John's Camp

The main focus of John's Camp in Mana Pools is the surrounding wilderness and the authentic game viewing experience. The national park's remote location in the north of Zimbabwe and its unfenced shared border with Zambia's Lower Zambezi National Park means there is a wide range of birdlife and wildlife waiting to be discovered by the adventurer who is looking for an authentic African safari far from the crowds. Famous for its big herds of elephants and buffalo, Mana Pools is also home to hippo, crocodile and the critically endangered African wild dog.

Authentic African bush camp

John's Camp can accommodate 12 people in six twin or double Meru-style tents. Each tent has a running water basin and an en-suite bathroom which is accessed through a zipped flap. The outdoor flush toilet and bucket shower, while open to the sky, are well-screened for maximum privacy. The bucket shower can be filled with hot water on request. The tents open onto a small veranda that is shaded and has folding chairs, providing the perfect spot for an early morning coffee.

Main area

Simple and rustic, the main area is a large tent with open sides. It has a communal dining table, a lounge area and a coolbox which is regularly restocked with drinks. Most meals are served al fresco in the shade of a tree during the day or under the stars at night. Eco-friendly John's Camp runs on solar power. There are solar reading lamps inside the tents and lighting is provided by paraffin lamps and candles at dinner each night. Electrical appliances can be charged in the kitchen at all times but please note that John's Camp has no WiFi or telephone reception.

Activities during the day

Walking safaris, daytime game drives and land-based fishing in Mana Pools National Park are some of the activities on offer at the camp. On request, John's Camp can arrange a private tour of the National Park HQ and Village where guests will be able to meet and interact with the wildlife rangers whose job it is to protect the animals and environment.

Getting there

By road - A road transfer from Harare to Chirundu takes four hours. From there, boat transfers to Nyamepi in Mana Pools take another 1 hour 15 minutes. A further transfer by road of 20 minutes will see guests arriving at John's Camp. Self-drive is not advisable as the road into Mana Pools is in very bad condition.

By air - A scheduled charter from Victoria Falls takes 2 hours 15 minutes and Harare 1 hour 10 minutes to Mana Main or Mara West airstrips. Guests will be met by a safari guide and taken on a 45-minute game drive to their John's Camp accommodation.

Our take on John's Camp

The staff at John's Camp are warm and attentive. The safari guides are highly qualified and passionate about wildlife. Daily activities are flexible and tailored to your interests. Whether it's fishing, walking or a more challenging trail trek you're up for, let your safari guide know what you'd like to do and they'll do their best to accommodate you.