Mana Pools & Hwange Safari

Introduction
Mana Pools Zimbabwe
Embark on one of the most adventurous safaris on the African continent!
Activities include riding, canoeing, game drives and walks, exploring two of the most famous National Parks in Zimbabwe: Hwange and Mana Pools National Park. You will end this trip by an overnight in the magnificent Victoria Falls.

There is a saying in Africa - that Africa gets into your blood once you have been on safari. Well, it’s worse than that when you go on a horse safari; you are hooked for life. You most certainly will never look at game drives again with the same excitement - longing for the peace, quiet and natural way of being on a horse around wildlife. Now add into that mix canoeing and walking safari in one of the wildest places on earth, Mana Pools National Park, and you have the penultimate adventure safari for riders.

Accomodation


Accommodations
This is a progressive ride so nights are spent in different locations.

Description
Accommodation on this safari includes 5 nights “in the Hwange bush” at semi-mobile camps, 2 nights at the permanent Iganyana Tented Camp, 3 nights at a bush camp in Mana Pools and ending with 1 night at Bayete Lodge in Victoria Falls.
Hwange and Mana Pools are protected National Park areas and therefore the bush camps where we stay here have no electricity, no plumbing, and no permanent structures.
There are no fences or barriers at most of the camps (Hwange National Park is home to a healthy lion population so security is provided by a working electric fence surrounding the encampment at night) as these are wildlife zones so any wildlife can be moving through. A safety briefing will be done by the Professional Guide at the camps.

There is limited WiFi at Iganyana and none at all in the National Park, nor any mobile-phone service in the Park.

We are limited with transport options and thus must reduce the amount of kit we carry. Therefore please note that guests will use shared long drop toilets and hot bucket showers.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1-2: Iganyana Private Tented Camp
Night 2-4: Camp Dopi or Camp Baikiaea (semi-mobile bush camps) in Hwange National Park
Night 5-6: Camp Vachellia or Camp Kennedy (semi-mobile bush camps) in Hwange National Park
Night 7: Iganyana Private Tented Camp
Night 8-10: Camp Zambezi in Mana Pools National Park

Iganyana Private Tented Camp
This is a private bush camp lies on the border of Hwange National Park. The 15 guest tents form an arc, each tent with a view over an ancient, long-dry riverbed. The large, tented rooms are elegantly furnished with lovingly restored antiques and locally crafted wooden furniture. All rooms accommodate king or twin bed configuration. Each tent features en-suite bathroom with shower and toilet, separate dressing area, a mini-lounge and a tea-coffee station. Glass sliding doors lead from the bedroom onto a private veranda. Air-conditioning and electricity ensure your room is always bright, cool and comfortable.
On an elevated wooden deck, you will find an outdoor pool overlooking the waterhole just a stone's throw away.

Camp Zambezi
This static camp offers rustic luxury set up on the bank of the mighty Zambezi River. It features walk-in mosquito-proofed tents with en-suite chemical toilet, external long-drop toilets, hot showers and a dining area next to the fire where iced drinks and sumptuous bush-prepared meals will be served.

Room Occupancy
Single supplement is mandatory in case we are unable to find you a roommate.



Meals
All meals are included in your program except for dinner in Victoria Falls.

Water at camps is borehole water that is filtered and very clean and safe to drink.


Dietary Restrictions
Vegetarians, vegans, gluten/lactose intolerant, celiac disease, etc. can be catered for IF all information about the diets and needs are received in time. Please, note that not all highly specific foods for these very specific diets are available in Zimbabwe so it is VERY important to be notified very well in advance (i.e. at least a couple of months) about any dietary requirements of food allergies.
It is easy to prepare meals without certain foods i.e. red meat, chicken, tomatoes, onions, peanuts, shellfish, etc., but not always easy to supplement with highly specific items found in many specialist food stores in Developed countries.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Riding Level
Strong intermediate to advanced riding skill required. Being a confident rider with being riding fit is a big advantage.
This ride is for experienced riders that are comfortable at all paces as we will be riding in a Big Game Area, logs to jump (nothing serious) rough ground to navigate and trees to avoid!

Weight Limit
Our normal weight limit is 90kg. However, we might be able to accommodate experienced riders up to 95kg - please enquire.

Age Restriction
The minimum age to join this safari is 14 years old. Younger competent riders traveling with family might be able to join (please enquire).

