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.

Bedroom with 'infinity' view over the Ruckomechi River
bedroom
bedroom
Room view at Kavinga Safari Camp
view from the bedroom
View through the room at Kavinga Safari Camp
ensuite bathroom
en suite bathroom at Kavinga Safari Camp

The Hide

waterhole and hide below the camp
steps down to the hide
elephant by the waterhole
watchful lions at waterhole
lilac-breasted roller cooling off

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.

lounge area at Kavinga Safari Camp
camp from the river bed
view from the deck
cake with waterhole behind
reception area and bar at Kavinga Safari Camp
lounge area
dining area
tea & coffee always available
  • 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!

    Gennie Thompson Edinburgh, UK
  • Great 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.

    Ronel Viljoen & Laetitia Steynberg South Africa
  • Sitting 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.

    Vicki Macray 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

Ele & Clients
watching the elephant drink with sundowners
wild dog on the hunt
Leopard drinking at Kavinga Safaris

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

Egyptian Vulture
white fronted bee eater
Paradise Whydah

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

Are you open during the wet season?

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.

Can children visit Kavinga?

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.

What about tsetse flies, mosquitos and malaria?

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.

Can we self cater?

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.

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