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5 NIGHT MANA POOLS NATIONAL PARK AND VICTORIA FALLS PLATINUM (D) SAFARI 3 Nights Mana Pools National Park 2 Nights Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe 6 Days / 5 Nights Reference: IP-5D Start Victoria Falls Airport / End Victoria Falls Airport
Total Price 5 Nights: US$ 5137 (high season) / US$ 4148 (low season)per person per night
Overview Certainly one of Zimbabwe's gems, Mana Pools National Park is one safari getaway that any traveller can appreciate. There are lots of exciting safari activities at Ruckomechi Camp, and it helps that the accommodation is superb. Then stay at an award-winning safari camp, miles away near another World Heritage site. Elephant Camp is less than 20 minutes from the Victoria Falls, and offers cultural and nature activities for guests.
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Inspired Journey Overview Accommodation Night 1 – 3 Tented room at Ruckomechi Camp Night 4 – 5 Luxury tented suite at Elephant Camp
Transfers Included Day 1 Road Transfer: Mana West Airstrip to Ruckomechi Camp Day 4 Road Transfer: Ruckomechi Camp to Mana West Airstrip Day 4 Road Transfer: Victoria Falls Airport to Elephant Camp Day 6 Road Transfer: Elephant Camp to Victoria Falls Airport
Flights Included Day 1 Victoria Falls Airport to Mana West Airstrip Day 4 Mana West Airstrip to Victoria Falls Airport
Highlights Day 1 Evening game drive Day 2 Nature walk w/ bird watching, Optional fishing, River boat cruise, Star bed
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Day 3 Half-day canoe trip, afternoon game drive Day 4 Lunch at The Lookout Cafe, Sundowners at the gorge Day 5 Morning walking safari or Village visit or visit Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, optional Victoria Falls actitivities
Day 1 – 3
Mana Pools National Park The life-giving power of the Zambezi River makes Mana Pools National Park one of Zimbabwe’s most lush and flourishing regions, designated as the country’s second World Heritage Site and known as one of the continent’s premier game-viewing regions. Canoe trips are offered year round and provide a unique and memorable way for visitors to experience the area’s striking scenic beauty and diverse fauna, while guided walks are a great way to take its pristine riverside forests.
Overnight: Ruckomechi Camp Ruckomechi Camp, situated in a private concession with access to the western areas of Mana Pools National Park, accommodates guests in ten spacious en-suite tented units, including a family unit, all of which overlook the wide Zambezi River. The camp is set amongst broad-canopied Ana trees, much loved by the elephants for their rich nutritious seeds. Each tent has both indoor and outdoor showers, and the camp boasts a favourite amongst guests: its outdoor “bath-with-a-view” in a secluded, scenic spot.
The central dining, bar, library and lounge areas face the majestic, evocative escarpment across the river in Zambia, and are connected to the rest of camp by low-level walkways. There is a separate deck with a pool and hammocks for swimming and sunbathing, and an inviting, cushion-strewn star-gazing deck. Wildlife viewing takes place in open 4x4 vehicles, on motorised pontoon boats or on canoes, on foot and in hides.
NOTE: Ruckomechi is open seasonally between April and mid/late November each year.
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Notes: Day 1, 2, 3 DAY 1 On arrival at Victoria Falls Airport, take your air transfer out to Mana West Airstrip and then a 20-minute road transfer to Ruckomechi Camp. You will arrive in time for afternoon tea and snacks, and then go out on a game drive. After your game drive, you will head back to camp where you might find a barbeque set up, or a three course dinner. Drinks will be served during and after the meal.
DAY 2 On this day, have your light breakfast before the first activity - a nature walk around camp with an experienced guide. Mix it in with some bird watching to get the most out of your morning. Then it is time to return to camp for brunch and some rest. You may have a siesta, do a bit of catch and release tiger fishing, spend some time at the platform under the shade watching the different animals that visit the river.
