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Chirundu to Mana Pools Safari in Zimbabwe

This safari is Natureways Safaris' most popular expeditionary safari beginning in Chirundu and ending in Mana Pools National Park, which is a World Heritage Site. The game seen around the Lower Zambezi River is superb as the floodplains offer wildlife an extraordinary place to thrive in the park's sanctuary.

The distance covered by this safari is 75 kilometers, allowing you to experience the peace and tranquility of the truly untouched African wilderness.

Key information

  • Group size: 2 to 8 persons
  • Children policy: The minimum age allowed for participation is 14 years old
  • Starting point and ending point: Kariba Town
  • National Parks Fees of USD 109.00 per person are not included (rate is subject to change without notice) and paid directly to National Parks in cash

Highlights

  • Canoe Safari down The Lower Zambezi
  • Service of fully qualified Canoe Guide
  • Spot hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and more
  • Visit Kakomarara Island, Lone Acacia Island, Trichelia Island, and Mana Pools National Park
  • 2-man Canadian-style canoes and American Carlisle paddles
  • Road transfers from and to Kariba
  • Delicious meals and drinks
  • 3 nights' camping

Styles


3 activity days
Group size: 2-8 participants
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Accommodation

Check-in Time:
07:30
Check-out Time:
15:00

During this safari, you will be accommodated in various campsites along the Lower Zambezi River, on Kakomarara Island (first night), Lone Acacia Island (second night), and Trichelia Island (third night). Accommodation is in small dome tents.

This safari is a semi-participatory - meaning the camps are not already set up for your arrival and that everyone helps to put up tents, cooking, and washing up each evening.

All camping equipment is supplied. This includes gas stoves, kitchen utensils, pots, pans, plastic plates, mugs, tables, stools, camping mattresses, sleeping bags, liners, candles, matches, cooler boxes, and two-man dome tents. You can bring your own sleeping bags if preferred. Fishing equipment is not supplied but you may bring your own.

There will be no ablution facilities on this safari. You will be provided with a spade, toilet paper, and matches to burn the toilet paper. Bathing is done from a bucket using water scooped out of the river.

Program

General information

  • This safari is semi-participatory, meaning camps are not already set up for your arrival and that everyone helps to put up tents each evening. Tents supplied are very easy to set up, two-man, dome tents.
  • This safari are self-contained, meaning all equipment and food is carried in the canoes and there is no vehicle back up.
  • Natureways Safaris takes a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 8 people (special arrangements can be made for larger groups upon request).
  • The minimum age limit for canoe safaris is 14 years old. There is no maximum age limit but sound judgement should be used.
  • No previous canoeing experience is necessary but guests are required to be reasonably fit and healthy.
  • The maximum luggage limit per client to take on the river is 10 kilograms. A luggage room and safe facilities are provided for any extra luggage at the Kariba office.
  • Animals seen on the trip usually include elephant, buffalo, impala, waterbuck, hippo, crocodile and plentiful birdlife. Lion, leopard, painted hunting dog etc. are more rarely seen but are certainly in the area. Natureways Safaris cannot guarantee plenty of game while on safari, particularly during the green (rainy) season.

Itinerary

Day 1 (18 kilometers): Kariba - Chirundu - Kakomarara Island

Natureways Safaris will collect you on the morning of your safari at 07:30, in good time for a check-in at Natureways Safaris office, handing in extra luggage and valuables. Please do not take your passport on the river. There will be a short briefing to summarize what the safari entails and questions may be asked. You will be required to sign an indemnity form before leaving on the safari.

After the briefing, a visit to the shops will be made, purchasing any extra drinks you want for the trip before setting off for the river. Please note that credit cards are not a recommended payment option in Zimbabwe.

Transfers are by open 4x4 vehicles to Chirundu, arriving at approximately 11:30 at which time, the canoes and kit will be unloaded. Following this, a safety talk and demonstration of how to paddle a canoe will be given. A packed lunch will be taken on the river. At approximately 17:00, the camp will be set up on an island named Kakomarara. There is time to relax and after a brief safety talk on camping, you will have dinner.

Day 2 (27 kilometers): Kakomarara Island - Lone Acacia Island

Up at sunrise for tea, coffee, and biscuits before paddling for a couple of hours to the breakfast stop. Afterwards, canoeing will resume until midday and enjoy a well-earned lunch and siesta. It's time to catch up on reference books until mid-afternoon (depending on the weather). Canoeing will continue until approximately 17:00 when the camp will be set up on Lone Acacia Island.

Day 3 (23 kilometers): Lone Acacia Island - Trichelia Island

The program is as per day 2 with the night's camp stop on Trichelia Island.

Day 4 (7 kilometers): Trichelia Island - Mana Pools - Kariba

This morning, you will have a more leisurely start with the usual tea, coffee, and biscuits. After breakfast, the camp is broken and you will set off at approximately 08:00. The group will arrive at Mana Pools at 10:00 where the canoes and equipment will be loaded on to the vehicle for the return trip to Kariba. Arrival time in Kariba is approximately 15:00. As you depart with your memories, Natureways Safaris knows that this experience will have enriched your life and touched your soul!

