp. Rhino Safari Camp offers a totally uncontrived safari experience in unspoilt wilderness surroundings. Activities offered here are game drives (early morning and afternoon), walking safaris, fishing trips by boat on Lake Kariba and boat cruises (including a sunset cruises), there is something for everybody’s taste and liking. You will be able to experience African wildlife such as such as elephants, lions, leopards, wild dogs, cheetah, hippos, crocodiles as well as antelopes and a plethora of birds. Dinner under the canopy of the African sky awaits you upon your return to the camp.

Day 4: Transfer by boat to Bumi Hills & by light aircraft transfer to Kanga Camp, Mana Pools

This morning transfer back to Bumi Hills to catch your light aircraft charter transfer to Kanga Camp, Mana Pools. Mana Pools National Park is situated in the northern region of Zimbabwe, on the southern banks of the Zambezi River. Kanga Camp is nestled within a private concession in Mana Pools National Park and is an utterly untouched wilderness paradise.

Adjacent to the remote Kanga Pan, this seasonal camp offers an unspoiled, authentic Mana Pools safari experience. After settling into Meru-styled tented room, each raised on an individual wooden platform for an elevated view over the Kanga Pan enjoy the afternoon tea break followed by an afternoon game activity. Alternatively relax on the Camp’s upper deck lounge under the shade of a mahogany tree or find refreshing respite at the plunge pool.

Day 5-6: Explore Mana Pools with Kanga Camp as your base

Enjoy the following two days exploring and getting to know the Mana Pools area and its wildlife. Activities at Kanga Camp include guided walking safaris and thrilling game drives led by qualified and passionate guides who will share their knowledge and love of the bush with you. Besides game drives and walking excursions, an hour’s drive brings you to the Zambezi flood plains in Mana pools for canoeing and fishing excursions.

One of the main highlights during your stay is “Kanga Under the Stars” – an opportunity to sleep out on an open platform and experience the magnificence of an African night lit up solely by a sky studded with stars.

Day 7: Light aircraft transfer to Harare

Today you will bid farewell to Kanga Camp and the Mana Pools National Park. Depending on your travel itinerary you may still be able to enjoy a morning activity such as a game drive or guided bush walk. Alternatively relax at the lodge before your light aircraft charter transfer will take you back to Harare International Airport for your onward journey.

End of 7 Days Lake Kariba and Mana Pool Safari

GENERAL INFORMATION

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

All visitors to Victoria Falls must have a valid passport with at least 4 consecutive blanks pages. The Government of Tanzania has rolled out an online Visa application portal accessible on internet. Any applicable visa and/or relevant documentation are the responsibility of the traveler. For further information on Visa requirements visitors are advised to contact their nearest Zimbabwe Embassy or Consulate.

LANGUAGE: English

TIME: GMT +3

CLIMATE: Southern Africa climate is predominantly tropical. The long rains are from mid-March to late May and the short rains from November to January. The hottest months are from October to February and the coolest months are June to August.

VOLTAGE: 220 Volts/AC50Hz. Sockets are UK style, 3 pin square plugs. Power is from the National Grid in the city/major towns and generator with inverter back up in the Safari Lodges and Camps.

CURRENCY: Foreign currency must be changed at the Bank, Bureau de Change, and Hotel/Safari lodge/Camp/Resort. Major Credit Cards, Master card, Visa, American Express, are usually accepted throughout the country. Where credit cards are accepted, the payment will normally be recorded in US$ regardless of the card’s default currency. However, US$ older than 2009 are only accepted

CLOTHING: Dress is mainly informal and should be comfortable as well as practical. Something warm should be brought along for early morning and evenings. Safari clothes are available from hotels/lodges/camps.

BAGGAGE: Where possible, travel light. Baggage space on safari is limited to medium suitcase or soft bag per person plus reasonable amount of hand luggage. There is 15 Kilogram per person limit on all flights to the wildlife sanctuaries. Excess luggage must be stored in your arrival hotel.

WATER: You will find many different of opinion of what is safe and what is not. We recommend for peace of mind, to drink local Bottled Mineral water. It is important to drink plenty of water especially during the hotter months. We would recommend that guests drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water per day to limit the effects of dehydration.

HEALTH: Southern Africa is a safe and secure destination; however, it is a good idea to take a few precautions. Kindly consult your GP or local doctor at least 6 weeks before you travel, with regards:

Malaria prophylactics. East Africa is a known malaria area and preventive measures are essential. You are advised to take one of the recommended anti-malarial drugs. Be sure to wear long sleeved shorts and trousers after sunset and spray the exposed parts of your body with a mosquito repellent spray. The hotels provide mosquito repellent sachets as part of the room’s amenities in all our locations.

Remember to protect yourself from direct sun rays with sunscreen cream or safari hat.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS: For those guests with specific dietary requirement, please ensure Imbasa is notified prior to travel so that the respective Hotels and Lodges are informed

GRATUITIES: As a guideline and dependent on how happy you are, we would suggest the following:

The General Hotel/Lodge/Camp Staff – Approximately U$ 10.00 per person per day

Driver Guides – Approximately US$ 15.00 to US$ 20.00 per person per day

PHOTOGRAPHY: Please be careful when photographing public buildings, airports, bridges, the national flag and people in uniform. Ensure that you have sought permission before photographing local people and their villages. If in doubt, please check with your guide.

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