The Mana Canoe & Walking Trail is an incredible journey through the heart of the best of the Mana Pools area. The camping safari starts close to the western boundary of Mana Pools at Ruckomechi airfield and finishes at Chikwenya airfield. Guests can extend their stay by spending extra nights at Ruckomechi Camp at the start or at Chikwenya Camp at the end of the canoe trail. Departures are every Monday or Thursday from May through to the end of October each year. The canoe trail starts with a flight from Kariba to Ruckomechi.

Guests paddle slowly down stream to their new camp sites which will be pre-erected prior to the groups arrival by our camp staff. Each night will be spent at a new camp site on the banks of the Zambezi River further down stream. At the end of the trail guests are flown back to Kariba.

Part of the attraction and fun of this safari is that guests have the opportunity to experience wildlife at exceptionally close quarters under the guidance of experienced guides.

The canoes we use are sturdy Canadian canoes. As the group makes their way along the shores of Mana Pools National Park, floating past pods of Hippos, basking Crocodiles as well as herds of Elephant, Buffalo and all the plains game as they come to the Zambezi to drink.

This is a journey for the adventurous and is not for the faint hearted as it takes guests possibly closer to wild animals on a regular basis than any of our safaris. Close encounters with wildlife is the norm, we have to paddle our way past 1200 hippo! While we are not canoeing, guests have the privilege of tracking game on foot in Mana Pools National Park. An armed guide escorts the group.

Rates and Departure Dates: 2002

Notes to Mana Canoe & Walking Trail (MCWT)

No children accepted under the age of 12 years. Guests who are between the ages of 65 and 70 years, and who are fit and healthy, can book the safari as long as we have a copy of a medical certificate. Maximum age accepted is 65 years. A minimum of two guests and maximum of eight or nine guests. Single guests can still book as long as we have other guests travelling already. Transfers are provided by Sefofane Air and are not included in the above costs. Additional nights can be booked at Ruckomechi and/or Chikwenya at normal camp rates. The single supplement can be waived if a guest is prepared to share.

This safari brings guests very close to animals. This is not a safari for the faint of heart and requires a more adventurous spirit.

Guest Comments:

To see the unbelievably beautiful lower Zambezi under Andy's guidance was an experience that we will never duplicate elsewhere. Andy's professionalism, Jenny's warm welcome each night at inviting camps, and the BIRDS were stellar. We LOVED Zimbabwe - and much of that was due to your luxurious camps, great food, but most important, superlative guides and welcoming staff.
J.F, J.R, C.R and T.R., USA

We had a spectacular time in Africa!! Everything was much better than we imagined. From the minute we stepped off the plane in Johannesburg to the time we had to leave again, everything went smoothly. The canoe trip was fabulous and was the highlight of our trip. That was an experience like we've never had before. Andy and Jen, our guides were great. We were the only two on the trip so we got special attention. I wish we could go back and do it again.
B.W. and J.W., USA

The canoe trip exceeded our expectations. The game viewing and overall experience were incredible. It was a much more intimate experience seeing everything from a canoe and on foot than from a Land Rover. We were just a couple of feet (literally one step and they would have been in the canoe) from some Elephants that came down to drink and cool off, and then play in the water. We also got relatively close to a pride of very full Lions, and what was a herd of hundreds of Buffalo. We also did some fishing for Tiger fish on the Zambezi . I caught a 4 lb and 6 lb. Another person in our canoe caught a 12 lb. All and all we would like to do it again - it would be hard to go back to a "standard" safari camp again. Wilderness Safaris ran a first class trip.
M.

I just wanted to send you a quick note to let you know how much we enjoyed our trip to Zimbabwe. Everything was as wonderful as you indicated it would be. I DID FINALLY GET TO SEE MY FIRST LEOPARD IN THE WILD. It was absolutely awesome and thrilling! The camp sites were extraordinary, and the service was wonderful. All of the guides were exceptional; very knowledgeable and very accommodating. Thank you for all of your assistance.
D.Y., USA

As with all Wilderness Safaris camps we've visited - it was excellent, the staff so friendly and fun to talk to and we won't ever forget it. Also the canoe trip from Ruckomechi with Alastair was incredible - we won't forget him or the Hippos. Thanks for such a fantastic holiday, everything was so smooth and well organised.
M. and V.

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