15 km upstream of the National Park headquarters at Nyamepi, Mana Pools National Park Zimbabwe
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#4 of 19 Specialty lodging in Mana Pools National Park
Location
5.0
Cleanliness
5.0
Service
4.9
Value
5.0
Camp Mana is a tented safari camp on the banks of the Zambezi River in the iconic Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe. It is an owner-run camp and accommodates a maximum of 12 guests. We offer simple elegance, old world style and unpretentious luxury in the wilderness. Our haven has a minimal impact upon the delicate environment that hosts us and we strive for sustainability. Please do contact us for more informatioin on special rates!
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Bar / lounge
Restaurant
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Clothes rack
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Charming
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15 km upstream of the National Park headquarters at Nyamepi, Mana Pools National Park Zimbabwe
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We had the best time with our three grown up kids at camp mana! It is located right on the Zambezi River, with Harry the hippo grazing just in front of the dining area! The wildlife was amazing! We saw lion, buffalo, elephant, painted dogs and even pangolin! Steve is an excellent, knowledgeable and friendly guide. He ensured that each of our kids were included in conversation, and a bit of banter! The morning walks were just what we were after - three or four hours of beautiful bush walks, seeing so much wildlife, and learning a lot! The camp is very well organized and the food and accommodation just right! The staff are friendly and professional. Highly recommended!!
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Steven Bolnick, General Manager at Camp Mana
Responded 4 weeks ago
Thank you ValP. It was such a pleasure to host you and your lovely family. I am so happy that you enjoyed your stay and especially happy that you got to see the Pangolin (as Lions and Painted Dogs and everything else). We all hope that you return soon. Prince Harry the Hippo sends fondest greetings.
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We were welcomed to Camp Mana by a picturesque view of the Zambezi and greeted warmly by Steve and his crew who helped us with our bags to our tents. The tents were well equipped with all the necessities and the bed was extraordinarily comfortable. During the night a few animals came up to the tent however, I felt safe and slept like a log. In addition the food was mouthwatering. We were served fine cuts of tender meat along with local staples like Sadza which went down a treat. Steve and his associate Frank, were very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna and guided us to various places at which we saw an unbelievably large and diverse amounts of animals, the highlights being, painted dogs, lions and elephant. Very much looking forward to the next time I’m able to go back.…
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Steven Bolnick, General Manager at Camp Mana
Responded Jul 1, 2022
Thank you Aedanm, It was an absolute pleasure to host you and your lovely family and we look forward to your return. You mentioned the highlights but I am sure that you left-out one!!!
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+1
Comfort and simplicity, calm and excitement, Camp Mana offers a range of African delights as broad as the floodplain it looks over on the wild Zambezi River. Elephant and hippo graze through camp routinely, wild dog and lion occasionally, with six elegant tents shaded by centuries-old trees from the riverine forest surveying a stage that never sleeps. Here crocodile and buffalo, waterbuck and waterbirds, impala, baboon and a backing chorus of other animals dance a dance as old as the river, a distant mercury seam below a skyline framed by the Zambian escarpment. More excitement awaits when you explore beyond camp, by vehicle or, better still, on foot safely guided by the extraordinarily talented, Steve Bolnick. Through his skill the sound and smell of the bush tell their own story, one the visitor will want to hear time and time again.…
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Date of stay: June 2022
Value
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Steven Bolnick, General Manager at Camp Mana
Responded Jun 18, 2022
@timbobutcher thank you not only for your (second) affirming review but also for your beautiful wordsmithing and your poetic description of Camp Mana and the experience which we aim to share with our guests. Return guests are the finest accolade that we can receive - especially when the guest is a great african adventurer! We are proud to count ourselves amongst your African adventures - albeit very short ones.
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+1
Four nights in Camp Mana was truly magical. I've had 8 game drive experiences over the years at various locations in Botswana, South Africa and Namibia. A guided walking safari along the Zambezi topped them all. Nothing has felt so wild, so untamed and so alive as staying in Camp Mana. Part of it is that the camp isn't permanent or a lodge made to feel like a camp. It's actually a temporary tented camp, albeit a very comfortable one. Service was excellent and the location is stunning, but the highlight is walking on foot in the bush with the most experienced, thoughtful guide I've encountered anywhere in my travels. In a world where more and more game lodge experiences feel packaged or tame, approaching animals in the bush on foot is a truly unforgettable experience.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Value
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Service
Room Tip: All of them get animals passing just outside at night, and even sometimes during the day.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Steven Bolnick, General Manager at Camp Mana
Responded Jun 18, 2022
SleepyJoel, thank you for your review. You are exactly the sort of guest we cater to - thoughtful, environmentally sensitive and appreciative of EVERYTHING to be experienced on safari. We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay with us and we hope to see you again in the future.
