The Mukuyu Canoeing and Walking Trail

The Mukuyu Trail is a backed up canoe safari covering the full length of the Mana Pools shoreline from Ruckomechi to Chikwenya. The format is a rolling camp with three night stops, supported by a full camp crew and hosted by a Professional Guide. The level of support, quality of the staff, and small group size assures an exclusive and varied safari experience.

Activities

• Canoeing - using extremely stable 18ft 6in Canadian-style canoes fitted with comfortable bucket seats, seat cushions and optional lifejackets, you will surely enjoy a unique experience as you drift silently on the current, enjoying the spectacular scenery and approaching wildlife up-close and in total silence. No previous canoeing experience is necessary - just an adventurous spirit and a dose of enthusiasm.
• Walking - early mornings are the best time to set out from camp on foot, when the animal spoor is still fresh from the activities of the night before. Your senses come alive as you hear every sound and become aware of every movement. Test the wind as you approach some of Africa's big game for that close-up encounter - and share in the knowledge and experience of our qualified Professional Guides.
• Game-drives - using an open 4 x 4 vehicle you are able to explore the many pools and more distant areas of the Park away from the river.

The mobile tented camp

Each day our mobile-tented camps are erected in a different location along the Zambezi, complete with bush kitchen, hot water bucket showers and mobile flush toilet. Each location has its own charm and enjoys lovely views across the river. With spacious walk-in tents, comfortable camp stretchers, mattress, sheets and blankets, bedside light, drinking water, wash basin and mirror, bath and hand towels - you will find your every comfort has been provided for. After a full day on the river you are welcomed into camp with cold drinks, teas and coffees and a hot bush shower. Sit around the warming campfire and enjoy the company of your fellow travellers as you begin to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the approaching African night. Dinner is announced with a cheerful smile from your attendant waiter and you will enjoy the sheer splendour of dining out under the African sky. With wine flowing and many a tale being told .......

"... a canoe safari along Mana Pools National Park is the highlight for almost everyone who does a canoe trip as part of their safari." - Mark W. Nolting - Africa's Top Wildlife Countries

Mana Pools Tented Camp

In addition to the 3-night/4-day Mukuyu Canoeing and Walking Trail, Classic Africa Safaris offers an exclusive 8-bed Tented Camp within Mana Pools National Park. Situated on the banks of the Zambezi in an area known as Mucheni, the Tented Camp enjoys stunning views across the river to the Zambian escarpment beyond. Being centrally located within the Park, guests have easy access to the main game-drive area as well as more remote walking locations and of course, the river itself.

The camp is seasonal in nature, being open from May to November each year, and is intended to give guests a truly traditional African safari in a genuine tented safari camp. The entire camp construction is designed not to impact on its surroundings - with the capability of being taken down within a couple of hours - leaving nothing behind to indicate that anyone had been there at all. With spacious walk-in tents, comfortable sprung beds, mattress, sheets and blankets, bedside light, drinking water, wash basin and mirror, bath and hand towels - you will find your every comfort has been provided for. The camp is complete with its own bush kitchen, hot-water showers and flush toilets. A licensed resident Professional Guide together with camp cook and support staff are at hand to provide a level of personal attention found only in small, exclusive safari camps.

Guests are able to participate in guided walks, canoeing and game-drives in open 4 x 4 vehicles as well as have the opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking scenery that is so much a part of this unique World Heritage area. A strong emphasis is placed on walking and canoeing.

Mana Pools offers exceptional opportunities for close encounters with Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Wild Dog, Leopard and many of the larger antelope species - both on the water and on foot. Early mornings are the best time to set out from camp on foot, when the animal spoor is still fresh from the activities of the night before. Afternoons are usually spent canoeing on the river or taking game-drives to the more remote and less frequented parts of the Park. Breakfasts are generally taken in camp, with lunch being a cold buffet followed by an afternoon siesta. Dinners are served out under the stars, with waiters in attendance and a warming campfire nearby. A full bar is also available.

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