Guests are transferred to Ruckomechi by air, arriving at around midday. At approximately 2 pm, after meeting the guide and going through a thorough safety briefing, canoeists start paddling downstream in sturdy Canadian canoes to our mobile camp in the Mana Pools National Park. The camp will have already been set up in advance; the first afternoon of paddling covers about 11 kilometres. This is a relatively easy distance to cover in the time available and gives canoeists a chance to familiarise themselves with the canoes and the various paddle strokes required.Note: Guests need to arrive at Ruckomechi no later than 11h00 on the day of departure. We encourage a night's stay at Ruckomechi prior to and at the end of the trip to enhance the experience and help assist with flightconnections.


Typically, canoeists are awakened before dawn with tea/coffee and biscuits and we try to get onto the water just before sunrise. This is a magical time on the river as the water is usually calm and the peace and tranquillity is amazing. After paddling for usually about two hours, beach the canoes on the bank of the Zambezi River and set out for a game walk. The guide chooses a suitable area, based on his knowledge of the area and game movements and we take a few hours to explore on foot, and unravel some of the intricacies of the bush. After returning to the canoes, and a light snack, we continue canoeing to a suitable lunch spot, arriving around midday. Lunch is carried in the canoes and is usually consists of a salad and cold meats. We normally rest up in the shade for a while or take another short walk before moving on arriving at the next camp at dusk. The camp, and all the luggage, will have been moved by the camp staff and all that is required to be done by participants is to enjoy a hot shower under the stars, and a cold drink, followed by dinner. The daily distances covered from one camp to the next are around 20 to 25 kilometres and the daily routine will vary according to wildlife movements.


After breakfast by the river, guests will either be transferred by Land Rover or a walk to the nearby Chikwenya airstrip for the flight out or can take a drive back Ruckomechi Camp for an additional night or nights stay if they wish to spend more time in the wonderful Zambezi Valley.  The safari ends at Chikwenya airstrip on the last day at approximately 11h00. Please ensure that the relevant flights connect.


This is a true camping safari. However, we are able to support the canoe trail with a vehicle and staff who do all the camping chores and who make your camping as comfortable as possible. There have a guide who travels with you all day and he is supported by a back-up team of three who travel ahead by vehicle to the next site. There is also one cook and two camp hands. All camps are set up prior to the canoeist's arrival in camp. Guests sleep in large tents in which one can stand. Comfortable camp beds, linen, blankets, pillows and towels are provided. The campsites have no permanent ablution blocks, so a bucket shower and 'long drop' toilet are set up by camp staff. Chairs and tables are provided for comfortable dining. Ice for drinks is available, and complimentary Zimbabwean wine is served with the evening meal. Cordials are supplied free of charge. A selection of soft drinks and local beers is available on a complimentary basis throughout the trail. Bottled water is always available free of charge. If you wish to bring your own wine of choice, we recommend that you do so. Zimbabwe's finest wines don't win many awards!

Departures

Rates

p/p sharing 01.05.09 - 31.05.09 - 1185 USD p/p sharing 01.06.09 - 15.11.09 - 1330 USD