Overview
Join us on a four-day adventure in the wild and remote Mana Pools National Park, a World Heritage Site in the Lower Zambezi Valley. On this pre- or post-trip extension, you’ll have the chance to explore on foot, go birdwatching, boating, and canoeing—all in search of terrific birding and some of Africa’s legendary big game at one of the most beautiful and remote tented camps in the area.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive / Mana Pools National Park
A morning flight from Victoria Falls brings you to Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you’ll explore this wildlife paradise on foot, a chance to get really close to the wildlife. “Mana” means “four” in the local Shona language, and refers to four pools that are the remnants of oxbow lakes formed by the Zambezi River as it has changed course over thousands of years. Overnight at Ruckomechi Camp...BLD
View Lodging
Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
Days 1 to 4 (4 nights)
Ruckomechi Camp, set in a large grove of acacia and mahogany trees overlooking the Zambezi River, features a superb view of the mountains of Africa’s Great Rift Valley. Guests are accommodated in ten spacious tents with en suite facilities that include a toilet, hand basin, and both indoor and outdoor showers. Public areas include a central dining area, bar, library, and lounge area, which are connected to the rooms by low raised walkways. An infinity pool features a deck area ideal for relaxing, and there is also an inviting deck for star-gazing—which is tremendous on clear nights! Enjoy game drives, boat trips on the Zambezi River, or bush walks.
Days 2-3
Mana Pools National Park
The park is renowned for its number of elephants, and many bull elephants can stand on their back legs and stretch 25-30 feet up into the tree canopy to feed—a unique sight! Bush walks at Mana Pools are especially interesting. There’s absolutely no predicting what is around any corner, but elephants, buffalo, impalas, waterbucks, and baboons are seen on just about every walk. Wild dogs are also regularly seen at Mana Pools, while lions and leopards are often seen close to camp. Other activities here include 4WD gameviewing, night drives, boating, birdwatching, and optional canoeing on the Zambezi River…BLD each day
View Lodging
Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
Days 1 to 4 (4 nights)
Ruckomechi Camp, set in a large grove of acacia and mahogany trees overlooking the Zambezi River, features a superb view of the mountains of Africa’s Great Rift Valley. Guests are accommodated in ten spacious tents with en suite facilities that include a toilet, hand basin, and both indoor and outdoor showers. Public areas include a central dining area, bar, library, and lounge area, which are connected to the rooms by low raised walkways. An infinity pool features a deck area ideal for relaxing, and there is also an inviting deck for star-gazing—which is tremendous on clear nights! Enjoy game drives, boat trips on the Zambezi River, or bush walks.
Day 4
Depart
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or to Day 1 of your itinerary (for pre-trip extensions)...B
View Lodging
Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
Days 1 to 4 (4 nights)
Ruckomechi Camp, set in a large grove of acacia and mahogany trees overlooking the Zambezi River, features a superb view of the mountains of Africa’s Great Rift Valley. Guests are accommodated in ten spacious tents with en suite facilities that include a toilet, hand basin, and both indoor and outdoor showers. Public areas include a central dining area, bar, library, and lounge area, which are connected to the rooms by low raised walkways. An infinity pool features a deck area ideal for relaxing, and there is also an inviting deck for star-gazing—which is tremendous on clear nights! Enjoy game drives, boat trips on the Zambezi River, or bush walks.
Details
Length:
4 days
Arrive:
Mana Pools, Zimbabwe
Depart:
Mana Pools, Zimbabwe
Lodging:
3 nights tented camps
Meals:
Meals as indicated
Activity:
Wildlife & Natural History, Safaris
Trip Level:
4WD gameviewing, moderate walks, 2-4 hours a day, optional canoeing
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Examples:
Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Examples:
Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
Examples:
Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Examples:
Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Examples:
Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.
Examples: