Walking Safaris In Zimbabwe

THE ULTIMATE MANA POOLS WALKING SAFARI
3 nights & 4 days walking (and/or canoeing) in mana pools

safari cost  ·  best season  ·  activities  ·  map of safari

This safari takes place in probably Africa's finest walking and big game area with one of Africa's finest guides. Garth Thompson has been guiding in the Mana Pools area for the past 17 years. A safari with Garth in the Zambezi Valley is one of the best one can do in Africa. We have no set dates but can run the safari anytime from May to October each year for private parties of up to 7 guests maximum. There are a number of ways we can run this safari and the choice will depend on each group, their levels of fitness and the standard of accommodation they require. We can vary the accommodation from a pure camping safari where we camp out on the banks of the Zambezi, to a permanent tented camp safari where we walk out each day from Ruckomechi or Chikwenya camps.

Garth Thompson is one of Africa's truly great naturalists, guides and wildlife raconteurs. He is in his mid-forties, and has been in the bush just about all his life. Most of what he has learnt about wildlife has come from first hand experience. He has a genuine love of nature and enjoys guiding his guests through his favourite parts of Zimbabwe.

Garth's true love is walking, canoeing and Elephants, not necessarily in that order. He has lectured on wildlife topics all around the world. He was asked to give Prince Phillip a slide show on Elephant in 1984, which he did privately in Buckingham Palace.

He has lectured on Elephants to about 15 different Zoos in America, in all the major cities of Australia and once to an audience of 2800 in Calgary. He opened the AGM of the AAZPA (American Association of Zoos Parks and Aquariums) in Milwaukee in 1998 with a speech titled 'Tourism, Africa's greatest Conservationist'.

Garth has been operating in Mana Pools for 17 continuous years with 5 years at Hwange before that. He has guided from Rwanda down to the wine regions of the Cape including all countries except for Angola and Burundi.

Garth enjoys taking groups for extended periods allowing time to learn, appreciate and observe all the variety that each Park has to offer, with an emphasis on Elephant encounters on foot and in canoes. He likes to work in wild areas devoid of other people, roads and vehicles.

DAY 1 TO DAY 3: MANA POOLS, LOWER ZAMBEZI VALLEY
Scheduled arrival at Victoria Falls Airport. Upon arrival, our representative will meet and transfer you by light aircraft to your respective camp in the Mana Pools area.

CHIKWENYA CAMP OR RUCKOMECHI CAMP (Inclusive of all meals, activities, laundry and local drinks)
Chikwenya Camp is situated on the eastern boundary of the Mana Pools National Park overlooking the Zambezi and Sapi Rivers. Accommodation is in nine comfortable tented rooms under thatch with en-suite facilities. Each room also has an outdoor shower "under the stars" as well as the indoor showers. There is a separate lounge and dining area, and a plunge pool. The focal point at Chikwenya is the magical Zambezi River, its backwaters, and the surrounding flood plains and forests. Chikwenya Island just off-shore, harbours wonderfully diverse wildlife. The area is a photographer's paradise, as tall albida trees dot the open flood plains, with the mountains of the Rift Valley providing the backdrop. The area is renown for its large numbers of Elephant, Buffalo, Hippo, Crocodile, and Eland that concentrate along the river when the inland waterholes dry up - especially in the winter months. Leopard and Lion are in abundance but are not seen as regularly as the other game. Game viewing is enjoyed in open 4x4 vehicles, on motorised canoes, on foot, in hides, and in canoes.

Ruckomechi is situated on the western boundary of the Mana Pools National Park. It is situated in a large grove of Acacia and Mahogany trees overlooking the Zambezi River with a superb view of the mountains of Africa's Great Rift Valley. The camp sleeps a maximum of 20 guests in 10 thatched chalets. Facilities are en-suite and include a shower, toilet and basin. There is one honeymoon suite overlooking the Zambezi River. One of the camp's better used facilities is an outside "bath with a view". The central dining, pub and lounge area is under cool thatch, on the river's edge, facing the escarpment. Ruckomechi offers diverse game activities, including game drives in 4x4 vehicles, boats, canoes, and fishing. Daily game walks are available with an armed guide. The predators including Lion, Wild Dog, Leopard, and Cheetah, are often sighted, and large concentrations of Buffalo can be found along the river's edges. Kudu, Zebra, Impala and Waterbuck can be seen on the surrounding plains, and Elephant take advantage of the plentiful Albida trees in the area. Bird watching tends to be good, with the river attracting large numbers of waterfowl.

DAY 4: THE SAFARI ENDS

After the morning game activity and brunch you depart your respective camp and transfer by light aircraft to Victoria Falls, where the safari ends.

Group size:
Minimum 2 guests, maximum 7 guests.

Cost:
The rate depends on the group size. Please contact us for a detailed quote.

Included:
Accommodation for 3 nights (style of accommodation will influence the cost), all meals, walking with a professional guide, 

Excluded:
International flights, transfers to Mana Pools, visa fees, airport and departure taxes, comprehensive travel insurance, personal expenses, gratuities.

Activities:
Several hours walking per day in one of the most unspoiled wilderness areas in Africa, canoeing on the Lower Zambezi River, sundowners.

Best season:
January to June is very scenic in the Lower Zambezi Valley. This pristine wilderness area is probably one of the most beautiful places in Africa. The scenery is best during this time of the year.
June to October is dry season in southern Africa when foliage has thinned out enough for good game viewing. It is also cooler during the winter months (Jun - Sept).

Map of safari route:

Extend your stay:
to the Victoria Falls, Livingstone

Visit the famous Victoria Falls - one of the natural wonders of the world. Stay at the lodge of your choice (River Club, Islands of Siankaba, Royal Livingstone (excl. dinner) or Victoria Falls Safari Lodge) situated on the banks of the upper Zambezi. Fly from Mfuwe to Livingstone.

Cost of extension:
The cost of the extensions to Victoria Falls depends on the choice of accommodation and the length of stay. Please contact us for a detailed quote.

Extend your stay:
to the Luangwa Valley
Fly from Mana Pools to Mfuwe  in Zambia located close to South Luangwa National Park. The major attraction is game vieiwing safaris, combined with walks and night drives while staying at comfortable permanent camps situated along the border of the park.  Choose between Kafunta, Tena Tena, Nkwali, Nsefu, Tafika and The Bush Camp Company Camps.

Cost of extension:
The cost of the extensions to the Luangwa Valley depends on the choice of accommodation and the length of stay. Please contact us for a detailed quote.

Term and conditions: Please read our terms and conditions for more information on how to book, travel insurance, cancellation fees, baggage and other important issues.

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