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5 Night Mana Pools National Park And P a g e | 1 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. P a g e | 2 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 P a g e | 3 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. P a g e | 4 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. P a g e | 5 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. P a g e | 6 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. P a g e | 7 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. P a g e | 8 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. P a g e | 9 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.
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