Mantis Opening New River Camp in Zimbabwe

June 25, 2010 By: Jena Tesse Fox

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Baines' River Camp

More promising news from Zimbabwe: We hear that Mantis will open Baines’ River Camp on August 1. It's all about location, of course, and this place has it in spades: The camp is set among giant tamarind and jackal-berry trees on the banks of the Zambezi River opposite the Mana Pools World Heritage Site in Zimbabwe.
 
Baines’ River Camp comprises eight colonial-style suites, each named after an African explorer. The air-conditioned suites have views over the Zambezi River and have nice details like ceiling fans and gorgeous oriental rugs. Cool touch: The covered verandas are tiled in terra cotta. Nature lovers, rejoice! The area has wildlife including lion, elephant, buffalo, antelope, hippo, leopard and the Samango monkey.
 
Baines’ River Camp is located in Chiawa Partnership Park, a community conservation initiative that has the same protected status as neighboring Lower Zambezi National Park. Entrance to the National Park is a 20-minute boat ride from the camp. Another nice detail: There are no fences in the area, so wildlife roams freely between the areas and in and around the camp. The Lower Zambezi area is home to more than 60 species of mammals and more than 350 species of birds. Guests can go on a bush safari in a four-wheel drive vehicle or a game cruise on the river.
 
Fishing fans will want to have a try at the African Tigerfish in the river, which, pound for pound, makes for some of the best sport fishing anywhere in the world. (Fishing is strictly catch-and-release, though.) Bird lovers are not ignored, either. The camp has specialist courses for birders to help them spot the Angola Pitta, Livingstone’s Flycatcher, Pennant-winged Nightjar, Bohm’s Spinetail, Osprey, Broadbilled Roller, Narina Trogon and the Pel’s Fishing Owl.
 
Getting there is easy, too: The Royal Zambezi Airstrip is five-and-a-half miles from the camp. The drive between the camp and Royal Zambezi Airstrip takes approximately 30 minutes, depending on the wildlife along the way. Generally, guests will fly from Lusaka (approximately 30-minute flight), Livingstone (approximately one-hour flight) or any of the other wildlife areas in Zambia to the Royal Zambezi Airstrip. A game-drive vehicle, complete with refreshments and cold hand-towels awaits the guests on arrival.
 
For more information on Baines’ River Camp, visit www.mantiscollection.com