Safari Camps in Zimbabwe

Verneys Camp is located in a remote southeastern corner of Hwange National Park, within a private concession that is closed to regular park visitors. This exclusive setting allows for a truly intimate safari experience, far from the usual routes and crowds.

The camp is set on a wide open floodplain, surrounded by mature mopane and teak forests. The landscape is dotted with natural pans and waterholes that attract an abundance of wildlife and bird species throughout the year. Blending a nostalgic safari style with modern comfort, Verney’s Camp offers a unique retreat in one of Zimbabwe’s premier wildlife destinations.

The camp features eight double tents and two family tents. Each is tastefully appointed and built on a raised platform within the forest, providing both privacy and expansive views across the plains. Every tent includes a spacious en suite bedroom, a modern bathroom with hot and cold water and a flushing toilet, and a shaded patio with a peaceful sitting area.

Verney’s Camp is renowned for its combination of comfort, prime location, and exceptional wildlife viewing. Guests can enjoy a wide variety of safari activities, including guided game drives during the day and night, walking safaris through untouched wilderness, bird watching excursions, and meaningful cultural visits. All activities are led by experienced and knowledgeable guides who ensure a safe and enriching adventure.

The dining experience at Verney’s Camp is designed to complement the natural surroundings. Meals are prepared using fresh ingredients sourced from nearby local farmers. The cuisine is authentic, nourishing, and carefully crafted to showcase the best of both Zimbabwean and Botswanan flavors.

Hwange is known as “the land of the giants” for its big elephant herds and Somalisa, set on a private concession in the heart of Hwange National Park, is famous for its up-close encounters with elephants that love to drink from the pool in front of camp. Tucked away under the dappled shade of an acacia grove along the edge of an ancient seasonal flood plain, Somalisa provides guests with breathtaking views of the golden savannah plains of Hwange.   

Somalisa has seven elegant luxury sail tented suites and is a place of simple luxury where the focus is on our guest experience to ensure a safari adventure that exceeds your dreams. This intimate Experience is perfect for relaxing with friends and loved ones. Your tent is replete with modern appointments such as a fan, a battery charging station, a wood-burning fireplace and a private viewing deck. Your bathroom, worthy of a special mention, is inspired by the romance of yesteryear, boasts an indoor and outdoor bathroom and features a copper slipper-style bathtub and endless views across the vast plains beyond.   

With a complete solar power farm and water purity system which allows the camp to recycle 80% of the water used, Somalisa Camp is leading the way in eco-friendly safari accommodation. It has been awarded the first GOLD Green Tourism Certification in Zimbabwe.

Somalisa Acacia is the perfect Hwange safari experience for families with younger children or smaller private groups of safari-goers. Set on a private concession in the heart of Hwange National Park, this family Experience, located to the west of sister Experience Somalisa Camp, is built under the dappled canopy of a grove of Acacias and provides guests with a breath taking view of the golden savannah plains of Hwange.   

The Experience comprises of a lounge, dining room, boma, swimming pool and its own elephant drinking pool with up-close encounters and incredible photographic opportunities with elephants. There are two luxury family tented suites with inter-leading access between the parent’s and children’s rooms, both en-suite and two luxury sail tented suites. Each tented suite includes gauze sliding doors which offer 180-degree views of the surrounding bush.   

The core focus of this Experience is to provide families with an outstanding safari experience. Our child specialist guides offer practical and educational activities for the kids and an adventure that will delight every generation. From nature walks around the lodge and storytelling to cultural arts and crafts and cooking classes, the African Bush Camps’ children-focused Ngwana Club creates a fun and educational environment for children on safari.   

A family safari adventure at Somalisa Acacia is the trip of a lifetime that allows you to enjoy a hassle-free holiday in Africa that is as indulgent and relaxing for parents as it is exciting, educational and fun for children.

Deteema Springs Camp opened in 2019 after its founders recognised a rare opportunity to create an intimate safari experience in one of the most extraordinary wildlife areas of Hwange National Park. Set in a location that is truly hard to describe, the camp offers guests a front row seat to Africa at its wildest.

Guests can explore the area on guided walking safaris or game drives, or simply relax in camp and watch the natural world unfold around the permanent Deteema Springs. Wildlife frequently gathers here, creating unforgettable moments without ever leaving camp.

The camp design follows a less is more philosophy. It is understated and welcoming, blending seamlessly into the surrounding rock and bush on a gentle rise above the springs. The tents are smaller in scale, allowing the camp to sit lightly within this iconic landscape.

