Wilderness Chikwenya

Wilderness Chikwenya sits where the Sapi River joins the Zambezi, at the far eastern edge of Mana Pools National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Zimbabwe's Lower Zambezi Valley. From camp, the view opens across floodplains to the river and, beyond it, to the Rift Valley escarpment. Dense woodland runs inland behind the tents.

Seven canvas tents rest on low wooden decks under indigenous trees and connect to the central area via elevated wooden walkways. Two units are configured for families: each has a king bedroom and a twin room with separate en-suite facilities, a shared outdoor deck with sunken seating, and a private plunge pool. The main area holds a lounge, dining room, and bar; a pool deck and fireplace offer further places to sit and watch what moves through.

The wildlife is the reason to come. Buffalo, elephant, hippo, and eland concentrate along the river in the dry season, drawn by water and by the protein-rich pods of albida trees. Lions, leopards, wild dogs, and cheetahs move through the area, and the rivers hold hippos and Nile crocodiles. Three hundred and fifty bird species have been recorded, among them Pel's fishing-owl and the rufous-bellied heron.

Activities include day and night game drives, guided walks along the river among albida trees, boat trips, canoeing, river cruises, and catch-and-release fishing for tigerfish — all water-based activities subject to river levels. The camp runs seasonally from April to mid-November.