Imagine a landscape framed by a collection of shady rain trees, just 50 meters above the bustling Chitake River, where the riverbed attracts wildlife in search of water. It’s in this corner of paradise that you’ll discover Hideaways Mhara River Camp, a pristine private camp, hidden away in an area that was untouched for centuries. Located in Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hideaways Mhara River Camp offers spectacular wildlife experiences for all.

You’ll have incredible encounters with lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalo, as well as spotting rare bird species, notably the African Pitta, all of which will delight avid birdwatchers.

It is because of our passion for preserving and protecting this corner of paradise that we invite you to join us for a truly unique safari experience, where you can witness the wildlife in our concession up close, while still ensuring safety for both guests and animals alike.

No stone has been left unturned in the design, ensuring uninterrupted views of the Chitake River, with individual privacy in mind. Hideaways Mhara River Camp offers a unique and relaxing experience in the bush.

√ Twin beds
√ En-suite bathrooms
√ Tea and coffee station
√ Charging facilities
√ Cooling fans
√ Mosquito netting
√ Solar powered fans

Type
Luxury Tented Camp

No. Rooms
6

Check-In Time
14:00

Check-Out Time
10:00

Spoken Languages
English

Available Services
Credit Card Facilities

Special Interests
Adventure, Birding, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife

The location of our lodge in Mana Pools, Zimbabwe, guarantees an exceptional year-round safari destination in southern Africa. Daytime temperatures range from around 20°C to 30°C and can drop considerably at night to below 10°C.

At Mhara, three strategically placed pans attract a diverse range of wildlife. During the winter months from June to October, as the bush clears, wildlife viewing is enhanced around these water sources, where we pump water to support the animals during the drier months. The experience becomes even more rewarding as animals gather around the natural springs and dry riverbeds, often seen digging in the sand in search of water.

For our bird-loving friends, the best time to book a stay at Mhara River Camp is between November and April, when the wet summer months attract a host of migratory species, in particular the rare African Pitta. Temperatures can exceed 30°C during the day, and 20°C at night. So, it’s essential to protect yourself from the sun.

The surrounding landscape changes with the seasons, offering different spectacles all year round.

Each morning begins slowly, where you’ll start your day with the gentle sound of nature surrounding you, where you can enjoy a local Zimbabwean coffee on your private patio and are likely to spot an elephant or baboon walking along the riverbed below. On your way into the main area, make sure to look at the paths for signs of elephant or lion tracks from nighttime visitors walking through the camp while you slept. You will then be able to enjoy some local delicacies, followed by a game drive, or for the more adventurous, a guided bush walk, allowing you to explore our concession on foot.

Your game drive will take you through spectacular and varied landscapes. Drive along dry riverbeds with towering cliffs formed by powerful flood waters shaping the earth, encountering elephants, antelopes, and predators crossing the riverbed in search of food and water.

You can walk up the Chitake Gorge, where you will find giant tangled boulders gouged out of the mountains by millions of liters of flood water over the ages, springs which hold water into the dry months and encounter varied mammals, birds, and plants not found elsewhere in our concession. Slightly further down, you can explore the riverine forests along the Chitake and Mhara rivers, where you will find giant Mahoganies and Sausage trees providing welcome respite from the hot midday sun under their shady canopies.

Your day will end with a memorable African sunset and a drink of your choice in hand, so get ready to toast the end of each day of your trip with spectacular views and elephants, or other wildlife, passing by just meters away from your seat. And for those who aren’t ready to end their day just yet, you can enjoy a night drive on our concession to discover Mhara’s mysterious nightlife. Our night drives are a highlight of any trip to Mhara. Perhaps you will see a leopard, lions, serval, genets or watch the flight of owls and nightjars.

Mhara River Camp is located in the southern side of Mana Pools National Park with views of the Chitake River 50 meters below.

The best way to get to the camp is to charter fly. Once you have arrived at Harare International Airport, you will take a charter flight to Ruckomechi airstrip. This exciting one-hour and twenty-minute flight offers spectacular views. Upon arrival, your guide will greet you at the airstrip.

If you prefer to drive, the journey from Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital, to Mhara River Camp takes approximately 6 hours.

GPS CO-ORDINATES: Mhara River Camp, Mana Pools -16.14047, 29.56913

From USD 480 per person sharing. Fully Inclusive (Green Season)
From USD 550 per person sharing. Fully Inclusive (Mid-Season)
From USD 790 per person sharing. Fully Inclusive (High Season)

Includes:

√ Accommodation in safari tents fitted with en-suite bathrooms

√ All meals

√ Local beverages (soft drinks & alcoholic) tea, coffee, Wi-Fi, laundry

√ Two game activities per day, including guided bush walks.

√ National Parks conservation and vehicle entry fees,

√ Transfers to Ruckomechi airstrip

√ Transfers to Nyakasikana boom gate, and a 2% tourism levy.

Excludes:

√ International flights

√ Premium wines and beverages

√ Transfers from major towns/cities

√ Items of a personal nature

√ Medical and travel insurance

√ Staff gratuities

√ Gifts and curios, and air charter