Chikwenya Camp
Highlights
- Guided walking safaris in the Mana Pools wilderness
- Day game drives and night drives on a private concession
- Canoeing, boat cruises, sunset cruises and catch-and-release tigerfish angling
- Classic Wilderness tented camp with seven suites
- Outstanding birding and wildlife photography
- Exceptional elephant viewing along the Zambezi River
- Views of the Rift Valley escarpment from camp
Information
- Lodge type: Safari Camp
- Location: Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
- Lodge size: 7 Tented Suites
- Recommended stay: 3–7 nights
- Malaria risk: Yes — Mana Pools and the Zambezi Valley are a malaria area; antimalarial prophylaxis is advised
- Getting there: Fly-in by light-aircraft charter as part of a Zimbabwe safari itinerary
Chikwenya Offers Up Incredible Wildlife Viewing, A Luxury Camp In A Wild And Remote Location
Chikwenya Camp is a seven-suite luxury tented camp at the confluence of the Sapi and Zambezi rivers, in a private concession on the eastern boundary of Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in north-western Zimbabwe. The private concession covers 7,000 acres and gives guests 5 km of Zambezi River frontage with no other camps sharing it. That makes Chikwenya Camp one of the most remote Zimbabwe safari camps we offer, and one of the wildest in Southern Africa.
Mana Pools National Park is famous for predators and big game:
- Predators: lion, leopard and African wild dog
- Big game: elephant and buffalo in large numbers
- Plains game: eland, nyala, zebra, kudu, impala, waterbuck, warthog and baboon
The birdlife is spectacular, from carmine bee-eaters to fish eagles on the riverbank. Together with Zambia's Lower Zambezi National Park across the river, Mana Pools ranks among the finest wilderness areas in Africa.
NOTE: Chikwenya Camp opens seasonally from April to mid or late November, depending on the rains.
Rooms and Suites
Chikwenya Camp has 7 tented suites on the banks of the Zambezi River, including two family suites. Every suite has:
- a large bedroom
- an en-suite bathroom with a shower and a freestanding bath
- a private wooden viewing deck facing the river
The two family suites each have two en-suite bedrooms, a large viewing deck and a private plunge pool. They suit small families, or a couple who want real space.
Every suite includes:
- mosquito-netted beds
- fans and electrical outlets
- a safe
- tea and coffee facilities
- a daily laundry service
Cuisine and Wine
Chikwenya Camp serves all meals, from breakfast and brunch through high tea to dinner. The kitchen team cooks with fresh ingredients. Meals are served indoors or out under the albida trees, depending on the weather and time of day. Dinner around the firepit, with hippos calling from the Zambezi, is the evening to look forward to. Please tell us about any dietary requirements when you book, and the camp will cater for them.
Facilities
Chikwenya Camp's central guest area and tented suites stand in a dense forest of albida and Natal mahogany on the Zambezi riverbank, so there's a river view from almost every angle. The thatched main area has:
- indoor and outdoor dining areas
- a small lounge and an outdoor seating area
- a bar with a view over the Zambezi
- a swimming pool with loungers
- an outdoor firepit for evenings under the stars
Activities
Chikwenya Camp offers land and water activities twice a day, led by some of Zimbabwe's most experienced guides and trackers:
- Game drives: morning and afternoon drives through the acacia and albida woodland, with elephant, lion and buffalo the regular stars.
- Night drives: spotlit drives after dark, when leopard, genet, civet and hyena are most active.
- Walking safaris: Mana Pools is one of the few parks in Africa where guided walking is a signature activity, and nothing beats approaching an elephant bull on foot.
- Canoeing and boat cruises: paddling or cruising the Zambezi, with sunset cruises beneath the Rift Valley escarpment.
- Fishing: catch-and-release angling for the Zambezi's famous tigerfish.