Despite the intimate size, comfort is never compromised. Each tent offers all the conveniences of a luxury safari camp, including hot and cold running water, flush toilets and private decks. The main guest area is tented on raised decks overlooking the Deteema Springs, making it the perfect place to sit back, relax and watch the rhythms of the African bush come to life.

Activities at Deteema Springs Camp:

Guests can enjoy game drives, guided walking safaris, bird watching, photographic safaris and relaxed armchair wildlife viewing directly from camp.

Bumi Hills Safari Lodge, perched on a ridge overlooking Lake Kariba and the game-rich shoreline, boasts one of Africa’s most spectacular vistas. Taking centre stage is the beautiful infinity pool that seems to blend seamlessly into the lake horizon. The lodge interiors have been beautifully finished in a fusion of contemporary Western and African styles, giving Bumi Hills the feel of a secret African riviera.   

Bumi Hills Safari Lodge is situated on an extensive private wildlife conservation area that is home to lions, leopards, herds of elephants and buffalo. Guests can indulge in a wide range of activities, including game drives, walking safaris, boating safaris, lake cruises and fishing. These activities are carried out on the Bumi Hills Conservancy, not within the Matusadona National Park. Bumi Hills Safari lodge is the perfect place to unwind and reenergize in the wilds of Zimbabwe.   

All ten luxury suites are replete with air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, a hairdryer, battery charging points, a mini-bar and a private viewing deck extending spectacular views of the lake and its surrounds.    

The Baobab Villa, Bumi Hills’ two-bedroomed private luxury villa, complete with its own living room, bar and indoor and outdoor dining decks, is ideal for families. The villa offers a personalized experience with the services of a private butler, safari guide and a dedicated safari vehicle.

Ingwe Pan Camp is named after Ingwe Pan, located in the Wilderness Area of Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the largest pans in the region, it is well known for excellent leopard sightings and for the presence of shy antelope such as nyala, which move quietly through the nearby Jesse bush and the riverine thickets of the Chiruwe River.

The pan is surrounded by jackalberry and nyala berry trees, with a magnificent fig tree forming the heart of the landscape. Nearby baobab groves add to the rich diversity of this remarkable setting. Eight spacious Meru style tents are thoughtfully positioned along the southern edge of the pan, blending naturally into the environment.

Ingwe Pan Camp pairs beautifully with nearby river based camps, allowing guests to experience the full diversity of Mana Pools. From the Zambezi River to open floodplains and deep inland wilderness, this combination offers a truly immersive safari experience.

Wildlife viewing in the area is exceptional, both on foot and by vehicle. Guests can enjoy professionally guided walking safaris and game drives, with the added benefit of staying in a private concession. This ensures peaceful surroundings, excellent wildlife activity around the pan and breathtaking night skies free from the presence of other camps.

Notable sightings in this unique area include leopards, impressive male lions and, for the very lucky, the elusive brown hyaena. Wild dogs often visit the pan later in the season when they roam freely with their pups. At certain times of year, large herds of buffalo arrive as inland water sources dry up. Elephants are daily visitors, joined by kudu, impala, warthog and many other species.

Perched on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, Zambezi Expeditions is a semi-mobile tented camp that brings you into the very heart of Mana Pools National Park — one of Africa’s most iconic and untamed landscapes. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famed for its wildlife-rich floodplains, towering trees, and dramatic riverscapes, where elephants wade through water and predators stalk the shoreline.

Set at the remote Nkupi campsite, Zambezi Expeditions offers a rare opportunity to experience Mana Pools in its raw, authentic form. The camp features six luxury mini Meru-style tents, all situated along the open floodplains with direct views of the Zambezi. It’s not uncommon for wildlife to wander through camp - elephants, antelope, and even big cats may pass by as you sip your morning coffee. Each tent is comfortably appointed and includes en-suite bathrooms with hot safari-style bucket showers, offering a rustic yet refreshing take on safari luxury.

Adventure here is immersive and ever-present. Spend your days canoeing down the Zambezi River alongside pods of hippos and basking crocodiles, tracking big game on foot with experienced guides, or fishing for the iconic tiger fish in the river’s swirling currents. Game drives in open 4x4 vehicles allow you to explore deeper into the park, along the floodplains and into forests where lions, painted wolves, and vast herds of buffalo roam freely.

Zambezi Expeditions is not just a safari; it’s a return to the essence of wild Africa - stripped back, deeply connected, and unforgettable. Perfect for adventurous travelers seeking a soulful experience in one of the continent’s last great wildernesses.

