Vundu Camp - Bushlife Safaris
Mana Pools National Park Zimbabwe
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#1 of 7 lodges in Mana Pools National Park
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Bushlife Safaris is owner run and managed by Nick and Desiree Murray, who have created an award-winning portfolio of safari experiences for you. These include the luxurious Vundu Camp built on the banks of the Zambezi River, Little Vundu – an intimate camp, the Ruwesi Canoe Trail which is ideal for adventurous travellers and lastly a tented camp set in the wild Chitake Springs area. The globally-acclaimed BBC Dynasties Painted Wolf episode was filmed at Vundu Camp in Mana Pools, and Nick was the lead guide for the production crew, working alongside Sir David Attenborough. In 2019 Vundu Camp won Best Walking Safari and Best Value Safari Property in Zimbabwe from The Safari Awards.
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Property amenities
Free breakfast
Canoeing
Fishing
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Free airport transportation
Mosquito net
Outdoor fireplace
Laundry service
Bar / lounge
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Airport transportation
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Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
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HOTEL STYLE
River View
Great View
Location
Mana Pools National Park Zimbabwe
133Reviews5Q+A27Room tips
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We loved our stay - the staff were outstanding with personal attention what we wanted to see/do. Didn't know about Little Vundu camp so that's on the cards for the future as well as some of the activities we didn't have time for. We really should've stayed there for longer!
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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Room Tip: However many nights you're planning - add one!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
It was my second time to Vundu Camp with Bushlife Safaris and it was spectacular again! There’s always something new to see on safari, and the staff are wonderful and very knowledgeable. The food was delicious and the tents are great! We didn’t want to leave when it was time to go. I highly recommend going on Safari with Bushlife Safaris. They are the best! Thank you again, Jesse Neuwirth
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Vundu Camp in Mana Pools with Nick Murray and his family is a must do bucket list item. My son and I visited Vundu Camp for a second time this August, 2023. We saw many of Mana Pool’s superstars and had the honor of being present for the collaring of iconic bull elephants. Breakfast at the camp fire, sundowners in the bush with new friends, boating down the Zambezi. Never a dull moment! We will go back!! Aloha
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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+1
Little Vundu is a magical place. Sophie & Anthony were our hosts, Henry was our guide. Had a wonderful time exploring the national park. The Zambezi river is quite ‘therapeutic’ to get your stress level down. Great to sleep in a luxury tent and listen to all the animal noises during the night. This was our first camp in Zimbabwe during a 3 week trip to Southern Africa. Mana Pools is one of the highlights. Our guide Henry took us on 2 daily game drives and communicated really well, making sure our preferences were known. We spotted Boswell doing his special 'move' standing on only 2 legs to get in the air. We did multiple walks to approach elephants from upclose. We always felt safe as Henry was monitoring the situation. The walking experience made it even better, got really close to the elephants, we even walked towards a pride of lions (we did keep a safe distance, Henri was constantly monitoring the situation). I'll never forget the sunrise/sunsets in this place. The great zambezi & backdrop towards Zambia make this so beautiful ! Would love to go back !…
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Beautiful position on the banks of the Zambezi. Enthusiastic and knowledgeable hosts and guide. Welcoming atmosphere. Great for both walking and vehicular safari. Has excellent food and well stocked bar
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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+1
We stayed at Vundu for 4 nights and would highly recommend it. Mana Pools is a spectacularly beautiful area with the pools themselves, the Zambezi river and the escarpments either side. If time and money permits I’d love to come back and explore the area further. It’s a definite must see on any Zimbabwe itinerary. The light aircraft flight in is all part of the adventure and where else can you see lions just metres from the runway? The wildlife highlights for us were the fantastic bird life, the baby zebras and the amazing elephant encounters. We got close up to Boswell the gentle giant bull elephant - I was just mesmerised-and we saw another bull elephant standing on his hind legs to reach higher into the trees (aka the Mana Pools handstand). I’d really wanted to see that so mission accomplished! It’s a really special experience to be able to walk out into the bush with your guide and safely approach the wildlife. The accommodation at Vundu is great- spacious and comfortable tents. The food is good especially the home made cakes every day, and a highlight is chatting to everyone over meal times. We felt like part of the family. A huge thanks to Nick,Sophie, Ant and all the rest of the team for looking after us and making us feel so welcome with a special shout out to our guide Henry- we learned so much from you and your owl calling skills are the stuff of legends!…
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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+1
It’s the little things in life that count, and the managers of this Safari camp go the extra mile…..from asking you whether you’d prefer to go on game drives, walks or boat trips, to Sophie (the manageress baking home made cakes, treats and cookies), and even making us fresh coffee and a pack up lunch on the day of our departure. The knowledge of the rangers is world class and we came away feeling enriched from our trip. The attention to detail in everything that they do made this trip a wow factor on our two month trip through Southern Africa. Thank you team Vundu!
