Eight nights at Chitake Springs in Mana Pools National Park | September 2023 Trip Report

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In September 2023 I lead an 8-night photographic safari for Africa Geographic to Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park. We camped in the heart of Mana Pools at a place called Chitake Springs, known for its large pride of lions and massive herds of Cape buffalo that drink at the spring during the dry season.
This trip report will give you a great idea of what to expect from an Africa Geographic safari to Chitake Springs in Mana Pools.
To book a safari with Africa Geographic, send an e-mail to [e-mail]
Enjoy the video!
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[@dawiebroekman8117]

What an epic experience that must have been Villiers! Thanks for giving us a taste of what it was like over there. Excellent footage and photos, as always. 🔥

[@TheSafariExpert]

Thanks Dawie. It's such a pleasure to be able to share it with passionate people like yourself!

[@JimGreenFootwearOfficial]

No better place on Earth🙌 Mana Pools always a special place to visit

[@AjaySingh-228]

Wow, beautiful bro..I am a huge fan of wildlife photography...I am planning to buy my first camera..Beautiful clicks too 4:25 wow

[@vikramrghanekar]

Lovely video as usual. Brings back memories from 2018 when I stayed at Chitake Springs for 3 nights. The thundering of hooves, the dust and the smell of buffaloes is a thing to remember. I also remember having a heart in mouth moment on that trip. We were walking the gorge and as we went around a bend, there were 3 dagga boys drinking from the springs. They looked at us with their beady eyes, smelling the air, trying to make out if we were a threat. That sent a chill down my spine. We retreated slowly. Nights were noisy with screaming elephants, roaring lions and laughing hyenas. Thank you for bring those memories back.

[@michaelmatschafsky9323]

Wonderful experience- where there with Carl end of September this year. Saw lions hunting buffaloes and got charged by a lioness. Will be back ❤

[@Wild4safaris]

flippin awesome Villiers !! ♨

[@TheSafariExpert]

Thanks Stu 🙏🏻😎💪🏻

[@shaunmoller2997]

Epic episode content out of this world

[@TheSafariExpert]

Thanks for the kind words, Shaun!

[@brendahobday]

That was a brilliant trip, thank you Villiers and Carl for all your expertise and understanding of the animal behaviour, and your company of course! I'll definitely be back again, after I have finished editing all my photos! If anyone is thinking of doing this trip - just do it! It's amazing.

[@TheSafariExpert]

Aw, thanks so much for the kind words, Brenda 😍 It was so wonderful to have you on the trip!

[@rodc271]

Brilliant as always. I camped at Mana Pools in the early 80s, nice to see it again.

[@TheSafariExpert]

Thanks so much, Rod! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@GreaseAndGravel]

Brilliant vid as always. Loved the buffalo footage the most!!!

[@TheSafariExpert]

Thanks man!

[@janekinnear-smith3682]

Great video snapshot of your trip. You had wonderful sightings! Makes me want to go back!!

[@TheSafariExpert]

Me too, Jane! 🤪

[@sawildlife24]

As usual brilliant video! Loved the different perspectives!

[@TheSafariExpert]

Thanks so much!

[@lilli-to-go]

Hi Villiers, it was so nice meeting you, Carl and your group at Chitake Sprinks. You've made a wonderful film which will be a great remembrance for me as well, being there exactly at the same time than you. Greetings from Lake Kariba now. Lilli and the orange Toyota

[@TheSafariExpert]

Aw, thanks Lilli! 🙏🏻😁 It was wonderful to meet you under the fig tree 🌳

[@WildWildJourneys]

Been a dream of mine to visit Mana Pools - right at the top of the list! Well done on that Buffalo scene 😅🏃🏻‍♂️

[@TheSafariExpert]

It’s a must-see, Byron! Hehe, that buffalo stampede looked a lot scarier thanks to two small cuts in post 😅

[@dbackx]

My great mate, the Chitake Springs pioneer & legend safari guide himself Steve Pope looks down with a watchful eye upon all those that step foot in Chitake Springs. I spent many eventful (to say the least) safaris with Steve & "his" Chitake lions back in the day & there has never been another that knew lions like Steve did. A special man & a special place. RIP Steve Pope. Gone but never forgotten.

[@TheSafariExpert]

We actually spoke about Steve while we were there, about his campsite near the spring and 'his' lions and buffalo...

[@dbackx]

Thats great to hear his memory is alive & well !! @@TheSafariExpert A man of very few words but his ability to think like a lion & anticipate their next move was quite extraordinary. I'm based in Melbourne, Australia & have worked in the African wholesale safari industry here in Australia for 35 plus years & I've been out with some of the very best & amazingly good African guides (James Varden being another up at Mana Pools) but Steve was certainly in a class of his own. Keep up the great work Villiers & I enjoy watching your safari sojourns !

[@ardnfast]

Does this guide, Steve Pope, that you talk about, have 4 day concessions on the new and full moon at Chitake? And he only had one eye?

[@dbackx]

Unfortunately Steve Pope passed away from cancer in 2011 aged 60 years old. He did alot of his safaris over new & full moons. I'm not aware of him having only one eye. I'm guessing whoever does walking safaris in Chitake Springs nowadays would also most probably be around new & full moons as well. @@ardnfast

[@ardnfast]

@dbackx thank you for the reply. I am very saddened to hear of Steve's passing. I thoroughly enjoyed the 4 days and nights I spent with him at Chitake Springs. Steve had a glass eye after an incident with a sharp knife (his story, not mine) but it certainly didn't diminish his guiding skills 🙏 RIP.

[@fungaimagumise4360]

Which country is this mate? Seems beautiful with decent game viewing opportunities

[@TheSafariExpert]

Zimbabwe 🙌🏻🇿🇼

[@TravelMastersCouple]

Loved the vid. Is there a way to visit Mana independently on a budget? Camping? (Like, self-sufficient 4x4 and tent camping - not luxury camping). We are looking to go in April.

[@TheSafariExpert]

Yes, definitely. There are public campsites at both Chitake Springs and Nyamepi (down by the river) that can be booked through Zimparks ⛺️

[@TravelMastersCouple]

@@TheSafariExpertThanks!

[@steveculhane7279]

As long as you are ready to pay 300usd a night to camp with pit toilets 😂

[@TheWildlifeFanatic]

Did you manage to get some stills shots of the buffalo's in the dust? Dream shot if you did...

[@TheSafariExpert]

Not the ones I had been dreaming of, but next time! ;)

[@jordanbarber6486]

Hi Villiers, where can a person enquire about joining on the next Chitake Springs trip??

[@TheSafariExpert]

Hi Jordan. We have not yet scheduled another trip to Chitake Springs, but I suggest sending an email to [e-mail] and asking that they keep you posted on any future trips to Mana Pools 😎

[@AndrewSenior]

Top notch stuff! Raising the bar! Definitely one of the most iconic and spectacular places for nature enthusiasts. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us!

[@TheSafariExpert]

Thanks Andrew. Your video on Chitake was super informative and helped me to know what to expect before I even got there 🙏🏻😎