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Camp Mana is a wonderful, small-scale classic African safari experience, of the kind I have dreamed about for many years. Comfortable tents, all with lovely views of the open Zambezi river plain and the mountains across it in Zambia. Grazing elephants, hippos and antelopes right on your doorstep, and we had a male lion roaring in camp on our first night. A lovely communal dining & seating area under a huge open canvas top brings guests together to share the day’s experiences. Steve Bolnick, the owner, is a fun and very knowledgeable guide to both flora and fauna in Africa, and he manages the camp with excellent attention to detail to ensure all the guests are happy. The camp is a solar-powered minimum-impact setup, and is dismantled entirely for four months every year, allowing the site to return to a pristine natural state. We loved Camp Mana and will be back as soon as possible!…
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip: Bring a headlamp if you like to read at night since the solar-powered lamps in the tents are...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Steven Bolnick, General Manager at Camp Mana
Responded Jun 15, 2022
faplp thank you very much for your compliments. We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay so much and will be just as delighted when you return. We will continue to improve the camp, while respecting the environment in which we are so privileged to be.
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+1
We stayed in Camp Mana for three nights in early April. We were in the middle of a month-long visit to South Africa and Zimbabwe. Our experience at Camp Mana was simply the best. The camp is beautifully sited on the banks of the Zambezi with the hills of Zambia as a backdrop. Hippos, impala, elephants, and waterbuck regularly grazed on the floodplain in front of the camp and could be watched from the comfort of the living area. The mornings were filled with exciting walking safaris with Steven, seeing SO MANY ANIMALS!! There was something new around every tree. In the afternoon, driving safaris with Frank ranged far around the park with sightings of lions, cheetahs, and zebra. Good food, courtesy of Vinny, and good conversation filled the evenings, interrupted by the occasional elephant herd grazing through camp!! And, at night, snug in our well-appointed tent, we listened to lions, leopards, hyena, and the constant snorts of the hippos. We were sad to leave the camp and plan to return for another wonderful visit. If you are thinking of doing a safari in Zimbabwe, Camp Mana will be your best experience. If you are thinking of doing a safari elsewhere, change your plans and go to Camp Mana!…
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Date of stay: April 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Steven Bolnick, General Manager at Camp Mana
Responded May 14, 2022
Thank you so much Claire, for choosing to visit us at Camp Mana and for your wonderful review. We are delighted that Camp Mana was the highlight of your wonderful holiday. Your feedback makes the entire staff at Camp Mana proud and we look forward to your return.
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We - a group of six - Stayed in Camp Mana in late October 21. It is beautifully located at the banks of the Zambezi river, offering unobstructed views of the wildlife at the river. Many animals regularly roam the camp, and the sounds they make when the sun is down is a wonderful concert to fall asleep with. The tents are simple, yet offer everything one needs. The hot water service in the morning to fill the bush showers is a wonderful treat and makes one feel ready to have a quick cup of coffee before the sun comes up, and then do an early morning safari with Steve Bolnick, who runs the camp and is the most experienced guide we ever met. He is a walking nature encyclopaedia who is both very interesting and fun to listen to. We learned a lot, and loved to go with him on walking safaris to get closer to elephants, buffalos or wild dogs - unforgettable experiences. Camp Mana is a most wonderful place to be for nature lovers - I only can recommend to go there.…
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Date of stay: October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Steve Bolnick, Owner at Camp Mana
Responded Nov 2, 2021
Thank you Joachim S for your review. We certainly had fun hosting you and your friends and hope that you will return to Camp Mana. Hopefully the remainder of your safari was also "unforgettable". Thank you and your friends for travellng during this challenging time of COVID and for supporting us.
