Wilderness Chikwenya
A beautiful, stylish property in its own private reserve to the east of Mana Pools
Lounge, bar, dining area, firepit, and swimming pool
Seven glorious suites, including two family units, with views over the Zambezi River
Game drives, walking safaris, river cruises, night drives, canoeing, fishing, and birding
Our Yellow Zebra Opinion
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Standout property
Activities
Zimbabwe is a real hub for guide training, with some of the best in the industry working here. Offering the finest guides and plenty of game, Mana Pools is renowned for its up-close encounters with the wildlife. Wilderness Chikwenya offers a fantastic range of safari activities, and as it’s located in its own private concession you’ll have the place to yourself!
Expertly guided game drives
Walking safaris
Night drives
Boating and fishing
Canoes
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There are two game sessions daily, during the morning and the late afternoon. Among the highlights here are lion, leopard, elephant, hyena, and buffalo. You can look out for smaller predators too, such as jackal, serval, civet, and honey badger, and this is a real stronghold for wild dog. The large herbivore collection features giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, and an assortment of antelopes.
You can also head out into the bush with an armed guide. As mentioned, the up-close encounters in Mana Pools can be spectacular, with exceptionally well-trained guides on hand to ensure your experience is special. As well as enjoying animal tracking and spotting the area’s phenomenal birdlife (380 recorded species including big hitters like Lillian’s lovebird, Pel’s fishing owl, and the blue-cheeked bee-eater), you’ll take a closer look at the insects and plant life. Different levels and distances are available, depending on the ages of your group. Please note, classic walking safari has a minimum age requirement of 12 years.
Why not head out at night, when all the big predators come alive? It’s always an unforgettable experience, watching what goes on in the dark of the night! You might see porcupines, spring-hares, genets, civets, bush-babies, and occasionally a larger predator with its prey.
The boating safaris here are wonderful, as is canoe safari – you’ll see huge pods of hippo, loads of crocs, and a plethora of birds who love to dwell in the riverine forests here. Afternoon cruises can include sunset drinks on remote islands in the Zambezi. Fishing is also an option and can be seasonal – and though it’s not for everyone, plucking a tigerfish from the Zambezi can be quite a thrill. Wilderness Chikwenya operates a catch-and-release policy.
This activity is very much the walking safari of the water! You’ll be able to hear and see so much more as you silently glide through the waterways. It’s a great chance to meet some of the smaller animals like frogs and birds, and get a closer look at the flora. Each canoe can accommodate three people – a couple with a guide. This part of the Zambezi is famous for canoeing, with so much to see both in the water and along its banks.
*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.
Make an EnquiryFacilities
Wilderness Chikwenya’s lounge, dining, and bar area offers spectacular views over the floodplain from comfortable sofas and armchairs around coffee tables, while wildlife artwork adorns the walls.
Al fresco dining
Fire-pit
Swimming pool
The al fresco dining area has wooden tables and campaign chairs positioned facing the Zambezi. Dining is private, though if you’d like to share the excitement of the day’s sightings, communal tables can be arranged on request. There is a well-stocked bar too, and guests are invited to eat and drink on the lodge’s deck, while the fire-pit provides the perfect spot for socialising and sharing safari stories! There’s also a swimming pool, which can bring some refreshing relief when the sun is at its hottest, again with spectacular views.
Make an EnquiryAmenities
The seven tented suites at Wilderness Chikwenya are beautifully designed, spacious, and elegant.
View
Outdoor shower
Free-standing bath
All have wonderful open fronts facing out over the Zambezi floodplain where regular wildlife wanders past, with the Zambezi Escarpment as a shimmering backdrop. Each tent is raised above ground level on wooden platforms, with pine walkways connecting you to the main part of the camp. Your decking is set with a couple of comfy chairs and a table, and is a great spot for relaxing and enjoying the views – either as dawn breaks with a fresh coffee, or between safari activities. Inside, you’ll find double or twin beds with mosquito netting, an overhead fan, bedside tables, a writing desk and chair, a spacious storage unit, and a lovely seating area. Additional amenities include a standing fan, a tea-and-coffee station, and a charging unit. The well-appointed en-suite washroom features a free-standing bath, indoor and outdoor showers, flush toilet, washbasin, and complimentary toiletries. There’s nothing quite like a bath with a view! Wilderness Chikwenya has two family units, each consisting of two tents joined together by a shared deck.
Trips including this accommodation
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Real expertise doesn’t come from a few trips to Africa. All our specialists have either been guides, run the camps, or grown up and lived in Africa. That’s over 600 years of genuine safari experience.As Seen In
