escourted – Page 6 – Pure Breaks

Zambezi Expeditions

Zambezi Expeditions is a semi-mobile camp that offers guests stunning views over the floodplains of the Zambezi River and the diverse landscape of Mana Pools National Park. The camp consists of six Meru style tents that lie along the riverside. The open plains present incredible wildlife viewing opportunities as herds of elephants and impala wander across the sweeping grasslands to drink from the riverbank. Zambezi Expeditions gives guests the opportunity to explore the World Heritage site, Mana Pools National Park, and enjoy activities such as fishing, canoeing and bird watching against the backdrop of the park’s verdant floodplains and the distant escarpment across the river’s flowing waters. The semi-mobile camp is small and intimate, meaning that guests can enjoy a private and authentic safari experience in peaceful surroundings. While the camp usually tailors for up to 12 guests at any one time, a 6-bedded camp of three tents can be set up for a single group on special request. Due to its riverside location, Zambezi Expeditions closes over the rainy season and is open from April 1st until November 30th.

Nyamatusi Mahogany

Nyamatusi Mahogany is a small and intimate camp, perfect for families who are looking for a personal and authentic safari experience in a comfortable, child-friendly setting. The Ngwana Club provides a range of fun and educational activities for children, and the family suites are positioned closest to the main area so that younger guests can easily reach it without having to walk through the wilderness. The camp is made up of just four suites, two of which are family suites, which all overlook the tranquil waters of the Zambezi River from the pleasant shade of towering and ancient mahogany trees, from which the camp takes its name. Nyamatusi Mahogany has a natural design and is powered by solar energy, causing minimal disruption to the environment. Mana Pools is known as one of the last pioneer parks, and is a haven for explorers and nature-lovers due to its diverse landscape and rich wildlife population. Take a canoe along the river and view wildlife from a whole new perspective, or embark on a game drive to find the best spots for viewing wildlife alongside the camp’s knowledgable guides.

John’s Camp

John’s Camp is a semi-permanent safari camp that lies on the banks of the Zambezi River, nestled into the pleasant shade of towering Trichelia and Mahogany trees. The camp opens in May of each year, and guests can visit until November 15th, when the camp closes for the rainy season. 6 Meru style tents overlook the river’s tranquil waters and the rolling landscape beyond. Guests can gather by an evening campfire and enjoy interacting and sharing exciting safari stories over a meal. John’s Camp is situated within Mana Pools National Park, where guests can walk across the floodplains and get up close to the incredible wildlife that roams the diverse landscape. Watch the silhouettes of passing African Bull Elephant herds as you see off the end of another day with a refreshing sundowner, as trails of blazing pink and orange streak through the clear skies.

Khayelitshe House

Khayelitshe House gains its name from the Ndebele words Ekhaya and Litshe, which mean home in the rocks. The rural guesthouse is set among the red granite boulders of Matopo, overlooking the vast wilderness that lies beyond the rolling stone hills. The Matobo Hills are one of the largest concentrations of exposed granite in the world, and have been home to many tribes over the last few thousand years. Travellers to the area can view the incredible San Bushmen rock art and visit a number of sacred sites, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide who can teach you about the customs and beliefs that the tribes followed. Guests can also enjoy hiking, biking and exploring the amazing landscape. Khayelitshe House consists of four luxurious en-suite bedrooms and is the perfect retreat for families or a large group of friends who are looking for a private and exclusive safari experience in a truly unique setting.

Vundu Camp

Vundu Camp stands along the banks of the Zambezi River, half-hidden amongst a cluster of ebony and tamarind trees that offer both shade and a sense of privacy. Due to its riverside location, Vundu Camp is closed over the rainy season (December to April) when the riverbanks flood. The camp lies within a private concession within Mana Pools National Park, giving guests exclusive front row seats to exciting wildlife viewing from the comfort of the camp itself. The eight thatched chalets provide a luxurious setting for relaxing and waiting for the incredible local wildlife to come to you. Each room has a lounge area and outdoor seating that overlooks the tranquil waters of the Zambezi River, where guests can look out for hippos and crocodiles. Vundu Camp is also home to a number of wild dogs (also known as painted wolves) and the camp’s owners, Nick and Desiree Murray, worked alongside Sir David Attenborough for BBC’s Earth Dynasties painted wolf episode – shot at Vundu Camp.

