Nyamatusi Camp
Highlights
- Only six luxury tented suites, each with a private plunge pool
- Prime Zambezi River frontage in remote eastern Mana Pools
- Walking safaris among elephant, lion and wild dog
- Canoeing and catch-and-release tigerfish fishing on the Zambezi
- Outstanding birdlife on the Zambezi floodplain
- Evenings around the fire pit under a vast Zimbabwean sky
- A sunken wine cellar with a thoughtfully chosen collection
Information
- Lodge type: Luxury tented safari camp
- Location: Eastern Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
- Lodge size: 6 luxury tented suites
- Recommended stay: 3–7 nights
- Malaria risk: Yes — Mana Pools is a high-risk malaria area; take prophylaxis on medical advice
- Getting there: About 390 km from Harare (6–8 hours by road), or roughly 1 hour 30 minutes by light aircraft from Harare to Mana Main airstrip, then a guided game-drive transfer to camp
Nyamatusi Is A Luxurious And Intimate Safari Camp On The Mighty Zambezi In The Mana Pools
Nyamatusi Camp is a six-suite luxury tented safari camp on the banks of the Zambezi River in eastern Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe's UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nyamatusi Camp is run by African Bush Camps. It looks out over the Zambezi floodplain to the blue wall of the Zambezi Escarpment. This is one of the wildest, least-visited corners of one of Africa's finest walking-safari parks.
Nyamatusi Camp suits couples, honeymooners, photographers and small groups of friends who want the remote Mana Pools experience with genuine luxury wrapped around it. Elephant browse the albida trees on the floodplain, wild dog den in the surrounding woodland, and the light over the river at dusk is a gift to any camera. With only six suites, Nyamatusi Camp never feels busy, and the guiding is personal from the first morning to the last.
Rooms and Suites
Nyamatusi Camp's six luxury tented suites each face the Zambezi River and the escarpment beyond, with a private wooden deck and a private plunge pool. Every suite has a lounge area, a spacious bedroom, and an en-suite bathroom with his-and-hers basins, indoor and outdoor showers, a flushing toilet and hot water on tap.
Suite comforts at Nyamatusi Camp include air conditioning for the hot Zambezi Valley afternoons, a minibar, mosquito nets and repellent, charging points and a daily laundry service.
Cuisine and Wine
Nyamatusi Camp serves superb safari cuisine prepared from fresh ingredients, sourced locally where possible and flown in where not. Meals are served indoors in the thatched dining room, or outdoors on the deck and around the fire, always with the Zambezi River and the Zambezi Escarpment as the backdrop. The sunken wine cellar gives dinner a special sense of occasion, deep in the bush.
Facilities
Nyamatusi Camp's central guest area is a two-storey thatched main lodge with a lounge, bar and indoor dining room. Outside there is a swimming pool, a raised viewing deck, a fire pit and an outdoor dining area, all looking across the floodplain to the Zambezi River and the escarpment.
Nyamatusi Camp runs entirely on solar power and is built from natural materials, including thatch and indigenous timber, so it sits lightly in this pristine wilderness.
Activities
Nyamatusi Camp offers morning and afternoon game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, guided walking safaris, canoeing on the Zambezi, catch-and-release tigerfish fishing and birding. Every activity is led by professional guides with a deep passion for Mana Pools.
Walking is the signature Mana Pools experience, and Nyamatusi Camp's guides excel at it. Tracking wild dog on foot, or watching an elephant bull stretch for albida pods from a respectful distance, is safari at its most thrilling and most real. Game drives cover the floodplain and woodland for elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, wild dog and hippo. A canoe trip gives an unforgettable, water-level view of the Zambezi's hippo pods, crocodiles and riverine birdlife.
Child Friendly
Nyamatusi Camp welcomes children aged 7 and over, with suitable accommodation, meals and activities. Walking safaris and canoeing are restricted to guests aged 16 and older for safety reasons. Families with younger children, or those wanting more space, should also consider Nyamatusi Mahogany, the family-friendly sister camp next door.
