RUCKOMECHI CAMP – RUCKOMECHI CONCESSION – MANA POOLS NATIONAL PARK

Ruckomechi is perched along the banks of the Zambezi River with fabulous views out towards the Zambezi River and Zambia’s escarpment. Set under shady broad-canopied albida trees the camp is often visited by elephants who love the albida pods for their rich, nutritious seeds. The private Ruckomechi concession can be explored by vehicle or on foot, while boating and canoeing are great fun for different perspective of the area and river.

The camp has ten spacious and beautifully decorated tents (including two family rooms), along with a generous main area and pool all with fabulous views of the Zambezi River.

Ruckomechi can organise some very romantic and unique experiences for you whilst you are in camp – an outdoor “bath with a view” in a secluded, scenic spot and a romantic Star Bed by a busy waterhole.

LOCATION

The camp is located on the private Ruckomechi Concession which borders the western boundary of Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. Access is by light aircraft from Victoria Falls, Hwange and Harare.

CAMP

The camp has 10 stylish and generous tented guest suites- including two family suites – which are all built on low wooden decks offering a veranda with broad vistas of the Zambezi River. Each suite has comfortable beds with mosquito netting, an indoor shower, double basin vanity and separate toilet, canvas blinds that roll up and down for all weather conditions, a writing desk and chair, luggage rack, tea and coffee making facilities and an indoor lounge area. The suites are cooled by breezes from the river and pedestal fans and the family tents have two ensuite bedrooms

There are charging facilities within the tents and the camp does not have any WIFI or mobile phone signal.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE

Mana Pools National Park lies at the heart of the Zambezi Valley, a remote, beautiful place with spectacular views. The area offers large concentrations of buffalo and elephant while predators such as lion, wild dog, leopard and cheetah are often sighted. Greater kudu, Burchell’s zebra, impala, warthog and common waterbuck can be seen on the surrounding plains and the grunting of hippo can be heard all day. Birdlife is superb with numerous local specials like collared palm-thrush and racket-tailed roller.

Game Drives – take place early in the morning or late afternoon in open 4X4 vehicles taking in a coffee break in the morning and a sundowner in the late afternoon at a scenic spot.

Birding – the variety of birdlife in the area includes three-banded courser, western banded snake-eagle, Arnot’s chat, green-capped eremomela, African golden oriole, Lilian’s lovebird, Böhm’s spinetail and Meve’s starling – amongst other species.

River Cruises – cruises down this stretch of the Zambezi River take in the life around this iconic river and are a wonderful choice for sundowners.

Canoes – are a more adventurous option to see the large numbers of waterbirds and other wildlife that are attracted to the river and seasonal pans.

Nature Walks – Mana Pools National Park is a remote, beautiful place that is best experienced on foot led by a professional guide. This thrilling way of exploring the surrounding bush is an exciting way to watch wildlife and see the smaller things you often miss on game drives.

Catch-and-release fishing – Bream (tilapia), barbel (catfish) and tigerfish are the some of the more common fish found at Mana Pools. Catch and release is practised, and keen fishermen are encouraged to bring their own equipment as the camp has basic fishing tackle. This activity is subject to the availability of boats and is at an additional cost, per boat per hour payable directly to the camp.

GIVING BACK

Wilderness Safaris have been operating in Mana Pools for two decades – their simple presence on the ground has assisted with social and environmental stability in the park. They are involved in a number of research projects. The Painted Dog Conservation Project – data collection in Mana Pools aids this project which looks at the population status of wild dog in Zimbabwe as well as the human-wild dog conflict. It aims to protect and increase the range and number of wild dog through research, education and community involvement. Ruckomechi Camp has assisted in collecting data for the Cheetah Conservation Project Zimbabwe which has carried out population surveys to find out where cheetah occur, their population sizes and the challenges they face in Zimbabwe.

The Wilderness Wildlife Trust is an independent entity that facilitates fundraising and distribution of monies to deserving projects so that both directly and indirectly, Wilderness Safaris is able reach more people, wildlife and places. The relationship between Wilderness and the Trust is symbiotic: There are a number of projects supported financially through the Trust, while Wilderness Safaris contributes through logistics and in-kind support (e.g. equipment, manpower, fuel, vehicle servicing, access and accommodation) to ensure the enhanced effectiveness of the work. The Trust focuses its work across three key areas: research and conservation; community empowerment and education; and anti-poaching and management. A small percentage of each bed night booked by guests is dedicated to the Trust.

LITTLE RUCKOMECHI CAMP IS CLOSED FROM MID-NOVEMBER THROUGH TO APRIL EVERY YEAR

THE CAMP WELCOME FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGED 6 YEARS AND OLDER. THE CAMP IS UNFENCED AND IN A VERY WILD AREA AND WE RECOMMEND AN AGE LIMIT OF 16 TO BE ABLE TO REALLY APPRECIATE THE ACTIVITIES ON OFFER