Somalisa Expeditions puts you right in the middle of a classic Hwange safari setting. It is a comfortable, no fuss camp where elephants drink right in front of you while you relax in camp. The focus here is on good guiding, solid game drives day and night, and a genuine bush experience, with the option of walks, hides and even a sleep out under the stars if planned ahead.

If you like the idea of Mana Pools but want a bit more privacy, Little Ruckomechi does that very well. With just three rooms and its own dining and lounge area, it feels properly separate from the main camp. Being in a private concession allows night drives and boat activities on the river, and the area has a strong reputation for leopard sightings. It works especially well for small groups or families wanting their own space.

A riverside stay on the Zambezi is hard to beat when visiting Victoria Falls. The Palm River is a modern, comfortable hotel set upstream of the Falls, offering a wide range of room options and an easy shuttle into town. It’s not trying to be a bush camp its just a well-located, familiar base with great river views that most guests will feel at home in.

Watching elephants drink a few metres away while you sit on the deck never really gets old. Somalisa is where African Bush Camps began, and it still captures the essence of Hwange beautifully. With waterhole views, strong vehicle-based game viewing, photographic hides and the option of night drives and walks, it’s a camp I like for both classic safari moments and families staying at Somalisa Acacia.

There’s something that just feels right about sleeping in a proper tent on the Mana Pools floodplain. Zambezi Expeditions is a classic, seasonal tented camp that focuses on atmosphere and experience rather than extras. You’ll game view the same prime areas as nearby camps, but here it’s more about the simplicity, great food and that old-school Mana feeling than air-conditioning and platforms.

Standing on the edge of Victoria Falls doesn’t get much more real than this. Devil’s Pool is one of those bucket-list experiences I always talk guests through the thrilling, safe with the right guides, and surprisingly accessible activity even if you’re based on the Zimbabwe side. Timing matters though, as it’s only open when water levels drop from around mid-August to early January.

If you like your Mana Pools safari with a few extra dimensions, Mana Sands is worth a look. This brand-new luxury tented camp (opened 2025) sits in a private concession on the western edge of the park, allowing night drives, boat cruises and fishing alongside classic walks, canoeing and game drives. I see it working perfectly as a short, high-impact add-on to a main Mana Pools stay.

Gonarezhou still feels like real Africa; wild, raw and refreshingly untouched. Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge is all about being immersed in the landscape, not fussing over frills. Set above the Save River, this long-standing lodge delivers comfort, big views, rich wildlife experiences and genuine community connections, all with a light ecological footprint and plenty of character.

Step inside the magic of Ruckomechi Camp in Mana Pools, where epic Zambezi views, wild elephants on your doorstep, and laid-back safari vibes make every day unforgettable. I’ve been here and can’t wait to share the spots, stories and what makes this camp one of Africa’s hidden gems. Perfect for your next dream adventure!

Chikwenya Camp Mana Pools is a luxury experience, a private safari camp offering exclusive night drives and river activities. Discover Chikwenya Camp Mana Pools today!

Discover the beauty of Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe. Perfect for wildlife lovers seeking solitude and stunning landscapes at Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe.

Gonarezhou is the gem of them all and I believe where you can still have a really genuine safari experience where the focus is really on the environment you are in and less on the thread count of the linen. This camp has all you need to be comfortable and with a very small ecological foot print unlike so many camps you see around Africa today.

We are now in the depths of winter here in Zimbabwe, so I have been forced to wear an extra layer in the mornings and I have even...