Mana West.

June 6

In 2021, I went to Mana Pools for the first time and it left me a little unsatisfied. Indeed, Mana Pools did not impress me at all. So I had to do a second experience there. As the first time it was to the east of the park, this time I went to the west of it. This trip was more conclusive than the previous one. Firstly by a natural environment and an atmosphere closer to what I appreciate in the bush and then by some exciting new experiences and encounters linked to wildlife. As I begin to approach my age limit, I have, more than usual, savored every moment.

7 nights at Kavinga camp

7 nights at Ruckomechi camp

1 night at Bronte Garden Hotel in Harare

Why those 2 camps?

First of all, in the park, I didn't want to go to the area bordering the river because, even in May, it’s too busy (camp vehicles and self-drivers). So, I had 2 solutions left, either Kavinga or Ingwe Pan. I chose Kavinga because Peter (@BRAQUENE) told me a lot of good things about it and also for the hide. I did not regret it. And Rukomechi, simply because Julian Brookstein, who had managed it some time ago, had spoken well of it to me and there too I did not regret it.

June 6

Sorry, Peter, for the mistake in your name. @BRACQUENEof course.

June 6

~ @Bush dog: Thank you for the images above.

The first glance wasn't careful therefore I missed the little one beside its mother.

What a sighting.

As ever, your photos tell a story, causing one to reflect.

Tom K.

June 6

It was my pleasure to recommend Kavinga Mike and at the same time I am aware now that your TR has started

June 6

1 hour ago, Tom Kellie said:

The first glance wasn't careful therefore I missed the little one beside its mother.

Me too - gorgeous sighting.

June 7

Standing ovation for those pics.

June 7

Peter, John, @Tom Kellie @AndrewB

Thanks a lot for your comments !

June 7

KAVINGA CAMP & CONCESSION

Kavinga is a 7-room camp built on the edge of a "cliff" overlooking a vast open space and the bed of the Ruckomechi river, the latter being currently dry. At the foot of the "cliff", at the height of rooms 4 to 7, there is a water hole. The rooms are built on steel stilts with a height of more or less 2 meters. It is accessed by a side staircase which joins the balcony. From there, the view is astonishing and you can see the animals arriving from afar coming to quench their thirst at the water hole. Room 6 offers the best bird's eye view of it.

The rooms, without ostentatious or unnecessary luxury, are very comfortable.

The hide is made of concrete and, in order to blend in better with the decor, has the appearance of a termite mound.

Since this year, there has been a second, smaller hide in the camp, with a view of a pond where birds and insects come to drink, but also sometimes elephants and, at night, leopards.

Mason whasp?

Nights are generally quite noisy. On the side of the water hole, the roars of the lions and the trumpeting of the elephants are joined by the mooing of the buffaloes splashing in the water. Behind the camp, in the woods, alarm calls are frequent, betraying the presence of leopards.

The managerial couple and all their staff create a family atmosphere. It's a bit like being at home. The food is excellent. There is of course a Zim Pro guide for those who want to walk and 3 learning guides.

As the camp was not full, I was entitled to a private vehicle for the entire duration of the stay as well as 2 guides, Methule and Nash.

On the concession, everything happens in the dry beds of the Ruckomeshi and one of its tributaries. This is where the animals are mainly found. Only cheetahs are almost absent. As for the wild dogs, I did not see them but they were seen in the weeks before and after my visit. I was surprised by the number of very old baobabs.

Barely out of Harare airport, after completing immigration formalities, I immediately took the domestic flight to land 1:20 later on the Ruckomeshi airstrip. Nash was waiting for me there. After a quarter of an hour, I arrived at the camp. My first game drive was pretty calm.

Elephants digging in the river bed to find water.

White-fronted bee-eaters.

June 7

~ @Bush dog:

Those venerable baobabs are the epitome of survivors. Seeing them thriving at an advanced age is inspiring.

Such clarity of purpose in the image of elephants digging for water. One has to admire a photograph which unmistakably portrays action with intent.

Although I seldom approach the excellence of the white-fronted bee-eater image, it exemplifies what I'm after on game drives: clarity, vividness, and superb composition.

