Wilderness Little Ruckomechi
Wilderness Little Ruckomechi offers an intimate and exclusive tented experience in a private concession at the western edge of Mana Pools National Park.
Wilderness Little Ruckomechi is the little sister to Ruckomechi and has a similar setting in a grove of mahogany trees on the banks of the mighty Zambezi within a private concession on the western edge of Mana Pools National Park. Like its sister, it offers a wide range of activities with great guiding in an exclusive area which is very good for big game as well as birding. However, with just three tents, the camp offers a very intimate experience in a camp that is upmarket but still retains an authentic bush feel. The staff are very friendly with excellent service and food.
Rooms
The camp has just three guest tents constructed of timber, reed and canvas, with large gauze windows on three sides, making guests feel as if they are in the heart of the bush. The bedroom area includes twin or double beds under a mosquito net, and behind the bed is a dressing area and double vanity unit which leads to an open plan shower. There is a separate flush toilet. Amenities include ceiling fans, tea/coffee facilities and international charging points. Each tent has a comfortably furnished deck with views of the river.
Central Areas
Sandy paths lead from the guest tents to the central areas of the camp. The comfortable lounge, bar and indoor dining areas of the camp are located under two large canvas shades built over low timber decks which lead down to the campfire and outdoor dining area (where most meals are served when the weather permits). There is also a small plunge pool.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for Charging – Yes
Swimming Pool – Yes
Habitat & Wildlife
Mana Pools National Park, a World Heritage Site, is a beautiful wilderness area, in northern Zimbabwe where the floodplains of the mighty Zambezi, wooded with acacia and mahogany trees, stretch out on either side of the river.
During the dry season, the floodplains teem with a wide variety of wildlife and birdlife. Herds of elephant, buffalo, kudu, eland, and waterbuck graze the sweet grasses or browse on the tasty albida pods. Lion and sable rest in the shade of the giant figs. Fringing the floodplains, the thick ‘Jesse’ bush shelters the shy creatures such as leopard, honey badger, nyala and bushbuck. Wild dog roam through the area, and crocodiles bask in the shallows, awaiting their chance of a meal when the animals report to quench their thirst. Hippo are everywhere. During the late season (late August onwards), both white fronted and carmine bee-eaters nest in the banks of the rivers providing a colourful spectacle complete the impressive list of birds to be seen.
Activities
Game viewing activities include morning and afternoon game drives in open 4×4 vehicles with the afternoon game drive returning to the lodge after dark using a spotlight to spot nocturnal species. Guided walking safaris, canoeing on the Zambezi (although we do not recommend canoeing along the Mana Pools shoreline due to safety concerns, as hippo and crocs have been known to be aggressive towards canoes), sunset river cruises and casual fishing are also available.
Seasons
Wilderness Little Ruckomechi is open from April to November, though game viewing conditions will be best from July to October.
The camp welcomes children 13 years and older (or younger if the camp is booked exclusively) and due to the fact that there is no specific family accommodation, the camp is not fenced and big game does wander through the camp we feel the destination naturally lends itself to families travelling with older children. The camp would be particularly suitable for a family group looking for an exclusive adventure and booking the camp for sole use.
Wilderness Safaris has established two non-profit organisations to achieve their mission of protecting and expanding Africa’s wilderness through conservation and community empowerment.
Children in the Wilderness focuses on the children from villages close to the remote areas in which Wilderness Safaris operates, providing environmental education and awareness and training them in the life skills needed to care for and nurture their natural surroundings. Some of these programmes include operating annual camps for up to 30 children at a time in their lodges, running regular Eco-Clubs in rural schools, and Youth Environmental Stewardship (YES) which mentors particular children who have shown a strong interest in their environment and scholarship programmes for primary, secondary and tertiary education.
The Wilderness Wildlife Trust is involved in conservation, anti-poaching, community empowerment and education. In Zimbabwe the Trust has initiated the Hwange Elephant Movement Study which aims to gain a better understanding of elephant movements and habitat use in the park, which has a particularly high elephant density. The Trust has also set up the Scorpion Anti-Poaching Unit in Hwange National Park in order to provide manpower and resources to assist Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to reduce levels of poaching within the Park.
Wilderness Safaris also offers its guests the option to bring a donation of supplies in partnership with Pack for a Purpose where guests may use the empty space in their suitcases for donations of much needed supplies for supported projects.
