Mana Pools - Episode 1 - Chitake Springs

An overland safari adventure to Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe. In this episode we travel from Johannesburg, South Africa to Chitake Springs, Mana Pools.
We experience the wild natural beauty of Chitake Springs.
We experience an on-foot wild encounter with lions and buffalo.
00:00 JHB to Musina
02:37 Musina to Antelope Park
05:24 Antelope Park to Mana Pools
10:33 Chitake Springs
15:37 Nighttime vistors
17:18 Fig Tree
19:37 Buffalo and Lions
28:30 Closing

[@Cruiserharry447]

Very very well done. First time i had a look at your adventures and believe me i became a follower without hesitation. Keep them coming

[@AndrewSenior]

Thank you for watching! Really appreciate that feedback!

[@blackbirdxx4613]

Beautiful video anyway

[@blackbirdxx4613]

Beautiful stuff mate...

[@speicheprivat3258]

🎥 wonderful Movie 👍👍👍👍👍

[@AndrewSenior]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@ardnfast]

I first visited Africa in May 1998. Later that month I was hitch-hiking back from Kariba to my friends' farm near Banket. When who should pull up and offer me a lift but renound Zim guide Steve Pope. Steve was heading to Chitake camp for a lion walking safari and rather easily convinced me to join him and the small group he was picking up from a canoe safari. We didn't see lions on this trip, but needless to say, the experience was one I'll treasure forever. I've since heard of Steve's passing and treasure many moments I spent with this incredible soul of Africa. In particular, two "mock" elephant charges, where a large male elephant appeared, quiet as a mouse, out of nowhere. In the mayhem that followed (thinking that Steve was about to die and that I was going to run) I took two "shots" on my trusty FM2. It was pretty hairy as the big guy meant business, trumpeting loudly as the dust rose up and over Steve's head. Steve had even unslung his .458 magnum before we made a safe retreat. On this occasion, discretion was definitely the better part of valour. Mana Pools and Chitake in particular, will always hold special memories for me. RIP Steve. Thanks for keeping us safe 🙏

[@AndrewSenior]

Thanks for watching :) and thank you sharing your story with us. Africa certainly holds so many stories and such unique experiences. It’s a melting pot for this!

[@blackbirdxx4613]

Can't imagine sitting there looking at a dry river bed.... 😂

[@vrod1a]

Awesome footage 👍

[@AndrewSenior]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@charleschare6624]

It was amazing to meet up with you mates at the Lions Den Suesy Deli

[@malvinchadzamira7197]

This is awesome certainly inspired

[@AndrewSenior]

Thank you for watching! Agreed! If life allowed me to, I’d be on my way back to Mana Pools already!

[@nhlaprv]

Brilliant content and professional production Andrew. I guess now you are looking to go back in May but without the trailers😅. Well presented , bring on the next episode!!

[@AndrewSenior]

Thanks for watching! Yeah, Chitake is tight with trailers but you’ll see in the next video how perfect Mucheni is for them 😬😬

[@mikevanrensburg8209]

A very good video Andrew. Excellent. The map indications will be great for first time visitors as well.

[@AndrewSenior]

Thank for watching Mike! Really appreciate your feedback 👍

[@OverlandingwithBruce]

Awesome episode Andrew. I am honestly shocked at how different Chitake looks and how you got into Campsite 1 with the trailers. The bush was so thick there in May we almost battled to get in with just our vehicles. Even up by campsite 2 and the fig tree, it’s amazing how the bush so open! Amazing what a few months if winter does. Thanks for sharing! 👍👍

[@AndrewSenior]

Hey Bruce, thanks so much for watching. Totally agree how different it looked vs your visit. Special place that deserves more of our time 👍

[@OverlandingwithBruce]

@@AndrewSenior absolutely and now you have given me itchy feet 😂

[@johnmarais7772]

Hi Bruce, I'm assuming same Bruce from 4x4 Community. Looks like SANZ and I were lucky to only have 3 and 2 hours respectively at BB

[@OverlandingwithBruce]

@@johnmarais7772 thats crazy. When did you go through and why did it take so long? Did you do your tip beforehand?

[@victornguni4794]

Ha! Just learned the name of the tunnels today! Long after driving through for years!

[@michaelmatschafsky9323]

Fantastic, will be there next year 😊

[@kevinriese2167]

Great informative video and story Andy. Thanks for sharing!👍🍁

[@AndrewSenior]

Thanks for watching!

[@wesselpieterse8054]

I'm sitting in my office watching your adventures Andrew - I guess my productivity for the day is gone. Great video that makes me feel like I was there. Thank you for sharing your adventure with us here!

[@AndrewSenior]

Thanks Wes, you need to be on the next Mana adventure 👍

[@duncanwallace7760]

Great story, thanks!

[@TheHangarRat]

Thank you so much. A wonderful trip through my old stamping grounds.

[@AndrewSenior]

Thank you for watching! Glad it brought back good memories!

[@adamgriss2025]

Wonderful editing and videography! Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful scenery, but there’s no way I’d go there without a firearm for protection with those lions around. Thank you for sharing.

[@AndrewSenior]

Thanks Adam! You’ve got to have your wits about you for sure! Thank you for watching!

[@Heathturn]

Great video… well done

[@AndrewSenior]

Thanks Heath!

[@johnmarais7772]

Great videography Andrew, thanks for sharing. Our party spent 2 nights at Chitake on 17 and 18 September 2022. On 18 September we were lucky enough to be at the Spring where a pride of 14 lion awaited the buffalo. Approx 250-300 buffalo came down, the lion killed and ate 5 buffalo that day. Absolute mayhem, but what a memorable experience.

[@AndrewSenior]

Thanks for watching, John! You were there a month after us, and WOW, that must have been an incredible sighting! I’m sure you’d agree that it’s definitely worth spending a bit more time there than our short stays.

