Mana Pools National Game Park, Zimbabwe
Nyamatusi Camp
Mana Pools safari lodge with luxury tented suites, private plunge pools and walking safaris
Indoor and outdoor spaces blend seamlessly with their surroundings at Nyamatusi Camp in northern Zimbabwe. The safari lodge is by the Zambezi River in UNESCO-protected Mana Pools National Game Park, which is named for the four watering holes that attract wildlife including lions, leopards, Cape buffalos and impalas. Pods of hippos wallow in the water, while elephants can often be spotted reaching for high tree branches around the lodge.
Nyamatusi safari camp has been built with natural, native materials and is powered by solar energy. Hand-crafted furniture, soft textiles and art, sourced from local makers, adorn the six luxury tented suites. Each has a generous deck with a private plunge pool and seating areas with Zambezi River views.
Guests must be aged 12 or over, and families with older kids can join unlimited private game drives. Canoe and walking safaris, restricted to ages 16 and above, are a speciality, and you can track African wild dogs and other wildlife in woodland and scrub only accessible on foot. End days exploring with the daily spectacle of sunset from your private deck, the bar or fire pit, watching as the river and escarpment are washed in soft golden light.
Highlights
Sleep in luxury tented suites with indoor/outdoor showers and huge private decks with plunge pools
Track African wild dogs with expert local guides on a walking safari in the Nyamatusi wilderness concession
Visit during the verdant ‘Emerald Season’ (December–April) to see wildflowers and observe newborn wildlife
Cruise along the channels of the Zambezi River on a canoe safari, seeking hippos, crocodiles and elephants
Go birdwatching with local guides to look for African skimmers, Narina trogons and carmine bee-eaters
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Places to combine Nyamatusi Camp with
Victoria Falls
Set within the pristine Matetsi Private Game Reserve along an exclusive 15km (9 mile) stretch of the Zambezi River a little upstream from Mosi-oa-Tunya, Matetsi River Lodge perfectly combines fine safari with easy access to the thrills and adventure of Victoria Falls.
The River Lodge comprises of two intimate camps of just nine suites each, including two family suites. All the suites are modern with clean lines softened by local craft pieces and repurposed materials. Bathrooms boast indoor and outdoor showers as well as a deep bath which looks out over the Zambezi. A private veranda offers a refreshing plunge pool and a peaceful sitting area that overlooks the river.
At the heart of each camp is a communal area with a variety of dining spaces, an interactive kitchen, convivial bar area and an al fresco area that encircles a blazing fire bowl. All with a unifying theme of a wood and copper, the ‘red gold’ of the country’s historical mining industry. There’s also a large central pool, massage sala, fitness centre and wine cellar.
Matetsi River House is an exclusive use villa with four bedrooms, its own kitchen, dining areas, pool and a dedicated guide, private vehicle, chef and butler, ensuring a tailor-made safari unlike any other. The 50,000ha (124,000 acre) private reserve is home to large herds of elephant and buffalo as well as an assortment of plains game and predators including kudu, sable and roan antelope, hippo, lion, leopard, African wild dog, spotted hyena, and 366 bird species.
Explore the concession on expertly guided game drives, horseback safaris and bush walks, or head out onto the water on canoeing excursions, fishing trips and sunset river cruises. You can also discover Victoria Falls and the famous adventure activities that surround it such as white water rafting, bungee jumping, scenic flights and zip lining.
