Here, a striking and ecologically vital habitat invites a safari experience offered nowhere else in amongst the albida forests, also known as winter thorns or ana tree woodlands. These silvery giants, Faidherbia albida, dominate the floodplains and shape the seasonal rhythm of life in this wild landscape. Nowhere is this experience better accessed than from Wilderness Chikwenya, set in the heart of this special ecosystem.

The albida tree, with its pale bark and feathery leaves, is a keystone species in Mana Pools. Its most extraordinary feature is its reverse life cycle, flowering and fruiting in the dry season, when other resources are scarce (hence the name, “winter thorn”). This timing makes it essential for sustaining wildlife during the toughest months of the year, especially between September and November.

Elephants are perhaps the most visible beneficiaries.

“As waterholes dry up and vegetation dwindles, elephants congregate under the albida trees to feast on fallen seed pods, which are rich in protein and minerals”, explains Craig Glatthaar, Wilderness Head of Sales: Americas. 

In a scene that has become iconic in Mana Pools, some bulls have learned to rise up on their hind legs to pluck pods from higher branches; a dramatic behaviour rarely seen elsewhere.

But the albida tree feeds more than just elephants. Baboons and impalas gorge on the tree’s nutrient-rich flowers, often clustering in mixed groups beneath the canopy. These feeding frenzies, in turn, attract predators.

“Leopards are opportunists, and they use the trees to ambush prey feeding on the flowers below”, adds Craig.

The interplay of predator and prey beneath these trees is both intense and revealing of the dry season’s quiet urgency.

“The camp’s position at the confluence of the Sapi and Zambezi rivers also creates an extraordinary and highly desirable habitat”, explains Craig.

“While dense riverine vegetation further upstream can make it difficult and dangerous for wildlife to access the Zambezi’s waters, the open floodplain in front of Chikwenya offers a safe and inviting alternative. This area, surrounded by riparian moist woodland, is a magnet for wildlife drawn to the water’s edge”, adds Craig.

Wilderness Chikwenya is built to blend into its surroundings, not dominate them. Its seven tented suites (including two family units) are shaded by albida and Natal mahogany trees. Elephants are regular visitors in and around camp, often seen feeding just metres away. The central guest area, complete with a pool, deck, and fireplace, looks out over the floodplain, where herds of buffalo, zebra, and impala graze, often trailed by lions or wild dogs.

By operating in a private-access area adjacent to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chikwenya plays an important role in expanding the conservation footprint beyond the park's formal boundaries. The camp’s low-impact design, minimal vehicle traffic, and commitment to community conservation contribute to preserving the integrity of both the albida forests and the wildlife they support.

On the other side of Mana Pools National Park, Wilderness Ruckomechi plays the same role.

“The bonus of having a camp on either end of Mana Pools, is that we have private traversing rights both inside and outside the boundaries of the national park”, notes Craig.

This extended protection of habitat is crucial for species like wild dog, lion, and elephant, and maintains the unspoilt, remote feel that travellers increasingly seek.

A stay at Wilderness Chikwenya combines access, exclusivity, and meaningful conservation; beneath the towering albida trees, it’s an experience both intimate and immense. Its position on the edge of Mana Pools, at the meeting point of two rivers and within a unique forest ecosystem, creates a setting that’s both rich in wildlife and removed from the crowds. With private access to land and water, thoughtful camp design, and a focus on protecting critical habitat, Chikwenya delivers a safari that’s truly rewarding and responsible.