Nyamatusi Camp Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Nyamatusi Camp?
Nyamatusi Camp is in the eastern section of Mana Pools National Park in northern Zimbabwe, on the southern bank of the Zambezi River facing the Zambezi Escarpment. Mana Pools is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The camp is about 390 km by road from Harare, but most guests fly by light aircraft to Mana Main airstrip and finish the journey on a guided game-drive transfer through the park.
Is Nyamatusi Camp in a malaria area?
Nyamatusi Camp is in a malaria area. Mana Pools National Park and the whole Zambezi Valley carry a high malaria risk, which is highest during the November-to-April rains. Guests should see a travel doctor about anti-malarial prophylaxis before travelling. The tented suites at Nyamatusi Camp supply mosquito nets and repellent, and long sleeves and trousers at dusk add another layer of protection.
What activities are offered at Nyamatusi Camp?
Nyamatusi Camp offers morning and afternoon game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, guided walking safaris, canoeing on the Zambezi River, catch-and-release tigerfish fishing and birding. Walking is the signature experience, because Mana Pools is famous for guided walks among elephant, lion and wild dog. Walking safaris and canoeing at Nyamatusi Camp are restricted to guests aged 16 and over.
When is the best time to visit Nyamatusi Camp?
Nyamatusi Camp is at its best in the dry season from May to October. At that time, inland water dries up and elephant, buffalo and predators gather along the Zambezi floodplain. September and October bring the densest game and the highest temperatures. Nyamatusi Camp closes during the peak of the rains, when the Mana Pools airstrips become unusable, so confirm opening dates when planning.
Can children stay at Nyamatusi Camp?
Nyamatusi Camp accepts children aged 7 and over. Walking safaris and canoeing are limited to guests aged 16 and older for safety reasons. Families with younger children, or those wanting more room, often choose Nyamatusi Mahogany, the family-friendly sister camp next door, which offers the same eastern Mana Pools wilderness and Zambezi River setting.
How many suites does Nyamatusi Camp have?
Nyamatusi Camp has six luxury tented suites. Each has a private wooden deck, a private plunge pool, air conditioning, a minibar, and an en-suite bathroom with his-and-hers basins and indoor and outdoor showers. With only six suites, Nyamatusi Camp keeps guest numbers deliberately small, which makes it ideal for couples, honeymooners and small groups of friends.
In Conclusion
Nyamatusi Camp is one of the finest ways to experience Mana Pools National Park. It offers six plunge-pool suites on the Zambezi, some of Africa's most exhilarating walking safaris, and a remote eastern setting that most Mana Pools visitors never reach. Nyamatusi Camp gives you the true wilderness of the Zambezi Valley without surrendering a single comfort, from air-conditioned tented suites to a sunken wine cellar.
Plan Nyamatusi Camp for the dry season, from May to October. September and October bring the greatest concentrations of elephant, buffalo and predators along the river. Allow at least three nights, and pair Mana Pools with Hwange National Park or Victoria Falls for a classic Zimbabwe safari. We arrange the light-aircraft charters, the connections via Harare or Kariba, and every transfer in between.
Uyaphi.com has been crafting tailor-made African safaris since 1999, with 27 years of experience in exactly this kind of remote, logistics-heavy destination. We are owner-run, charge no booking fees and add no credit card surcharges. Contact us to check Nyamatusi Camp availability for your dates, and we will build a Zimbabwe safari around it.
Rates form part of a safari itinerary
Nyamatusi Camp Rates
Per person per night sharing
Rates are in US Dollar
*Rates may vary according to season
- Accommodation
- All meals
- Tea, coffee, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages
- Laundry
- Morning and afternoon game drives
- Walking safaris
- Premium imported spirits and champagne
- Mana Pools community and conservation levy
- Visa Fees
- International and regional Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Items of a personal nature
- Staff gratuities
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