Mana Canoe Trail: Our View

This canoe exploration of the Zambezi River is perfect for adventurous travellers, allowing the closest possible encounters with wildlife on one of the greatest rivers in Africa.

This thrilling experience traverses the Mana Pools National Park, through the heart of Mana Pools and along the Zambezi River shoreline, canoeing past countless hippo, crocodile and elephant on the way! Each night is spent camping on the banks of the Zambezi River, ultimately finishing 65km downstream with many adventures to recall. Encounters with wild animals, whether by canoe or on foot, are up close and awe-inspiring. This Canoe Trail experience is for reasonably fit guests and is led by an experienced guide. Support vehicles and staff assist guests and set up camp each day.

Mana Canoe Trail departs every Monday and Thursday between May and November.

Brief Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrival at Ruckomechi airfield, safety briefing and begin canoeing in Mana Pools National Park

Day 2:
Full day canoeing and walking in Mana Pools

Day 3:
Full day canoeing, walking through Wilderness area of Mana Pools

Day 4:
End canoeing, arrive Chikwenya airfield for flight out

Mana Canoe Trail: Quick Facts

• Comfortable tents set up each night on the Zambezi River bank
• Each tent has en-suite bathroom (hand basin) and bucket shower
• Each tent has comfortable stretcher beds with mattresses and linen
• Communal short drop toilet (chamber pot for emergencies at night)
• Not suitable for children or the faint of heart
• Encounters with dangerous wildlife likely
• An exhilarating and fascinating experience

Mana Canoe Trail: The Details

The Mana Canoe Trail is a fantastic African adventure. Travellers are brought as close as possible to the incredible wildlife of this area whilst traversing the mighty Zambezi River. The Trail follows the Zambezi River alongside the stunning Mana Pools National Park. Experienced guides lead this trail which is only for reasonably fit guests. The Trail departs every Monday and Thursday between May and November and takes 3 days to complete.

On their first day guests arrive at Ruckomechi and begin their paddle towards a pre-set mobile camp. While the campsites along the trail vary, the accommodation throughout is tented. Tents are quite basic with two beds per tent and a bucket shower. There is an emergency chamber pot included with each tent. A communal short drop toilet and a camp fire are usual features of each camp.

The second and third days of the expedition consist of an early morning start and breaks from the river during the day to enjoy game walks and lunch. Guests will start their paddle downstream just before sunrise. The daily distances covered from one camp to the next are around 20 to 25km. After the trail has been completed guests will be transferred for a stay at Ruckomechi Camp, or to Chikwenya airstrip for the flight out.