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Pack mosquito repellents, a small torch and some good walking shoes (long trousers are advisable...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
We stayed for 5 nights at the Vend Camp last October for a photography safari. We liked the camp, the location and the people very much. Best of all is the very knowledgable guiding by Nick Murray! He is a very friendly and knowledgable guy. Finally he also managed to show us the wild dogs very close to the camp. The chalets are very big and comfortable - food is very high end!
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Date of stay: October 2022
Value
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Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
You will carry with you the BEST memories from any vacation any where after staying with Nick & family at Vundu. I can't stress how important this camp is, as you will gain REAL animal encounters here, whether walking, canoeing, etc., and it will shock and thrill you, like no other camp in Africa. Do yourself a big favor and go out of your way to make it to this camp. It's real, and you'll fall in love in Africa here. The accommodations are comfortable and so relaxing by the Zambezi River, and the food delicious and plenty of it! The small bar is a fun area where you'll "hang out" with the other guides and guests. It truly is a family affair, and you'll be able to completely relax and feel at home. This was my 2nd trip here and have a deep admiration for Nick and staff for what they are trying to do to save the wildlife. You will have MANY thrills at this camp, and here is where you'll get bragging rights when comparing your safari to other travelers.…
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Date of stay: August 2022
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Sleep Quality
Room Tip: All tents have excellent views of the Zambezi River
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
+1
My wife and I stayed here for 5 nights as part of a Zimbabwe safari holiday. It is an excellent camp that excels in giving you an authentic safari experience. It achieves this by welcoming you into their family feeling camp and providing expertly guided trips into the bush, In particular the walking, close wildlife encounters make this camp something special. Our guide David Amyot was fantastic. Professional, knowledgeable, friendly and very jolly, always happy and smiling. He instilled confidence with his sympathetic approach, always considering the wildlife first and not risking an unnecessary angry response by those animals we were following on foot. Great encounters on foot with Tusker and Boswell (bull elephants) and a pride of lions coming down to drink were highlights. Great food and comfortable accommodation with excellent camp staff looked after by Sophie and Anthony and wonderful chats with Nick the owner over drinks before dinner. Don't hesitate to book here for an authentic safari experience on Vundu's own concession and in Mana Pools park too.…
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Date of stay: October 2022
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
LOCATION
ZimbabweMashonaland Central ProvinceMana Pools National Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
8
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Frequently Asked Questions about Vundu Camp - Bushlife Safaris
What are some of the property amenities at Vundu Camp - Bushlife Safaris?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a lounge, and airport transportation.
What food & drink options are available at Vundu Camp - Bushlife Safaris?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast and a lounge during their stay.
Does Vundu Camp - Bushlife Safaris have airport transportation?
Yes, Vundu Camp - Bushlife Safaris offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does Vundu Camp - Bushlife Safaris have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the river view available here.
Is Vundu Camp - Bushlife Safaris accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.