WHY IS IT SO EXPENSIVE TO VISIT MANA POOLS?
The first thing you are going to discover is that Mana is very expensive compared to South Africa & Namibia (bear in mind that it is still cheap compared to Kenya and Tanzania)! There are various reasons for this, not least the fact that Zimbabwe prices are set in US Dollars. The upside is that Mana and Chitake have not yet been over-run with mass tourism and retain the “wilderness factor”.
Mana pricing is set at a rate to ration demand as Mana can only absorb so many guests at any one time due to limited road network and the fact that the ever-popular floodplain is only about 15km long x 3km wide.
Non-consumptive (eg Self-drive) tourism brings in only a tiny fraction of what it takes to keep areas like the Zambezi Valley under conservation each year. Consumptive revenue provides a much larger percentage and donor funding fills the gap. The Zambezi Valley is a Zimbabwean natural resource endowment. Some countries got oil as their God-given endowment and they certainly don’t under-charge for that! The fact is Self-Drive needs to pay it’s way in Zim or else the land must be given over to other land uses. You either go for Mass Tourism at low price, or you go for lower tourist pressure at a higher price point. It is a balancing act but that is the reality. To manage costs, try put 4pax in each car or go for a shorter period of time and include other under-utilized parks in the vicinity besides Mana in your itinerary.
HOW CAN I GET THERE AFFORDABLY?
Private lodges are very expensive (USD700 – USD1,000 per person per night) but Zimparks Campsites are much more affordable. The main Mana campsite, Nyamepi is unfenced but with 30 different sites sharing ablutions with showers & flush toilets. There are also several Exclusive Campsites which you can have all to yourself in the wilderness but these have only a pit latrine and no water. Exclusive sites are more expensive than Nyamepi and pre-booking is essential as there are a limited number of them. All campsites have an upper limit of People (3-6) and vehicles (2) there is limited leeway for up to 15 persons per site but penalty pricing is incurred. Please note Zimparks no longer offers per-person walk-in rates as they are obliged by law to adhere to statutory prices.
1. Self-Drive in a Kitted 4×4
Many people chose to rent a fully kitted 4×4 in Harare and Self-Drive to Mana, stopping in at Chitake on the way on or out for a few nights (subject to site availability). Such vehicles can be equipped with either rooftop tents or canvas ground tents if you prefer and don’t want the hassle of setting up and taking down rooftop tents every time you want to use the car. It is essential your vehicle is equipped with refrigeration and camping gear such as tables & chairs as campsites have very few facilities. Also select a reputable 4×4 provider and make sure the vehicle is robust enough to handle extreme potholes on highways and corrugations on the last 100km of dust road before Mana. Land Cruisers are the weapon of choice in these parts.
2. Mobile Camping for Private Groups of 5-8
For private groups of 5-8 looking for a more upmarket glamping option, you can take an 8-seater Land Cruiser with bush trailer and driver/chef out of Harare or Vic Falls on a 12-13 day Zambezi itinerary with guaranteed prime campsites at Mana & Chitake and taking in other Highlights such as Sail with Elephants Kariba, Kariba Ferry, Hwange and Victoria Falls. These trips run in either direction and are great value as they include catering and fuel. This also works for people unfamiliar with Zim’s challenging highway driving conditions as you get a driver/chef. The Pop-roof is great for photography and you can self-drive the vehicle inside the various parks along the route if you want.
3. Zimparks Chalets
There are two 8-sleeper and three 4-sleeper chalets at Mana. These are great for those without camping gear but tend to book out a year in advance. The 8-sleepers are better ventilated if you have the choice.
WHAT DOES IT COST TO CAMP AT MANA POOLS AND CHITAKE?
Herewith a useful summary of Zimparks Mana & Chitake Campsite Pricing:
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME AT MANA POOLS & CHITAKE ?
Mana Pools is an unfenced wilderness where guests experience far more freedom than any equivalent other African National Park. In Zimbabwe, we take responsibility for our own behavior and consider the effects our actions may have on the bush around us as well as the experience of other park visitors. Please respect Zimbabwe by familiarizing yourself with the Zimparks Mana Pools and Chitake Springs Codes of conduct prior to your arrival:
Do You Love Sadza?
If you love Zim, if you love Zimbos, if you respect the Mana and Chitake Code of Conducts and value the freedoms available in Zim, respecting our way of life then, chances are you love Sadza too! If you commit to taking personal responsibility for ‘keeping Zim Mushe”, then you qualify for a free bumper sticker available at our Harare offices:
Come and get it!
