Kavinga Safari Camp was once upon a time a mobile safari, and was named after a famous Chief in the area, as well as a magnificent lion in whose territory Kavinga now lies. This lion lived to be over 9 years old and his footprints have been immortalised in the concrete floor of the reception area. What a beautiful big boy he must have been.
Kavinga Safari Camp is located in a private concession within the southern boundary of Mana Pools National Park, approximately 1 kilometre upstream of the confluence of the Ruckomechi and Chiwuye Rivers. The camp overlooks the dry Ruckomechi riverbed and is set against the extraordinary backdrop of the Zambezi Escarpment.
Access to Kavinga can be made by charter flight to the Rukomechi air strip, or self-drive to the camp. Kavinga is roughly 350kms from the capital city of Harare. A 4×4 vehicle is required for the last section of the drive on dirt road.
The central entertainment area is perched on the edge of a cliff, facing east for breath-taking sunrise views. These views can be enjoyed from either one of the 2 decks, overlooking the dry riverbed and waterhole below. The lower deck has a comfortable lounge area, as well as deck chairs in which to park yourself and watch the wildlife come and go from the waterhole. Off to the side of the lower deck is a lovely fire pit area, which is slightly sheltered from the wind, but still offers the same gorgeous view.
Kavinga have added a unique pool that also overlooks the waterhole, but is not accessible by the elephants that regularly come to drink. The pool is reached by a steep set of rustic stairs. A toilet has been attached for guests convenience. Guests are welcome to help themselves to all the refreshments offered at the bar adjacent to the dining area. For those wanting to go home with a souvenir, the lodge has a curio shop next to the reception.
8 Tent Rooms
There are 8 tent rooms for guests, accommodating a maximum of 16 guests in total at any one time. The rooms are built on stilts, located on the cliff and are also east facing, with beautiful views of either the waterhole or the dry riverbed. Each tent has its own private verandah with chairs to enjoy your own space, while watching the game below. The rooms are surrounded by insect repellent gauze, allowing the wind to circulate and keep the rooms cool. There are two x 3/4 beds in each room, allowing for double or twin bed set-up. The en-suite is large, with a dressing room area, as well as his & hers basins, beautifully tiled shower with very hot water supplied by solar geysers. There is a separate toilet.
Each room has a flask of hot water for tea and coffee making, with a large hand-held spot light in which to spot game during the night. There are complimentary toiletries and the water is safe to drink straight from the taps. For valuables, there is a lock box provided in each room.
There is limited cell phone signal around the lodge and a hot spot in the main lounge area for guests needing to check urgent messages. The lodge is unfenced, allowing wildlife to come and go as they please. For this reason guests are escorted to and from their rooms at night time by a guide.
Meals are served either on the lower or upper deck. A continental breakfast is served at about 6 o’clock in the morning, before guests head out on game drives or walks, followed by a cooked breakfast upon return at about eight thirty. Lunch is served at 12:30, and can be a buffet or picnic meal out in the bush, if requested. Sundowner drinks are a must on the deck before a smart 3 course dinner at seven thirty.
Something that makes Kavinga a unique lodge in Mana Pools is their custom made hide. It is built to resemble a termite mound, and is located within easy walking distance, giving an 180 degree view of the waterhole from elephant-foot level. Another of Kavinga’s unique activities is their Star Gazing Activity, where guests are taken out on to the dry riverbed after dinner, with blankets and tea and coffee and given a very informative talk about the constellations of stars.
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