Again, thank you for these high quality images.

Tom K.

June 8

@Tom Kellie

I do not really know if I deserve those very kind words?

Anyway, thank you so much!

June 8

The next day started with the helmeted guineafowl. They are everywhere. Their cousins, the crested guineafowl are also present but in fewer numbers and always in the thickets.

In the woods, there are still a few water holes that have not yet dried up. The tree is an acacia albida or ana tree, easily recognizable by its trunk as if sculpted by the hands of an artist.

We were warned by the camp that a herd of buffalo was heading towards the waterhole. So I asked to go to the hide.

A couple of hooded vultures.

In the camp, near the small pond.

In the afternoon, more buffaloes but in the thickets.

During the night drive, we saw 3 lionesses lying in the river bed.

June 9

The second full day, we started by exploring the bed of the tributary.

Brown-headed kingfisher.

On the walls of the bank, the white-fronted bee-eaters nests.

Instructions for use by image on how to perfectly peel the bark of a baobab tree.

Swallowtail citrus.

June 10

Back at camp, we found a new herd of buffalo at the waterhole.

Elephant passing in front of the hide.

The afternoon was fairly calm.

At the end of the day, while night had not yet completely fallen, we were able to observe, in the twilight, in the dry bed of the river, a barely born baby elephant trying with the help of its mother to hold itself standing on its legs, the other members of the small group gathered around to greet its birth and protect it. A very moving moment that we had the privilege of witnessing. I take advantage of this to say that the elephants, not counting the solitary males, just like in Ruckomechi, were only in small groups, no more than 8 individuals but most often 2 to 5 with almost always 1 to 2 young, otherwise very young. The night drive was quite interesting : genet, civet and honey badger.

June 10

On 6/7/2024 at 4:55 PM, Bush dog said:

Since this year, there has been a second, smaller hide in the camp, with a view of a pond where birds and insects come to drink, but also sometimes elephants and, at night, leopards.

Very interesting!

Where exactly that new bird-drinkingpool hide is?

We've been there in 2022 for 5 nights and actually I have choosen that camp also because of Trip Report of @BRACQUENE!

But there is also an other very good camp - Kamakara, which is situated on Nyamawani waterhole (pan) It is a very nice camp with good sightings. I think they also have a hide but I am not sure. We were just visiting it to have a look. The tents are more spacious and luxury than in Kavinga. I have a review of it with pictures here

Perhaps, somebody will book there sometime in the future and will tell us more about that camp.

The advantage of Kamakara is that they drive to Chitake Springs as well. Kavinga doesn't or didn't. Kamakara was also cheaper (450ppn vs 650ppn) but the rates can change, of course.

Earlier the buffalos were coming to Chitake spings to drink and you could make very beautiful shots of them running down to the water and kicking the dust. You could also witness the kills. Now, becasue of Kavinga waterhole, the buffs don't come to Chitake anymore :unsure: or at least not often.

@Bush dog, I know your reports about Hwange where I return almost every year. I also re-read your reports, I really love them. Now I am very curious about your report about Mana. We normally stay in the main area of Mana Pools but I am curious about your impressions!

June 10

Elena,

Thanks a lot for those interesting information and also your comments on my previous reports.

June 10

Elena,

The new hide is located half-way between the car park and the bar to the right of the path.

June 11

16 hours ago, Bush dog said:

The new hide is located half-way between the car park and the bar to the right of the path.

Yes, I know where it is. The bird-basin was there already but the hide wasn't. Once we put a wildcamera there for a night and some interesting animals appeared like genet, fo example. I don't know if they still have that camera. We let it there.

June 11

Fantastic photography as always Mike, the master at work once again.

I particularly love the first of the guineafowl photos.

June 11

@Peter Connan

Thanks a lot, Peter!

Like I said to @Tom Kellie. I do not really know if I deserve those very kind words?

June 11

Wouldn't have used them if I didn't believe them.

We are fortunate on this forum to have a number of very accomplished photographers, but even among them your work stands out.

June 11

The morning of this third day was quite calm due to a fairly strong wind which had picked up during the night. However, we went into the woods to the still-filled water holes and only found a painted snipe.