Wilderness Chikwenya
Wilderness Chikwenya is located on a private concession on the eastern boundary of the Mana Pools National Park in the Lower Zambezi Valley.
Wilderness Chikwenya has a spectacular setting on the confluence of the Zambezi and Sapi Rivers, surrounded by a forest of albida and Natal mahogany trees and overlooking the floodplains, river and escarpment beyond. The camp offers luxurious tented accommodation and excellent opportunities for walking and boating activities in particular. This, together with the camp’s relaxed riverside setting, makes Chikwenya a great base for those looking for a very comfortable, exclusive safari with a slightly slower pace.
Rooms
Accommodation is provided for around 18 guests in seven canvas en suite tents including two family tents. All tents have open plan plumbed en suite facilities (vanity, freestanding bath, indoor and outdoor showers and a separate flush toilet), ceiling and standing fans, a writing desk, tea/coffee facilities (hot water for which is provided each morning), international charging points, and a small outdoor deck with sunken seating. The family tents each comprise a standard en suite tent connecting externally with a smaller twin en suite bedroom which share a large deck with sunken seating and a private plunge pool.
Central Areas
The central areas of the camp surround a lawned area and include a thatched dining and lounge area and a second thatched lounge with bar. The lawn leads down to an outdoor dining area, where meals are usually taken under the shade of large mahogany trees, and a camp fire. There is also a communal swimming pool and deck with sun loungers overlooking the river.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for Charging – Yes
Swimming Pool – Yes
Habitat & Wildlife
Mana Pools National Park, a World Heritage Site, is a beautiful wilderness area, in northern Zimbabwe where the floodplains of the mighty Zambezi, wooded with acacia and mahogany trees, stretch out on either side of the river.
During the dry season, the floodplains teem with a wide variety of wildlife and birdlife. Herds of elephant, buffalo, kudu, eland, and waterbuck graze the sweet grasses or browse on the tasty albida pods. Lion and sable rest in the shade of the giant figs. Fringing the floodplains, the thick ‘Jesse’ bush shelters the shy creatures such as leopard, honey badger, nyala and bushbuck. Wild dog roam through the area, and crocodiles bask in the shallows, awaiting their chance of a meal when the animals report to quench their thirst. Hippo are everywhere. During the late season (late August onwards), both white fronted and carmine bee-eaters nest in the banks of the rivers providing a colourful spectacle complete the impressive list of birds to be seen.
Activities
Activities offered at Chikwenya include game drives (by day and night) in four wheel drive safari game viewers, guided nature walks, boating, canoeing (although we do not recommend canoeing along the Mana Pools shoreline due to safety concerns, as hippo and crocs have been known to be aggressive towards canoes) and catch and release fishing on a casual basis. Walking can also take place on Chikwenya Island, situated opposite the camp, as well as bush picnics.
Seasons
Wilderness Chikwenya is open from April to November, though game viewing conditions will be best from July to October.
Children from six years of age are accepted and the camp caters well for families with two dedicated family units accommodating parents and children under one roof. The camp is adept at designing activities for children and a Bush Buddy service is available for children up to the age of 12 on prior request. That said, the camp is not fenced and big game does wander through the camp and so we feel the destination naturally lends itself to families travelling with older children.
Wilderness Safaris has established two non-profit organisations to achieve their mission of protecting and expanding Africa’s wilderness through conservation and community empowerment.
Children in the Wilderness focuses on the children from villages close to the remote areas in which Wilderness Safaris operates, providing environmental education and awareness and training them in the life skills needed to care for and nurture their natural surroundings. Some of these programmes include operating annual camps for up to 30 children at a time in their lodges, running regular Eco-Clubs in rural schools, and Youth Environmental Stewardship (YES) which mentors particular children who have shown a strong interest in their environment and scholarship programmes for primary, secondary and tertiary education.
The Wilderness Wildlife Trust is involved in conservation, anti-poaching, community empowerment and education. In Zimbabwe the Trust has initiated the Hwange Elephant Movement Study which aims to gain a better understanding of elephant movements and habitat use in the park, which has a particularly high elephant density. The Trust has also set up the Scorpion Anti-Poaching Unit in Hwange National Park in order to provide manpower and resources to assist Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to reduce levels of poaching within the Park.
Wilderness Safaris also offers its guests the option to bring a donation of supplies in partnership with Pack for a Purpose where guests may use the empty space in their suitcases for donations of much needed supplies for supported projects.
