Mike Scott guiding walking safaris since 1990
Khangela Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 1995)
- Member Of:
- ZTA & ZPGA
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Mid-range)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $400 to $500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Jeff | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
You won't go wrong booking a bush camping safari with Khangela Safaris
I had dreamed of visiting Africa for most of my life and as I got older, I realized it was time to make that dream reality. I started doing research about where to go and when to go. I definitely didn’t want to do a safari like you see in online videos where you’re packed into one of many safari vehicles full of tourists surrounding some animal. I also didn’t have the money to stay at an exclusive lodge on a private game reserve. I thought about doing a self-drive camping trip but since I had no Africa experience that didn’t seem like a good idea. Eventually I found out that in some places you can do walking safaris with a guide. The idea of being able to leave the vehicle to observe animals on foot really appealed to me. So, after more research I discovered Khangela Safaris operating in Zimbabwe. I sent Mike Scott, the owner, an email inquiry to which he responded promptly and after some back and forth I booked a 5 day, 4 night mobile tent camping safari to Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe for May 2025.
Mike picked us up at our accommodation in Victoria Falls Town and drove us to the campsite in Hwange. It was just my wife and I so we had an exclusive experience.
The campsite was located on a hilltop overlooking a reservoir filled with hippos and crocodiles and frequented by a wide variety of birds. The sound of hippos and birdsong filled the air. Our spacious cabin tent faced east and we were treated to some of the most glorious sunrises I have even seen. Timely, delicious meals were prepared over an open fire for us and an assortment of beverages was always available along with clean drinking water and wash water. A hot bucket shower was an option every evening. In camp all we had to do was relax and enjoy the sights and sounds including a spectacular night sky.
Probably the best thing about bush camping is the fact that you’re right in the middle of the action. There’s no need to wake up before dawn and drive a long distance to where the animals are, because you are where the animals are. One morning we took a walk right out of camp and found ourselves among some elephants. After short drives from camp, we were in the presence of wild dogs and lions and an assortment of other animals. I set up a remote trail camera near camp and I captured footage of a hippo, impala and kudu. We visited Hwange at the beginning of the dry season so animals were still dispersed but we still saw most everything we were expecting to see and more.
I highly recommend booking a bush camping safari with Khangela Safaris. It was all I was expecting and much, much more. Group sizes are limited to 6 persons so you’ll be sure to have a personized experience with great service. My only regret is not booking more days. I hope to do another trip with Khangela Safaris in the future.
LK
Email Nishan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Serious, passionate and fun
We did 6 days in Mana Pools floodplain and Chitake Springs in September 2024 with Khangela Safaris. Mike is an excellent guide and provided great insights on the animals, plants, and the places we visited. We did a fair bit of walking mixed with some drives, tracking and finding lions, hyenas, elephants and plenty of other animals. Mike and Bernhard would plan each day based on what we saw the previous day and heard through the night to predict where certain animals might be.
The camps are basic but we enjoyed the experience of being in the African bush, sharing campfire stories under starlit skies, and listening to lions and hyenas as you sleep. The food was fantastic, and the small team worked tirelessly to make sure we were comfortable and well fed. The camp is also very low impact which we appreciated, and this resonated through the entire experience. Mike always put the safety of his guests and the welfare of animals above pushing for great sightings. And in the end our patience paid off with excellent sightings as well.
If you are looking for a luxury lodge experience, then this is not for you. But if you want a real bush experience that runs at the pace of nature, with excellent guiding then go with Mike Scott and Khangela Safaris.
Email Adam | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extremely knowledgeable and professional.
I went on the mana pools 6 day safari in September and it was one of the best experiences I've ever had. From the offset Mike was great at communicating with me and provided me with all the information I asked, helping me wherever he could. The safari itself was a hiking and camping safari and I couldn't imagine doing it any other way now, the scenery was beautiful and it offered sights that otherwise we wouldn't of got. The camping was comfortable and Mike and his team provided us with plenty of delicious food each day.
For the price I thought it was great value for money and would definitely recommend.
DK
Email Estnat | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Clearly passionate about his work, the nature and the animals.
Had a great trip to Hwange National Park with Mike. The food and service was excellent, him and Bernard clearly had a lot of enthusiasm and passion for conservation, the animals, nature and they were very knowledgeable. Everything went smoothly from pick-up to drop-off and we weren't lacking anything. Was a great experience and I would book with Khangela safaris again.
IN
Email Lavdeep Singh | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Mana Pools Safari with Khangela
Me and my mother did 6 nights Mana Pools and Chitake Springs safari in late October 2023 with guide Michael Scott, Khangela safaris. It was an incredible experience for us, which me and my mom will value forever. To be in the wilderness at amazing campsites, comfortable walk-in tents with cots and in suite loo-shower was experience in itself.
