Stretch Ferreira Safaris Camp: Our full report
Stretch Ferreira Safaris, formerly Goliath Safaris, is one of the most established safari operators in Mana ...
... Pools National Park, with nearly 40 years' experience in the area. The company is owned and run by its namesake Stretch Ferreira aka "Father Mana" who, over this time, has gained a wealth of knowledge of the bush and its residents. Stretch's charisma, charm and hospitality, combined with fantastic wildlife watching opportunities makes this a special camp.These days most safari operators in southern and eastern Africa fall squarely into either the 'mobile' or 'lodge' category. By contrast, Stretch Ferreira's Camp, sometimes still referred to as Goliath, stands firmly between the two. While equipped with features normally associated with a permanent site (such as flushing toilets and hot and cold showers), the camp stays in the same location for around only six months (April/May to around October or November) before it is dismantled for the season, to be rebuilt in the same place the following year.
Even at its busiest, the camp has only six Meru-style tents, so caters to a maximum of 12 guests. Each tent incorporates a bedroom with twin beds or a double with mosquito nets, a couple of bedside tables, a luggage cabinet and a wardrobe. A smooth ground sheet provides a comfortable floor and a rug here and there adds warmth.
The canvas walls and ceiling are high, and mesh windows provide a breeze to keep the tents cool, while curtains keep the light out. Roll-down canvas flaps, extra blankets and hot-water bottles help to keep the tent warm during the colder winter nights (June to mid-August). Solar storm lanterns provide ambient light in the rooms, and small solar-charged torches provide enough light to read by. However, since the main lights in the room are turned off at 9.00pm, it’s advisable to bring your own torch for a stay at Stretch's camp.
The en-suite bathrooms are reached through a flap in the rear wall of the tent, where a canvas-walled extension houses a fully flushing toilet and a plumbed-in washbasin. Beyond this is an open-air shower, with a wooden platform on the pebble floor, and water heated by a wood-burning stove.
A wide sandy path runs along the front of the tents, leading to the communal main area. A large, canvas structure with wooden pillars over a sand floor, this has a fantastic view across the river. In the bar area, decorated with photographic prints of the local wildlife, a few large fridges keep the drinks pleasantly cold. Adjacent is a lounge with comfortable chairs, a tea and coffee station, and a small collection of coffee-table books and other literary offerings. A water purification unit supplies clean drinking water throughout the day.
Beside the main area of the tented camp is a separate and semi-enclosed dining room, where brunch and evening meals are taken. A long wooden dining table, set in the evening with candles and locally made beaded placemats, is flanked by a wooden fence adorned with black-and-white wildlife photographs and colourful paintings. At the foot of the table is an open view across the river as it gently meanders by.
But to dwell on the physical camp here is to miss the point; it’s the safari activities, superb guiding, and the overall safari experience that travellers come for. 4WD game drives, canoeing and walks are mostly led by Stretch, whose knowledge of the park (and some of the individual animals) is extensive, and his approach to guiding is passionate and personal.
On our last visit, while canoeing down the Zambezi, we stopped when Stretch saw an elephant that he recognised feeding on an island in the middle of the river. We got out of the canoes and slowly and carefully approached to within 5m of the animal – a wonderful moment as the sun was setting over the river. The following day we tracked lion through a combination of driving and walking until, after carefully manoeuvring around elephant, eland and zebra, we were able to approach on foot within 20m of the pride – an incredibly exciting experience, and a real testament to the skill of the guides.
In addition, Stretch has several fully trained and experienced canoe and walking guides, who share his passion and knowledge for guiding in the area. So while the experience of being guided by Stretch is a major part of the appeal of staying here, you are still likely to get a superb safari experience if he isn’t available during your stay.
Our view
Stretch Ferreira Safaris offers a comfortable adventure in a wilderness environment. The experience revolves around the skill, knowledge and personality of Stretch Ferreira and his guiding team, who have a real following. If you are looking for an informal but exciting safari experience, and the chance to approach large game on foot, this would make a superb choice. We look forward to visiting the camp in its new guise and experiencing a new take on an old favourite.
Zimbabwe expert
Geographics
- Location
- Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
- Ideal length of stay
- We'd recommend a stay of 3 to 4 nights at Stretch Ferreira Safaris. The variety of activities mean you'll want to give yourself enough time to experience everything the camp has to offer.
- Directions
- Stretch Ferreira Safaris is a five-hour road transfer from Lusaka or a two-hour flight from Victoria Falls. The nearest airstrip is Mana Main.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- When we last visited when the camp was still called Goliath Tented Camp, in October 2016, the food was very good indeed.
