The Mana Canoe Trail  - (4 Days / 3 Nights) - Zimbabwe
  No guest participation necessary in making camps!  

These fully backed-up , three night luxury canoe safaris are run from Ruckomechi Camp and traverse the entire length of the Mana Pools National Park shoreline. Operated as a 3 night safari. All trips are supported by a vehicle with a three-man team (one cook and two others). All camps are set up prior to the canoeist's arrival.

Guests sleep in two-man cottage tents on comfortable camp beds. Sleeping bags, liners and pillows are provided. The camp sites have no ablution blocks, so a bush shower and toilet are set up. Chairs and tables are provided, ice for drinks is available, and complimentary 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 trip. Bottled water is always available.

On the first day guests are transferred from Kariba into Ruckomechi Concession on the scheduled road/boat transfer departing Kariba Airport at 12h00. Sandwiches are available for lunch on the transfer. At approximately 2.30 pm, after meeting the guide, and a thorough safety briefing, the passengers leave the concession in their canoes and paddle approximately 11 kilometers downstream to Vundu camp in the Mana Pools National Park. Camp will have already been set up in advance.

On day two the passengers are awakened at approximately 0545 hours, with tea/coffee and biscuits and set out on a game drive or walk, returning for a full English breakfast at about 0830 hours. After breakfast the guests set off in their canoes with a packed lunch and drinks in cooler boxes. A stop is made for a picnic lunch around 1300 hours and the group will rest up until about 1500 hours. Thereafter the party will paddle into the sunset to Chessa Camp which is 21 kilometers from Vundu. On day three the routine will be similar except that the distance is a little greater and therefore there is no game drive or walk before breakfast. A total of approximately 38 kilometers will be covered and the evening stop over is at Acacia Camp, at the eastern end of the Mana Pools National Park seven kilometers beyond Chikwenya Camp.

On day four, after breakfast by the river, guests will be transferred by Land Rover either to the Chikwenya airstrip for the flight out, or to Chikwenya, or Ruckomechi camps for an additional night.

HOW TO GET THERE

Transfers will be quoted separately to the canoe trip and will be operated by "Sefofane Zimbabwe Air Service" to Ruckomechi and from Chikwenya.

PRIVATE AIR CHARTER

Clients can air charter from Kariba/Harare to the Mana Pools air strip, where guides will collect them for the transfer into camp. This transfer is approximately one and a half hours. Air charters should arrive around noon.

ACTIVITIES

The canoe trail includes the following activities :

Game drives. The vehicle is an open Landrover which takes a maximum of 7 passengers on two rows of bucket seats.

Walking with a specialist guide.

Note : Fishing for Tigerfish and Kariba Bream is permitted within the National Park , however guests are requested to bring their own rods and tackle.

WHAT GUESTS MUST BRING

Binoculars. Good walking shoes. A swimming costume. Shirts, shorts and trousers in neutral colors. A light, long sleeved shirt for sun protection. A good hat. Warm clothing is advised for the winter months June - September. Camera and film. Personal toiletries and inspect repellents. Sunscreen lotion. A towel or kikoi (sarong) to cover the legs from the sun. Reference book for personal interests.

PLEASE NOTE - MANA POOLS IS A MALARIAL AREA, therefore guests are strongly advised to consult their physician regarding a suitable course of anti-malarial prophylactics.

SEASONS

Mana Canoe Trails depart on pre set Mondays and Thursdays between 15 April and 15 November.

COMMUNICATIONS

The Mana Canoe Trail is in contact by HF and VHF radio with Ruckomechi Main Camp who in turn is in communication with Kariba and Harare by HF Radio . As from 1999, all guides will be able to communicate direct with Kariba by radio from the canoes.

GUIDES

The Mana Canoe Trail is led by a fully licensed canoe guide who is a qualified specialist walking guide.

The Mana Canoe Trail camp is staffed by a cook , a camp attendant and a driver.

INSURANCE

Mana Canoe Trails are insured for public liability purposes. It is condition of Mana Canoe Trails for guests to be adequately insured for the duration of their stay.

LUGGAGE

Please note luggage must kept to a maximum of 12 kgs in a strong flexible bag. Any excess luggage can be left with a representative in Kariba where it will be safely locked up. Additional luggage may be carried at normal charter rates on a separate charter. Lock up facilities are available in the Lodge for valuables. All goods are left at owners risk..

FOOD AND WATER

All food is prepared in camp and a typical days meals would be:-

Breakfast:-A full hot English breakfast is served daily .

Lunch:-A buffet selection of cold dishes, quiches, home made rolls, cheese and biscuits and fresh salads are served.

Dinner:-Each meal starts with an imaginative starter, followed by a wholesome freshly cooked main course with fresh vegetables . Desserts , cheese and biscuits , tea and coffee, are offered after dinner. Vegetarian or other dietary preferences can be catered for providing we are warned in advance and bottled water is available at all times

INDEMNITIES

It is company policy that all guests are required to complete registration and indemnity procedures.

MEDICAL FACILITIES

Mana Canoe Trails are equipped with comprehensive first aid packs. Mana Canoe Trail Guides all hold advanced medical aid certificates. All Mana Canoe Trails guests are automatically covered with an Emergency Evacuation service for life threatening or immobilizing illness/injuries - in this event they will be evacuated to the nearest suitable medical facility.

HONEYMOONERS

Special arrangements will be made for honeymoon couples provided we are notified in advance.

MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM PASSENGERS

The minimum number of passengers on the Canoe Trail is 2 and the maximum is 9.

• No children accepted under the age of 12 years.
  Maximum age accepted is 65 years. However guests who are between the ages of 65 and 70 years, and who are fit and healthy with previous canoeing experience, can book the safari as long as we have a copy of a medical certificate.

• Minimum two guests and maximum eight or nine guests. Single guests can book as long as we have other guests confirmed already.

• Transfers are provided by Sefofane Air and are not included in the above costs.

• Kariba to Ruckomechi airstrip US$139 per person one way.

• Chikwenya airstrip to Kariba US$139 per person one way.

• These above air transfer rates exclude the US$5 domestic passenger service fee which must be paid in US$ cash direct if guests depart from Kariba airport.

• 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.