Lake Manze Camp

Experience this magical, romantic camp on the shore of the Lake Manze with lake views from your own veranda. Experience the sunrise on a walking safari. Enjoy a delicious picnic bush breakfast or lunch during your game drive as you spot lions and wild dogs. Take a fishing trip on the lake. Get close and personal with hippos and crocodiles and thousands of exotic birds on a sunset boat safari. Delight in a sumptuous candlelight dinner on the lakeshore to the symphony of the surrounding. You’ll never want to leave!

The camp comprises of twelve Meru style walk-in tents, each with twin or double beds, flush toilet, outdoor shower and private veranda, are perfectly situated to enjoy the morning ritual: elephants trampling across an old, well-worn elephant trail in front of the camp towards the river. Manze’s communal area is simply a large thatched roof spreading above a sand floor, with armchairs and sofas for lounging with a drink to watch the animals come and go.

The camp has been constructed with careful regard to the impact it makes on the environment. All the tents are situated unobtrusively in the shade of stands of Doum palms and other trees. When viewed from the boat, it is hardly possible to see the camp at all, it is so well hidden. Disturbance to the environment during the period of construction was kept to a minimum. Hot water for the showers comes from solar-heated panels. There is no electricity in the tents, so the power generating requirements are minimal.

Game drives take place in 4×4 vehicles which usually take only 4 guests, except for airstrip transfers, when there may be up to 6 guests. The drives are not limited to a specific schedule but tailor-made to guests’ wishes and can be in the morning, or in the afternoon, or for a full day. Departure times for the drives can usually be arranged according to your preferences. The full day drive usually goes towards the Beho Beho area, with a packed lunch. The vegetation in this area is different from the Manze area, being more open plains. In the afternoon a stop can be made at the Maji Moto hot springs. There are three pools: very hot, hot and warm. If you wish, you may take a swim in the lowest pool – or the middle pool if you can stand it!

A walk with an armed ranger and an informative guide is a rewarding experience and a great way to get closer to the beauty of the Selous. Walking safaris can be arranged either in the early morning or the late afternoon. The walk usually lasts for about 2 hours and can cover up to 5 km in the area around the camp. The purpose of a walking safari is not to get close to animals. You get closer to animals when in a vehicle. The purpose of a walking safari is to see their tracks, their dung, to see plants and trees, and generally to enjoy being in nature without a vehicle. It is not a route march intended to cover long distances, but a gentle stroll, stopping to look at things of interest.

For boat safaris there are two possibilities: either onto Lake Manze, or along a channel that runs from the Lake to the Rufiji River, although it is too far to reach the river itself. In either direction you can expect to see hippo, crocodile, maybe other animals coming to drink, and about 40 species of birds. Some birds, like osprey, are more likely to be seen on the lake; others, like white-fronted bee eaters, are more numerous on the channel. Some guests do both trips, and opinion seems to be equally divided as to which is the better. Boat safaris last a little over 2 hours and can be arranged in either the morning or the afternoon.

A popular option is a morning walk at 6.30 a.m. followed by a boat safari at 10.00 a.m. Afternoon boat safaris offer the possibility of a beautiful Manze sunset.

The elephant experience in camp is priceless!