After your afternoon tea, it is time to get into the motorised boat for an afternoon river cruise cum sundowner cruise, complete with drinks and snacks, and a qualified guide to enlighten you on your surroundings. After your cruise, head back to camp to freshen up and have drinks under the stars watching the animals in the river. Dinner will be served, after which you may opt to sleep under the stars in the "Star Bed", located near camp and an active waterhole. Alternatively, you may retire to your room.
DAY 3 Today, after your light breakfast, you will go out for half the day on a canoe trip on the Zambezi River. Your brunch, snacks and drinks will be packed for you. You will be brought back to camp in the afternoon. It is a good time to rest, or take a dip in the pool.
Afternoon tea will be served and then you may go on a game drive around the concession. Return in the evening for drinks before dinner. Dinner may be served in the dining area, or out on the banks of the Zambezi River.
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Activities Info
Game Drives Game drives early in the morning or late afternoon take place in open Land Rovers, taking in a coffee break or a sundowner at a scenic spot; seven seats allows everyone a window seat. Your guide takes you through the private concession as well as the National Park, accessing a diversity of habitats, and therefore a wide range of wildlife.
River Cruises Cruises down this stretch of the Zambezi River are in nine-seater pontoons or in a six-seater speed boat. Canoes are a more adventurous option to see the large numbers of water birds and other wildlife that are attracted to the river and seasonal pans.
Nature Walks Mana Pools National Park is a remote, beautiful place that is best experienced on foot, led by a professional guide. This thrilling way of exploring the surrounding bush often heralds many exciting sightings.
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Catch-and-release fishing* Bream (tilapia), barbel (catfish) and tiger fish are the some of the more common fish found at Mana Pools. Keen fishermen are always encouraged to bring their own equipment as the camp only carries basic fishing tackle. *This activity is subject to the availability of boats and is at an additional cost, per boat per hour payable direct.
Star Bed There is no better way of falling asleep than being serenaded by the sounds of nature while you gaze up at the starry skies of Africa. The romantic Star Bed is situated near a productive waterhole.
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Fantastic Birding The multiplicity of birdlife in the area includes three-banded courser, western banded snake-eagle, Arnot's chat, green-capped eremomela, African golden oriole, Lilian’s lovebird, Böhm's spinetail and Meve's starling.
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Day 4 - 6
Destination Heading One of the original natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls is a World Heritage Site and an extremely popular tourism attraction. Known locally as ‘The Smoke that Thunders’, this spectacle is accessible from both Zambia and Zimbabwe and it is an ideal place to combine a game viewing and water sports. There is excellent fishing, a terrifying bungee jump and arguably the best commercial white water rafting in the world.
Overnight: Elephant Camp Situated on a private concession within and bounded by the Masuwe River and the Zambezi gorges, The Elephant Camp and The Elephant Camp West have breath-taking views of the Victoria Falls' spray and the spectacular gorges which separate Zimbabwe and Zambia. The Elephant Camp is a luxury, intimate lodge under canvas within easy reach of Victoria Falls (approximately 10km) and all its attractions and activities, yet secluded in its own private game reserve. The Elephant Camp offers exclusive suite accommodation for only 24 guests in 12 luxury tents.
The Elephant Camp West is an extension of The Elephant Camp, extending to the West of the current facility and catering to groups and families. The facility operates independently of the main camp ensuring a more intimate and serene experience for groups and guests. The Elephant Camp West offers exclusive suite accommodation for only 16 guests (8 adults and 8 children) in 4 luxury tents. Each suite in The Elephant Camp West can accommodate two adults and two children.
All suites are gorge facing and boast a private viewing deck and plunge pool, private lounge area, air- conditioning and fans, bath (with a view), inside and outside shower, mini bar and tea/coffee stations. The lounge, bar and dining area lead out to a sun kissed pool from where the roar of the water rushing over gorges becomes a constant beat and soon settles into the background like an old friend. It is calming and therapeutic to sit back, watch and listen to "the smoke that thunders"...
Select Spa Treatments are available in the privacy of your suite (subject to availability, on request at an additional charge). Access is by road transfer from Victoria Falls, Livingstone and Kasane.
