ZIMBABWE
FLY-IN SAFARIS
LANDELA CIRCUIT SAFARI / BEST OF ZIMBABWE WING
Zimbabwe is a beautiful country with a relatively temperate climate over is highland plateau. The great Zambezi River cuts along its northern frontier to form the border with Zambia, while the more languid Limpopo forms the southern border with South Africa. Both rivers flow in topical low-lying valleys where wildlife is abundant. The Victoria Falls is probably the greatest scenic attraction for visitors and being surrounded by national parks, is equally interesting for nature enthusiasts. The Eastern Highlands create a physical barrier with Mozambique and provide mountainous habitats, with their associated plants and animals, not found elsewhere in Zimbabwe. The largest wildlife sanctuary is Hwange National Park, situated on the western border with Botswana. The central plateau is dominated by open woodland and is extensively utilized for farming. Two landmarks on the plateau are the Matobo National Park and Great Zimbabwe - the remnants of one of Africa's earliest civilizations.
Matusadona Water Lodge consists of four floating chalets and a mother ship moored in a secluded bay, just off the shoreline of Matusadona National Park, alongside Lake Kariba. Lake Kariba, which is 180 miles long and 20 miles wide, is surrounded for the most part by untouched wilderness areas. Fishing is excellent and birdlife is prolific, but the highlight is the large game concentrations along the fringes of the lake. The 600 square mile Matusadona park, which is situated on the southern shore of the lake, has an abundance of lion, elephant, kudu, impala and buffalo. This is one of the best parks in Zimbabwe to see black rhino while on escorted walks. For those looking for excitement in the bush, encountering black rhino on a walking safari is a unique experience. Listening to the roars of lions echoing across the calm waters at night, while safely tucked into bed on your floating lodge, is one of Africa's finest memories.
During the dry season (May to October), Mana Pools National Park has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife on the continent. The park is situated on the southern side of the Zambezi River downstream of Lake Kariba. Species commonly seen in the park include elephant, kudu, zebra, lion, leopard, jackal, hyena and crocodile. Large pods of hippo are sometimes seen lying on the sandbanks soaking up the morning sun. A canoe safari along Mana Pools National Park is the highlight for everyone with a sense of adventure.
LANDELA CIRCUIT SAFARI, ZIMBABWE
Like the Landela Circuit Safari in Botswana, the Zimbabwe Circuit Safari offers good value for money, combining three of Zimbabwe's prime attractions, namely Kariba, Hwange and Victoria Falls.
Day 1: KARIBA - GACHE GACHE LODGE
On arrival at Kariba Airport, you will be met and transferred to Gache Gache Lodge for two nights on full board basis including activities.
Overlooking the Gache Gache Estuary, Gache Gache Lodge is set on the shores of Lake Kariba in a private concession adjoining the Charara Safari area. This is the ultimate place from which to witness the miracle of Kariba. Magnificent sunsets, a myriad of birds and plentiful game are just part of this experience. Guests can choose from game-viewing by boat along the shores of the lake or up the Gache Gache River. Or you can stay on land and enjoy day or night game drives by open vehicle. For the more energetic there are walking safaris in the Matusadona Game Reserve, accompanied by a professional game ranger.
Accommodation is provided in thatched open-fronted, terracotta cottages. Each cottage is en-suite and has a private verandah that looks out over the estuary. The open-sided main building, with its thatched roof and panoramic views, is the central focus of the lodge and houses the bar and open air dining room.
Game-viewing is excellent in this area where the fluctuating lake levels have created a vast grassland where various antelope, elephant, buffalo, black rhino (rare) and predators may be observed. Boating, canoeing and walking with a fully licensed professional guide give guests the complete wildlife experience of the area.
DAY 3: HWANGE - CHOKAMELLA LODGE
Transfer to airport for scheduled flight to Hwange. Transfer to Chokamella Lodge for two nights on FB basis incl. activities.
The mother ship at Matusadona Water Lodge houses the central bar, lounge and dining room. Chokamella Lodge is located in big game country adjacent to the Hwange National Park. In addition to enjoying the spectacular birdlife you will spend quite a bit of time searching for the Big Five, i.e. lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant. Guests usually start their day with an early morning game drive and then return to a hearty English Breakfast. Guests can choose from a full day game drive to Hwange National Park or they can venture with a trained guide around the Chokamella Estate. Lunch at 1300 is a 3 course meal served with imported wines. You can participate in a late afternoon game drive or sit and wait by the waterhole for animals and birds to come for their drink of the day. Alternatively, you may want to sit and relax at the lodge or cool off from the day's heat by the plunge pool.
