Chitake Springs

Why visit Chitake Springs?

"Chitake Springs is where lions live in gangs, not prides, and where buffalo herds are so big, they kick up dust clouds that darken the skies." Villiers Steyn, wildlife photographer guide.

Lions versus buffalo - titanic battles

This remote corner of Mana Pools hosts exhilarating walking safaris, where close encounters with lions and buffalo are a regular occurrence. The spring is a perennial water source in a usually dry riverbed and provides the only water source for concentrations of wildlife. Large herds of buffalo, elephant and other herbivores converge on the water, especially during the late dry season, and predators line the steep river channel banks to ambush their desperate prey as they drink.

The area also hosts large herds of elephants, of course, and hyenas, wild dogs, leopards, and an assortment of antelope species.

Giant baobabs in a burnt landscape

As the crow flies, Chitake Springs lies approximately 50km from the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park. Unlike the rich flood plains along the Zambezi, where relaxed elephant bulls and packs of curious African wild dogs pose in an iconic blue haze, the Chitake River habitat is much more rugged. Massive sausage trees, wild mangos and Zambezi figs line the edge of the riverbed, while ancient baobabs tower over the burnt orange landscape like sentinels. And fresh water bubbles up right throughout the year from the white sand in the river below.

Chitake Springs bird watching

Over 400 bird species have been recorded in Mana Pools - including Lilian’s lovebird, eastern nicator, Livingstone’s fly-catchers, Peter's twinspots and flocks of carmine bee-eaters.

ENJOY THIS epic photo gallery of Chitake Springs

READ THIS travel diary - an Africa Geographic safari to Chitake Springs

READ MORE about Mana Pools National Park

Why Chitake Springs is a responsible safari choice

Your Africa Geographic safari to Chitake Springs in Mana Pools National Park contributes to the conservation of the park to the benefit of local people because:

• We donate a portion of every safari sold to selected conservation efforts at ground level.

• Your safari supports our conservation publishing efforts, which educate the world about the Mana Pools and other precious African ecosystems.

• Mana Pools is the only national park in Africa that permits unguided walking safaris, thereby promoting low-impact, immersive wildlife experiences.

• Our chosen lodges support local community initiatives, ensuring that tourism benefits the nearby villages directly. They also adhere to strict environmental practices, such as limited vehicle numbers and sustainable camp operations, which help protect the ecosystem.