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Notes: Day 4, 5, 6 DAY 4 On this day, you will have your breakfast and get ready for your transfer out of Mana Pools National Park, and onto Victoria Falls. You will be driven to Mana West Airstrip for your flight to Victoria Falls Airport. Once you get there, your transport will pick you up for a 20-minute drive to Elephant Camp. You may drop off your bags and head into town for lunch at the Lookout Cafe. After your lunch, take a tour of the Victoria Falls at your leisure for a few hours, then you will be picked up and returned to Elephant Camp. Enjoy sundowners at the main tent, or out in the bush at the Batoka Gorges. Dinner will be served in the dining room where you will get to mix with the other guests at camp.
DAY 5 On this day, you have a choice of going on a visit to a rural village, going for a walking and birding safari, visiting the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, or going to meet the Wild Horizons elephants. This will be your last day to do all your activities in Victoria Falls.
DAY 6 On this last day in Victoria Falls, you will have your breakfast and prepare for your transfer to and departure flight out of Victoria Falls Airport.
Activities Info
Spa Treatments Selected Spa Treatments are available in the privacy of your suite (subject to availability, on request at an additional charge).
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Walking Safaris - Nature & Birding Walks Explore our beautiful concession, part of the Victoria Falls National Park, with experienced guides who will bring the landscape to life.
Included Activity- this activity is included in our rates but must be scheduled with management on arrival and is subject to availability.
Lunch at The Lookout Cafe Enjoy lunch at The Lookout Cafe
The Lookout Café is perched 120m above the turbulent rapids of the Zambezi River, overhanging the giant chasm of the Batoka Gorge, just down-river of the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge. Delicious meals, exciting cocktails & ice cold refreshments make The Lookout Café an ideal spot to enjoy these spectacular views in combination with a Tour of the Falls or a High Wire activity. The café is located at the Wild Horizons High Wire facility where popular activities such as the Gorge Swing, Flying Fox, and Canopy Tour are operated from. Wild Horizons looks forward to welcoming you to this completely new and uniquely positioned dining experience!
Highlights:- · Spectacular views of the Batoka Gorge, Vic Falls Bridge and Spray of the Falls · Semi open-air café with refreshing beverages and a lively cocktail menu · Cafe style cuisine with offerings to suit every taste and occasion
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Interaction with Sylvester, Ambassador Cheetah Interaction with Sylvester, Ambassador Cheetah (At management’s discretion). Five years ago, the Wild Horizons family was extended by the arrival of a very special member. Having tragically lost his mother and four siblings after a fatal attack of a male lion, Sylvester is unfortunately unable to hunt or provide for himself. Yet Sylvester was never destined to become a pet, and being a specially protected animal on the endangered species list, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management were involved from the outset with Sylvester’s welfare. A plan was needed for a future permanent home for Sylvester, and the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (VFWT) became involved.
Despite numerous release attempts, cheetah, do not survive in the wild without experiencing the maternal care of a mother for the initial twenty-two months of their lives. A plan was formulated by which Sylvester acts as an ‘Ambassador Cheetah’. Sylvester interacts with the public to raise awareness of the cheetah’s peril as a species and the challenges they face being on the endangered species list.
A Village Tour Guests will be transferred to a rural village where they will see local villagers going about their daily tasks and interact with them. The tour enables them to see rural Zimbabwean life first hand.
Included Activity- this activity is included in our rates but must be scheduled with management on arrival and is subject to availability.
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Visiting the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust Guests visit the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (VFTW), a non-profit whose mission is to advance environmental conservation through hands-on wildlife research, the management of a veterinary laboratory and rehabilitation facility and the education of local peoples in the sustainable usage of natural resources.
Included Activity- this activity is included in our rates but must be scheduled with management on arrival and is subject to availability.
