Open from April - November, Chikwenya is a beautiful seasonal camp offering guests world-class wildlife viewing opportunities.
Overlooking the Zambezi river and an open floodplain, Chikwenya Camp is in a truly stunning part of Mana Pools National Park. Mahogany and Albia trees, grouped closely together to make a dense forest, surround the camp, providing shade and a source of sustenance for many animals that inhabit the area, including elephants. The camp is situated within a private concession in Zimbabwe, which allows guests exclusive access to Chikwenya island and areas of the Sapi River.
Chikwenya camp consists of seven tents, each one raised on wooden decking. Two of the tents are family units, each comprising of shared decking and two joined-up tents. Facilities inside each tent consist of both indoor and outdoor showers, double or twin beds and a seating area. The main areas include a dining room, a comfortable lounge and a bar. These can be accessed via pine walkways that link them to the guests’ tents.
Activities include game drives with an expert guide, where you'll have the opportunity to see four species out of the Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants and buffalo), along with some animals that are lesser known and more scarcely seen, such as African wild dogs, aardvarks and pangolins. There is also the opportunity to embark on boat and canoe trips, or alternatively, you can head out on foot on a guided bush walk, or take part in catch-and-release fishing.
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Best places to stay in Mana Pools National Park
Zimbabwe Trip Inspiration
When to visit Zimbabwe
Find out the best time to visit Zimbabwe with our month by month guide.
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
January
January is an excellent time to head out with expert guides and view resident and migratory bird species. The days are warm, with the risk of rain, this clears very fast as it arrives.
February
February is the best time for birders. The days are warm, with the risk of afternoon rain showers, but they clear as fast as they arrive.
March
If you want to witness Vic Falls at its fullest, March is the month to visit, with huge volumes of spray, it is perfect if you want to see the gorges and geology of the area.
April
The world famous Mana Pools re-open in April. The days feel fresher as the wet season ends leaving the landscapes looking lush green, making it perfect for walking safaris.
May
In May, the days continue to feel fresh and bright making it a perfect time to venture out on walking safaris.
June
June heralds the return of winter, nights turn colder and the temperature dips - take plenty of layers as the temperature can drop below freezing. It is the perfect time for photographers to explore Hwange National Park before the busy holiday period.
July
Winter temperatures continue into July so take plenty of layers. Much like June, it is perfect for photographers looking to view wildlife from a different angle.
August
If you want clear, bright blue skies and continuous wildlife sightings, August is the month for you. Camps are likely to be fuller, however, if you visit private concessions you can still experience exclusivity and no crowds.
September
Much like August, September is an amazing time for wildlife spotting and weather, in particular it is considered the best time of year to see elephant herds in Hwange National Park.
October
In October wildlife sightings are at their peak as the dry season ends. If you travel during this month you can experience hot days with temperatures soaring up to 40 degrees.
November
November is the best time to head out with expert guides and view resident and migratory bird species. The days are warm, with the risk of rain, this clears very fast as it arrives. It is low season and one of the best times to go white water rafting at Vic Falls, the volume and speed of the water is reduced exposing the rapids.
December
In December the days are warm with the risk of rain showers mid afternoon. The rivers rise and dependant on water levels travellers can visit 'devils pool' at Vic Falls, providing high excitement and a head for heights needed if you want to get close to the drop off.
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Alistair
