Mana Pools Canoe Safaris
Canoe along Zimbabwe's Mighty Zambezi River
Mana Pools National Park is well-known for canoe safaris along the mighty Zambezi River. You’ll experience a truly authentic bush experience as you float down the Zambezi surrounded by the African wilderness. Canoeing offers guests a unique way of viewing game, you can glide up to elephants crossing the Zambezi and watch game coming down to the river to drink.
We offer two styles of canoe safaris that will appeal to both your budget and sense of adventure: a Luxury Canoe Safari or the Adventurer Canoe Safari.
Luxury Canoe Safaris: These stunning luxury safaris offer you the opportunity of both walking and canoeing. Accompanied by professional walking and canoeing guides, the fully backed-up luxury mobile camps provide the perfect base to explore the Zambezi River itself and to step deep into the wilderness of the African bush. The camp staff takes care of all the chores so all you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the serenity of Mana Pools and the Zambezi. The mobile camps are rustically comfortable where you leave camp with the sunrise and leisurely canoe your way to the next camp. There is no electricity, no permanent structures, and no plumbing. Each camp has full waiter service, spacious walk-in tents with cots and en-suite toilets and hot open-air bucket showers. All meals are freshly prepared on open campfires by experienced bush cooks. The Luxury Canoe Safari is a 3-night, 4-day safari following the Zambezi River through Mana Pools National Park. It is possible to combine some time walking in the bush in addition to canoeing.
Adventurer Canoe Safaris: Following in the footsteps of the original explorers, this is a true adventure canoeing trail down the mighty Zambezi River. Step back in time and see the Zambezi River that so enthralled the explorers and adventurers of yesteryear. All equipment is taken in the canoes with you, accompanied by our highly qualified river guides. These safaris are semi-participatory where guests pitch their tents and sleep in on a mattress pad. The guide does the cooking and camp chores but being semi participatory, guests are free to help. Each Adventurer Safari covers a different section on the Zambezi River offering a unique experience in terms of scenery and wildlife. Adventurer Safaris are for more adventurous travelers as you set up a basic camp each night. Yes, you’ll forego some amenities but camping on remote islands in the Zambezi River makes this a true adventure! The Adventurer Canoe Safaris range in length from 2-9 nights. No walking is offered with on the Adventurer safaris.
Brief Itinerary (See Detailed Itinerary Here)
Day 1 | Arrive at Vundu Camp
Day 2 | Canoe to Chessa Camp
Day 3 | Canoe to Illala Camp
Day 4 | Departure
Luxury Canoe Safari: Large, custom built tents are used to guarantee guests comfort. Tents are spacious walk-in style with en-suite toilet facilities for night use and comfortable beds with fresh linen. The tents are mosquito proof with mosquito gauze on the roof so guests can lie in bed and enjoy the night sky, all tents have have flysheets to ensure guests to not get wet if it does rain. Camps are fully equipped with a kitchen accompanied with an experienced bush cook, bar facilities and dining area as well as waiter service. The canoes used are Canadian style approximately 8ft in length and single blade paddles.
Adventurer Canoe Safari: The semi-participatory are self-contained. All equipment and food is carried in the canoes and there is no vehicle back up apart from pick-up and drop off. All camping equipment is supplied. This includes gas stoves, kitchen utensils, pots and pans, plastic plates, mugs, tables, stools, camping mattresses, sleeping bags, liners, candles and cooler boxes and dome tents. Guest can bring their own sleeping bags if preferred. Fishing equipment is not supplied but clients can bring their own. The canoes used are Canadian style approximately 8ft in length and single blade paddles.
There are set departure dates for both the Luxury Canoe Safaris and the Adventurer Canoe Safaris. Simply let us know the dates you'd like to travel and we'll check on availability.
PAYMENT: A non-refundable, 20% deposit is required within 7 days of receipt of invoice to confirm booking. Balance is due 7 weeks before departure. If booking is within 7 weeks of departure date, entire balance is due upon receipt of invoice.
Other terms & conditions apply.
GROUP SIZE: Minimum group size 2, maximum group size is 8 (for both Luxury and Adventurer Canoe Safaris).
INCLUDED/EXCLUDED
- See the detailed itineraries for a complete list of what's included and excluded.
- Included: In general, rate includes all lodging, meals (drinks excl), camping/canoe equipment, transfers to/from Mana Pools airstrip, and services of professional guide.
- Excluded:. In general, rate excludes airfare to/from Mana Pools, park entry fees, entry visas, insurance, tipping, drinks (on Adventurer Safaris).
2023 Rates
Luxury Canoe Safari
$1240 (November-May)
$1590 (June-October)
Explorer Canoe Safaris
$670-$1410 (November-May)
$810-$1610 (June-October)
*Rates are per person sharing and for cash payment. Rates vary according to number of nights
Length: 3 nights for the Luxury Canoe Safari. Explorer Canoe Safaris vary from 2-9 nights
Route: Starts/ends in Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
What's Calling You to Africa?
Vast plains teeming with wildlife? Exploring the bush on foot? Tracking mountain gorillas? Summiting Kilimanjaro? Meaningful interactions with local Africans?
Contact us with your dream of Africa and we'll get you started on your African adventure!