Read 3 traveller reviews of Ruckomechi Camp

Ruckomechi Camp (Sometimes seen spelled 'Rukomechi', or even 'Ruckomenchi') spans nearly a kilometre of riverine forest in a private concession in the north west corner of Mana Pools National Park. The scenery surrounding the camp is remarkable: the vast Zambezi River, on its way towards the Cahora Bassa Dam, flows in front of a backdrop of the mountains of the Zambezi Escarpment, which rise up in neighbouring Zambia. This scenic location coupled with a high concentration of large game such as elephant and buffalo makes Ruckomechi a great photographic destination.

Ruckomechi Camp contains ten large tented chalets all situated on the river front. One long side of each chalet has views of the surrounding bush and river. Two of these chalets are honeymoon suites while another forms a family chalet – which has an extra bedroom and toilet. Each large chalet has a canvas ceiling and walls, and insect-mesh windows which allow a breeze through. During cold periods, outer canvas flaps can be rolled down to keep heat in and rain out. The chalets are tastefully decorated with local art and decorative styles adorning the walls and tables.

Central to each chalet at Ruckomechi is a large dividing wall between the bedroom and the bathroom constructed from steel mesh cages filled with river-pebbles and rocks. Set into this is storage space for luggage, a small wardrobe and some shelves. This is a unique feature, very appropriate for the riverside location. Keeping with the stone and rock theme of the lodge, each chalet has smooth concrete floors inlaid with decorative river-pebbles.

Each chalet has a writing table; a very comfortable leather chair, great for whiling away time a good book; a free-standing fan; and bedside lamps using low-energy LED light bulbs.

All of the chalets at Ruckomechi Camp have en-suite bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers (hot and cold) while the honeymoon suites each have an outside bath too. The indoor bathrooms are large and open-plan, with 'wet-room' style walk-in showers and copper wash basins in the shape of a mokoro (a local canoe). One side of each bathroom has big mesh windows, with views of the wide Zambezi River.

At the front of each chalet, accessed through two large French doors, is a wooden veranda - on which you'll find a couple of comfortable fold-up chairs and a good sized table. To the side of this is the chalet's own solar-power unit. This provides electricity and also heats the water.

All ten of the chalets at Ruckomechi are connected to the communal main area at the centre of camp by wooden walkways. Here guests will finda dining room with a large dining table where evening meals are often taken. There is also a bar, a library and a relaxed lounge from where the view of the escarpment can really be appreciated. Ruckomechi's main area is very airy and open and again, through the use of local materials, really blends in well with its surroundings.

Due to recent heavy rains, on our last visit to Ruckomechi the infinity pool was out of action (the pump supplying the pool was submerged underneath the Zambezi). There are also a few sun loungers and a couple of hammocks to relax in around the pool too.

A focal point of the camp's main area is a wooden platform which juts out into the river from the deck area in front of camp – reminiscent of a tiny pier. This has a circle of comfortable chairs, and is a great place to watch the sun set, or indulging in after-dinner star-gazing.
Safari activities offered at Ruckomechi include boating, walking and driving.

Motorised pontoons and motor boats are used for Zambezi river trips, sun-downer cruises and catch-and-release fishing trips (guests will need to supply their own equipment for this particular activity however); short 3-4-hour canoeing trips are also possible in Canadian-style canoes.

Walking safaris and short nature walks are also offered here, all led by highly-qualified walking guides holding 'Zim Pro' licences.

4WD game drives are offered in the morning and afternoon – all on the camp's own private concession. It's important to understand where this is. Ruckomechi has a private concession which extends for a radius of 5km from the confluence of the (often dry) Rukomechi with the great Zambezi River; it covers a little under 40km² of land. This is bisected by the Rukomechi River and the eastern half of this concession is within Mana Pools National Park; the western side lies in Hurungwe Safari Area.

This is a lovely concession, with plenty to explore in a few days' drives. However, note that the normal game drives do not go far east, into the main area of the national park which is famous for its long pools, forests and high densities of game.

Guests who find this restriction frustrating can, in theory, explore beyond the camp's own private concession by arranging to hire a private vehicle from the camp (at a cost of around U$400, plus U$20 per person park fees). However, we recommend that this is done in advance, as previous travellers have found this impossible to arrange on the ground.

In conclusion… Ruckomechi Camp has a fantastic location on the banks of the Zambezi River. It takes full advantage of this by offering a varied array of water activities. The camp's walks and drives are also excellent – led by highly-qualified guides – although the drives are generally restricted to the camp's own private concession. This precludes game drives from visiting the vast majority of the national park's riverine areas – and hence some of the most interesting parts of this world heritage site.

Lodge overview

Lodge type: Safari

No. of bedrooms: 10 tented chalets

Season: May to Mid-November

Ideal length of stay: 2-3 nights would be ideal at Ruckomechi. It combines well with canoe safaris along the Zambezi, and could also be combined with one of the camps further east in the national park, or even Kanga Camp which is far from the river.

Geographics

Location: Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

Directions: Ruckomechi can be reached by light aircraft from Harare – or on a road/boat transfer from Lusaka or Victoria Falls.

Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Key personnel

Owner: Wilderness

Staff: Graeme Sharp

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Food quality: On our last visit to Ruckomechi the food was really good. A typical day's dining may look something like: - A light breakfast of cereals and fruit prior to the morning game drive before returning for a full brunch in the late morning. - Tea in the late afternoon may consist of sweet milk tarts with tea and coffee or savoury onion tartlets with iced tea. - Dinner would begin perhaps with a butternut soup followed by a roast fillet of beef with a green bean salad with a baked peach cheese cake for dessert.

Dining style: Group Meals

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Room service: No

Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included

Drinks included: Yes drinks are usually included at Ruckomechi (although some specials are available which do not include drinks)

Special interests

Photographic: Beside Mana Pools National Park, Ruckomechi Camp has some excellent game and a particularly scenic backdrop. The park's elephants are generally very relaxed, and often in camp itself; whilst generally stable boat trips give good opportunities for photographing water-birds, river-life and close-ups of big game on the islands. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for photographic in Zimbabwe

Children

Attitude towards children: The camp doesn't accept children under 6 years old, however for exclusive camp bookings of the entire lodge this rule is relaxed somewhat.

Generally recommended for children: <Expert Africa doesn't recommend Ruckomechi Camp for children under the age of about 16; there is very little to entertain youngsters in between guided safari activities.

Notes: This is a very open safari camp and dangerous game is likely to pass through. Children must be under a parent's supervision at all times.

Central communications

Communications: There are no reliable means of communication for guests at Ruckomechi. The Lodge does have a satellite phone and e-mail for use in an emergency. (In fact, one or two parts of the camp – notably chalet #1 – can often get a mobile phone signal from a transmitter in Zambia.)

TV & radio: None

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Medical care: On our last visit to Ruckomechi the camp had an on-site nurse and all senior staff were trained in first-aid.

Dangerous animals: High Risk

Security measures: Guides will escort guests to and from their chalets at night.

Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers beside every outside shower.

Extras

Disabled access: On Request

Laundry facilities: Laundry at Ruckomechi is complimentary and done daily.

Money: There are no safes in the rooms at Ruckomechi but there is a safe in the main office.

Accepted payment: Ruckomechi only accepts cash. There are no facilities to accommodate payment by card.

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