Before heading off on your morning activity you'll be served a breakfast of porridge, kept warm on the campfire – which is lit in the early mornings and in the evenings – and a selection of cereals and toast.
Our lunch, eaten informally in the lounge area, was a buffet of homemade pizza (a chicken and a vegetarian option) with a selection of salads and freshly baked bread, followed by fresh fruit.
Afternoon tea is taken in the main area overlooking the river; we were served a chocolate cake together with tea and coffee.
For dinner, which was served more formally around the large dining table, we enjoyed a starter of tomato soup with a homemade bread roll. The main course was roast beef, roast potatoes and sweet potatoes, carrots and green beans. Dessert was a lovely crème brûlée. - Dining style
- Group Meals
- Dining locations
- Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- No
- Drinks included
- Included except for premium wines and spirits.
Special interests
- Walking safaris
- Mana Pools is a top destination for walking safaris. The open environment lends good visibility, and walkers often get very close to big game. The focus at Stretch Ferreira Safaris Camp is squarely on Stretch’s guiding; his passion and knowledge of the wildlife are the major draw.
- See ideas for Walking safaris in Zimbabwe
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Only children over 12 are accepted at Stretch Ferreira Safaris Camp. Should travellers wish to visit with children under 12 years then they would need to book out the whole camp; the minimum charge is for 8 adults.
- Property’s age restrictions
- No under 12 years
- Special activities & services
- None
- Equipment
- None
- Generally recommended for children
- This is a very open camp with wild animals often walking through and around it. Activities such as walking and canoeing are less suitable for children than most and as this is the main focus of Stretch Ferreira Safaris Camp we'd hesitate to recommend this camp for children.
- Notes
- Expert Africa doesn’t recommend Stretch Ferreira Safaris Camp for children under the age of about 16; there is very little to entertain youngsters in between guided safari activities and the area is very wild and open with game wandering through camp.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Stretch Ferreira Safaris
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Stretch Ferreira Safaris 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.
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
75% success
75% success
25% success
25% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- The generator is switched on at 6.00am and switched off at 9.30pm, sharp.
- Communications
- There is no cellphone signal and only a two-way radio between camp and the game drive vehicles. The National Parks office, approximately ten minutes’ drive away, has WiFi but guests will very rarely if ever visit this.
- TV & radio
- None
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- The nearest doctor is in Kariba, which is about an hour away by road and air.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- Stretch Ferreira Safaris’ guides are in camp at night.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers in the camp and in the main area.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Canoeing
Fishing
Guided walking safari
Extras
- Disabled access
- Not Possible
- Laundry facilities
- Laundry is included.
- Money
- There are no safes in the tents. All valuables are to be left with the manager for safekeeping.
- Accepted payment on location
- Cash payments are accepted in US dollars.
Other lodges in Mana Pools National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Vundu Camp
Overlooking the Zambezi River in Mana Pools National Park, Vundu Camp is a small, comfortable bushcamp offering top-notch guiding.
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.
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.
Zambezi Expeditions
Zambezi Expeditions is a simple, semi-permanent camp along the Zambezi River that offers excellent guiding and standards of service.
Nyamatusi Camp
Overlooking the Zambezi River, the luxury Nyamatusi Camp occupies a pristine wilderness environment.
Little Vundu
Closely associated with Vundu Camp, Little Vundu has the same great location and quality of guides, and is occasionally used for private group bookings.
Mana Canoe Trail
The Canoe Trail is a multi-day trip, along the Zambezi with some of the best guides in Africa. Each night you'll camp on the banks of the river.
Kavinga Safari Camp
Kavinga is a comfortable tented camp tucked away in a less-visited area of Mana Pools National Park with surprisingly good wildlife and an excellent hide.
Chikwenya Camp
One of the original properties in Mana Pools area we are excited to be featuring Chikwenya Camp again.
John's Camp
John's Camp is a semi-mobile tented camp offering walking safaris, game drives, and fishing in Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park.
Nyamatusi Mahogany
Nyamatusi Mahogany is a family-friendly, yet remote and luxurious safari camp in Mana Pools National Park.
Little Ruckomechi
In a shady spot beside the Zambezi, Little Ruckomechi is a small but luxurious camp offering a reange of activities including walking and canoe trips.
Ingwe Pan Camp
Ingwe Pan Camp is due to open in May and will be located in a remote area in the north of the Mana Pools National Park
Tembo Plains Camp
Building commenced on Tembo Plains Camp in February 2021. Details are sparce at this stage but we'll update this page once we know more.
Mana River Camp
Mana River Camp sits on the banks of the Zambezi River, a site formerly occupied by Mwinilunga Camp.
