Wilderness Ruckomechi
Wilderness Ruckomechi offers a luxury tented experience in a private concession at the western edge of Mana Pools National Park.
Wilderness Ruckomechi is set in a grove of mahogany and albida trees and lies on the banks of the mighty Zambezi within its own private concession on the western edge of Mana Pools National Park. The camp will have broad appeal, offering a wide range of activities with great guiding in an exclusive area which is very good for wildlife. The excellent wildlife experience combines with super hospitality, luxurious tented accommodation and beautiful views of the river, to create a first class safari experience both in and out of camp. The camp is a little larger than other options in the park, so for those looking for a more intimate experience, sister camp Little Ruckomechi may suit better.
Rooms
Up to 24 guests are accommodated in 10 luxury tents (including two family units) all of which are built on low wooden decks, sited either side of the central areas. The spacious tents have a landscape aspect and are luxuriously furnished with a sofa and coffee table, twin or double beds, a writing desk and wardrobe. The semi-open plan en suite comprises a double vanity, flush toilet and shower. All of the tents face the river and have large gauze windows to make the most of the view and a small verandah to one side with a couple of safari chairs. Both family units have a second smaller en suite bedroom which is accessed through a drop down canvas blind that may be zipped closed if need be.
Central Areas
The central areas of the camp comprise two tents, one housing the lounge and bar and the second for indoor dining. The tents lead out onto an extensive deck where meals are often served. There is also a small swimming pool with sun loungers and a private outdoor bath where guests are able enjoy a bubble bath with a view!
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. There is also the opportunity to spend the night under the stars on a sleep out deck which overlooks Parachute Pan. The deck is furnished with a double bed under mosquito net, two armchairs, a flush toilet and wash basin. Guests are generally transferred to the deck from camp after dinner and back to camp for breakfast, but meals on the deck can also be arranged if requested in advance.
Seasons
Wilderness Ruckomechi is open from April to November, though game viewing conditions will be best from July to October.
Children from six years of age are accepted and the camp caters well for families with two dedicated family units accommodating parents and children under one roof. The camp is adept at designing activities for children and a Bush Buddy service is available for children up to the age of 12 on prior request. That said, the camp is not fenced and big game does wander through the camp and so we feel the destination naturally lends itself to families travelling with older children.
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.
