On the western boundary of the Mana Pools National Park, nestled in a large grove of Acacia and Mahogany trees, Ruckomechi Camp overlooks the Zambezi River with a superb view of the mountains of Africa's Great Rift Valley in the distance.

 

The camp accommodates guests in 7 thatched chalets, with en-suite bathroom that includes a shower, toilet and basin. There is a honeymoon suite that overlooks the Zambezi River, as well as one of the camp's favourite facilities: an outdoor "bath with a view"! The central dining, pub and lounge area is under cool thatch on the river's edge, facing the escarpment.

Wildlife is excellent in the area, and Ruckomechi offers diverse game activities, including wildlife-viewing drives in 4x4 vehicles, boats, canoes, and fishing. Daily nature walks are available with a professional guide. Kudu, zebra, impala and waterbuck can be seen on the surrounding plains, and elephant take advantage of the plentiful Albida (Ana) trees in the area. Predators including lion, wild dog, leopard, and cheetah, are often sighted, and large concentrations of buffalo can be found along the river's edges. Bird watching tends to be very good, with the river attracting large numbers of waterbirds.

 

 

Wildlife viewing is excellent, with large predators such as lion, wild dog and leopard often sighted. Large concentrations of buffalo can be found along the river's edges. Kudu, zebra, impala and waterbuck can be seen on the surrounding plains. Elephant take advantage of the plentiful Albida (Ana) trees in the area. The grunting of hippo can be heard all day.

There is fantastic bird viewing, with the river attracting large numbers of water birds and a wide variety of different species such as Livingstone's Flycatcher, Red-necked Falcon and Yellow-spotted Nicator.

LOCATION 
Ruckomechi is situated on the western boundary of the Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe, 40km from Chirundu, overlooking the Zambezi River.

Pricing / Child Policy
Green Season: December to March
Shoulder Season: April to 14 June and November
High Season: 15 June to October
- Children over the age of 8 years are welcome

ACCOMMODATION
Number of rooms: 7 in total
- There are 5 ¾ twin-bedded rooms which can be converted into king-sized beds
- 1 Double bed room
- 1 Family unit for 4 guests
- Tour leader accommodation for two in thatched chalet with en-suite facilities at the back of the camp. This is used as staff accommodation so prior notice must be given if this facility is required.
This camp can accommodate 18 guests plus tour leader

Please note from August '07 onwards:
Number of Rooms:
5 in total comprising of:
· 4 x twin bedded tents
· 1 x honeymoon tent
This camp can accommodate 10 guests

Room details: 
- Rooms under thatch 
- En-suite bathrooms with showers 
- Fans 
- Mosquito nets 
- Soaps, shampoos and insect repellents are supplied in each room 
- Small veranda with hammock

CAMP DESCRIPTION 
- Overlooking the Zambezi River 
- Plunge pool
- Pub and lounge area have a deck area that faces the sunset
- Thatched dining room is situated on the river's edge to the left of the lounge area 
- Library
- One bath with a view of the banks of the Zambezi River

GAME VIEWING
Good lion and leopard sightings, many elephant, especially in winter, plenty of hippo, crocodiles and plains game. Nyala are also sometimes seen in the park. Birdlife is fantastic, with large numbers of waterbirds and a number of specials.

ACTIVITIES 
- Game drives in 3x7-seater open Land Rovers 
- Game viewing cruises by 1x9-seater pontoon boat and 1x6-seater speed boat
- Walks with a professional armed guide
- Canoeing in the afternoon or early morning in 4x3-seater canoes

SUGGESTED DAILY ACTIVITY SCHEDULE
Below is only a suggestion as to what may happen in camp - as daily wildlife sightings tend to change the schedule unexpectedly.

05h00/06h00  - Wake up call. Light continental breakfast consisting of cereals, tea/coffee/juices and pastries to be served in the dining area.
05h30/06h30 -  Depart on morning activity, returning to camp at approximately 10h00.
10h00/11h00 -  Brunch is served, consisting of a selection of breakfast and lunch dishes. From now until afternoon tea, guests are at leisure.
16h00/15h00 - Afternoon tea is served, consisting of a selection of sweet and savoury snacks.
16h30/15h30 - Depart on afternoon game viewing activity - drinks and snacks served for sundowners during the course of the activity.
19h30/19h00 - Return to camp after dark so guests have a night drive (but could be later if there are good game sightings).
20h00/19h30 - Pre-dinner drinks and snacks served at the pub.
20h30/20h00 - Three course dinner (generally speaking the starter and dessert is served, while the main course is buffet style).
21h30/21h00 - Coffee and liqueurs served at the camp fire.

ELECTRICITY & WATER 
- Camp has 220v generator-powered electricity with batteries and inverters which provide 220v power. 
- Video camera batteries can be charged 
- Water for showers etc is heated by chip boilers (wood) 

DRINKS POLICY
All local drinks beers, wines and mineral water are included in the nightly tariff, with the exception of imported wines and champagne.

LAUNDRY POLICY
Laundry service is included in the nightly tariff.

EXTRAS PAYMENT
Payment for Curios can be made direct at the curio shop, using cash, travellers' cheques.
Tips/Gratuities can be made direct to the guides or to management for the junior staff.
Please be advised that Zimbabwe regulations require non-Zimbabwean residents to settle hotel extras accounts in foreign currency, unless proof of exchange in the form of an official receipt from a registered bank is presented.

FLYING/DRIVING TIMES
Flight from Kariba to Mana Pools airstrip - 25-30 minutes
Mana West airstrip is about ten minutes drive from Ruckomechi Camp.

AIR STRIP DETAILS
There is another airstrip in the Zambezi Valley called Ruchomeshi. This should not be confused with the new one. For this reason, the new airstrip is called MANA WEST
Length: 900 metres long
Coordinates: S 15.50.12, E 29.10.5
Can take 210s and Caravans