Ruckomechi Camp, along with its smaller and more intimate sister Little Ruckomechi, are the real luxury offerings in Mana Pools. They both sit on the western edge of the national park in their own excellent private reserve which gives them licence to operate some activities that are not possible within the National Park boundaries. Ruckomechi Camp is owned and managed by Wilderness safaris who are one of Africa's top safari operators and conservationists and who work very hard at delivering high levels of service across the board. In both Ruckomechi and Little Ruckomechi this is very evident. Given the opulent nature and style of the camps it can be said that the real "Mana pools" experience of raw untamed wilderness is perhaps somewhat lost, but that should not be perceived as a negative because the raw unadulterated safari that can be had in Mana Pools is not for everyone. All in all this high end camp is wonderful and the draw of being able to go out on a boat on the Zambezi River, which is only possible at Ruckomechi and Little Ruckomechi, make it hard to overlook as the choice of camp or at least in combination with another camp more inland or on the shores of the national park itself.

Ruckomechi Camp at a glance

• Location: in a private concession adjacent to the western boundary of Mana Pools
• Setting: overlooks a floodplain, the Zambezi River and the Zambian Escarpment. On the opposite bank of the river (in Zambia) there are some small villages which are home to subsistence farmers. Depending on wind direction one may hear the sounds of every day village life
• Accommodation: 10 spacious canvas units, 2 of which are 2 bedroom family units. Well laid out and attractively furnished each unit has floor to ceiling gauze panels which can be unzipped to let the outside in. There is a covered deck, sitting area with sofa and table, wooden floor, dressing table with charging station (no hairdryer), free standing fan and mosquito net. A screen and wardrobe separates the bedroom from the bathroom with its double vanity, w.c. and shower, which when the front panel is unzipped becomes an indoor/outdoor shower. Blending effortlessly into its surrounds the colour scheme of cream, teal and pops of blue is calming and peaceful
• Guest areas: set under the shade of age old mahogany and acacia trees is a large outdoor dining deck, an indoor dining area, a separate lounge with small bar and a sunken fire pit cum star gazing deck. A few steps away is an infinity pool with loungers and a (secluded) outdoor bath with a 'view'. Elephants frequently wander through camp and often hang around the dining deck
• Activities: take place within Ruckomech in a private concession and include day and night game drives, walking, sunset river cruises, catch-and-release fishing (from the river bank or by boat) and canoeing. As the concession is adjacent to Mana Pools it is the only camp to offer motor boat excursions. If guests want to explore deeper into Mana Pools they need to book a private vehicle
• Sleep out: at Parachute Pan which is a wooden deck set high up in the branches of a massive rain-tree overlooking an open vlei area
• Children: minimum age 6 years. Children up to 16 years must share with an adult/s. Families with children between 6 - 12 years must book and pay for private activities. Minimum age for walking is 13 years and 16 years for canoeing