Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia Updates.

Tsholo’s Amazing FAM Trip with Machaba Safaris

Tsholo from our Sales team, had an opportunity to go on a FAM Trip with Machaba Safaris and had nothing but great things to say about her experience. She visited four of their camps and each stay was uniquely exceptional. Here is what she had to say about each camp;

DITEEMA SPRINGS 

‘Unfortunately, I fell ill on my first night at Deteema, but this experience revealed just how wonderful the staff truly is. They took great care of me, regularly checking in to ensure I was comfortable. Ntando, our guide, even brought me a bowl of soup in the evening, which stands out as a highlight of my stay. The camp itself is beautifully set among rocks and surrounded by springs, which attract a concentration of wildlife. During our stay, we witnessed incredible sightings, including a lioness with her kill, a massive herd of nearly a thousand buffalo, elephants in and around the camp, and even a leopard. The food was both delicious and plentiful, further elevating Deteema as an outstanding camp with exceptional standards’.

VERNEYS CAMP

‘Verneys truly feels like a home away from home. Everything about this place is exceptional. The staff is AMAZING—so attentive, caring, and dedicated to providing outstanding service. Themba and Simatete are incredible guides who share not only knowledge of the game but also the broader beauty of the area. Their passion for what they do is contagious—I left wanting to become a guide myself! Chipo, the camp manager, is an absolute star, making you feel like part of the family, which is why Verneys feels like home. From the food and waitstaff to the housekeepers, it’s a true 5-star experience. And the best part? We didn’t even need to go on game drives—thanks to the camp’s waterhole, wildlife gathers right there’.

MANA RIVER CAMP

‘My absolute favorite camp! Situated along the banks of the Zambezi River, the camp offers breathtaking views, and the beauty of Mana Pools is truly a photographer’s dream. The wildlife is abundant—we saw everything from elephants and lions to nyala, waterbuck, and even a pack of wild dogs on a hunt. The highlight of my trip was the walking safari, and I would recommend our guide, Alf, in a heartbeat. He brought us incredibly close to the animals while respecting their space, and his deep knowledge of Mana Pools taught me so much about the importance of conserving natural resources for a sustainable future. The rooms at Mana River are pure perfection, with the best showers (Justin, the camp manager, had mentioned this hidden gem in advance). The food felt like dining in a 5-star restaurant, and the service was exceptional. I have already recommended this camp to one of our agents and we are adding it to their brochure’.

INGWE PAN

‘The camp is located in a more remote and wild part of Mana Pools, making it feel much more untamed than any of the other camps we visited. Wildlife roams freely through the camp, and we were even treated to a visit from an elephant and her calf in the main area. With the pan right in front of the camp, it is the perfect armchair safari—you don’t even need to go on a game drive, as animals frequently visit the waterhole. Just sitting in the main area, we saw plenty, including a leopard, hyenas, nyala, and a variety of bird species. In my opinion, the tents are the best among all the Machaba Camps in Zimbabwe, beautifully positioned around the pan for optimal views. The staff was exceptional—kind, attentive, and they truly made us feel at home. Overall, this is a stunning camp, perfectly located for prime game viewing and offering a stunning scenery’.

All in all  Tsholo had a great time and we would like to thank Machaba Safaris for the wonderful opportunity and the great staff that made her stay all the more special.

For any more information on these Machaba camps contact us at info@senseofafrica-botswana.com .