What to bring?

If you are flying on a charter flight at any time during your visit, please note that small planes normally have a luggage restriction of a maximum of 20kg/person including hand luggage. This luggage must be packed in a SOFT bag.

Don’t forget these!

– Personal toiletries and medication

– Insect repellent

– Sunscreen

– Sunglasses

– Good flashlight or head-lamp

– Camera

– Binoculars

– A good book to read

– Your own fishing gear if you wish to fish

– A spirit of adventure

Clothing

Your clothing should be casual and lightweight. Bright colours should be avoided and neutral colours (khaki, green, grey, brown) are recommended.

 

Early mornings and evenings can be cold – especially on the back of a vehicle, but mid-day is usually very warm. So, when packing, think in terms of layers that can be peeled-off as the daytime temperatures rise. Here is a suggested clothing packing list:

– 2 pairs trousers

– 2 pairs shorts (zip-off longs are best so you have both longs & shorts)

– 3 lightweight fast-drying shirt – long sleeves will protect your arms from the sun

– 3 pairs of socks Underwear

– Hat or cap

– A lightweight windbreaker – early mornings on open vehicles can be chilly

– A fleece

– A warm jacket (winter)

– A buff is also very useful

– A Kikoi or Sarong is another multi-use item

– Beanie (if you’re travelling in winter)

– Gloves for winter

– Comfortable walking shoes

– Sandals for around camp and canoeing

Wild animals 

Please be aware that your safari will take you into close proximity of wild animals. Attacks are highly unlikely but no safari in the African wilderness can guarantee this will not occur.

 

All guests will be required to sign an indemnity form prior to embarking on their safari. Our safaris are guided by armed Professional Guides who undergo rigorous training before they are issued a guide’s license. Our Guides have many years of experience both conducting walking trails and canoeing the Zambezi River.

Camp Mana - Safari Camp - Mana Pools, Zimbabwe

Health – insurance

Mana Pools is situated in a Malaria area. Malaria is seasonal in this area, however we recommend that prior to travel you consult a medical professional regarding malarial prophylaxis.

 

Please bring with you any personal medication that you may require. Our guides are trained in first aid and we have an emergency evacuation plan in place.

 

We strongly recommend that prior to travel you ensure that you have travel and health insurance in place.

Camp Mana - Safari Camp - Mana Pools, Zimbabwe

Weather

Winter & summer occur at the opposite times of year from the northern hemisphere. Our operational months of April to October are the dry season.

  • Minimum temperature

  • Maximum temperature

Average maximum and minimum temperatures (C) by month

Camp Mana - Safari Camp - Mana Pools, Zimbabwe

FAQ

Camp Mana - Safari Camp - Mana Pools, Zimbabwe

The camp

Does Camp Mana have hair-dryers?

Camp Mana is an environmentally sensitive safari camp that operates almost entirely on solar power and we therefore have a limited amount of electrical power. Hair dryers draw an enormous amount of electrical power and we therefore do not supply these. Furthermore, our solar system cannot accommodate the use of hair dryers. During the safari season the air is extremely dry and hair dryers are not necessary.

Do the tents have electricity?

Every tent is supplied with two solar powered lights for illumination. There are no electrical plugs in the tents. Our central dining area has a power bank for the convenience of guests wishing to charge their appliances. Because this power bank is solar charged, we request that guests charge their equipment in the middle of the day when the sun is at its strongest.

 

In the event of an emergency or sustained cloudy weather we do have a back-up generator.

Does the camp provide Wi-Fi for visitors?

The emphasis of Camp Mana is relaxation and electronic disconnection. Furthermore, the camp is extremely remote & signal is intermittent and limited. We therefore encourage you to make the most of the opportunity by switching-off your electronic communication, relaxing and getting back in touch with yourself.

Do the tents have en suite bathrooms?

Yes, all of our guest tents have an en suite flush toilet and shower. These are all enclosed for your security and peace of mind.

Are there insects in Mana Pools?

Yes, Mana Pools has a rich variety of life, including insect life. We advise our guests to apply insect repellant. Our tents are enclosed and have insect screens on all the windows and the door. We regularly spray our tents to keep insects away from your sleeping area.

Can the tents be closed completely?

Our tents have a built-in ground sheet. For those who enjoy fresh air and the sounds of the bush at night, all the canvas window flaps can be raised leaving a gauze window in place. For those who feel like they need extra security, all the canvas flaps can be closed.

Is the water safe to drink?

In the spirit of our quest to minimise environmental impact, we do not provide endless bottles of water. Instead we provide each of our guests with a water bottle which they can fill as and when they wish. We have safe drinking water at the central dining area & provide a jug of drinking water in each tent.

 

Our shower water comes from The Zambezi River & while many of our guides drink this water, we would not recommend that foreign visitors do so. Prior to reaching your shower, this water is chlorinated as an extra insurance for your well-being.

Practical

Is it safe to come on safari to Mana Pools?