Chokamella's nine thatched bungalows are carefully positioned to ensure privacy and minimal impact on the environment. Each of the bungalows is en-suite and offers panoramic views of the floodplains from its private verandah. The open sided, thatched main building overlooks the perennial river and permanent waterhole, where guests can watch the large number of birds resident in the surrounding bushveld. Alternatively they can choose from game-viewing in Hwange National Park, night drives on the lodge's own estate, or walking safaris with a professional ranger.
Day 5: VICTORIA FALLS - SEKUTI'S DRIFT LODGE
Transfer to airport for scheduled flight to Victoria Falls. Transfer to Sekuti's Drift Lodge for 2 nights on FB basis.
Sekuti's Drift is a 15-minute drive from Victoria Falls. The architecture of this 'turn of the century' style lodge conjures up images of colonial Africa whilst its hilltop setting affords panoramic 360-degree views of the vast wilderness with the smoke of the Victoria Falls rising on the distant horizon. The main building, with its wide, shady verandah, houses the elegant dining room with large open fireplace, the wild-life library, comfortable lounge and the well-stocked wine cellar. Each of the two L-shaped accommodation units have four twin rooms and a honeymoon suite. All rooms are en-suite, have overhead ceiling fan and a private verandah with spectacular views.
Depending upon the arrival time of your flight, you may be able to fit in a walk or game drive on arrival. Otherwise a tour of the falls or any of the Victoria Falls activities are available (at additional cost), for which transfers can be arranged on request. Amongst the activities are white water rafting, flights over the falls, canoeing and a sunset cruise. It is Landela Safaris' motto to make sure that every client's safari is the experience of a lifetime, so you can rest assured that you will be well looked after.
Day 7: Transfer to Victoria Falls for your onward flight.
LANDELA CIRCUIT - minimum 6 nights at any combination of lodges, fullboard & activities. Local airport transfers and scheduled commercial flights between areas not included.
Jan-Mar Apr-Dec
per person sharing $1200 $1600 single supplement $0 $800 airport transfers $160 $160 Scheduled flights Harare-Kariba-
Hwange-Victoria Falls$200
- all meals, snacks, teas & coffees
- all drinks, alcoholic & non-alcoholic
- laundry service
- transfers to sightseeing attractions in Harare & Victoria Falls
- safaris in Hwange, Victoria Falls, & Kariba
- 2% Government Levy & national park fees
Matusadona Water Lodge In addition to Victoria Falls, Kariba and Hwange, this fly-in safari includes Mana Pools. Shorter versions of the safari, with Kariba, Hwange and Victoria Falls, are also available. Accommodation at all Wilderness Safaris camps is inclusive of all meals, activities and local drinks. Prices for Victoria Falls area based on accommodation at River Club on a fully inclusive basis or Ilala Lodge on a bed & breakfast basis.
Day 1: HARARE TO MANA POOLS
You will be met at the Airport in Harare and assisted onto a charter flight to Mana Pools - Chikwenya or Ruckomechi Camp- for 2 nights on full board basis including activities. The Mana Pools National Park is situated in the north of Zimbabwe, within the Zambezi Valley, which extends eastwards from Kariba to Kanyemba and southwards through dense mopani woodlands to the summit of the steep Zambezi escarpment. It is host to some of the biggest concentrations of large mammals to be seen in Zimbabwe, together with a varied and colorful birdlife. The best tiger fishing in Zimbabwe occurs along this stretch of the Zambezi together with game viewing and walking safaris conducted by professional guides.
RUCKOMECHI
Ruckomechi Camp is situated on the western boundary of the Mana Pools National Park and is a sister camp to Chikwenya. It is situated in a large grove of Acacia and Mahogany trees overlooking the Zambezi River with a superb view of the Zambian escarpment. The area is renowned for its regular lion and leopard sightings.The camp sleeps a maximum of 20 guests in 10 luxury thatched chalets. Facilities are en-suite and include a shower, toilet and basin. There is one honeymoon suite overlooking the Zambezi River with 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. A wooden deck area provides the perfect place for sundowners.
Ruckomechi offers diverse game activities, including game drives in 4WD vehicles, canoe trips, and fishing. Daily game walks are available with an armed guide. A nearby hide gives guests the opportunity to observe and photograph animals close up in their natural environment. Mid-morning pontoon game viewing trips to the islands are a highlight. A three day canoe trip is also available along the Mana Pools shoreline starting at Ruckomechi, at an extra cost.
