Manapools.com - Glamping + Self-Drive Zim Safaris
Mana Pools Tourism Services
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2015)
- Member Of:
- Wild Zambezi & Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $90 to $400 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
RO
Email Andrei Mihalca | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
5 star services!
After travelling to various African wildlife parks during the last 15 years (my hobby is wildlife photography), certainly the trip to Mana Pools was among the most exciting. And this, not only because of the place, which is indeed magical, but also because of our great host, Ant Bown! His hints, suggested itinerary, cosy lodge and very friendly personnel made our experience just perfect. Highly highly recommended!
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Email Susan Laughlin | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Staff support couldn't be better
My husband and I arranged a tour through Ant and Costa at the end of August 2021. I can't say enough good things about their management and attention to the details of self-drive camping. Their communication before the trip was outstanding. I had many conversations with Ant via What's App before we left and, given that the pandemic was still a factor, it was very reassuring to have an in-person talk. Ant was exceedingly honest about the situation which, as a matter of fact, was quite safe.
We got meticulous instruction in the use of the camping equipment before we left. All of it is top-notch but it is also heavy and stored on the top of the vehicle so be forewarned. Roads to the campgrounds are long and difficult. Roads in the campgrounds are VERY difficult. All this to say that if we had not hired Scott to help us with this trip we would not have been able to make it. We are older (to say the least) adults so, of course, this trip would be "easy" for young, fit people. Older travelers should not underestimate the difficulty of manipulating equipment and driving on difficult roads.
With Scott's help we had a wonderful time. I have never appreciated birds and the sounds of animals as much as on this trip. Zimbabwe's park are not as developed as other country's but that is their virtue. You can have a true African bush experience here with almost no interference from other people. Quite unique!
This company is a gem. The cost of the trip was incredibly fair. You can count on Ant and Costa to arrange something wonderful.
DE
Email Anton & Karin & MAX | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
great impressions, great experiences, great adventure- thankful for the time
The tour operator, Ant, is a sympathic, reliable man, who inspires confidence and credibility. We trusted and him his companion Costa and we were not disappointed by this. His tour informations were good and adequate. However the actual challenges of the trip need some training in advance to be able to master all the problems of such a tour. We were fit at the end of the tour...
The equipment, given by the company was great and efficient. Sunbird Guesthouse- nice, lovely - good food and a good starting point.
The tour was a real, orginal and very interesting one, faraway from the modern world, a true wilderness experience with a lot of intact nature, great animals and challenging events.
Mana Pools, bordering the river Zambezi, the Camp Chitake are wonderful places, we won´ t forget. For the Matobo NP we wished to have more time. Hwange NP was great. We finished our trip in Victoria Falls- unforgettable.
Not forget the very important participation of Scott who played a key role in our successful trip. Thanks Ant, Costa, Scott and Zimbabwe-
we are coming back.
CH
Email Hanspeter | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Zimbabwe Self Drive July 2021
Everything was perfect. Ant, Costa and the whole team did an amazing job. From booking the campsites in the National Parks, organizing the supply in Harare, the fully equipped Landcruiser, the support during the trip to the hosting in Sunbird Guesthouse in Harare. We had a wonderful 1 month trip through the whole country. Thanks to all at Manapools.com and we hope to come back!
Reply from Mana Pools Tourism Services
Posted on Aug 18, 2021Dear Hanspeter,
It was great to meet you both and thanks for chosing manapools.com for your Zim 4x4 Rental and Bookings/Catering Support. We are glad you finally enjoyed Zim to the full after 2 years of delays and look forward to welcoming you back again soon, perhaps with the next generation of adventurers! Till then, keep well and stay in touch.
Kind Regards
Ant Bown and Costa Kapupurika for the Manapools.com Team
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Email Lauren & James | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely incredible experience - cannot wait to go again!
This was our first time visiting Mana Pools. We came across Ant and are so happy we did. He and his team provided incredible service and a great vehicle fully kitted out for a great camping trip. Manapools.com provided us with everything we could have needed for a safe and comfortable trip including rooftop tent, phone equipped with map and preset stops for fuel along the way. On our trip we had so many close encounters with elephants, hippos, wild dogs, hyenas, zebras and baboons. We are looking forward to our next camping trip with Ant and Manapools.com
Reply from Mana Pools Tourism Services
Posted on Oct 22, 2020Lauren and James, it was so good to meet you both and to help you experience this side of Zim for yourselves. All the best for the rest of your stay in Zim, you have now been spoiled and no other Safari will quite match up to the freedom of Wild Zimbabwe.
Keep well until next time.
Ant, Costa and the Manapools.com Team.
Email Carl | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very professional, pleasant, helpful with prompt service and trustworthy.