Nyamatusi Camp, lightly translated, means ‘wild game’. This Mana Pools safari Experience is set in one of the wildest and most remote parts of Africa, on the banks of the Zambezi River. Embracing comfort, this property embodies sustainable design. Fully solar-powered and built from all-natural materials, it encompasses its wilderness location in the most elegant way.   

Consisting of six luxury tented suites with uninterrupted views of the river and escarpment beyond, our Mana Pools safari Experience invites a blissful escape to nature. Each romantic guest tent is adorned with soft drapery and replete with air-conditioning, a mini-bar, an indoor and outdoor shower, a private viewing deck, and a plunge pool. Your Mana Pools safari follows the gentle ebb and flow of life on the river. Marvel at the incredible sights and sounds of one of Africa’s last remaining wilderness hinterlands from the cosy, elevated bar or refreshing pool.   

Spend your days walking in the footsteps of ancient explorers and tracks of elephants that crisscross the floodplain. Watch the drama of nature play out before your eyes on game drives or thrilling canoeing safaris. Fishing on the Zambezi River (catch-and-release only) and birding safaris are highlights here. All these activities are included in your stay and are led by qualified and passionate guides keen to share their knowledge and love of the bush with you.

Nyamatusi Mahogany is the perfect luxury safari experience for families. Consisting of two luxury tented suites and two luxury family suites nestled under ancient mahogany trees on the lush shores of the Zambezi River, the camp has been designed with style and serenity in mind.   

Solar-powered and built from all-natural materials, your experience at Nyamatusi Mahogany is powered by nature. The lounge, dining room, fire circle, plunge pool and elevated viewing decks flaunt uninterrupted views of the pristine river, floodplain and escarpment beyond. The family units consist of separate bedrooms with a shared private deck and plunge pool.   

Promoting a philosophy that embraces families in the wild, children are welcomed into camp with our special Ngwana Club starter kit and a wide range of activities for children of all ages. Nyamatusi Mahogany offers a diverse range of enthralling activities for children and teenagers. Hop on a game drive to experience this pristine region of Zimbabwe and encounter its iconic wildlife.    

To explore Mana Pools with your family, the final frontier of untouched wilderness, is a bucket list item. A day in the life of a family on a safari at Nyamatusi Mahogany is fluid, exciting, varied and full of memorable moments that will live on in family memories forever.

Mana River Camp is ideally positioned on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, nestled between this vast perennial waterway and a well-frequented water pan that is particularly popular with elephants for mud bathing. The camp is shaded by a beautiful riverine forest dominated by Trichilia emetica and the iconic Faidherbia albida, also known as the Apple Ring or Ana Tree.

The true charm of Mana River Camp lies in its identity as a mobile tented camp, known as a TEC (Temporary Extended Camp). The entire camp is dismantled at the end of each season, before the onset of the rains, preserving the integrity of the environment and evoking the spirit of classic, old-style bush camping.

Unfenced and immersed in nature, the camp allows guests to experience wildlife at close quarters while enjoying a peaceful and intimate atmosphere. Elephants are frequent visitors to the camp, often wandering through as if to introduce themselves to guests.

Mana River Camp comprises six beautifully positioned tents set along the Zambezi River, including one guide tent. Guests can simply sit back, relax, and take in the expansive views of the river as it flows past camp.

Open April-November: Tucked into a remote part of Mana Pools National Park, a World Heritage Site lies Kanga Expeditions on the edge of the eponymous pan. Inland from the floodplain, Kanga Pan is the only permanent water source for a 20km radius and the Experience’s focal point. This perennial water source teems with wildlife, especially in the dry season, creating the perfect setting for our famous “Armchair Safari.”   

Unwind on the upper deck lounge under the shade of a mahogany tree or sit on the deck by the splash pool and enjoy Kanga – the old Africa in a new era. Sightings of nocturnal species at the pan are a regular occurrence at dinner and while guests sit around the campfire.    

The camp consists of six stylish luxury Meru-style tents. They are simple yet elegant, featuring classic mesh windows and raised individual decks overlooking the pan. All tents are replete with fans and a dressing area leading to an en-suite outdoor bathroom comprising of a shower, flush toilet, and basin with running hot water. Kanga has a family tent which boasts a wraparound terrace facing the pan with private seating and dining areas. The honeymoon tent features a rolltop bath on the adjoining secluded deck, ideal for a romantic starlit bath.   

Set within the pristine wilderness area of Mana Pools interior, you can expect a contrasting experience to that had on the floodplain. Activities focus on guided walks through open vleis and day drives accompanied by our experienced guides who will share their knowledge and love of the bush with you.