Wildlife is abundant in the area with the predators, including lion, wild dog, leopard and cheetah being regularly sighted. Large concentrations of buffalo can be found along the river's edge. Kudu, zebra, impala and waterbuck can be seen on the surrounding plains, and elephant take advantage of the plentiful Acacia albida thorn-trees in the area. Bird-watching is good, with the river attracting large numbers of waterfowl.
The camp had a complete rebuild 18 months ago and will have another upgrade at the end of this season, to improve the entrance, rebuild the dining room and completely insect proof the bedrooms.
Guests at Ruckomechi sleep in large, cool, thatched rooms which have reeded walls. The rooms are attractive and with a bit of a refurbishment will be wonderful. The rooms don't face onto the river as there is not enough shade along the banks of the river for all the rooms. Instead the rooms are built under massive Albida trees in a crescent shape facing away from the river. All rooms are built on the edge of this crescent and face out onto the plains. Each room is in effect a hide in itself and guests get great views from their "stoeps" to the plains and the animals around the camp.
CHIKWENYA
Chikwenya is a new 16-bedded camp situated on the Lower Zambezi River, along Zimbabwe's northern border. Based on a recent visit, it appears that the camp has really settled in well and the feel of the new camp has really worked. This, plus its exclusive location really make Chikwenya one of my favorite areas. What a place, what game-viewing and what staff! I have to rate this as one of Wilderness Safaris' best camps anywhere.The rooms at Chikwenya are beautiful with a great combination of comfort and charm. They have bathrooms ensuite and canvas walls, all under thatch. The rooms are raised off the ground so they get a cool breeze blowing gently through them. The rooms are full of atmosphere and comfort without being over the top. There are outdoor showers (over and above the indoor showers) - in all but two of the rooms. I cannot think of anything better than having a night at Ruckomechi Camp, then doing the Mana Canoe Trail for three nights, followed by two nights at Chikwenya to chill off at the end of the trip!
Day 3: MANA POOLS TO KARIBA
Charter flight from Mana Pools to Matusadona Water Lodge (or Water Wilderness) for 2 nights. Matusadona Water Lodge is a small safari camp situated just off the shore-line of Matusadona National Park. It consists of floating chalets in a secluded bay. Accommodation for a maximum of 8 guests is in four twin-bedded floating chalets, each with en-suite toilet and shower. Each of the floating rooms has its own cool verandah complete with table and chairs. The 'mother ship' houses the central bar, lounge and dining room. Guests commute between this unit and their rooms either by canoe or the camp motorboat. Wildlife viewing is excellent in this area, where the fluctuating lake levels have created a grassland which teems with large herds of antelope, Elephant, Buffalo and a host of predators. Boating, canoeing and walking with a fully licensed professional guide give guests the complete wildlife experience. One of the main activities at Matusadona Water Lodge is walking and the area is one of very few where Black Rhino can be seen in a Zimbabwe park. Canoeing along the shoreline is popular and guests often get close to game coming to the water's edge. Boating also gets our guests close to animals along the shoreline - and gives the keen fishermen their best opportunity of catching Tigerfish, Africa's best sporting fish. Tracking Black Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo and Lion on foot is one of Africa's most exhilarating experiences.
Day 5: KARIBA TO HWANGE
Transfer by air from Kariba to your camp in Hwange (Makalolo, Little Makalolo, Giraffe Springs, Linkwasha or Little Linkwasha) for 2 nights.
The waterhole in front of Makalolo Camp attracts a steady stream of wildlife in the dry season. MAKALOLO PLAINS CAMP
Makalolo Plains Camp is situated in a remote area within the vast Hwange National Park. It is one of the few camps built within the boundaries of the park. The Makalolo area is ecologically diverse, including vast, open palm-fringed plains, grasslands, acacia woodlands, and mopane forests. This ensure a varied food 'pantry' which feeds great numbers of animals year round, including elephant, rhino, buffalo, sable, roan, giraffe, wildebeest, impala and sometimes even Gemsbok. The area is one of the best for predators, lion, leopard, wild dog and cheetah are regularly sighted along with the smaller African wild cat, serval, honey badger, civet and hyena. The area has a number of waterholes which attract game in large concentrations. Guest can sit at a waterhole and watch the passing parade of animals as they come to quench their thirst. There are excellent opportunities to view wildlife both from open 4WD vehicles (morning and afternoon) and on foot accompanied by a professional guide. For the bird watcher, Makalolo offers a wonderful range of birding, from Miombo species right through to the Kalahari birds.Makalolo is a collection of small camps which have exclusive use of a massive concession area within Hwange National park. Makalolo Plains has sixteen beds and Little Makalolo has eight beds, so guests are guaranteed of wonderful, personalized service in privacy. Accommodation comprises 8 large, comfortable, tastefully decorated tented rooms with en-suite facilities. The bathrooms have hot and cold running water, showers and flush toilets. The living area includes a dining room, pub, plunge pool and an open fire area for those evening fireside bush tales. The entire camp is raised off the ground on wooden platforms. The camp has solar lighting. Meals are taken in the separate dining area and there is a plunge pool.