Staff
Each riding safari is led by a Professional Guide and supported by a Learner Guide/Back up Rider/guide. In Mana there will also be a professional guide. First Aid Kit and Satellite Phone carried at all times.

Horses
Our experienced bush savvy well cared for and loved safari horses make the perfect companions for your Zimbabwean Adventure. We prefer cross-breed horses for their stamina and athleticism, and breeds include Boerpeds, Shire X, Friesian X and Thoroughbreds. Heights range from 15-16.3 hh.
Our horses have been specially selected for their job suitability, skills and temperaments to take you on safari. Every horse is very special to us, and they are not only the core aspect of our business but part of our family! We personally train and ride all our horses and they are super-responsive, friendly, obedient, loving and happy animals.
Currently we have a team of 26 horses ranging from experienced bush horses to green-backed youngsters. They are predominantly geldings, with a few foundation mares that we shall breed from in the future.
Our team of grooms have been trained in natural horsemanship methods to develop a rapport with the horses and ensure they are fit and surefooted.

Tack
Tack is of an excellent quality to ensure our clients utmost comfort and include Leon Liversage Trail Master Saddles handmade in South Africa, Australian Stock Saddles and Wintec English Saddles. These trails saddles are very comfortable for most horses backs and also for the riders for long hours in the saddle.
Most horses are ridden in a Snaffle bit.
Water bottle pouches and built in saddle bags on our numnahs provide ample space to carry day kit.

Insurance
It is a requirement and pre-requisite that guests must have purchased fully comprehensive accident and emergency evacuation insurance coverage.

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

This is representative of what the itinerary will be like. Many factors will influence the day to day order of these rides. Weather conditions (cold, heat, rain, cloud, etc.), wildlife activity and movements, rider abilities and interests, climatic conditions (i.e. good wet season or very dry conditions), logistics, and many other factors will determine how the riding and other activities will be conducted. The guide will always ensure to maximise the wildlife experience.

Being bush camps it is likely to encounter animals such as elephants, buffalo, lion, hyena, baboon, snakes, spiders, scorpions, mosquitoes, flies, and many other types of insects in these natural bush locations. No guest should be surprised that these creatures exist as part of the daily experience of being in the Zimbabwean wilds.


Day 1: Arrival
Arrival at Victoria Falls Airport, meet and greet by a road transfer company, followed by a two-hour drive to Iganyana Private Tented Camp.
Afternoon high tea, briefing, intro to the horses, and then onto the horses for a short ride.
Back to camp, sundowners, showers, dinner, and peaceful sleep under canvas.
Meals included: Afternoon high tea & Dinner
Overnight at Iganyana Private Tented Camp

Day 2: Caterpillar waterhole
Rise and shine with early morning Tea and coffee and
a light breakfast. Today we will explore the Dete Vlei and surrounds on Horseback. More time to adapt to our riding style in the bush, the tack and horses. Any changes required will be done on this day. We may ride for the whole day or we may ride in the morning for 3 to 4 hours and again in the afternoon for a shorter ride. This evening we return to Iganyana Wild for our second night.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Iganyana Private Tented Camp

Day 3: Hwange National Park
Guests’ early morning wake up, tea and coffee around the campfire, pack, breakfast and game drive to Main Camp in Hwange National Park. This is only a short drive of half an hour to perhaps an hour depending on sightings of wildlife. Check-in and payments at the Tourism office, then mount up and ride into the park, or game drive deeper into the park, meet the horses and ride to the campsite. Overnight with sundowners, hot showers, and dining under the stars.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Camp Dopi or Camp Baikiaea

Day 4: Hwange National Park
Another early morning start – of which time does vary according to the seasons (mid-year being very cold thus starts around 06h30 - October, November, and December being very hot days means wake up calls at 04h30 being required).
We ride out to explore the area again. There are no set routes and the ride is conducted according to what sounds were heard during the night, animal tracks, weather conditions, and many other factors.
The day may be a half-day or a full day out with a picnic lunch near a waterhole for wildlife viewing. If lunch is at camp, then it is also an opportunity in the afternoon to do a safari walk or drive.
There are a few other waterholes that are worth visiting if guests have good cameras and lenses or are interested in birding.
Also, the guide may decide that an early morning walk or drive is going to be better and may then switch the order of the day to a non-riding activity in the morning and a ride in the afternoon.
This also depends on the need for horses to rest before a long day tomorrow.
Whatever happens, there will be cold drinks around the campfire and a hearty dinner in camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Camp Dopi or Camp Baikiaea