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Camp Mana was incredible! The location is out of this world; serene and peaceful come to mind. The game viewing was incredible from seeing numerous elephants (including some iconic eles of Mana), lions on a buffalo kill, hyena and the most incredible birding. The food was out of this world and the staff went above and beyond. Though the camp was stunning for us what make the camp even more special were the staff Steve and Frank were lovely and the respect and compassion shown between them was special. Steve really inspired us with his knowledge of wildlife his passion for conservation, to the point we are running a marathon for anti-poaching. There are no words to explain the team. Overall, we will 100% be going back and if people are thinking of going you will not be disappointed.…
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Date of stay: September 2021
Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Steve Bolnick, Owner at Camp Mana
Responded Nov 2, 2021
Dear Juliabev1, Thank you for your gushing review. I wish that we could provide a review about you guys! Suffice it to say that t we loved hosting you and we are delighted that you managed to find some serenity and peace at Camp Mana after the difficult months and weeks you have endured. We eagerly await your return and promise that your next visit will be even better!
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Camp Mana is located on the south bank of the Zambezi river at Mana Pools with spectacular views of the river and mountains in the background - the sunsets are amazing. The camp is well run and maintained, so as to have as little impact on the environment as possible. Steve Bolnick, Camp Mana manager and guide, and his team work tirelessly, considering every detail, to ensure you have a good stay and memorable experience. The game and bird viewing from the camp is out of this world and is a magical spot for photographers. It is a delight to listen to Steve, with his vast knowledge of the bush, and learn about nature and he is always happy to answer any questions you may have. We did a three day cycling event as the 'Trotting Porkers' spending five nights at Camp Mana, which was a wonderful get-away. The accommodation and food was of a high standard, adding to the lovely experience in this idyllic place, and I am looking forward to my next visit to Camp Mana.…
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Date of stay: June 2021
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Sleep Quality
Room Tip: All the guest rooms are situated with views of the Zambezi river and are in good proximity of the...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Steve Bolnick, Owner at Camp Mana
Responded Aug 12, 2021
Peter, Thank you for your flattering review. It was a pleasure to host you and your colleagues and it was a delight to see how much you enjoyed your visit. We look forward to hosting you again.
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A group of 16 Mountain Bikers (known as the "Trotting Porkers") stayed for 5 nights at Camp Mana in mid-June 2021. Our group has done 2 cycle trips to Hwange (Tour de Hwange - May 2018 and April 2019 - where we raised funds to assist the Friends of Hwange Trust). The cycle tour was arranged by our leader, Mr David Bain, along with Steve Bolnick from Camp Mana in collaboration with National Parks. A lot of hard work was put in on this front. We cycled on three days. Day One a 35 km loop from and back to Camp Mana. Day Two a 29 km loop from and back to Long Pool and Day Three a 34 km Loop from and back to Lone Buffalo Pan. The cycling tour was simply fabulous. Steve was in the lead vehicle with a Parks Ranger and Frank was in the rear vehicle with a Parks Ranger. We had not incidents with wildlife but saw a lot on the rides. So, Camp Mana was our base and home for the 5 night trip. Camp Mana is a tented camp which is totally Eco-friendly. The Camp is dismantled each year at the end of the season. There is a main dining/lounge area looking on to the Zambezi River - a beautiful spot indeed covered by a large marquis. There are 6 guest tents. These have a small veranda, sleeping room with clothing storage etc, and en-suite shower, basin and toilet room at the back. All very comfortable. The tents all have delightful views of the river and wildlife passes in front during both day and night. We were well looked after by the staff. We also went on game drives and guided walks with Steve who has vast experience and knowledge of all things flora and fauna. Although we had self-catered, the Camp chef assisted with the things we asked him to and all meals were superb. Camp Mana is a unique experience. A big thank you to Steve and his team and – we will be back!…
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Date of stay: June 2021
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip: All Tents have great views - some are further way from the main dining/lounge area
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Steven Bolnick, General Manager at Camp Mana
Responded Jul 5, 2021
Good day Davero63, It was an absolute pleasure to host you and we are delighted that you enjoyed your stay in our unique camp. We are particularly pleased to hear that you are planning toreturn. We look forward to hosting you again.
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LOCATION
ZimbabweMashonaland Central ProvinceMana Pools National Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
8
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Camp Mana
What are some of the property amenities at Camp Mana?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and laundry service.
What food & drink options are available at Camp Mana?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant and a lounge during their stay.