Day 7: HWANGE TO VICTORIA FALLS
Transfer by charter flight from your Hwange Camp to Victoria Falls Airport, for a short road transfer to your hotel in Victoria Falls.
ILALA LODGE
The Ilala Lodge is the closest hotel to the Victoria Falls. It is a small, intimate hotel offering 23 twin bedded rooms, 6 double bedded rooms and 2 luxury suites, which ensures a special atmosphere. Each room has an overhead fan, en-suite bathroom and French windows that open out onto the lawn and natural bush of the private estate. The Victoria Falls are a short 10 minute walk from the lodgeVICTORIA FALLS HOTEL
The Victoria Falls Hotel, which was substantially renovated in 1996, celebrated its 90th anniversary in 1994. The hotel combines modern facilities with an opulent colonial style of architecture and the graciousness of a bygone era. The Edwardian elegance and charm of The Victoria Falls Hotel has in fact earned it an international reputation of being one of the top 50 hotels in the world and in its 90 years it has hosted royalty and heads of state. It has 140 rooms, all with en suite facilities and it offers a wide variety of services and entertainment. Traditional and international cuisine is offered a la carte in the smart dining room or in buffet style on the terrace. The famous Victoria Falls are a mere 10-minute walk from the hotel gardens.Day 9: END OF SAFARI
Charter flight back to Kariba. End of service.
Cost (using charter flights throughout): $2,340 p.p. sharing ($1,225 single supplement) from 01 Jan to 30 June, or 01 Nov to 31 Dec 2000. $2,900 p.p. sharing ($1,225 single supplement) from 01 July to 31 Oct. 2000. This costing is based on Ilala Lodge at Victoria Falls.
By Colin BellThis is a detailed trip report for those who are interested in what canoeing through Mana Pools is all about. I was fortunate to recently travel on the Mana Canoe Trail along the Zambezi River, on the Zimbabwe side of the river, in October this year. These are my impressions.
Wilderness Safaris took over the Mana Canoe Trail from the old Legends operation at the start of 1999. It made good sense to have a canoe trail to link Ruckomechi to Chikwenya Camp. I had not done a canoe trail for over 10 years and I was keen to get back down there again - and to take a break from the office.
We landed at the new Ruckomechi strip.....what a pleasure to have easy access to Ruckomechi. There are no more long road / boat transfers to get guests to Ruckomechi Camp.
RUCKOMECHI
The camp had a complete rebuild 18 months ago and will have another smaller upgrade at the end of this season to improve the entrance and to rebuild the dining room, as well as to completely insect proof the bedrooms. We want to raise the standard, without losing the ambience and atmosphere.
For those who have not been there, guests sleep in large, cool, thatched rooms which have reeded walls. The rooms are attractive and with a bit of a refurbishment will be wonderful. The rooms don't face onto the river as there is not enough shade along the banks of the river for all the rooms. Instead the rooms are built under massive Albida trees in a crescent shape facing away from the river. All rooms are built on the edge of this crescent and face out onto the plains. Each room is in effect a hide in itself and guests get great views from their "stoeps" to the plains and the animals around the camp. I was only there for a short period of time, and there were no elephants in camp. But judging by guests comments and the amount of fresh spoor, elephants seem to be in camp just every day in the dry season.
Next year the canoeing safaris will not start from Ruckomechi Camp itself. We are building a thatched hide along the river close-by which will be used for the canoeing guest's briefings. Guests at Ruckomechi won't have canoeists in camp and Ruck will be that bit more private. That hide can then be used for Ruckomechi's guests for the rest of the day.
