Backed-up canoe safaris

The best backed up trips operate in Zimbabwe on the Mana Pools shoreline from Ruckomechi to Chikwenya. A full blown mobile tented camp is used on the overnight stops on the Mana mainland. Meals are of a high home-cooked standard and you'll find all the facilities generally associated with permanent tented camps.

These safaris make use of Professional Guides - some of whom are widely regarded as ranking amongst the best in Africa. An added advantage of these safaris is the availability of vehicles and walking options where game activity invites a break from the river.  (Walking within Mana Pools is permitted on these safaris.)

Our operators and guides have impeccable safety records and their guiding standards are the best on offer. 

Canoe trails are an optional activity on offer at the permanent camps in Mana Pools - Ruckomechi and Chikwenya.  Find out more about the walking safaris.

Tailor made canoe safaris

In addition to these basic formats we also offer tailor made safaris to suit specific group needs [speak to Trish, Chris, John, Julie, Liz or Delene]. As examples, 

• We run a dozen or so canoe safaris specifically for children each season - in each case, a Professional Guide leads the group - the educational value of these trips is immense. 

• Avid photographers, particularly those who have visited Africa several times require a lot more flexibility in terms of diversions or layovers to capture their best shots - it's often better to arrange an exclusive canoe safari with a specific guide - we make these sorts of arrangements on a regular basis.

Combination walking and canoeing safaris

Walking and canoeing safaris are naturally complimentary. In both cases, 

• you're getting a real "Africa in your face" type of experience, 
• the lower Zambezi is logistically well connected to some of the best walking areas in Mana Pools, Chitake and Matusadona so there's little wasted time in transit, 
• and although the game and birdlife is generally common through the region, the terrain and environments can differ markedly and 
• the use of River Guides and Professional Guides particularly in Zimbabwe adds generously to the overall experience.

The basic combinations revolve around 

• a participation canoe safari on the lower Zambezi and a traditional tented camp in Matusadona or 
• a backed up canoe safari in Mana with a tented and safari lodge combination in Matusadona.

Have a closer look at our walking safaris or consider the following combinations:

• Spirit of the Zambezi Safari: A 6 night combination including a walking safari in Zimbabwe's Matusadona and a full participation canoe safari past Mana Pools.
• Zambezi Explorer Safari: A 9 night extension of the Spirit of the Zambezi walking and canoeing combination that includes Victoria Falls.
• Classic Zambezi Tented Safari: A 6 night walking safari combining the Mana Pools floodplain and Maronga in the Matusadona.
• Zambezi Classic Canoeing and Walking Safari: A 10 night combination of deluxe canoeing and walking in Mana Pools plus walking at Maronga and Musango in the Matusadona.