Location

The safari begins in Kariba Town where you are collected from your lodge/hotel the morning of your trip, you will be driven to Chirundu where you will start the canoe safari. You will canoeing along the Lower Zambezi River to enjoy the wildlife and make stops on Kakomarara Island, Lone Acacia Island, Trichelia Island, and Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe.

Food

All meals will be supplied and are of a good standard. The meat and poultry dishes are precooked, frozen, and stored in a cooler box during the safari. Some fresh fruit and vegetables will also be supplied on the safari. The meals will consist of:

  • Breakfast usually consists of fruit, eggs, bacon, sausages, baked beans or tomato relish, toast, and jams.
  • Lunch consists of cold meats, salads, cheese, and bread.
  • Dinner consists of a variety of meat and vegetable dishes, such as chicken curry, beef stroganoff, fish and chips, etc.

Tea, coffee, cordials, and imported wine will be provided on during this safari. You will also be provided with 2 liters of bottled mineral water per person per day. You are advised to bring your own minerals (soft drinks), beer, and spirits. You will be able to purchase these in the shops prior to departure. Minerals and beers must be bought in cans to reduce the weight and space.

A cooler box is set aside for keeping drinks cold. There are no opportunities to replenish stocks on the river. Natureways Safaris caters for dietary preferences, such as vegetarian or diabetic. However, Natureways Safaris requires advance warning at least 14 days before the trip.

The following meals are included:

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Snacks

The following drinks are included:

  • Water
  • Coffee
  • Tea

The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:

  • Vegetarian
  • Other dietary requirements on request
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation

What's included

  • 3 nights' accommodation
  • Basic drinks (water, tea, coffee, cordials, and imported wine with dinner)
  • Breakfasts, Lunches, and Dinners.
  • Canoeing and Camping Equipment.
  • Fully qualified Canoe Guide.
  • Road transfers in open 4x4 vehicles to and from Kariba town at the start and end of your trip.
  • 2% Tourism levy and 15% VAT

What's not included

  • Additional drinks (soft drinks, beers and alcohol).
  • Parks fees of USD 109 per person subject to change without prior notice and paid directly to the National Parks in cash.
  • Costs of a Personal Nature.
  • Anything else not mentioned in the whats included section

How to get there

Recommended Airports

Driving directions from Harare

  • The drive from Harare to Kariba is approximately 4 hours. Drive along the main Harare - Chirundu road and turn left at the Kariba signpost just before the Makuti Garage and Hotel. This is approximately 295 kilometers from Harare, about 3 hours travel time.
  • Once you have turned left, drive down the escarpment towards Kariba. This section takes approximately 1 hour.
  • You will pass the Kariba Airport (KAB) and Nyamunga Township on your left, continue towards the Kariba Dam Wall.
  • Once you reach a ‘T’ junction, turn left (right takes you to the Kariba Heights) and travel 1.4 kilometers, passing a Zuva fuel station on your right.
  • Turn left on to Sable Drive (ZESA Offices are opposite the turning).
  • Take the second left turning after approximately 400 meters (the swift depot is on the corner).
  • Travel 1.1 kilometers and turn right on Mhembwe Close.
  • Natureways Safaris' sign is on the left side.

Driving directions from Kariba Dam Wall

  • The drive from the Kariba Dam Wall is approximately 10 minutes. Continue straight on the road from the Dam Wall, take the second road on the right hand side onto Sable Drive. ZESA offices are directly opposite the turning on the left hand side.
  • Take the second left turning after approximately 400 meters (the swift depot is on the corner).
  • Travel 1.1 kilometers and turn right on Mhembwe Close.
  • Natureways Safaris' sign is on the left side.

Arrival by airplane

Natureways Safaris can provide transfers from the Kariba Airport (KAB) to lodges and harbors. Please send Natureways Safaris an inquiry for costs and availability.

Arrival by bus

There are coaches that travel between Harare and Kariba town but these cannot be arranged by Natureways Safaris as departure times are not set.

Arrival by ferry / boat

The Kariba Ferry is a convenient and fun way to get to and from Kariba town and Victoria Falls or Hwange. The ferry runs on scheduled departure days to and from Mlibizi and Kariba town. It’s a 22 hour journey departing at 10:30 and arriving at 08:00. The ferry takes both vehicles and passengers.

Cancellation Policy

  • A reservation requires a deposit of 20% of the total price.
  • The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
  • The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.

Value for money
Accommodation & facilities
Food
Location
Quality of activity
4 days / 3 nights
from --
Availability

This vacation is available all year round, please select an arrival date below.

Low season
  • November 1 - May 30
High season
  • June 1 - October 31
Booking information

Private safaris can be arranged if you book a package with minimum 4 people.

Minimum group size

This trip requires a minimum of 2 participants

Select your package:

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