As one of only a handful of lodges scattered around Mana Pools National Park, Little Ruckomechi offers a true wilderness experience within the pristine Zambezi Valley and is ideal for adventure seekers looking to have plenty of this corner of northern Zimbabwe all to themselves. Mana Pools remains largely under-explored despite its abundant wildlife and beautifully diverse landscapes.

Located within the private Ruckomechi Concession, Little Ruckomechi is set close to the life-giving Zambezi River under the shade of overhanging ana trees – a favourite delicacy among elephants who love their protein-rich pods. This tented lodge is exclusive and luxurious, sporting an open-air design, a calming safari colour palate, rich natural textures and beautiful, local décor pieces.

Explore the grassy floodplains, woodlands and riverine forests of Mana Pools on game drives, birding expeditions, river cruises, canoeing safaris and guided nature walks. ‘Mana’ translates to ‘four’ in the local Shona language and refers to the four main pools that hold water throughout the dry season. These essential water sources along with the perennial Zambezi River support wildlife in the area, which makes for good year-round game viewing.

See plains animals like zebra, kudu, impala and waterbuck and top predators like lion, wild dog, leopard and cheetah. Elephants and buffalo are most often spotted enjoying the river, while the grunting of hippos can be heard throughout the day. The carmine bee-eater is the region’s flagship bird species, and you can also spot African fish eagles, pearl-spotted owlets, black herons, African skimmers and perhaps even the elusive Pel’s fishing owl.

Highlights

• Pristine & remote location
• Varied natural landscapes
• Excellent bird-watching
• Canoeing safaris

Activities

• DAY TOURS
• BIRD WATCHING
• FISHING
• GAME DRIVES
• GUIDED WALKS
• RIVER CRUISES

The newest addition to Mana Pools, Little Ruckomechi is the sister property to Ruckomechi and offers an intimate homey experience with only 3 canvas tented rooms. It is located in a concession and thus offers an exclusive safari experience with a variety of activities.

Rooms

Canvas Twin Tent

Each luxury tented camp has an en suite bathroom and a private deck overlooking the Zambian foothills. After retiring for the day, your deck is the perfect spot to unwind, and spend tranquil evenings taking in the sights and sounds of the wilderness. Retire to a comfortable bed with luxurious linens and listen for the distant roar of lions as you drift off to sleep.

Facilities

At the main lodge, there is an intimate dining room, a comfortable sitting room and a plunge pool all looking out over the Zambezi River. Little Ruckomechi is solar-powered but due to its location, there are no Wi-Fi facilities, allowing you to switch off completely. As a small and intimate camp in pristine surroundings, Little Ruckomechi is conscious of placing as little impact on the environment as possible and keeping guest numbers low, ensuring an intimate and eco-friendly experience.

Dining

Sample the best local produce that Zimbabwe has to offer, presented in a good mix of both international favourites and delectable dishes from Southern Africa. Sundowner drinks and ‘bush’ meals are often enjoyed away from the lodge, in beautiful wilderness settings. At the lodge dining area meals are taken together at a communal table.