After a long dry season and late rains, you expect Mana Pools to be hot. And it was. We found it both Hot in temperature but also very Hot with wildlife.
We visited African Bush Camps' newly minted Zambezi Expeditions Camp at their site on the Zambezi River and were rewarded with a sumptuous lunch and chilled G&Ts. Tent under canvas, under shade cloth, under a tree is the best combination for this area and, although the mercury was tipping 42, we felt cool and comfortable with the breeze off the Zambezi river.
A long swim in the "Zambezi Jacuzzi", a natural safe re-enterent, helped cool the body for the afternoon transfer to Kanga camp, located in the heart of Mana.
Kanga pan is an oasis in a seasonally dry riverine forest. The arid bushveld is home to a wide variety of species that would naturally migrate to the Zambezi but are rewarded for staying back by water, provided by Kanga Camp.
Kanga is a well laid out camp nestled in the shady Jackal Berry and Wild Mango trees with the viewing deck and dining area right on the edge of the waterhole.
A typical day at the waterhole has excellent close sightings of a good variety of major mammal species, but at night it really "hots up". Early dusk saw the arrival of a leopard, then lion and then buffalo. An hour later, more leopard and more lion as well as elephant and hyena. We were kept riveted in our seats for hours, with barely time to eat our dinner. Six leopard and four lion in all, not more than 30 meters from our table.
In the early morning, the waterhole had a menagerie of birds, antelope and baboons visiting for a morning thirst quencher. After breakfast, we reluctantly boarded our transfer vehicle back to the Zambezi River.
We arrived at Ruckomechi Camp in time for lunch. It has recently had a superb facelift and the expansive decking and open aired living rooms give it a fresh, relaxed feeling. The rooms are sumptuously appointed with lush linen and cool pine floors.
Again the game viewing did not disappoint. Daily sitings of elephant, lion and wild dogs along with vast quantities of planes game, makes for an exciting adventure.
A sleep out in the Tree House is a must do activity for an action-filled night of wild animal noises under starry skies. Imagine waking up to the sounds of lion on a buffalo kill?? It's true. It happened!
Should you wish to book an equally exciting and adventurous holiday for yourselves or any friends and family visiting Zimbabwe, please contact us at Experience Africa Safaris .