Relax
The Camp
Your Room
This exclusive camp consists of 7 comfortable raised tents, built on the edge of the cliff, facing east, with a view of the rising sun above the magnificent Zambezi Valley floor.
Each tent has been designed with an emphasis on privacy and is surrounded by insect repellent gauze, allowing the air to circulate, contributing to maximum coolness. Inside each tent are 2 comfortable beds in flexible arrangements, to cater for everyone’s needs, as well as an ensuite bathroom.
In front, your private verandah directly over the edge of the cliff, giving a feeling of infinite space.
The Hide
Get right among the wildlife in this termite mound shaped hide. Creatively designed to keep you cool and give you an astonishing 180 degree view of the water hole from elephant-foot level.
During the day see herds of game and beautiful and rare birds from the amazing vantage point.
After the sun sets, you may watch the predators approach, and catch a glimpse of those elusive nocturnal animals such as porcupine, leopards, honey badgers or even an aardvark!
The Lounge & Dining Area
The central dining and lounge area has two decks, providing a magnificent vista across the dry riverbed and to the waterhole below.
Cozy up on the sofa with a book and your binos, or linger over a cool gin and tonic at the sun set plays with the colours of the valley floor.
There is a firepit to relax by at night, gazing at the stars and looking out for nocturnal visitors.
Enjoy your delicious dinner with a glass of wine to the sounds of lions calling and hyena whooping.
Mesmerizing and breathtaking !! Such amazing facilities and staff, couldn't have asked for a better trip in the bush - perfect balance between nature and luxury!
Edinburgh, UKGreat setting, lots of entertainment watching animals drinking. Thank you. We had a great stay with wonderful catering and felt very welcome. We shared our love for birding and trees and could not ask for a better guide. All the specials that we could hope for – leopard and elephant at the tent plus various special birds.
South AfricaSitting in the middle of the waterhole, who could ask for anything more? Lots of cooling wind, fabulous staff and endless amounts of game. We had a wonderful time.
Harare, Zimbabwe
Kavinga Safari Camp is located in a private concession area, near the southern boundary of Mana Pools National Park, approximately 1 kilometre upstream of the confluence of the Ruckomechi and Chiwuye Rivers. The camp is situated on a cliff overlooking the dry Ruckomechi riverbed and is set against the extraordinary backdrop of the Zambezi Escarpment.
Approximately 9km from the camp is the renowned Chitake Spring, which has a legendary reputation for superb game viewing and predators. The herds of buffalo, which drink at the spring through the dryer months, are frequent visitors to the area, as they traverse the valley in search of grazing. Most evenings, herds of elephant gather in the riverbed, providing a wonderful wildlife spectacle. Shyer species, like leopard, visit the pan right below the camp under the cover of darkness.
Our professional guides have accumulated a vast amount of knowledge about the movements of the various species in the area. This has enabled them to pinpoint specific vantage points, which together with a carefully disguised hide allow memorable photographic opportunities, so that guests can capture those sought-after once-in-a- lifetime shots.
If it’s adventure you seek, be it walking, tracking, exploring the hills and river systems, studying the birds or just relaxing in camp taking in the view, Kavinga Safari Camp will offer you that “Unique Experience in an Untouched Wilderness”.
Activities
Mana Pools National Park has so much to offer. Photographic opportunities are plenty and the flora and fauna is diverse. Game drives, night drives, bush walks, birding, game viewing up close in our hide by the pan and stargazing are the main activities on offer on our concession. You will be accompanied by one of our guides on all activities.
Birding
The African Pitta has been spotted on our concession for the last 3 years. Other sightings for keen birders are the Egyptian Vulture, Grasshopper Buzzard, Western Yellow Wagtail and Basra Reed Warbler. We also have good colonies of the Southern Carmine Bee Eater, White Fronted Bee Eater, Little Bee Eater, Swallow Tailed Bee Eater and the European Bee Eater.
Some frequently asked questions and answers
Unfortunately, our camp is closed over the wet season from the end of November to the beginning of April. The area becomes inaccessible during the rains when the Ruckomechi River starts to flow in front of the camp.
Kavinga is a very wild camp so unfortunately we must advise that we cannot accommodate children under 10 years old, unless by very special prior arrangement or possibly in a group booking the whole camp. Only a maximum of 3 people staying in a tent (eg. 2 adults + 1 child OR 1 adult + 2 children). We have a no under 14 years old walking age restriction.
Mana Pools National Park is in a tsetse fly and malaria region. Tsetse fly and mosquito bites can sometimes be irritating, so please bring along antihistamine tablets, cream or other appropriate medication, if you are prone to allergic reactions from insect bites. Wear loose fitting clothing on game drives, a light waterproof jacket may also help. We strongly suggest that you avoid wearing black and dark blue clothing during the day, as these colours do tend to attract the flies.
Unfortunately we do not offer a self-catering option at Kavinga. Our rates are all inclusive and cover accommodation, meals, drinks, activities with a professional guide (game drives, bush walks, night drives, birding, stargazing and game viewing from the hide overlooking our pan), as well as National Parks fees during your stay – so you don’t have to worry about paying for anything once you’ve arrived in camp.
