Doug MacDonald’s A Journey to Mana Pools

• A privately guided safari developed exclusively for Chalo Africa by Doug MacDonald, one of the best known Zimbabwean Pro Guides on the continent
• Doug has intimate knowledge of Mana Pools and if he deems it safe for you and the animals, he can and will track wild dogs, lions and elephants on foot in the bush
• Excellent chance for close encounters with lion, elephant, wild dog, kudu, impala, bushbuck, warthog and more – all from a camp chair placed at the edge of your campsite!
• River cruises on the Zambezi
• Doug has designed this as a modular safari – meaning that it can either be added on before or after other safari destinations, or be enjoyed as a stand-alone safari. If the latter, your charter flight will take you either to Harare or to VFA for your onward flight home. If you wish to extend this safari, please let us know and we will work together with Doug to make this happen

In August 2012, I visited Chitake with Doug and have fond recollections of spending a few hours perched on a sandy ledge (camouflaged by tree branches), waiting for the wary buffalo herds to come down the river banks for a drink. These large breeding herds of buffalo and elephants are always stalked by predators – prides of lions, packs of wild dogs, hyena, leopards, and even (very rarely) cheetah. Whether you get to see this action or not is a matter of chance, but either way, Chitake will give you very action-packed days and nights.

Here is a description I found in a report. I am quoting it here because I could not say it better:

“Of course, the greatest shows are put on by the grey herds of thirsty elephant and huge black masses of buffalo. Experience the closeness and excitement of Chitake by camping right on the edge of the river and exploring its mini sandstone gorge and wild woodlands, brimming with nature. Long walks are taken out from the spring area to go up into the different habitats of the hills or, when it is very dry, one can make a hide in the bushes near the water, blend into the environment and let everything come to you.

Chitake can be an extremely intense experience for the true naturalist and someone who likes to feel the challenge of nature. When walking you have to concentrate particularly carefully on your surroundings, often remaining silent for hours to let the game close in. Sounds are amplified at night in the narrow riverbed; the bushes around one threatening to release some bundle of tooth and claw!

This is not a “lodge”. This is not a game drive. Chitake is for people who understand the Africa away from the standard brochure. For the “Africaphile” who like their wildlife wild!”

Text credit: natureways.com

Another interesting read is Susan Robinson’s wonderful trip report of her experience In the Faraway Bush: Chitake Springs.