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John's Camp

About John's Camp

Combining comfort with adventure, John’s Camp offers superb guiding within a quiet area of Mana Pools National Park.

Personal attention, a stunning location and highly professional guiding: these are the draws at the intimate John’s Camp.

Set up each year on the banks of the Zambezi, John’s epitomises the safaris of yesteryear – albeit tweaked to include comfortable walk-in tents, reading lights and flush toilets. You’ll eat well, too, whether in the spacious mess tent or out in the bush – an entirely different take on a picnic. Then in the evening, you can chat over the day’s events around the campfire before dining under the stars.

As a semi-permanent camp, John’s can change location each year, though it may well stay put: on the peaceful, eastern side of Mana Pools National Park, looking south over the Zambezi floodplains to the river and the escarpment beyond. Here, where the wildlife is relaxed and plentiful, top guides lead their guests in search of creatures great and small, whether on spacious game-drive vehicles or on spine-tingling walks – the hallmark of owners Robin Pope Safaris.

If you fancy a spot of fishing, head for the river, line in hand. Or simply help yourself to a drink and watch from your veranda as animals wander into camp; you are, after all, a guest in their world.

Accommodation
6 tents
Children
Best for 12+
Open
May - 15 Nov

Activities

4WD Safari

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Fishing

Fishing

Guided walking safari

Guided walking safari

Private activities

Private activities

John's Camp: Full Report

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Traveller reviews of John's Camp

2 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


90%
2 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
1
Good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Mrs & Mr JfromBirmingham

Arrived 17 Sep 2019, 4 nights

"Good viewing"

"All staff were helpful and guiding was good. …" Read Mrs & Mr J’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Mr & Mrs BfromSurrey

Arrived 13 Jul 2017, 2 nights

"John's camp review"

"It felt like a proper bush camp which we loved but also had a luxury feel to it …" Read Mr & Mrs B’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

See all John's Camp reviews

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from John's Camp

Click an animal to see our traveller's success in sighting them.
How we work this out.


Buffalo

100% success

Elephant

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Lion

100% success

Wild dog

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Eland

50% success

Spotted Hyena

50% success

Aardvark

0% success

Cheetah

0% success

Leopard

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Roan antelope

0% success

Sable antelope

0% success

Wildebeest

0% success

John's Camp's location

Look closer at the environment and surroundings of John's Camp.


When to go to Mana Pools National Park

Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit John's Camp in Mana Pools National Park


Jan

Feb

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May

Jun

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Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Zimbabwe in January

January falls in the middle of Zimbabwe’s rainy season and is the wettest month of the year. Heavy rainfall occurs most days, flooding seasonal rivers and waterholes, with the occasional sunny spell.
With the high levels of precipitation the wildlife in the national parks becomes widely dispersed, taking advantage of the abundance of food and water, and is easily hidden by the thick, green bush.

While sightings of larger animals are possible, and many species drop their young at this time, game viewing is often sparse. However, many migratory species of bird arrive in Zimbabwe making it a peak month for birding.

The rains create incredibly sticky mud in Mana Pools National Park, preventing access and causing camps to close for the season. The majority of the camps in other parks remain open, with low rates attracting a smattering of visitors.

  • Peak of the rainy season: hot & humid with heavy rain most days
  • Bush exceptionally thick and green, with poor game viewing
  • Species such as impala drop their young
  • All camps in Mana Pools closed
  • Very few visitors, and low rates at open camps

Our view

A time to avoid if possible

Weather in January

Zimbabwe fact file

Useful information and advice to help you prepare for a trip including John's Camp


Other lodges in Mana Pools National Park

Alternative places to stay in this same area.


Vundu Camp

Vundu Camp

Overlooking the Zambezi River in Mana Pools National Park, Vundu Camp is a small, comfortable bushcamp offering top-notch guiding.


95% (46 reviews)
Ruckomechi Camp

Ruckomechi Camp

In a very scenic spot beside the Zambezi, Ruckomechi is a smart camp offering excellent walking, river safaris, night and day 4WD game drives.


94% (17 reviews)
Kanga Bush Camp

Kanga Bush Camp

Unspoiled and peaceful, Kanga Bush Camp is located in a remote and exclusive part of Mana Pools National Park, overlooking the Kanga Pan.


92% (17 reviews)
Stretch Ferreira Safaris Camp

Stretch Ferreira Safaris

Stretch Ferreira Safaris Camp is a small, owner-run camp on the banks of the Zambezi River in Mana Pools National Park, with the emphasis on great guiding.


95% (15 reviews)

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