Day 5: Ride to Kennedy Camp
Today we ride for a full day out to Kennedy Camp. This is a ride of approximately 30 or so km. It will be through teak and acacia woodlands, passing waterholes which may or may not have water in, with a picnic lunch on route.
Arrive late afternoon to Camp Vachellia, settle in with sundowners, and welcome hot showers followed by yet again a delicious dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Camp Vachellia or Camp Kennedy

Day 6: Kennedy Vlei
This day will be spent in the Kennedy 2 area of the Park in some very beautiful Acacia groves. The camp is set along the Kennedy Vlei which is a renowned area for wildlife viewing.
Options here are riding, walking, or a safari drive in the morning. Much will again be dependent on possible wildlife sightings and activity and time of year as to what riding we will do.
A good option is to take a drive to the Ngweshla area not far from Vachellia as it is generally a very productive wildlife area.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Camp Vachellia or Camp Kennedy

Day 7: Last Ride
Final early morning wake up to enjoy the dawn in the African bush around the fire. After a light breakfast, onto the horses for a 14 to 25km ride (dependent on the time of year and early morning wildlife activity) to a point where the horse truck will meet us. There we will end the ride, load the horses, and have a safari drive out of the Park back to Iganyana for the night.
Sundowners will be a special affair reminiscing upon the past few days of being in the real African bush on fine steads enjoying the wildlife and big spaces.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Iganyana Private Tented Camp

Day 8: Transfer to Mana Pools National Park
All good things must come to an end and today is your final day in Hwange. After a leisurely breakfast, sad and often teary goodbyes are said to new-found friends and of course the fantastic horses.
Then, fly by air-charter into Mana Pools National Park where you will be met by your guide with ice cold drinks. You will then embark on a half hour drive through Jesse bush and Mopane Woodlands to first sign in at the Nyamepi office of the National Park. Then back onto the safari vehicle and drive through the incredible woodlands of Mana Pools to Camp Zambezi arriving in time for lunch.
You may, by then, already have met a few of your new neighbors - elephant, kudu, zebra, impala and many birds! A mobile tented camp will have been set up by the camp staff and our chef will have prepared a delicious lunch to give you strength for the first afternoon’s walk - a familiarization walk to see the lay of the land and to learn the rules of walking in big game territory.
Then back to camp for sundowners, a hot (or cold if you prefer) shower, and a fine dinner. Although tempting to stay awake to listen to the neighbors going about their nightly activities, but the beds are very comfortable and warm so it may be difficult to stay awake!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Camp Zambezi

Day 9: Mana Pools National Park
To make the most of your day we suggest an early morning wake up. The hand basins outside each tent are filled with hot water before first light to allow you to shave or freshen up. Enjoy a beautiful sunrise before a light breakfast will be served with tea and freshly brewed coffee.
After breakfast, set off on your morning’s activity. You may take to the river for the day (or morning), go by vehicle or on foot to explore the National Park. Whether you opt for land or water activities, half or full day, you can be assured of incredible experiences.
The guide will carry a weapon, a first aid kit, a packed lunch and extra water. Clients may carry extra personal water and personal items for the day.
Finally, back to camp for the night where a wonderful meal, hot shower, and cold drinks await you.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Camp Zambezi

Day 10: Mana Pools National Park
Another day along the lines of the previous day - the choices are yours to make the most of this amazing spot.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Camp Zambezi

Day 11: Transfer to Victoria Falls
Depending upon the guests' time of departure, you may either take another early walk before breakfast or have a bit of a sleep in! After that, there will be a short game drive to the airstrip where we bid you farewell before your charter flight to Victoria Falls!
Meals included: Breakfast


Non-Riders
Non riding companions are welcome to join this trip (same rates as riders). Please inquire for non-riding activities.

Rates and Dates for Mana Pools & Hwange Safari

Dates Note: * minimum 4 pax between December 1st to March 31st

Other Info
Meeting: Victoria Falls Airport
Airport: Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA)
Transfer: Victoria Falls Airport

Climate:
                                            Victoria Falls area