John's Camp

15°43’12.1"S 29°23’14.7"E

90% (2 reviews)

Full review Our view Geographics Food & drink Special interests Children Wildlife sightings Communications Health & safety Activities Extras

John's Camp: Our full report

Opened in April 2017, the small, semi-permanent John's Camp is set up at the beginning of each safari season ...

... in one of Mana Pools National Park's campsites on the banks of the Zambezi River. Here they stay until the end of the season in mid November, when the camp is entirely dismantled.

With excellent sister properties such as Nsefu and Nkwali in Zambia and Mkulumadzi in Malawi, amongst others, John’s Camp represents Robin Pope Safaris’ first foray into Zimbabwe. In Mana Pools they have chosen a superb location for their brand of simple yet comfortable and adventurous bushcamp, backed by great service and a top guiding team. Do note, though, that while it’s possible to combine John’s Camp with RPS properties in other countries, it isn’t especially easy, as you would need to be routed through the Zimbabwean town of Victoria Falls.

John’s Camp was named after the renowned Zimbabwean safari guide John Stevens, who – despite his busy private guiding schedule – endeavours to spend as much time here as he can. John chose the camp’s current location at Mana Pools’ Nyamepi 1 campsite – although this might change in the future subject to permissions and permits. The current site is a spectacular location at the eastern end of the park, overlooking the Zambezi floodplains, the river beyond and the Zambezi escarpment in the distance. This area of the park has traditionally been quieter than the western side, partly due to its proximity to the park’s wilderness area. We expect that Nyamepi 1 will remain the camp’s setting for the foreseeable future.

With just six Meru-style tents, the camp radiates an attentive and personal feel for all guests. Although simple, the tents are well thought out and comfortable, with a double or twin beds, solar reading lamps, a luggage rack and tea and coffee station. Aside from a basin at the back of the tent, the en-suite bathroom lies through a zipped door. Here, open to the sky but perfectly screened and private from the outside world, are a flush toilet and bucket shower, which is filled with hot water on request (though do remember to allow 30 minutes for the staff to heat it for you).

In front of the tent is a small shaded veranda with a couple of folding chairs, perfect for enjoying a morning coffee, relaxing with a drink and a book, or simply soaking in the majesty of your surroundings.

The main area is equally simple: a big open-sided mess tent housing a communal dining table, a small lounge area and the “bar” – a help-yourself coolbox that is regularly restocked. But the main attractions here are the location and the view. The camp is designed to maintain a simple, authentic safari feeling, with a focus on meals under the stars and evening drinks around the campfire instead of king-size beds, air conditioning and swimming pools. As a result, we felt especially close to nature and the wilderness on our visit in October 2018, particularly when hundreds of buffalo passed through camp in the heat of the day, retreating to the shade after a cooling dip in the river, making a magical if not particularly restful siesta.

All activities from John's Camp are led by professional licensed guides, though meeting or being guided by John himself cannot be guaranteed unless he is booked as your private guide, at an additional cost. In addition to game drives in the Mana Pools area, options include walking safaris in the park which, given Robin Pope Safaris' long history of walking safaris in the South Luangwa National Park, and the relaxed nature of the wildlife in Mana Pools, we expect to be an incredible way to explore the area and encounter both small and large wildlife.

Land-based fishing is also possible, with a daily bag limit for edible tilapia, and on a catch-and-release basis for the prized tigerfish. And as of 2024, canoeing activities are also possible from John's Camp.

Our view

With a spectacular location and a genuine bushcamp feel, John’s Camp is a fantastic option for those looking to get closer to nature in Mana Pools National Park. The focus is firmly on the wilderness that surrounds you with excellent guiding and friendly service adding to the experience.

Tom Morris

Country manager: Zimbabwe

Geographics

Location: Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
Directions: Fly from either Victoria Falls (1½ hours) or Harare (one hour) into Mana Pools, where a guide will meet you and drive you through the park to the camp (approx. 45 min).
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board & Activities
Food quality: Despite the semi-permanent nature of the camp, the food quality here was superb on our visit in October 2018. With sufficient notice the camp can cater for most dietary needs.

Breakfast was a simple meal of porridge and rusks with a selection of juices and tea and coffee, served round the fire. The aim here was for an easy meal to allow guests to get out into the park quickly for the morning activity. We understand that a more substantial cooked breakfast is available to order.

Lunch was a quiche loaded with roasted veg, served with a chickpea salad – a fairly simple meal but perfect for the middle of the day in the October heat.

Our three-course dinner was served under the stars, lit by paraffin lamps. A butternut soup starter was followed by lasagne served with Greek salad and garlic bread: a welcome change from the usual meat and two-veg usually presented on safari. A lime-cream pudding, similar to a key-lime pie, rounded of the meal beautifully.
Dining style: Group Meals
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service: Bush breakfasts and lunches can be arranged on request.
Drinks included: Standard soft drinks, local beers, local wines and house spirits are included. Premium drinks such as champagne are available on request for an additional charge. Bottled drinking water is provided free of charge.

Special interests

Solo Travel: John's Camp doesn't charge single supplements and both meals and activities are taken as a group with other guests. This makes it an affordable and sociable option for solo travellers visiting Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park.; See ideas for Solo Travel in Zimbabwe

Children

Attitude towards children: Children over the age of 12 are welcome.
Property’s age restrictions: No children under 12 unless the camp is booked on an exclusive basis, or by special arrangement.
Special activities & services: None
Equipment: None
Generally recommended for children: John’s Camp is a simple bushcamp with little to entertain children and a decidedly adult feel. We don’t think it is well suited to families with younger children.
Notes: The camp is located in a wildlife-rich area of the park with no fences and direct access to the Zambezi River, so children staying here would need constant supervision.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from John's Camp

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at John's Camp have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

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

Communications

Power supply notes: Rooms are lit by solar lighting and there is a charging station in the main area for electrical.
Communications: None available to guests; the camp has communications for use in case of an emergency.
TV & radio: None
Water supply: Other
Water supply notes: River water is used in the showers, flush toilets and basins.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended: Yes
Medical care: Camp management and guides are trained in first aid. The nearest airstrip is a 45-minute drive away, and in an emergency guests would be airlifted from here (in daylight hours only) to Harare, taking about an hour.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Security measures: All guests are escorted to their tents after dark. Managers and guides all sleep on site.
Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers around the camp.

Activities

4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Fishing
Guided walking safari

Extras

Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: Not possible
Money: While there are no safes in the tents, valuables can be handed to the management for safe keeping.
Accepted payment on location: There are no card facilities here as there is little need to pay for anything, but any payments and tips should made in US dollars cash.