Little Vundu Camp

The recently refurbished tented camp consists of 5 Meru style tents, designed for Zimbabwe’s dry season which is when Little Vundu Camp operates. The modernised interiors form a comfy setting where guests can relax in comfortable armchairs and watch passing elephants as they reach up for fruit on the nearby trees through the tent’s surrounding windows.

The spacious bedroom consists of two twin beds fitted with soft and breathable linen, mosquito nets, paraffin lamps and a range of amenities. The room leads on to a private open-air, en-suite bathroom complete with a hot shower and flush toilet. The tent’s entrance features outdoor seating where guests can enjoy the pleasant shade while admiring the stunning landscape and looking out for nearby wildlife.

Guests staying at Little Vundu Camp can look forward to three delicious meals each day. Breakfast is served early so that guests can embark on their first activity of the day as soon as possible, since many species of wildlife are most active early in the day. On returning, guests can enjoy a fine selection of freshly prepared dishes from the lunch buffet, before the afternoon activities.

Dinner is served in the evenings and consists of a three-course meal that can be enjoyed in the outdoor communal dining area. Enjoy a sweet dessert under the dazzling stars before indulging in a post-dinner coffee or something stronger around the campfire.

Embark on a game drive and discover the incredible wildlife of Mana Pools National Park from the comfort of a specially-designed safari vehicle. The park is home to a range of amazing creatures including approximately 12,000 African Bull Elephants and large prides of lions. Watch antelope as they congregate at the waters before scattering across the plains as predators approach. The camp’s knowledgeable guides will be able to teach you interesting facts about the incredible animals of Zimbabwe, as well as show you the best spots for viewing game.

Explore the bush on foot on a walking safari, and experience the smaller details that make safaris more immersive. Your experienced guide will be able to teach you how to recognise tracks, and follow clues left in the wilderness that will lead to incredible game viewing opportunities. Get up close to the giant grey African Bull Elephants and get a sense of the sheer size of these amazing animals.

Walking safaris allow you to explore at your own pace, without the noise of an engine to startle the wildlife, and take advantage of incredible photographic opportunities. The Bushlife Safaris Team won the award for Best Walking Safari in Zimbabwe in 2019.

Enjoy a safari from a completely new perspective by taking a canoe along the Zambezi River, where amazing game viewing awaits you. Watch elephants and hippos as they wade through the waters to escape the hot sunshine, and observe eland and antelope as they gather at the riverbanks for a drink. Canoe safaris allow guests to enjoy a leisurely exploration of Mana Pools and appreciate the stunning landscape while drifting along the soothing waters.

Mana Pools National Park is home to over 380 species of birds, which can best be seen during April when the rainy season is coming to an end and migratory birds return to the area. Several species of kingfisher can be found along the Zambezi River, along with cormorants, darters, herons, and African fish eagles. As the dry season progresses, guests may find colourful carmine bee-eaters and Pel’s fishing owl as they nest along the riverbanks.

Mana Pools National Park’s diverse landscape features woodland, riverine, and dry plains, making it the ideal habitat for a range of land birds such as the Nyasa lovebird and banded snake eagle. Enjoy searching for these incredible creatures and listening to their gentle songs.

The Zambezi River lures wildlife to its shady banks to enjoy drinking, bathing and playing in its cool waters. Guests don’t need to leave Little Vundu Camp to enjoy amazing wildlife viewing. Watch giant elephants as they rise up on their back legs to pluck food from the tallest branches, and spy on herds of buffalo and antelope as they wander along the plains. Little Vundu also offers guests the chance to see the infamous wild dogs who starred on BBC Earth Dynasty.

Enjoy a peaceful afternoon by the river and fish for a range of amazing species including Tilapia, Vundu Catfish and Bream. All fishing is on a catch-and-release policy. Admire the stunning riverside views and the distant shores of Zambia as you reel in beautiful fish, and try your luck against the infamously difficult-to-catch African Tiger Fish.

Little Vundu Camp is part of Bushlife Safaris, which set up the Bushlife Support Unit in 2015 in order to unite the Zambezi Valley community in a collaborative effort to stamp out illegal poaching in the area. The Bushlife Support Unit works to prevent human-wildlife conflict by relocating animals who are causing damage or distress to local communities. When wildlife and human communities overlap, predators may attack livestock and elephants can trample and steal crops, which sometimes leads to human retaliation. By relocating animals to prevent these issues, the Bushlife Support Unit is helping to protect both human and animal lives. Additionally, the Bushlife Support Unit has a team of rangers who embark on anti-poaching patrols each day on both land and boat to remove traps and protect the wildlife.

The Bushlife Conservancy is a registered charity in the United States which works to raise conservation funds that go towards protecting African wildlife within Mana Pools and Zambezi Valley. Bushlife Conservancy’s main goals at present are to help restore and repair communities within the Mana Pools National Park after the impacts of Covid-19, as well as funding more elephant collars to help with tracking and population monitoring. They also work with Zimbabwe National Parks, aiding with the Large Carnivore Research Programme in order to develop wildlife management programmes.

‘Nkululeko “Freedom” Hlongwane, the Bushlife Conservancy Anti-Poaching Manager & Community Liaison Officer was one of only 13 people from the whole of Africa to be invited to join the African Regional Program in the International Visitor Leadership Program, which was run by the US Fisheries and Wildlife Services in 2019. He gained valuable knowledge in creating relevant programmes for Zimbabwe, and is a real asset to the Bushlife Conservancy team.’

Painted wolves, also known as wild dogs, are of personal interest to Bushlife Safaris’ owner, Nick Murray, who was the lead guide for the painted wolf episode of BBC’s Earth Dynasties series, which was narrated by Sir David Attenborough. This was key in raising awareness of the painted wolves, and how their endangered species can and must be protected as human infringement continues to threaten and deplete their numbers. The Bushlife Painted Wolf Conservancy is a branch of Bushlife Support Unit Trust and specialises in the research and conservation of the African Wild Dog.