Summary
Beyond the famous Zambezi floodplains, Hideaways Mhara River Camp offers a different perspective of Mana Pools National Park. Set on a 33 km² private concession above the Chitake River, the camp is surrounded by rugged gorges, riverine forests and abundant wildlife. From walking safaris and night drives to birdwatching and bush dinners, discover the experiences that make this corner of Zimbabwe so special.
Discover a Different Side of Mana Pools
Mana Pools National Park is best known for its sweeping Zambezi floodplains, where elephants wander beneath winter thorn trees and wildlife gathers along the river. But further inland, towards the Zambezi escarpment, the landscape changes. Sandy riverbeds wind through rocky gorges, ancient baobabs stand among the woodland, and the wilderness feels wonderfully remote.
This is where you’ll find Hideaways Mhara River Camp, tucked beneath shady rain trees on a private 33 km² concession overlooking the Chitake River.
With just six safari tents positioned approximately 50 metres above the riverbed, the camp offers an intimate base for exploring this lesser-visited part of Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Here, the safari often begins before you even leave camp. Elephants and baboons move along the sandy riverbed below, while fresh tracks along the pathways offer clues to the wildlife that passed through during the night.
With guided walks, game drives, birdwatching and time spent enjoying the wilderness, each day brings a different experience.
Walking Safaris Through Chitake Gorge
One of the most rewarding ways to explore Mana Pools is on foot, and guided walking safaris are at the heart of the Hideaways Mhara experience.
Accompanied by an experienced guide, guests can explore the Chitake Gorge, where seasonal floodwaters have shaped the landscape over thousands of years. Enormous boulders line the riverbed, while natural springs provide an important source of water for wildlife during the drier months.
Beyond the gorge, walking routes lead through the riverine forests along the Chitake and Hideaways Mhara rivers, where towering mahogany and sausage trees provide shade. Baobabs, rocky outcrops and stretches of sandy riverbed add to the variety of landscapes waiting to be explored.
Walking brings a different perspective to a safari. Rather than covering distances in a vehicle, there is time to examine animal tracks, recognise bird calls, learn about the surrounding plants and discover the smaller details of the bush.
Every walk is different, shaped by the conditions, wildlife movements and the knowledge of your experienced guide.
Game Drives Through Riverbeds and Riverine Forests
While walking offers a closer look at the landscape, game drives allow guests to explore more of the private concession and its varied habitats.
Morning drives often begin as the bush comes to life, with the possibility of encountering predators returning from a night of hunting. Routes wind through dry riverbeds, beneath towering cliffs and into areas of dense riverine vegetation where elephants, buffalo and antelope move in search of food and water.
Lion and spotted hyena are among the predators found in the area, while leopard and African wild dog are particularly exciting sightings when they occur.
The private concession allows for a quieter safari experience, with fewer vehicles and more time to observe wildlife without the pressure of busy sightings.
During the dry season, typically from June to October, animals become increasingly reliant on available water sources. This can make for particularly rewarding game viewing around the concession’s pans, springs and river systems.
Night Drives in Mana Pools
As daylight fades, a different side of the wilderness begins to emerge.
One of the distinctive experiences available at Hideaways Mhara River Camp is the opportunity to enjoy guided night drives on its private concession.
With the help of a spotlight and an experienced guide, guests may encounter some of the animals that are more difficult to observe during the day. Leopard, lion and spotted hyena may be active after dark, while smaller nocturnal species such as serval and genet are also possible sightings.
Owls and nightjars add to the experience, particularly for bird enthusiasts interested in the species that become active after sunset.
Even when wildlife remains out of sight, travelling through the African bush after dark offers an entirely different atmosphere, with the sounds of nocturnal animals carrying through the night.
Bush Breakfasts, Sundowners and Dining Under the Stars
Not every memorable safari moment happens during a wildlife sighting. Sometimes, it is simply having time to stop and enjoy the surroundings.
On selected morning drives, guests may enjoy a tea stop or bush breakfast beneath the shade of a sausage tree. Homemade biscuits, fresh coffee and a cooked breakfast taste particularly good after an early start in the wilderness.
Afternoons bring their own traditions. As the sun begins to set, game drives pause for sundowners at scenic locations overlooking the surrounding landscape. It is a chance to reflect on the day’s sightings while watching the light change across the Zambezi Valley.
Back at Hideaways Mhara River Camp, the lounge and dining deck overlooks the riverbed, where passing elephants and other wildlife occasionally provide the evening’s entertainment. For something a little different, exclusive bush dinners take dining beyond the camp itself. Set in a dry riverbed on the private concession, these evenings offer the opportunity to enjoy a meal beneath the stars, accompanied by the sounds of the surrounding wilderness.
Birdwatching at Hideaways Mhara River Camp
Mana Pools is one of Zimbabwe’s most rewarding birding destinations, with more than 400 species recorded in the wider area.
The mix of riverine forests, woodland, dry riverbeds and seasonal water sources around Hideaways Mhara River Camp creates excellent opportunities for both experienced birders and those discovering the region’s birdlife for the first time.
Among the most sought-after species is the African Pitta, a colourful and elusive summer migrant that arrives during the rainy season. Its distinctive call can sometimes be heard from the dense riverine vegetation around camp, making the months from November to March particularly exciting for birding enthusiasts.
Other species to look out for include the Broad-billed Roller, Southern Carmine Bee-eater and Red-backed Shrike, along with numerous woodland residents and seasonal migrants.
Guests can also spend time at the camp’s dedicated bird hide, which provides a comfortable, discreet vantage point for watching and photographing birds and other wildlife as they move through the surrounding habitat. For those hoping to see the African Pitta, read more about this remarkable summer visitor at Hideaways Mhara River Camp.
Beyond the Concession: More Ways to Experience Mana Pools
For guests spending a little longer at Hideaways Mhara River Camp, several additional experiences allow for a deeper exploration of the surrounding wilderness.
Fly camping offers the chance to spend a night away from the main camp. Setting out on foot with an experienced guide, guests journey through the wilderness towards a remote overnight campsite. With a simple setup beneath the stars, the focus is on the sounds, atmosphere and experience of being immersed in the bush.
A full-day floodplain excursion reveals another side of Mana Pools. Travelling beyond the private concession, guests explore the famous Zambezi floodplain landscapes, where seasonal grazing attracts elephant, buffalo and other plains game, with the possibility of predator encounters.
Dinosaur footprint excursions provide an opportunity to discover the region’s prehistoric history. These guided day trips venture beyond the concession to ancient footprint sites, offering a fascinating contrast to the wildlife experiences of the present day.
Experience the Wilderness at Hideaways Mhara River Camp
What makes Hideaways Mhara River Camp special is the variety of ways there are to experience its surroundings. One morning might be spent following tracks through the Chitake Gorge, while the next begins with birdsong from the riverine forest or elephants moving quietly along the riverbed.
With a private concession to explore and experienced guides who know the landscape, there is room to discover Mana Pools at a different pace.
