MARONGA TENTED CAMP
The camp is situated under a large grove of Acacia trees on a narrow peninsular at the confluence of the Maronga and Ume rivers, within the Matusadona National Park. Three large, walk in safari tents are situated on the riverbank overlooking the Maronga estuary. Behind each tent is a large en suite bathroom with flush toilet, hand basin and traditional bucket shower. The
bathroom is open to the skies and constructed of a reed enclosure . There is a verandah in front of each tent where guests may relax overlooking the estuary. The dining room is under a large canvas roof and there is a sitting area adjoining the dining room, where drinks are taken under the stars, around the camp fire.
The area is quite different from the usual lake shore in that it is riverine, as opposed to the open lake shore. There are many floating reed islands, making ideal nesting sites for the prolific birdlife in the area. The area is also the home of the rare Pels Fishing Owl, which is heard from the camp most nights. Over 350 species of bird has been recorded from the area due to its riverine habitat and its proximity to the Matusadona escarpment.
There is a network of tracks leading from the camp up into the escarpment, which is frequented by mammal species not found on the lake shore, such as Eland, Sable and Roan Antelope. The camp is in an area frequented by Black rhino, and there is a resident Rhino in the vicinity of the camp. Elephant and Buffalo abound and the Maronga peninsular forms the boundary of two lion pride's territories.
The upper reaches of the Ume river is a crocodile breeding sanctuary closed to the public from 1st September to 1st January, however as Maronga is within this sanctuary, we have a permit to operate in the area. There are a number of pods of Hippo in the area and Impala, water buck, Kudu and Bushbuck are common. The terrain is good Leopard country, with one passing through the camp on a regular basis.
Activities
Drives into the interior and up the Escarpment.
Canoeing up the many creeks.
Game viewing by motorised pontoon raft (An ideal stable photographic platform)
Walks
A combination of the above, taking a bush breakfast along.
A little bit about the guide and manager, Chris Worden. Born in Masvingo and the son of a British South Africa Police Officer who has lived in numerous locations off the beaten track in Zimbabwe. Chris spent 5 years in the Department of National Parks based in Chirisa, West
Nicholson, and Victoria Falls before pursuing a guiding career in 1986. One of the "Old School" guides in Zimbabwe, Chris has gained a reputation for quality personalised safaris and has built a large base of repeat clients. He has led safaris to Namibia, Zambia, Kenya, and Uganda and to the gorillas in Zaire as well as having had his own highly successful tented operations in Kanjedza (Matusadonna) and Kaburi. Chris was host and resident Professional Guide at Senkwe River Camp before securing the Manyuli Springs concession.
Chris is credited with a study on the White Faced Owl, which has been published in numerous bird books including the definitive work "Roberts Birds of South Africa". Chris is an accomplished photographer, has done numerous slide presentations for charity and won the Wildlife Photographic Competition in 1993.
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