We met our guide - James - at Ruckomechi and had our first safety briefing. James is around 30 years old and is a full "pro" guide (as are all our canoeing guides on the Mana Canoe Trail.) This means that he is allowed to walk with guests, with a rifle, anywhere in Mana Pools. He is a wonderful character and extremely competent and professional. He has about 10 years of experience on the Zambezi. He was part of that expedition a year or two back which canoed the full 2700km of the Zambezi from its source to its mouth. Since we were only covering 55 km, our trail paled into insignificance compared to what he had achieved over 3 months of hard slog.
We had a mixed bunch of people. Some had never canoed before and we had an Australian who had canoed through Mana Pools 6 times and is already talking about coming back next year - if his wife will let him! The Mana Canoe Trail is such a special trip - one which can be done over and over again. The combination of great scenery; great game viewing and wonderful exercise means that all the ingredients are there for a great experience. One is away from a vehicle and there is no place to hide - and this heightens the sense of adventure!!
There is no question that part of the fun of these trails is your traveling companions. This is not a trip for the fainthearted - nor those with a grumpy disposition. I would not recommend this trail for anyone unless they are keen, enthusiastic and active. No canoeing experience is needed - just a willing heart (and body) and a sense of humor. Even though one is drifting with the current, there are times when the wind is up, when you have to paddle hard. We had half a day of strong winds out of the total time we were on the river - so it was not a real issue, but it could be for some.
Two people per canoe paddle downstream in sturdy 18 foot Canadian canoes. The vehicle heads for camp with your baggage and only one's camera equipment and food / water / tables etc. for the day stays in the canoes. The first day we paddled 11km into camp. The river flows at about 3km / hour and the paddling adds another 2 or 3 km per hour. If there is a head wind, you slow down considerably.
The first hippos and crocs spotted are always daunting - especially when one knows that there are only another 1200 to go over the next three days. Eyes and all senses were certainly alerted once we spotted the first ones ... that first pod seemed enormous and got the adrenaline going. Further on down the river, we took an alternate channel to evade Psychotic Simon - a notorious hippo, well known for his lack of humor. Horrible Henry, Mad Max and Syd Vicious were still waiting for us somewhere downstream!!
James knew every inch of the river and we were able to snake our way around the pods all the way. It was wonderfully reassuring to the group to have a guide of this caliber. There were no heroics at all on the trail - yet we were able to get very close to game without feeling as if we were out of control and we were in "their" space.
We arrived in a camp in the Vundu area just as the sun set and we enjoyed the most wonderful colors on the River. That broad slow moving Zambezi's sunset's are just wonderful.
The camp had been pre-erected prior to our arrival and we had a team of smiling canoeist's faces when they saw the tents, beds, mattresses, linen, shower, loo all there. We had the thrills of camping, without the chores! The trail this year is somewhere between our 3 and 4 "Paw" standards. Next year, we will have slightly larger tents etc. and it will be a 4 Paw trail!
The fire was burning, the wine was served, the beer was cold!! Life was great. We all slept so well that night.
The next morning we opted for an early morning walk. James was a fountain of information - and he had us eating baobab bark and making rope; spotting the flocks of Lilian's lovebirds; tracking different animals by their spoor....and later returned to camp for a cooked hot breakfast and then into the canoes.
Surprisingly, we were not stiff from the previous days paddling. We paddled downstream for about two hours and stopped off under some wonderful trees for lunch. Behind us there were elephants and small herd of eland - and down in front of us in the river was a huge pod of hippo and then on an island in front of us - a herd of buffalo. One of the many advantages to canoeing on the Zimbabwe side of the river is that you are always looking at the backdrop of the mountains in Zambia. From the Zambian side, you are tucked up against the mountains and you are just about always looking towards the flatter Zimbabwean side. Those mountains form the backdrop for just about every photo - and combined with the blue of the waters of the river and the bright green from the grasses of the islands - make for superb photography. I shot 27 rolls in 5 days!!
The eland at our lunch stop were so relaxed that we managed to get to about 20m away from them on foot. We tracked the elephant - one of those relaxed Mana bulls and watched him shake the Albidas for their pods, no more than 30 paces in front of us - and then watched him quietly eat his meal. The Albida seed pods contain about 17% protein and is one of the best sources of food in the valley at this time of year. So while all else is barren and bleak, the Albidas save the day for many species of animal at this time of year. He gave us a shake of his ears to let us know who was boss and then quietly went on his way. This was a wonderful elephant sighting, but the best was yet to come.