We saw what there was to be seen, including lions, dogs, hyenas, elephants, antelopes and other wildlife around the tents by the Zambezi River. Food and drinks were good, prepared by Bernard and helped by Michael and Sedda. There was sufficient variety of food and drinks.
Guiding was good too; Michael is a very pleasant person to talk to and have long conversations. We felt sad while leaving, hopefully we can have a similar experience in future.
Cheers!
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Email Stevenjs | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mike Scott is as experienced and skilled a guide as you could hope for.
We took an "adventure tour" with Mike, Bernard and Memba and stayed in Mana, Matobo and Hwange National Parks. We saw remote and incredibly beautiful areas in each park, hiking daily, had great wildlife sightings and ... ate copiously of great "home cooking". If you want to stay on a comfortable cot in a tent where you can experience all the incredible sights and sounds of an African night, this is the trip for you. THANK YOU Mike and team for an unforgettable adventure!
Email Tom | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Incredible stay in Mana Pools
I spent five nights in Mana Pools with Mike Scott and the Khangela team, and was blown away with both the wildlife and how well the trip was executed. We spent two nights in Chitake Springs, where we had excellent views of lion and elephant on foot, as well as a wild dog kill near camp during the night. We then spent three nights at the waterfront on the border with Zambia - the setting for this camp was stunning - where we were lucky enough to encounter the famous Mana Pools dogs on foot, as well as the famous Boswell.
Mike is an excellent guide, who was highly responsive to the demands of a group who had plenty of experience in Africa. He put real effort into finding the dogs, as this was very much at the top of our wish list. Mike is highly knowledgeable and conscientious, going out of his way to respond to my queries before the trip and being thoroughly accommodating throughout my stay. A huge shout out must also go to Bernard, whose tracking skills are unparalleled, and Mickey, who catered for us expertly. I'm already planning a further trip with Khangela in future - the cheetah of Hwangwe and rhino of Matobo are next on the list!
Email David | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable experience
My girlfriend and I recently spent 10 days in Mana Pools (5 nights river camp, 4 nights Chitake Spring) with Khangela Safaris and it was absolutely incredible. Mike and Bernard were a brilliant team who’ve known each other for decades, helped in camp by Bernard’s brother Memba. Their knowledge of the animal and plant life was amazing and our experience was also helped enormously by their superb tracking ability, once they had picked up a track we would end up with a brilliant sighting 9 times out of 10. We saw lions 6 times, a leopard, wild dogs with 9 puppies, hyenas, buffalo, elephants, hippos, zebras to name just a few. They were very warm and friendly and helped prepare us great food at meal times (we’re both vegan and they were a great help). We will miss getting up at sunrise for our morning walks, mid-day drives, evening walks, Mike and Bernard’s stories round the fire at night, hyenas and elephants walking through camp while we eat and lying in our tent listening to the sounds of the bush at night.
It was truly an incredible experience and without doubt would recommend Khangela Safaris to anyone, we would love to return.
Email Cindy Tyrrell | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Beyond outstanding!
We have just returned from an incredible trip to Mana Pools with Khangela Safaris, made all the more enjoyable due to the professionalism and expert knowledge of Mike Scott, our guide and his tracker Bernard. The camps were more than comfortable, hot showers provided every day, delicious meals (provision made for Vegans and Vegetarians). Evenings under the amazing night skies were enhanced by Mike's many stories, as well as visitations by hyena and ellies very close to camp. Both Mike and Bernard were excellent trackers which enabled us to see lions on foot on several occasions. However, just staying in the camp provided us all with many amazing sightings of wild dog, buffalo plus large numbers of baboons, who kept us all entertained by their antics . Mike's knowledge of birds and trees was beyond impressive, which augmented the enjoyment of each and every remarkable day we had in this very special place. Beyond amazing!
NL
Email Janine | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Walk on the wildside
In the last 10 days we went on safari with Mike Scott to Mana Pools in zimbabwe.
We enjoyed every second of it! Together with tracker Bernard, who wil never ever give up while tracking, they form a great team. Also in the the kitchen. We saw leopard, lion on foot as also big herd of buffalo and many more. Very special sighting of wild dogs and 9 pups in the chitake spring on our last morning.
Humor and wonderfull stories are present to! We went to Africa 10 times..but this one is in our top 3 of the special ones.
We certainly will be back! And will recommend khangela safaris with pro guide mike scott to all other africa lovers who want to go for the real stuff...in the bush...under canvas..just as it is ment to be!