Child Friendly
Chikwenya Camp welcomes families aged 12 and over, or 8 and over when a private safari vehicle is booked. The two family suites are designed for them. This is one of the wildest corners of Africa: the camp is unfenced, dangerous animals walk through freely, and malaria is present. Parents need to supervise children at all times, and we'll talk through the right age and set-up for your family before you book.
In Conclusion
Chikwenya Camp is a seven-suite luxury tented camp on 5 km of private Zambezi River frontage at the Sapi confluence, on the eastern edge of Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. The camp combines generous tented suites and a river-view pool with some of the most varied activities in the Zambezi Valley: game drives, night drives, walking safaris, canoeing, boat cruises and tigerfish angling. It is open from April to mid or late November. For wild, uncrowded Big Game country with real comfort at the end of the day, Chikwenya Camp is one of the finest choices in Africa.
Chikwenya Camp Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Chikwenya Camp?
Chikwenya Camp is a luxury tented safari camp in north-western Zimbabwe. It stands at the confluence of the Sapi and Zambezi rivers, in a private concession on the eastern boundary of Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The concession gives the camp's seven tented suites exclusive access to 5 km of Zambezi River frontage, with the Rift Valley escarpment on the horizon.
When is Chikwenya Camp open, and when is the best time to go?
Chikwenya Camp opens seasonally from April to mid or late November, closing when the rains arrive. The best game viewing in Mana Pools runs from August to October, the height of the dry season. At that time water inland has dried up, and elephant, buffalo and predators concentrate along the Zambezi floodplain. April to June is greener, quieter and cooler.
Is Chikwenya Camp in a malaria area?
Chikwenya Camp is in a malaria area. Mana Pools National Park and the whole Zambezi Valley in Zimbabwe carry a malaria risk, so antimalarial prophylaxis is advised for all guests. Speak to a travel clinic before you go. Every bed at Chikwenya Camp has a mosquito net, and long sleeves and repellent in the evenings add further protection.
What activities does Chikwenya Camp offer?
Chikwenya Camp offers morning and afternoon game drives, night drives and guided walking safaris on its private Mana Pools concession. On the Zambezi River, guests can go canoeing, take boat or sunset cruises, and try catch-and-release tigerfish angling. Activities are led by experienced Zimbabwean guides. The mix of walking, driving and water activities makes Chikwenya Camp one of the most varied camps in the Zambezi Valley.
What is included in the Chikwenya Camp rate?
Chikwenya Camp rates are quoted in US dollars, per person per night sharing, and vary by season. They include accommodation, all meals, twice-daily scheduled activities, park fees, laundry and local drinks. They exclude premium imported drinks and champagne, flights, visas, transfers unless stated, optional activities, travel insurance, gratuities and personal items. Uyaphi.com prices Chikwenya Camp as part of a tailor-made Zimbabwe safari.
Plan Your Chikwenya Camp Safari With Uyaphi
Chikwenya Camp is for travellers who want Mana Pools at its wildest: elephant bulls walking through camp, wild dog on the floodplain, and a canoe drifting past hippo under the Rift Valley escarpment. The camp pairs all of this with a suite, a pool and a cold drink waiting at the end of the day.
Timing matters here. August to October delivers the most concentrated game on the Zambezi, and with only seven suites, those months fill early, so plan six to twelve months ahead.
Chikwenya Camp works beautifully on its own for three to four nights. It also pairs naturally with Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park or Lake Kariba on a longer Zimbabwe fly-in safari.
Uyaphi.com has been planning African safaris from Cape Town since 1999, and 27 years of Zambezi Valley experience go into every itinerary we build. Tell us your dates, your budget and what you most want to see, and we'll build your Chikwenya Camp safari around you. There are no booking fees and no credit card surcharges.
Rates form part of a safari itinerary
Chikwenya Camp Rates
Per person per night sharing
Rates are in US Dollar
*Rates may vary according to season
- Camp accommodation
- All meals
- Twice daily scheduled camp activities
- Park fees
- Laundry
- All local drinks
- Premium imported brands and champagne
- All flights
- Visas
- Transfers, unless stated
- Optional activities
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
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