[@mavusane]

Great story telling. Thank you

[@AndrewSenior]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@dzidzaichidumba5435]

Brilliant! Thank you for visiting. Ndatenda

[@AndrewSenior]

Ndatenda for watching! Cannot wait to return and I hope more people visit beautiful Zimbabwe :)

[@chrisgrobler4882]

This is so awesome Andrew, thanks for these video of your trips, my back yard garden is the Gonarezhou National Park, I hope you have plans on doing a overlanding adventure to this beautiful park. Keep these great videos coming 👌

[@AndrewSenior]

Thank you, Chris! Really appreciate you watching! Gonarezhou is definitely on my list of places to explore in the near future, and I have to say I’m very envious that it’s your back garden!

[@maphirimutshutshu2128]

beatiful episode Senior

[@AndrewSenior]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@Mr09260]

Great Video but far too many Vehicles in the Party >> for places like Chitake Springs >> 2 Max. Looking forward to Mana Zambezi Riverside segments later .. I really enjoyed seeing Chitake Springs Andrew

[@AndrewSenior]

Thanks Peter! Yes, I’d agree that max two vehicles per site at Chitake.

[@safarinest3406]

Thank You for creating this amazing video of your experience along the journey and Chitake! Very well done, we have visited Mana Pools a few times, due to our kids being small we did not want to risk going to Chitake, and the issue with tsetse's... now I'm itching :-) enjoyed the google eye view too!! Thank You

[@AndrewSenior]

Thanks for watching! We eventually adopted a grin and bear approach to the flies, and surprisingly they attached themselves to some of us more than others 🤷‍♂️

[@safarinest3406]

@@AndrewSenior lol Ohk, we previously used a spray called RID @mana it worked well, also used lighter colour clothing and didn’t have an issue with the flies at the private campsites, but heard they seem to be more aggressive @Chitake Looking forward for the next episode 😃

[@Welly310]

Can you please tell me the lodge you stayed at cos I would like to book for a week but I’m not in based in Zimbabwe. The website where you booked would be helpful. Enjoyed watching this vlog. Thanks

[@AndrewSenior]

Thanks for watching. There aren't any lodges in the area we covered so best bet would be to either self-drive or book with a mobile safari operator (see below for some contact information). These forum posts from Jess contain excellent information on the logistics involved for this trip. www.4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php/359215-Trip-report-Mana-Pools-Logistics-Route-2022?p=4942974&highlight=#post4942974 www.4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php/359216-TRIP-REPORT-Chitake-Mana-Pools?p=4942985&highlight=#post4942985 www.4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php/359218-TRIP-REPORT-Mucheni-Mana-Pools?p=4943004&highlight=#post4943004 (Lovemore's details are in this post and he will be able to assist with making an adventure like this happen for you) What I would suggest you do is reach out to Lovemore and see what's possible. It will be worth it!

[@misheckmukonoweshuro1868]

Please explain the idea behind dropping tyre pressure

[@AndrewSenior]

Thanks for watching! When you deflate a tyre it lengthens the tyre’s ‘footprint’, its surface area from front to back, which increases the vehicle’s contact with the ground and aids traction. Primary reason is for safety but it also makes the ride more comfortable!

[@ppoletto]

very good video! Congratulations, very well done. And such an amazing sighting the buffaloes and lion. One thing though: if I may offer a constructive criticism: the song that starts at 5min45 is really annoying. I know that style of music is often used on youtube videos, but it is awful. But that's just my opinion, there must be people that like it. apart from that, that was a really nice video. Mana Pools is very high on my list of places to go. greetings from Brazil

[@AndrewSenior]

Thanks for watching! Always tricky to pick music that I personally believe goes with the production but glad to hear you stayed with it even if it wasn’t to your personal liking. Most importantly I’m glad to hear Mana’s on your list and I hope this inspired you just that little bit more to get there, hopefully soon :)

[@blackbirdxx4613]

So you don't fish

[@cask1]

How do I visit mana pools national park.. what's the best way???

[@AndrewSenior]

You can “rough” it like we did if you’re ok with self-drive, camping and being self-sufficient, or you could do a 5-star guided experience with one of the many great options there. There are also mobile operators which can give you an in-between kind of experience where you stay in a tent but with other luxuries :) You can self-drive yourself there or even fly in as part of an experience. Many options!

[@davesouthwood1545]

this is a burial ground and should not be used for Camping I have contacted the director of parks and explained as such. the Baobabs should only be allowed to walk, not driving

[@AndrewSenior]

There’s nothing marked as such and we did not see visible evidence of a burial ground, but did note campers present there during our short stay at Chitake campsites 2 & 3.

[@markmcculloch2570]

Why do Africans not realize tourists are the very reason they have jobs. 4 hours at the border post. No way will I go there. Your loss. Zombie. Sorry zim.

[@fungaimagumise4360]

Mark I'm sure the boarder post is under construction and soon will be serving clients a lot more clients simultaneously at a much better speed

[@reinerluck6177]

Thanks for sharing the video! May I ask you to give me contacts of "ZimTourism" (?) (email, web) you mentioned at the Beginning to arrange help for the border crossing formalities especially with the vehicle at Beitbridge Immigrations into Zimbabwe.

[@AndrewSenior]

Thanks for watching! Working on this for you and will share soon.

[@AndrewSenior]

@Reiner Lück - I’ve got the info for you. Are you able to connect on Instagram (@seniorza) or Facebook (Andrew Senior) so I can share directly with you?

[@blackbirdxx4613]

Yes please I'd also like that contact andrew

[@AndrewSenior]

@@blackbirdxx4613 Follow me on Instagram (@seniorza) and we can DM the contacts that way.