Mana Pools is one of the iconic wilderness areas of Africa. It is well known for its high density of wild animals including elephants, Lion, Buffalo & Hippopotamus. Camp Mana is not fenced and wild animals therefore may pass through the camp. While there are potential dangers, our guides and staff are highly trained and we consider a safari to Mana Pools to be no more dangerous than living in any major city. It is essential to follow the instructions of your guide and the camp staff.

One of our staff will escort you to your tent after dark.

How can I get to Mana Pools?

There are several options for getting into Mana Pools:

  • Scheduled charter from Victoria Falls (2 hours 15 minutes)

  • Scheduled charter from Harare (1 hour 10 minutes)

  • Private charters are also available. These provide more flexibility with regards to timing but please note that times may differ from above, depending on aircraft used.

  • Harare to Chirundu road transfer (4 hours) then boat transfer to Nyamepi, Mana Pools (1 hours 15 minutes); game drive from here to camp.

  • Lusaka, Zambia to Chirundu Border (2.5 hours) then 5 minutes to boat and the boat transfer into Nyamepi, Mana Pools (1 hours 15 minutes); then game drive from here to camp. We cannot accurately estimate how long border formalities will take at Chirundu Border.

  • Self-drive option (please note that the road into Mana Pools can be in very bad condition).

When flying in, guests will be met by our staff at the airstrip. When arriving by boat, guests will be met at Nyamepi by our staff.

Will I need a visa in order to visit Camp Mana?

Camp Mana is situated inside Zimbabwe. Nationals of certain countries do require a visa in order to enter Zimbabwe, but this visa is obtainable upon arrival in the country. Please note that there is a special multi-country visa which is valid for Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana. This visa is called the KAZA visa. If you intend visiting Zambia or Botswana during your stay, please enquire about the KAZA visa upon arrival in the sub-region.

Is Mana Pools in a malaria area?

Yes, Mana Pools is situated within a malaria area. In our area malaria tends to be seasonal but we recommend that all guests obtain professional medical advice regarding malarial prophylaxis before travelling. We also advise using insect repellant in the evenings while on safari. Wearing long sleeves also reduces the chances of being bitten by mosquitos.

 

We regularly spray our tents against mosquitos and other insects.

Is there an airstrip at Mana Pools?

Yes. There are two airstrips in Mana. We use Mana Main (FVMN) which is approximately a 45-minute game-drive from Camp Mana. The coordinates are:

 

Lat: -15.7670001984 (15°46’1″S)
Lng: 29.3829994202 (29°22’58″E)

What is the best time of year to visit Mana Pools?

Mana Pools is wonderful year-round, however because of challenges of accessibility during the rainy season, Camp Mana is open from April until November every year & each month has its unique attractions. Game viewing improves from April going forward into the dry season. October is the driest and hottest month of the year.

Terms and conditions

1. Bookings can be made either by sending an email to reservations@campmana.com or online using our booking portal. Bookings are only confirmed when a 50{992c09d216723bba712e19c708c0ed61a069a9a7920b4acd8a3f50f7ab1bfafe} deposit has been received.

 

2. Full payment for all safaris is due 6 weeks before the safari commences. If the booking is made within 6 weeks of departure, full payment is required on confirmation of the booking.

 

3. A written notice is required if you wish to cancel your booking.

More than 6 weeks prior to departure – 30{992c09d216723bba712e19c708c0ed61a069a9a7920b4acd8a3f50f7ab1bfafe} cancellation fee applies

4 – 6 weeks prior to departure – 50{992c09d216723bba712e19c708c0ed61a069a9a7920b4acd8a3f50f7ab1bfafe} cancellation fee applies

2 – 4 weeks prior to departure – 75{992c09d216723bba712e19c708c0ed61a069a9a7920b4acd8a3f50f7ab1bfafe} cancellation fee applies.

Less than 2 weeks prior to departure – 100{992c09d216723bba712e19c708c0ed61a069a9a7920b4acd8a3f50f7ab1bfafe} cancellation fee applies

 

No refunds will be given in the case of no-show on due date or when a person leaves the safari before its due end.

 

4. Sunpath Safaris will not be responsible for costs incurred during money transfers – we will require receipt of the complete invoiced amount.

Camp Mana - Safari Camp - Mana Pools, Zimbabwe

Activities

Do you provide binoculars for your guests?

We do have a single pair of binoculars and spotting scope at the dining area for use by all of our guests. These are kept in this area as a convenience for guests who may have left their own binoculars in their tent, because the game viewing & birding inside Camp Mana is so incredible. Please note that these binoculars are for camp use only and may not be taken on game drives. In order to derive maximum enjoyment, we recommend that guests bring their own binoculars on safari.

How many guests per vehicle?

We take a maximum of 7 guests per vehicle (unless requested to take more) thereby guaranteeing that each of our guests enjoys an outside seat.

How much should we tip the staff?

Gratuities are not obligatory, however if you feel that you have received excellent service our staff will greatly appreciate a tip. Many guests ask what is an appropriate amount to tip. The suggested amounts are $5 – $10 per guest per day for the general staff and the same for your guide. Tips for the general staff should be given to the manager and are shared equally between all staff. Tips for your guide should be given directly to him/her.

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