Vundu Camp

a rare owner-run camp in a prime area

Vundu Camp is located on the banks of the Zambezi River in the heart of Mana Pools National Park, within a private concession in northern Zimbabwe.

Owned and run by renowned professional guide Nick Murray, Vundu Camp is one of the rare owner-operated safari camps in Africa.

It was also the base for David Attenborough’s film crew during the extended shoot of Dynasties, highlighting the camp’s exceptional location and wildlife access.

Camp

The camp is centred on a raised open-air wooden structure nestled beneath towering ebony and tamarind trees. This communal area contains comfortable lounge seating, a dining space, small library, and leads out to a fire-pit overlooking the river.

Behind camp, a shallow pan attracts game throughout the day, making it easy to observe animals from the nearby thatched platform.

Rooms

Guest accommodation is in eight spacious thatched chalets, including one family unit, set along sandy pathways under riverine trees. Each chalet, with a wooden frame, canvas walls, and a high thatched roof, opens onto a private veranda just 10 metres from the river. Inside are twin or double beds with mosquito nets, ceiling fans, charging stations, and en-suite bathrooms featuring both indoor/outdoor showers and flush toilets.

Activities

Vundu Camp provides the following guided activities:

• Day and night vehicle safari
• Guided walking safari
• Canoe safari
• Motorboat safari

Mana Pools is one of the most renowned safari areas in Africa, but remains relatively little-visited due to its awkward location.

The area only tends to be visited by serious safari travellers, who are prepared to jump through a few extra hoops to get here.

The usual stay duration is 3-5 nights in one camp, occasionally 5-8 nights split between two camps.

Seasonality

The best time to visit Mana Pools is during the May-Oct dry season, when the wildlife is focused around the waterholes and easy to find.

Within that period, May-Jul is pleasantly cool at night, but the animals may not yet be fully migrated back into water.

Towards the end of that period, Oct-Nov the wildlife should be at its strongest, but the weather is likely to be uncomfortably hot, especially at night. Bear in mind that most camps do not have air-conditioning.

Getting there

Mana Pools is usually accessed by light aircraft from Victoria Falls, Hwange or Harare.

It is also possible to drive in from Lusaka or Lower Zambezi, across the river in Zambia.

usually visited in combination with Hwange and Victoria Falls