Amalinda Lodge

Amalinda Lodge is set among the Matobo Hills, built into and around the granite domes and giant rocks that mark this incredible landscape. The lodge uses the existing rock features and incorporates them into its design to create a unique refuge where guests can be at one with the natural surroundings in an ancient bushman shelter. Matobo Hills is home to amazing rock sceneries rarely seen in Africa, and each room is steeped in local history with artefacts on display. Enjoy your stay in a luxury lodge on a World Heritage Site, where guests can enjoy a range of activities including rhino tracking, hikes and walks within Amalinda Lodge’s stunning grounds, and cultural tours to the local villages and historical sites. Spend an afternoon viewing ancient San bushman paintings, or take a dip in the lodge’s infinity rock pool after a soothing treatment at the camp’s spa.

Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge

Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge lies on the edge of the Gonarexhou National Park, surrounding by lush vegetation and towering trees and overlooking the tranquil waters of the Save River. From the comfort of the lodge’s spacious patio, guests will be able to spot lounging hippos, basking crocodiles and herds of elephants as they rest on the riverbanks. The lodge is light and airy, with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Guests can enjoy the natural beauty of the area while escaping to the cooling shade and interacting with fellow travellers. Chilo Gorge also features luxuries such as a refreshing swimming pool, library, lounge, dining room and bar, which all offer views of the lodge’s manicured gardens. Enjoy a relaxing stay in a comfortable setting that incorporates tradition with modern design, located in heart of the African wilderness.

Matetsi Victoria Falls

Offering a unique and authentic safari experience on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, Matetsi Victoria Falls combines modern and contemporary architecture with luxurious interiors and sweeping views. Set Matetsi Private Game Reserve, guests are not only a short journey away from the magnificent Victoria Falls but are in the heart of a private wilderness. Guests can spend their days exploring the breathtaking surroundings, with game drives, guided walks, boat rides, and canoe excursions all offering traditional ways to explore the park and view the wildlife. After long days spent in nature, guests can return to Matetsi to enjoy a delicious meal prepared with fresh and local ingredients, and a drink around the boma – toasting to the memories you are making.

Gorges Camp and Little Gorges

Gorges Camp and Little Gorges lie at the edge of the Batoka Gorge, just a 30-minute drive from Victoria Falls town. Here, guests can enjoy a relaxing stay, surrounded by the ground’s beautiful landscaped garden and the exquisite views of the Batoka Gorge which can be admired from your private verandah, or from the cooling waters of the swimming pool. The two camps are positioned side-by-side, overlooking the rushing waters of the Zambezi River as it makes its way to the basaltic plateau of Victoria Falls. Gorges Camp and Little Gorges enjoy a tranquil atmosphere away from the vibrant Victoria Falls town, meaning that guests can enjoy a soothing and secluded environment with stunning views, but the town is still easy to access for exciting activities such as white water rafting and tours of the local area. Gorges Camp offers a luxurious experience, where guests can stay in a comfortable thatched chalet with private balconies, whereas Little Gorge gives guests a more authentic bush camping experience where you can get close to nature and witness the thrills of safari up close.

The Elephant Camp

The Elephant Camp rests within a private concession, offering stunning views of the rainbow spray from Victoria Falls from its location between the Masuwe River and the Zambezi gorges. The main deck overlooks the cavernous Batoka Gorge, with the ‘Smoke That Thunders’ resting lightly on the horizon.

Located just twenty minutes from the world’s largest waterfall, The Elephant Camp allows guests to enjoy both the fascinating wildlife of the African bush, the tranquillity of the Zambezi’s vast floodplains, and the unique and exciting Victoria Falls.

The Lodge provides guests with an authentic safari experience within a luxurious space, with a sunken fire pit, boma dining area, and private plunge pools. Guests can engage with nature and even visit the elephants at the Elephant Sanctuary and Orphanage and meet the elephants who are currently rehabilitating and being cared for before their release back into the wild.