John’s Camp is an intimate safari camp perfectly situated in the heart of Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe, a UNESCO World Heritage site offering an authentic safari experience.
Open 1 May – 15 November
Accommodation 6 Meru style canvas tents
Policy Only children over 12 years are welcome (unless prior arrangement made)
Airstrip Mana Pools Airstrip
Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a beautiful 2,196 sq. km wildlife conservation area in northern Zimbabwe. Mana means “four” in Shona, (one of the main vernacular languages in Zimbabwe) and it refers to the number of large permanent pools left by the Zambezi River as it flows into the flood plain. Mana is known as one of Africa’s best game viewing areas, as many large animals come here in search of water. It is also an excellent area for fishing, of course, and bird-watching, being rich in vegetation diversity from river frontage to forests of mahogany, wild fig, acacia albida and baobabs.
GPS Coordinates: 15°43’0.97” S 29°24’3.17” E
The Camp Accommodation:
6 twin/double en suite tents under fly sheets, with large gauze windows. Tents can be converted into a triple to accommodate a child.
Facilities:
Flush loo with overhanging bucket shower and full amenities.
There is a running water basin inside the tent and a canvas hand basin on the veranda. No WIFI or telephone reception.
Activities:
Walking, day game drives, canoeing, fishing, night spent in a gauze pop-tent star gazing, bush breakfasts and lunches. No night drives. Activities are between 0600 & 1800hrs or depending on time of year (sunrise & sunset to determine this) 0630 & 1830hrs. Note: Strictly no off-road driving – however, guides are armed so have the privilege to walk guests out of the vehicle to get closer to a sighting if it is a distance off the road.
Meals & Drinks:
Rate is fully inclusive with premium drinks available on request e.g. champagne and exquisites.
Nut Allergies: While our kitchen is fully capable of catering for most dietary requests, we regrettably are unable to cater for people with severe nut allergies as we cannot guarantee a completely nut free environment.
Dining:
Al fresco under a shady tree or starlight sky.
Electricity & Water:
220 volt inverted from 12 volt solar available in the kitchen at all times for charging etc.
Solar lighting in tents. Paraffin and candlelight in the dining area.
Bottled drinking water is provided free of charge. River water is used for showers, laundry and in the paddling pool.
Children’s Policy:
No children under 12 years. Younger children may be permitted by prior arrangement and based on exclusive use of camp.
Payments & Extras:
All payments for extras are to be made in cash in US Dollars.
Tipping:
Is not expected but always enthusiastically received if you are happy with the service. Please always give tips for the camp/lodge staff to the management to be shared out and tip your guide individually. Envelopes are provided in your tents.
Travel Information:
International Flights Qatar, Comair (British Airways), South African Airways, Kenya Airways, Emirates and Ethiopian Airways.
Getting to Mana Pools:
Scheduled charter from either Victoria Falls (2 hours 15 minutes) or Harare (1 hour 10 minutes) – private charters available but may take variable time depending on aircraft. Harare to Chirundu drive/road transfer (4 hours) then boat transfer to Nyamepi, Mana Pools (1 hours 15 minutes); from here the drive to camp is 20 minutes. Lusaka, Zambia to Chirundu Border (2.5 hours) then 5 minutes to boat and the boat transfer into Nyamepi, Mana Pools (1 hours 15 minutes); then drive to camp is 20 minutes.
Self-drive option (this is however not recommended as the road into Mana Pools is in very bad condition). Arriving in the Park Either by aircraft into Mana Main airstrip OR by river transfer to Nyamepi from Chirundu after a road transfer from either Lusaka, Zambia or Kariba/Harare.
Getting into Camp:
A leisurely game drive of approximately 45 minutes from either Mana Main or Mana West airstrips. You will be met by one of the camp guides. Meet & Greet The Camp Manager and team will meet you in camp. You will be given a safety talk, signing of indemnities and a camp walk-through/familiarisation.
Visas:
Visas can be obtained at all Entry ports into Zimbabwe on arrival and fees differ according to country of residence. Please do verify at time of booking what the regulations are for your specific country from origin. Zimbabwe immigration visa website link www.evisa.gov.zw.
Current visa fees are: Canadian passports: Single entry only – US$75 British and Irish passports: Single entry – US$55 (or equivalent in SA Rands or Pounds); Double entry- US$70. Other passports (USA, Europe, Australia, New Zealand): Single entry -US$30 (or equivalent in SA Rands or Pounds); Double entry – US$45 (or equivalent).
Airport Tax:
Most airlines now include airport taxes in the tickets. But for charter flights these may still be payable, these will be communicated at the time of booking by our reservations team.
Health:
All visitors should be medically insured.
We recommend that visitors to Zimbabwe take malaria prophylactics.
Tetanus, polio, typhoid and hepatitis vaccinations are recommended.
Please make sure you check with your local Health Authorities for the latest health updates and warnings.
It is advisable to know your blood group type in case of emergency.
Insurance:
We ask that full insurance is put in place at point of confirmation. We highly recommend that every guest has insurance that covers the following as a minimum:
Cancellation and curtailment.
Medical costs (including full hospital costs should it be needed)
Personal accident or death
Emergency evacuation from the point of evacuation to the nearest best hospital and then back to the guest’s hometown.
Family or travelling partner should also be covered for accompanying an evacuation. We cannot emphasize how important it is to be fully covered. Private hospitals in Africa will not accept a patient until full medical insurance has been established.
Photography:
Please be sensitive when photographing local people and their villages. Ask the guide or the villagers first. Be careful when photographing public buildings and persons in uniform – again, ask first. No drones are allowed to be flown in the park.
What to bring:
You should always travel with soft bags not hard suitcases (not only for the smaller aircraft but also to fit into vehicles). Important items to bring along: Sunscreen, hat, good closed walking shoes, natural-coloured, safari-style clothing that can be layered – nothing bright, all charging cables and adaptors, binoculars, camera, medication you may have been prescribed including prophylactics. Depending on which time of the year you visit, a warm jacket and some gloves. Climate Depending on which time of year you visit, you may need waterproofs, a warm jacket or sunscreen. The dry months are from April till October and the wet months November till March. Temperatures range throughout the year from between 11-40 C
