Between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park hosts vast herds of elephant, buffalo, zebra and impressive concentrations of giraffe. All Zimbabwe’s specially protected animals are found here; rarities include gemsbok, brown hyena and Africa’s largest group of wild dog. By the Zambezi, Mana Pools is a World Heritage Site and nurtures Zimbabwe’s greatest concentrations of hippo and crocodile. With islands, sandbanks and pools flanked by mahogany, wild fig, ebony and baobab trees, Mana Pools is one of the most beautiful and least developed parks in Southern Africa. Few experiences in the world can compare with canoeing down the river past drinking game.
Recommended accommodation
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Little Makololo Plains
One of the few private camps located within Hwange, Little Makalolo’s game viewing starts right on the doorstep.
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Natureways Canoeing Safaris
Travelling by canoe is one of the best ways to experience the African bush. Zimbabwe offers the best lower Zambezi canoe safaris because its direct access to the rolling flood plains of Mana Pools.
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Ruckomechi
Situated on the western boundary of the Mana Pools National Park in Northeast Zimbabwe overlooking the Zambian Escarpment.
Sample itinerary
DAY ONE
Enjoy a leisurely game drive through the spectacular Mana Pools floodplain. On arrival at "Vundu", your first camp, you will be met with a lunch of cold meats, a variety of salads and freshly baked breads. Take a short drive to our launch spot near the confluence of the Ruckomechi and Zambezi Rivers, for a full safety briefing. Depart in the canoes to Vundu, you should start to see some of the multitude of animals and birds that are attracted to the water's edge. Hippo, buffalo, elephant and crocodile as well as a variety of antelope species may be seen. Your arrival at camp is around sunset, where sundowners and a three-course dinner will be ready for you.
DAY TWO
The canoes will be on the water in time to watch the sunrise and listen to the sounds of the African bush wakening to a new day. Paddle for a further one or two hours before stopping the canoes to breakfast under a grove of acacia trees. Take a walk into the floodplains and surrounding woodlands. This walk offers an opportunity, not only for game viewing, but also a chance for you to explore some of the smaller more interesting aspects of the environment. Head downstream to an area renowned for its huge, old elephant bulls. Lunch consists of cold meats, freshly prepared salads, pizza or quiche and cheese and biscuits. Relax and enjoy an afternoon siesta before drifting down to camp and enjoying the game and birding on the river's edge. You will reach the Chessa camp at sunset.
DAY THREE
This follows the same basic itinerary as day two, with a predawn wake up and sunrise whilst drifting down the Zambezi. However, you will enter the "Wilderness Area" of Mana Pools National Park where there is limited access to people and vehicles. Breakfast is taken on the Mbera River floodplain - a habitat favoured by all the predators. Towards the end of the dry season it also hosts large groups of female elephants with their babies. Lunch is on one of the shallow sandbanks in the middle of the river, where we set up table and chairs in ankle deep water. In the afternoon you will paddle into Illala camp to spend your last night.
DAY FOUR
On this last morning you have the choice of getting up a little later if you prefer or you can choose to take a last early morning walk before returning to the camp for breakfast. If flying out, you will be driven to the Chikwenya airstrip close by, or if you drove in, back to the Mana Pools Warden's Office. Arrangements can also be made to drop you off at any other safari camp within Mana Pools if you are booked to continue your safari there.
Price from £950 excluding flights.
Please call us for a bespoke itinerary and quotation.