We drifted past herds of elephants as they came down to drink - even breeding herds, past hippos, impala, waterbuck - more hippos and crocs - and then came across one of the best elephant sightings of my life. An enormous Mana bull was quietly chomping the grass on the edge of an island in the middle of the Zambezi. It was about 4pm, we had that wonderful afternoon light with the sun behind us; there were about 500 carmine bee-eaters breeding in the bank of the river just behind the bull and we were able to slowly drift down to him as he calmly went on about his business. We were 20m away, then 15, 10 and he didn't even flinch. He was the most relaxed elephant I have ever had the pleasure of observing. He could not give a hoot about us as he enjoyed the cool water lapping up against his tummy - while he chewed on the fresh green grasses. 45 minutes later, we had to move on to get to camp before dark....and we drifted within 5 meters of him on our way past. We did not even get a shake of his ears. ... and people want to shoot them? Beats me! Our group had all lived in Africa all our lives - except for the gent from Australia who had done the Trail 6 times. He had had similar experiences with bull elephants and this is what kept him coming back and back. The guests who had lived in Africa all their lives had all never had such a wonderful elephant experience.
On the way down to camp we passed more elephant, a lot of buffalo were up really close, who were content to watch you drift by. It is quite a different feeling to be on the water and be so close to buffalo - and yet feel safe. The buffalo only get aggressive if you touch the islands they were on - so we kept 5 meters away and drifted on by! And then about half an hour before sunset, we drifted into camp. The camp staff had taken down the entire camp at Vundu and erected it at Chessa Camp - about 22km downstream, and had dinner just about ready, along with hot water for showers. The setting sun, the evening colors, lots of great story swapping around the camp fire and then off to bed.
The next day was another great 22km day.....with lots of game, lots of fun and a bit more of the "Zambezi leg-over"......where the canoes all interlock by putting ones feet into the next canoe....allowing lots of time for banter and stories. We arrived at Ilala Camp - a new canoeing camp which is situated a couple of kilometres upstream from Chikwenya Camp. This is where the canoeing trail stops. Guests then normally enjoy a last mornings walk before being driven to the airstrip to fly out at mid-morning. We then went onto Chikwenya for a quick camp inspection before flying home.
What a trip. I have to rate it as one of my top 5 African all time great experiences!!! We have already booked to go again next year. A group of us staff members from Wilderness are going back - same time, same trail.....
CHIKWENYA
This camp has really settled in well and the feel of the new camp has really worked. This, plus its exclusive location really make Chikwenya one of my favorite areas. What a place, what game viewing and what staff. I have to rate this as one of Wilderness SafarisÆ best camps anywhere. We all had to fly out unfortunately - except for the Australian who still had a week to go on safari. We had the opportunity to meet up with Brian Worsley who was guiding a group there - and with Troy our manager for the Mana Pools area. Joyce and her crew have done a wonderful job at Chikwenya. Becks and Paul are the main "pro" guides there and do a wonderful job as well. That night, the Aussie had a lion experience to remember for a long time. He was sitting around the campfire with Brian chatting away when pride of lions started attacking a lone old buffalo meters in front of the camp. The buffalo's bellowing alerted the other old buffaloes who hang out around the camp who came to their mate's rescue. There was an almighty scrap - ending up with the lions getting nothing and the old dagga boys survived another night. At one point the lions were 5 meters away from Brian and our Aussie! The next morning, they went out and found the buffalo - and one was missing his tail as a 'momento'from the night before.
The rooms at Chikwenya are beautiful with a great combination of comfort and charm. They have bathrooms ensuite and have canvas walls, all under thatch. The rooms are raised off the ground so they get that cool breeze blowing gently through them. The rooms are full of atmosphere and comfort without being over the top. There are also outdoor showers, over and above the indoor showers in all but two of the rooms.
I cannot think of anything better than having a night at Ruckomechi Camp, then doing the Mana Canoe Trail for three nights, followed by two nights at Chikwenya to chill off at the end of the trip!!
OVERALL This has to be one of the top 5 experiences in Africa for those who like being closer to nature. The canoeing on the Zimbabwe side of the River is the way to go......one gets the view and those vast flat plains in Mana Pools which are filled with game.
Negatives....if there is one, it was seeing how much development had gone on in Zambia. But one can hide from this by ducking down the side channels for much of the way, which shield you from Zambia.
AGE LIMITS
I think a key issue has to be ages. We won't take anyone 12 or under. Guests between 65 and 70 must have a medical certificate saying that they are fit for this type of Trail. No over 70s!!
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