Ruwesi Canoe Trail

suitable for fit, adventurous and outdoorsy travellers

Operating in the Mana Pools area of northern Zimbabwe, Ruwesi Canoe Trail is a sensational and very outdoorsy three night journey which traverses the full 50 km of the park waterfront on the Zambezi River, from Ruckomechi to Chikwenya.

The trail is undertaken largely by boat, with walking safari segments built into each day.

Accommodation is in a simple dome-tented bivouac, which is moved each night by a separate vehicle-based support crew.

Guests can expect to see a good deal of wildlife, especially hippos, elephants and crocodiles along the river, as well as a good variety of plains species along the banks and when walking further inland.

Mana Pools is one of the most renowned safari areas in Africa, but remains relatively little-visited due to its awkward location.

The area only tends to be visited by serious safari travellers, who are prepared to jump through a few extra hoops to get here.

The usual stay duration is 3-5 nights in one camp, occasionally 5-8 nights split between two camps.

Seasonality

The best time to visit Hwange is during the May-Oct dry season, when the wildlife is focused around the waterholes and easy to find.

Within that period, May-Jul is pleasantly cool at night, but the animals may not yet be fully migrated back into water.

Towards the end of that period, Oct-Nov the wildlife should be at its strongest, but the weather is likely to be uncomfortably hot, especially at night. Bear in mind that most camps do not have air-conditioning.

Getting there

Mana Pools is usually accessed by light aircraft from Victoria Falls, Hwange or Harare.

It is also possible to drive in from Lusaka or Lower Zambezi, across the river in Zambia.

usually visited in combination with Hwange and Victoria Falls