Introducing A New Classic: Mana Pools Safari

Growing up in Zimbabwe in the 60’s and 70’s was a dream. Life was simple, and we spent our school holidays in pristine national parks full of the big five and herds of buffalo, and devoid of any other safari goers. The one park which was a family favorite was Mana Pools which encompasses part of the middle Zambezi floodplain.

Walking Safaris like no other destination in Africa.

The Mana Pools area is unique in that it is very open riverine habitat which lends itself to walking safaris like no other destination in Africa. The other feature of this beautiful savannah is it has lots of acacia albida trees which attract numerous bull elephants that love to feed on them along the Zambezi river banks. These solitary bulls are pretty relaxed and with a “Zim Pro Guide” – a highly trained walking guide who often knows the individual elephants and their personalities – you can approach these elephants and get up close which is a magical experience.

When we started Bushtracks over 25 years ago, one such walking guide and mobile safari camp outfitter we worked with closely was John Stevens and his wife Nicci. Recently they called me to say that their daughter Sarah and son-in-law Milo have established a stunning mobile tented safari camp in Mana. Anyone who knows the Stevens knows that this camp is impeccably run, that you will experience a safari in one of its most traditional forms, and you will get up close, on foot, to some beautiful bull elephants, which is a thrill.

New Mana Pools Camp is at the heart of a New Classic Safari

When John and Nicci told me about Milo and Sarah’s new camp, I designed an itinerary that goes back to one of our original favorites – a combination of Botswana and Zimbabwe, with a Mana Pools safari at its heart. To match the style and intimacy of Mana Tented Camp, I chose the more traditional Selinda Explorers tented camp near the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Here you can canoe on the Selinda spillway as well as walk, game drive, and night drive.

Make your own memories on this new classic safari

The first version of this article was posted on 5 Mar 2015 at 2:25 PM.