Mana Pools Tourism Services are extremely prompt in their response to questions, knowledgeable and they deliver on what is discussed and what we needed. We would use them everytime from now on. Hardly ever do one have such seamless assistance.
PL
Email Miroslaw Trela | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
From very first Email exchange till last one: clear, fast, friendly, proffesional.
Thank you Manapools.com, thank you Ant. As in the title above, all perfect. Booking Mana Pools via ZimParks, only those know who tried it from oversees. Close to impossible. With Manapools.com and Ant's great help I managed to do it. Fast and without any problems. Ant helped me a lot also by answering some side questions, not necessary related to the business we did. Thank you. I will definitely use manapools.com again and strongly advise to get in touch with them in case of Zimbabwe planning. Mirek.
Reply from Mana Pools Tourism Services
Posted on Oct 4, 2019Thanks so much for the review, Mirek. We look forward to welcoming you to Zimbabwe.
Kind Regards
Ant & the Manapools.com Team.
Email Rory MacDonagh | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A world class end to end service
Ant and the Mana pools team are the best!
If you were to believe the headlines, you would be forgiven for thinking a self drive in zimbabwe was difficult, risky and expensive. However, thanks to Ant and his team, this couldn't be further from the truth. The whole trip couldn't have been easier to organise and we didn't experience the slightest hiccup throughout our two weeks at Mana pools.
Ant arranged everything for us from the car, to the park bookings and even our food. His level of customer service is high class. Every query or clarification was answered within hours and his huge wealth of knowledge and easy going manner made the whole planning process a joy.
The vehicle provided was in great condition and we didn't have a single issue with it despite everything we threw at it. Costa, the onsite manager, was a great guy who gave us clear instructions on all the gear and went the extra mile to transfer us across harare when our taxi fell through.
The vehicle comes with all the gear you need to survive in the bush. All this gear was user friendly and covered everything you would ever need.
We felt completely safe in Zim and as always the people were very warm and friendly.
I can't thank Ant and his team enough for everything and I have no doubt I will be organising round two very shortly
Reply from Mana Pools Tourism Services
Posted on Sep 30, 2019Dear Rory,
Thanks for trusting us to organize your Mana/Chitake trip. It was an absolute pleasure dealing with you and we are thrilled when we host guests who embrace Zim's people and vibe as much as her wild places. Keep a bit of Zim in your heart as you head back to the real world and remember to come explore again as soon as the "Valley Fever" symptoms return.
P.S. We have some tricks up our sleeves for remote Chizarira National Park (the size of Luxemborg but nobody's heard of it!).
Kind Regards
Ant & the Manapools.com Team
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Email Tirzah Warwick | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent all-around experience with Mana 4 x 4, fully-equipped vehicle, clear & fast communication
We had an excellent all-around experience with Mana 4 x 4 & highly recommend them for anyone self-driving through Zimbabwe & camping!
Our family of 5 visited from America & were not able to bring our own camping equipment with us due to space in our luggage. So, what to do? Months earlier, prior to our trip, I found Mana 4 x 4 on Instagram & reached out because they offered the solution of fully-kitted out camping 4 x 4s.
Right from the beginning, communicating with Ant was a breeze. He was always quick to respond, professional & friendly.
When we arrived in Zim & went to pick up the vehicle, Costa ran through how everything works & got us all set up & ready to go. It was smooth sailing.
Their vehicles are fully-equipped with nearly everything needed for a camping trip, minus sleeping bags. The vehicle functioned perfectly, especially on that horribly corrugated & long Mana road, & we had no issues whatsoever.
Thank you to Ant, Costa & Mana 4 x 4 for a great all-around experience working with them to make our Mana Pools trip amazing!
Reply from Mana Pools Tourism Services
Posted on Sep 2, 2019Dear Tirzah and the Warwick family,
Thanks so much for taking the time to review us. We are so glad your trip to Mana Pools was a success and look forward to welcoming you back to paradise again sometime soon. Keep well until then.
Kind Regards
Ant Bown
for the Manapools.com Team
Email Natalie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fantastic self-drive to Mana Pools, hassle free. Thank you Ant!!
From the start Ant was extremely helpful and always happy to answer any little queries I had. As the organiser of an all women and not regular camping group, using Mana Pools was the perfect choice. Their vehicle was well equipped, Ant's advise was great and when we hit an unforeseen snag Ant and his team stepped up and made sure our trip went on as if nothing had happened.
I would recommend a self-drive trip to Mana Pools for anyone who would love to see this amazing part of Zimbabwe. We picked up our vehicle in Vic Falls did a couple of nights in Hwange National Park, sailed Kariba Dam overnight on the Ferry, drove to Mana Pools and had a wonderful stay in this most magical area, ending in Harare and flying back to Cape Town. All in all a fabulous adventure. Thanks again Mana Pools Tourism Services