Price Total Price for all 5 Nights: US$ 5137 (high season) / US$ 4148 (low season) Per person per night
Included RUCKOMECHI CAMP • Accommodation in cool and spacious tented rooms • All meals and local drinks • Laundry • National Park Fees • Twice daily scheduled camp activities: Game viewing from the hide; Birding safaris, Sleep-out, Catch and release fishing, River cruises, Guided walking safaris; Game drives; Canoeing
ELEPHANT CAMP • Accommodation in a luxury tented room • All meals, local brand drinks & house wines, complimentary mini bars in the rooms • Return Victoria Falls Airport transfers & two transfers to Victoria Falls town per day • Laundry • Emergency Medical Evacuation cover • Activities: Meeting the Wild Horizons elephants; Sundowners at the Batoka Gorge; Birding & Nature walks on the concession; Lunch at the Lookout Cafe - On Request (Including drinks)
TRANSFERS • Air transfers between Victoria Falls and Mana Pools • All road transfers in Victoria Falls and Mana Pools
Excluded • Premium imported brands and champagne
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Travel Information
A nation of spectacular natural beauty, friendly people and rich culture, Zimbabwe’s status as one of Africa’s leading safari destinations was dampened for years by its political instability. But now that the country is transcending its strife and returning to a state of equilibrium, it is once again emerging as a vacation highlight of the continent. Victoria Falls – known to locals as ‘The Smoke That Thunders’ – is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and the sheer power of this massive body of water plunging into the Zambezi Gorge is awe-inspiring and unforgettable. Lake Kariba, with its game-rich shores and islands, is an idyllic safari spot featuring mind-blowing sunsets; Hwange National Park is known for its huge herds of elephants; and a kayak trip down the Zambezi through the Mana Pools National Park will appeal to the intrepid traveller, providing close encounters with crocodiles, hippos and a host of other wildlife.
Banking and Currency Currency
Zimbabwe uses US$ as its own unit of currency. South African Rands and Euros are also widely accepted. It is advised to carry small denominations of change with you. However, it is best to pay for as much as possible outside of the country.
South African Rands work well in supermarkets, while US$ are preferred for curios, accommodation and activities.
Banking
Banks in Zimbabwe are open for business Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 08h00 to 15h00, on Wednesdays from 08h00 to 13h00 and Fridays from 08h00 to 11h30. They are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.
Travel, Transport and Getting Around Taxis are safe and reliable, and can be booked through your hotel front desk. Taxis in cities travel within a 40km radius of the city. Always take a taxi at night.
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Major airlines fly into Victoria Falls, Harare and Bulawayo. Charter flights are available to most attractions and camps.
Zimbabwe has a good road infrastructure, by African standards, although potholed. Between major towns, there are frequent road blocks. Traffic drives on the left side of the road.
Food, Drink and Cuisine Advice Zimbabwe's native cuisine is based on sadza, a cooked porridge made from ground maize which is normally be accompanied by some tasty relish, perhaps made of meat and tomatoes, or dried fish. Safari camps will often prepare sadza if requested, and it is almost always available in small restaurants in the towns.
Camps, hotels and lodges that cater to overseas typically serve a variety international fare, and the quality of food prepared in the most remote bush camps is usually excellent.
If you are driving yourself around and plan to cook, then get most of your supplies in main towns.
Water in the main towns is usually purified. The locals drink it, and are used to the relatively innocuous bugs that it may harbour. If you are in the country for a long time, then it may be worth acclimatising yourself to it. However, if you are in Zimbabwe for just a short period of time, then try to drink only bottled, boiled, or treated water available in towns and from all camps, lodges and hotels.
Clothing / Dress Recommendations When in Zimbabwe the cardinal rule is to wear casual, comfortable clothes during the day as temperatures can get very hot. It is advisable to wear light loose fitting clothing, such as cotton or linen, as they are cool and easy to wash. Warmer clothes are advised for the evenings and rainwear for the wet season.
A brimmed hat and sunglasses are a good idea year round. Long sleeved shirts and long trousers will also guard against the scorching sun rays. It is recommended you wear light shoes, especially if your itinerary entails a lot of walking.
For safaris, please remember to wear appropriate clothing and shoes. Earth colour clothes, such as browns, greens and tans are advisable.
Electricity and Plug Standards Current is 220/240 volts at 50 cycles per second. Both square and round plugs are used.