Musango Safari Camp

This owner run Safari Camp on the shores of Lake Kariba, offers more activity options than any other camp on the Lake and focuses on a personalised experience with top guiding.

Introduction

Musango Safari Camp is located on a private concession on the shores of Lake Kariba just outside the Matusadona National Park, offering an intimate safari experience with one of Africa's top ten guides. The area boasts an absolute abundance of bird and animal life and an interesting variety of activities, is sure to intrigue you.

Steve and Wendy Edwards started building this camp in 1990. Prior to that Steve was the head warden of Matusadona National Park, their passion and love for the camp and the area is evident in everything around you. They are still resident at Musango and are actively involved on a daily basis. They are unquestionably what sets this camp apart from any other.

A total of 16 guests are accommodated in 8 tented rooms, each constructed from a combination of thatch, natural stone and canvas. Each room, with its en-suite bathroom, is tucked away privately amongst the thick trees of the shoreline, facing out east across the Lake to catch the magnificent sunrise. Two of the rooms are used as Honeymoon suites, both having their own private plunge pool and deck.

The large thatched double storey central area houses the lounge, bar and dining areas. There are superb views from the upper deck, where early morning teas and coffees are served along with a light breakfast. Full breakfasts and lunch are mostly served in the dining area and dinners are often outside under stars or on a pontoon, capturing the real essence of being out in this beautiful wilderness. An essential swimming pool is also located by this central area and is very welcome at times, as Kariba does have extreme temperatures.

Gravel paths winding through the bush connect the bedrooms to the central area. The entire Lodge area has an electric fence circling it so that none of the big stuff enters but the owners have worked hard at cultivating the birdlife and small animals around camp which is wonderfully active.

Musango has an extensive range of activities which should also include and good deal of relaxing. Steve and his team have created these activities from everything they know and have discovered about this area and now look forward to sharing this experience with you. Activities include, Games drives and walks; speedboat and pontoon boat cruises for both scenic and game-viewing / bird-watching; Fishing; Village visits; Specialised birding trips; Dinosaur fossil site visits; Crocodile Farm visits; Black rhino tracking; Early stone-age tool sites; Photography.

The remoteness of Musango is part of its appeal but the downside is that access is mostly by light aircraft and is therefore quite costly. More and more flights are plying this route now and seat rates are now available bringing down the costs which is encouraging. Boats transfers from Kariba town are available but these are long and don't work out much cheaper unless you happen to be in Kariba for some other reason. Self-Drive is an adventurous way of accessing the camp, it's a rather arduous drive over tough 4x4 terrain and takes about 10 hrs from either Harare or Victoria Falls, but it's possible and maps are available.

Our Opinion

We would love everyone to include in Kariba in their itinerary, but it's not mainstream and it's comparatively expensive to get to, once there though it's an absolute paradise. For us Musango has a beautiful location and more than adequate amenities, it's not as fancy as Changa or Bumi in the Matusadona area but it has absolute character and for a safari experience it's our first choice of the Kariba options.

Owners and managers Steve and Wendy are true characters with endless humour and incredible in-depth knowledge of this wilderness its wildlife. It's a privilege to spend time with them. The dinosaur fossil site is quite a unique addition to most standard safaris and Steve's ability to track and find the elusive and endangered black rhino is more than a treat, it's an experience of a lifetime.

There is no question that you will have fantastic experience, with such a range of things to do from safari activities to palaeontology and cultural visits to historical lessons. Musango has a lot to offer and each activity is a personalised experience with guides who really know what they are doing.

We recommend four nights here, partly because there is plenty to do but also because they run a special where the 4th night is free, this kind of offsets the cost of the charter flights in. Athough not fully inclusive they also offer great SADC rates. It's also a good idea to add in a couple of nights at a safari camp in Hwange as a nice contrast. Recommended for couples and families and anyone looking for a safari, slightly different to the norm.

If you haven't already done so, please read our Essential African Safari Tips, which also includes a wide range of Safari trip ideas.

Summary

• Private safari camp on a private concession on the shores of Lake Kariba
• Safari experiences with one of Africa's top ten guides
• Located in an area with abundant wildlife
• Rooms face towards the lake so guests can catch the sunrise
• Extensive range of activities included in your stay
• Not easy access but highly recommended

Accommodation at Musango Safari Camp

• 6 twin safari tents
• 2 honeymoon safari tents with private plunge pool

All rooms have:
• Views of Lake Kariba
• Mosquito proof netting
• Private veranda with furnishings
• En-suite bathroom with flush toilet, washbasins and shower
• Dressing area with cupboards
• Thatch over canvas tent
• Safety Deposit bags
• Filtered and treated cold water flasks

Dining

• Dining area and bar under the main thatched area
• Al fresco dining Dinner is often under the stars or on a pontoon on the Lake
• Communal dining around two half moon tables (unless you request otherwise)
• Breakfast, lunch, afternoon teas and dinner all included and of a high standard  

Facilities and Services

• Laundry service
• Safety deposit bags
• 12 volt solar power lighting 24hrs and 220V generator power from 6pm to 11pm
• Plunge pool in the main area
• Main communal area with lounge, bar, library, dining area, and large open deck
• No room service but tea, coffee and drinks will be supplied to the rooms on request
• WiFi in the main area
• Fire pit
• Game viewing deck
• Curio shop
• Small museum with Batonka artefacts, stone age tools and dinosaur fossils

Activities:
• Morning, afternoon and night game drives
• Walking safaris
• Game viewing cruises
• Fishing
• Village visits
• Bird watching
• Cultural village tours
• Rhino tracking
• Visit to the dinosaur fossil site
• Tour of early stone-age site
• Crocodile farm visits
• Star gazing

Fully Inclusive Rates Include

• Accommodation
• All meals and local brand drinks
• Laundry
• Two shared activities per day

Fully Inclusive Rates Exclude

• All premium imported spirits & champagne
• National parks fees and fishing licenses
• Boat and road transfers
• Curio purchases
• Items of a personal nature

Children

• Children of all ages are welcome at Musango, and are welcome on all activities
• Wonderful safe area around the camp where they can get close to nature.
• Guides are particularly attentive to children and their inquisitive questions. All sorts of interesting artefacts around camp, including dinosaur bones which fascinate the little ones. 

How to Get to Musango Safari Camp

• Fly in from Victoria Falls, Hwange, Mana Pools or Harare Airport to Bumi Airstrip, then a short boat ride takes you to Musango Camp (transfer and flights not included)
• Guests with their own boats are welcome to make their own way to Musango dock
• Boats transfers are available from Kariba town
• Self drive - Musango is a tough 4x4, 10-hour drive from either Victoria Falls or Harare

Click on this link to Read Reviews from others travellers who have already stayed here, or add your own Review.

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