Chikwenya Safari Lodge (Mana Pools National Park) Zimbabwe
Location:
Chikwenya Safari Lodge is located at the confluence of the Sapi and Zambezi Rivers, on the eastern border of the world heritage Mana Pools national Park.
The lodge enjoys an exclusive 7000 acre lease of pristine
Lower Zambezi floodplain and some 5 kilometers of river
frontage. With open grassland floodplains, riverine forests,
jesse bush, wooded islands and a 2km deep Faydherbia Albida
band of woodland along the Zambezi river banks, Chikwenya’s
diverse habitats lend itself to being one of Africa’s best
wildlife sanctuary’s found anywhere on the continent.
The Faydherbia trees more commonly known as the winter thorn, due to the fact that they produce a highly nutritious seed during Zimbabwe’s winter months, provide much needed sustenance to the wildlife in the dry season and is the main reason why the Mana pools and Lower Zambezi floodplains have such abundant game during the months of June through November.
With large numbers of ungulates concentrated in relatively small areas it follows that the super predators such as Lion, leopard, hyena and wild dog are regularly encountered on game drives and walks. The river itself hosts one of Africa’s greatest concentrations of hippo and crocodile and its pools and eddies are teeming with fish.
Accommodation:
The camp holds a maximum of 18 guests in 9 thatched twin chalets. All the chalets have two three quarter beds which can be pushed together to suit guest's preferences.
The beds have large spacious mosquito nets which hang over the beds to the ground with ample space to move around. Fans are a prominent feature in all bedrooms. Each chalet has a shower with hot and cold water, flush toilet and basin en suite. Each room also has its own dressing area and private veranda with built in seats.
Standard Lodges
At Chikwenya, we have 8 private standard lodges. Each lodge has its own private bathroom, dressing room, outside shower and colonial bath. Each has both air conditioning and overhead fans.
The lodges are all thatched, with the front half being solely teak windows and doors and the back section built out of the eco friendly hydro form bricks. The lodges have been exclusively decorated by premier interior decorators.
Built on teak platforms, each lodge has a private deck from which to relax with an ice cold cocktail whilst enjoying the magnificent sunsets and wildlife in the Zambezi River Valley.
Honeymoon Suite
Situated at the far eastern section of the lodge is the Honeymoon Suite. Set slightly apart from the nearest standard lodge, the honeymoon suite mirrors the standard lodges with the exception of the added attraction of an outside spa bath.
Presidential Suite
Located on the eastern edge of the Lodge is the ultra luxurious ‘presidential suite’, comprising of a bedroom, private bathroom, spa bath, outside shower and colonial bath, private swimming pool, private dining and bar area, lounge and fire place, private deck and outside gardens. A dream destination with excellent value for money.
Facilities:
The lodge is one of the most luxurious found anywhere on the Zambezi river, comprising of 9 double lodges and one presidential suite, each lodge has an inside and outside bathroom, a private deck and a colonial style bath in which to lie back, relax and enjoy the magnificent vista all around you. Each lodge is air conditioned for those unbearably hot October days, yet also designed to allow guests to open up to the African night sounds behind gauze doors and windows in the cooler months.
The main entertainment area has a bar, outside dining, swimming pool and lapa area. Dining, Lounge and Entertainment Area. The central section of the lodge is where the dining, lounge, bar and entertainment area is located. The main dining and lounge area is set slightly back from the river bank and is predominantly under thatch, with an outside deck for evening dining. Right on the banks of the river is the main swimming pool, deck, fire pit and bar. A small library and internet corner is located in the main dining/lounge area. A four sided fireplace is the central feature of the dining room and lounge. Cultural, Research and Memoir Centre. There is a cultural and research centre from where research in the concessions area will be conducted, plus a small memoir shop, featuring local artists where curios and mementoes can be purchased.
Activities:
Activities offered include game drives and walks, boat cruises, night drives, bird watching and fishing on the Zambezi for the world famous tiger fish. All activities are done with our top guides who are experts on the flora and fauna of the area.
At Chikwenya we pride ourselves on trying to cater for all our clients needs and as such activities are not regimented to certain times. Rather we attempt to fit in with the times and activities requested by our guests. This is your holiday and we believe you should make decisions as to what you want you do and when.
See some of the most spectacular wildlife in Africa up close and personal, with a qualified Professional Guide at your side! Enjoy a new and exciting atmosphere as you take a drive through the Chikwenya bush. All drives are conducted in new Landrover vehicles with no top for optimum viewing. Each vehicle seats nine people but private game drives can be arranged. A closed vehicle is available on request. See the African big five! See and even get up close to some of the most majestic animals native to Africa. An experience you’ll never forget.
Try your hand at some of the most spectacular tiger fishing in Africa with the help of our experienced fishing guides. All equipment, tackle and bait are included in the daily rates that you pay.
Enjoy a new world of scenery as you drift through the waters of the mighty Zambezi River. Get close to the wildlife and experience Africa how it should be. A nice time to sit back and relax and enjoy the wonderful world of Chikwenya.
With the knowledge and skill of our professional guides you can identify an array of fauna and flora in the Zambezi valley. Chikwenya is renowned for its bird and game viewing. Chikwenya is a prime location for Wildlife Photography. With multiple species of mammals, reptiles and birds you are bound to get a perfect shot
Access is via road from the Harare – Chirundu highway in the dry months, four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. From Harare, a distance of 430km, guests should expect a 6 – 7 hour drive. Air access is to our private airstrip located in the lease area some 3km south of the lodge. The airstrip is semi-all weather and is capable of handling most if not all turbo-prop and piston driven aircraft.
Accommodation Rates:- From $1,350Per person per night sharing. Please contact us for a quote and suggested itinerary