Hotel Snapshot at Wilderness Chikwenya
Courtesy of Wilderness Chikwenya
Wilderness Chikwenya is a seven-suite tented safari camp in a private concession on the eastern edge of Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park. It’s quiet, chic, and as secluded as they come. Stays start at $1,242 per person per night, all-inclusive. The camp is open seasonally from April through November and sits at the confluence of the Sapi and Zambezi rivers, overlooking Chikwenya Island.
“Wakey wakey!”
I flutter my eyes open, forgetting where I am for a moment. It was one of those truly deep sleeps where you feel transported to a different dimension.
“Good morning!” I hear again, a bit louder, but still just as cheerful. “Good morning,” I reply, stretching out, remembering what’s ahead as my arms reach overhead. I smile and leap out of bed. “Let’s go,” my guide exclaims. I quickly hustle to get dressed because I know what’s waiting for me once I’m ready: the chance to see some of the world’s most spectacular animals in their natural habitat.
I had checked into Wilderness Chikwenya, a seven-suite camp in Zimbabwe, the night before, after the sun went down, unsure of my surroundings. But the second I opened the door to my luxury “tent,” I came nearly face-to-face with the region's elephants, quietly grazing around the nearby watering hole.
The camp sits on Mana Pools National Park’s quieter eastern edge, inside a private concession. That means fewer vehicles and fewer fellow tourists (you can go full days without seeing another soul), plus the freedom to do things the park itself doesn’t always allow, like boating on the Zambezi to see the animals from a new perspective. In fact, you don’t need to leave camp to spot them. Elephants and hippos regularly feed near the tents, and lions and hyenas call through the night. After all, this is their home, and you’re just a visitor.
Design & Character at Wilderness Chikwenya
Courtesy of Wilderness Chikwenya
Wilderness rebuilt Chikwenya from the ground up, reopening it in October 2018, and gave it a light touch, making the land itself the star of the show. Each canvas suite sits on a low wooden deck. They are all connected by walkways above the ground, which flow to the camp’s main areas, including the dining room and lounge, to ensure your safety. (Though guests are never allowed to walk alone at night, as those walkways are still easily accessible to big cats and other animals.) The camp’s common areas open to the landscape, including the lounge area, with cozy seating, games, and reading materials to pass the time on your breaks. A separate bar area lets guests make their own drink or coffee anytime. Guests can also wait until 4 p.m., when everyone gathers for tea and snacks before heading out on evening game drives. The “dining area” is really just a scattering of tables across the grass, so guests can enjoy dinner under the stars each night.
The Rooms at Wilderness Chikwenya
Courtesy of Wilderness Chikwenya
Chikwenya has seven tented suites, including two family units with private pools. The rooms are simple, with soft cream and beige tones throughout, keeping your attention on the river and the views outside. Each room has sunken seating areas, so you can stare out as long as you wish. The one to book is Room 1, which the Zimbabwean guide, Garth Thompson, called his favorite on the continent. As he noted, “During the dry season a kaleidoscope of wildlife moves past this room,” hinting at the best time to visit.
The Food and Drink at Wilderness Chikwenya
Courtesy of Wilderness Chikwenya
Meals at the camp lean into local ingredients, often cooked over open coals for maximum effect. Breakfast is set out before sunrise so guests can fill up on classics like muffins, toast, eggs, fruit, and plenty of coffee to fuel their drive. Lunch is served either out in the bush (I recommend asking for lunch on the go; it’s far more exciting than at camp) or at camp, and includes a full spread of sandwiches and sides. Dinner is served under the mahogany trees, often by lantern light, with a rotating menu. (Vegetarian and vegan options are plentiful.)
However, the main event is certainly sundowners. Guests are treated to cocktails in the bush, often with a front-row view of the Zambezi turning pink as the sun drops behind the mountains. “The daily rate covers all meals and local drinks, so the only extras on your bill are premium imported spirits and Champagne.
The Amenities at Wilderness Chikwenya
Days revolve around guided activities offered twice daily: game drives through the concession, walking safaris, Zambezi cruises, and catch-and-release fishing. Birders can also request specific drives to find their favorite feathered friends. At camp, there’s a riverside pool to relax in, plus Wi-Fi, but remember you’re in the middle of the wilderness, so it will be very spotty. (And honestly, just use this as an excuse to unplug. There is no need to check your work emails on a safari.) The rate also includes laundry and park fees. My favorite experience, by far, was the walking safari, which put us at eye level with the landscape and brought us (safely) within feet of a massive elephant chomping on a tree branch in solitude.
Location & Neighborhood Recs at Wilderness Chikwenya
Courtesy of Wilderness Chikwenya
Chikwenya sits in a private concession on the northeastern boundary of Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the southern bank of the Zambezi. And that’s about it. There are no shops, restaurants, or bars nearby. Instead, your neighbors are buffalo herds, lions, and the occasional pack of wild dogs. Guests fly in by light aircraft to the Chikwenya airstrip (so note that you must be comfortable flying on a very small plane, about the size of a small van, to get here).
Fast Facts
Location: Wilderness Chikwenya, Mana Pools, Zimbabwe
Address: Chikwenya private concession
Nearest Airport: Chikwenya airstrip (light aircraft only); international arrivals through Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare or Victoria Falls International Airport
Starting Rate: Starting Rate: $1,242 per person per night, all-inclusive (April–May 2027; $1,776 from June to November 2027)
Room Count: 7 tented suites, including 2 family units
Vibe: Remote and quiet, with all the right touches of luxury
Best For: Couples, families, photographers, and repeat safari-goers looking for a quieter corner of Mana Pools
Amenities: All-inclusive meals and local drinks, twice-daily guided activities, riverside pool, Wi-Fi, laundry, family units with private pools
Nearby: Mana Pools National Park, Chikwenya Island, the Zambezi River, the Rift Valley escarpment
Our Favorite Thing: walking safaris that allow you to feel the ground and breathe the same air as the animals