The Camp

Location: Mana Pools National Park
Number of Rooms: 7

Important Note: Though this property is Traditional in nature, it is Distinctive in pricing.

Vundu Tented Camp offers seven traditional canvas safari tents with mesh windows and large wooden beams that support a high thatched roof. They are comfortably appointed with spacious en suite facilities, his & hers sinks (with pottery washbasins made by the camp owner herself), flush toilets and outdoor hot/cold bucket showers shaded by the forest canopy. Accommodations offer a variety of sleeping arrangements: one family tent has four beds, another is a honeymoon suite, and the rest have twin beds. Behind the camp hides a tree house where you can relax and watch animals on the pan that wander down to drink at the watering hole. The two-story wooden main lodge houses the bar, dining room and lounge, with unimpeded views of the Zambezi River and escarpment beyond. Guests enjoy gourmet meals and fine wines one you’d not expect in such a remote location. Evenings are shared around the crackling campfire.

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Wildlife Viewing & Activities

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mana Pools has been called one of the most beautiful parks in the world by National Geographic. Vundu Tented Camp lies in an especially wildlife-rich region, on a thoroughfare that countless animals travel between the Zambezi River and the grazing areas to the south. This area is frequented by elephant, buffalo, waterbuck, eland, and kudu, which support predators such as lion, leopard, wild dog, hyena and jackal. Vundu's location in the riparian forest means an abundance of birds around camp, including bee-eaters, yellow-billed kites, kingfishers and plenty of raptors. 4x4 safari drives take place within Vundu’s private concession and in the national park. Vundu’s location also capitalizes on the Zambezi for superb wildlife viewing. The river supports great numbers of hippos and huge crocodiles floating like logs. Walking and canoeing safaris are unique offerings at Vundu, providing excellent chances to see animals up close.

Mana Pools' wildlife moves inland during the emerald season months of November to April, and camps are also closed at this time. In the dry winter, between June and October, the lack of water within the park brings wildlife in large numbers closer to the river. The below chart illustrates major wildlife sightings experienced in the area. There are no giraffe, wildebeest or rhino found in Mana Pools. There are a number of other small mammals, birds and reptiles found here. Exact sightings will depend on seasonality and wildlife movements.

Climate

Conservation

Nick and Desiree Murray, the Zimbabwean couple who own Vundu Tented Camp, are committed to conservation in the Lower Zambezi region. Both hold Zimbabwe’s highest level of professional guide certification. Nick, who has a degree in Zoology and Wildlife Management, is an expert tracker of endangered wild dogs and has involved the camp in a wild dog research program in the Lower Zambezi Valley. Until recently, a study of the wild dogs in the area had never been undertaken. Working with Painted Dog Conservation, they managed to get a radio tracking collar on the alpha female of the Vundu pack. The Painted Dog Conservation group is pleased to have camp guests involved where possible in tracking and photographing the dogs, and identifying and collecting samples that will be used in the long-term project.

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