Natureways Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 1987)
- Member Of:
- ZTA & SOAZ
- Tour Types:
- Budget & mid-range canoe safaris
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $286 to $500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email John C | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
An amazing experience
The tour was booked for us so we didn't have any direct contact with the office although I have contacted them since and have been impressed with the prompt reply. Our tour started and finished at the Zambia/Zimbabwe border and transfers were in place as promised and efficient.
We did the 'Tamarind' 3 day canoe safari. It was an amazing unforgettable experience from beginning to end. We travelled off season and I think this worked in our favour. The group was smaller as a result, in our case there was only us with our two guides so the full VIP treatment. During the three days we canoed at a lovely leisurely pace and we didn't see any other canoes at all during that time. We did see a little game on the riverbanks including an unforgettable herd of elephants washing and playing in the river. The guides were able to control our boats to maximise the viewing experience , it was amazing.
Our nights were spent on islands with nobody else around. We slept in open dome tents with the stars as our backdrop and the noise of the wild as our soundtrack. During the day we would stop for regular breaks and have a lunchtime siesta to avoid the heat. We were visited by a Bull Elephant during one of these stops and he was so close. It was a real privilege to be so close.
We were lucky as we had 'The Dream Team' as guides, Norman and Takesure. We certainly made them earn their money. They answered our never ending questions showing real depth in knowledge. They were good fun, very capable and Takesure's cooking was superb. How he managed to cook such a variety of tasty and healthy food using basic equipment is beyond me but we loved it all. We've now learnt all about the star constellations which are so clear due to no light pollution and we were gazing up at them whilst drinking our bottle of wine that was provided with our meal (nice wine which was a pleasant surprise). We finished our trip at Mana Pools and stayed there for our last night. This wasn't as private but the next morning we got a game drive and saw a pack of Wild Dogs which is quite a rare sighting, very happy with that. We would recommend this trip to anybody, it was wonderful.
AT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a Lifttime Experience
We had a wonderful trip 10 day canoe tour on the Zambezi - and we did survive all the hippos and crocodiles. ; )
Norman and Takesure are really great guides and we enjoyed the time with them very much, staying on beautiful islands, watching amazing sunsets, listening to the sounds of wildlife, watching game and elephants (also a cheeta and a leopard)... It was really an exciting and adventurous trip and T.K. continued the lessons in naming the stars that James has started.
Before we started traveling we were well well informed by Kelly-Ann about the the Safari and all necessary preparations, things to bring and so on.
CA
Email Margaret | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
We enjoyed a wonderful few days with Natureways in the Mana Pools area of Zimbabwe. The guides were excellent - very knowledgeable, respectful of the animals and accommodating. We saw and learned so much on the driving and walking safaris. I admit to being nervous the afternoon we went in the canoe. The food was very good. It would be nice if they could have LED lights in the tents.
CA
Email Susan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A wonderful experience, one that I would gladly repeat.
This was one of the best adventures that I have had. The trip was well organized, the guides knowledgeable and the exposure to wildlife and birds truly breathtaking. I would recommend this trip to anyone wanting a true African Adventure.
CA
Email Dan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Professional company with professional guides
I'll be honest, if the information on the internet had said that we would be canoeing on a gigantic river with thousands of hippos, we probably would not have booked this trip. And that would have been a shame. Despite the fact that the safari was not what we were expecting does not mean we did not have a great adventure! We expected quiet waterways and seeing game up close. Well we DID see tons of game but there was nothing quiet about paddling the immensely wide Zambezi, zig-zagging around hippos. It certainly got the adrenaline going! Nevertheless, our favourite moments were when we arrived at our island for the night and set up camp as the sun was going down. We would then have a sundowner, help with supper, and chat quietly for a while. At night we would listen to lions roar, hippos call to each other, and elephants walking around our camp, eating with contentment. This was all done while lying on our backs in the tent, looking at the stars. Perfect! Thanks for a great, if unexpected, adventure!
PG
Email Fiona Speedy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our experience was excellent; the guides; meals & accommodation; care & attention; very professional
Having never been on a Safari before we didn't know what to expect other than what our printed material told us. We were therefore impressed with the high standard of care and attention from all Natureways personnel; from the guides to the driver to the 'in-camp' personnel who were all very professional and courteous. The actual amount of wildlife we saw and the knowledge we acquired from the Safari itself was a little over-whelming so we started taking notes! Our Natureway Safaris is so good we are planning another. Congratulations to Natureways Safaris.
Great Guides, Great Crew and a Perfect Vacation with Natureways Safaris
My friend and I recently did the Odyssey Safari 6-night Package with Natureways. We canoed with Craig and Elijah for 2 days, and stayed at Camp Zambezi for 3 more days. It was my first time canoeing in long distance and Craig and Elijah made sure that everything was calm and safe for me. They were very attentive and protective. The trip itself was also very educational as I learned so much about wild animals and their behaviors, plants, flowers, birds, trees, soil, and African culture. The four of us chatted every night at dinner about world cultures and exchanged thoughts and points of view. We had an amazing crew and not only did they cook delicious meals every day, they also went out of their way and baked us a cake and got us a bottle of Amarula! The crew was polite, efficient, punctual and effective and under the great leadership of Craig and Elijah. I especially enjoyed our daily walk in the wilderness to track down animals based on their footprints, and getting up close and personal with lions and elephants! The most amazing thing was that the whole trip made me rethink about my role as a human being with nature and animals, and what I can to do to support and protect our ecosystem. This realization couldn't have happened without this amazing educational trip given by Natureways Safari. Thank you guys! You rock!
HK
Email Petra | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mind-blowing experience provided by Natureway Safaris
Having traveled extensively, it becomes more and more difficult to still find the WOW-factor. I also didn't know what to expect when I boarded the plane from Hong Kong to meet my friend from NY in Zimbabwe for what turns out to be an unforgettable, mind blowing adventure.
First stop in Zimbabwe was Victoria Falls to run the marathon there and then we transferred in our own little jet (aka a 4-seater Cessna) to Mana Pools National Park. We were picked up from the airstrip by Natureway's guide Craig and team leader Elijah; the welcome committee at the camp was assisted by a young elephant bull nibbling on tree leaves.
We were blown away by the beauty of nature - the escarpment side by side with the grand Zambezi river, being home and playing ground for manifold and rich wildlife.
Natureway's team provided excellent and very personal, friendly and attentive service, topped by the extreme wealth of knowledge of our two guides Craig and Elijah about the fauna & flora at Mana Pools National Park. I loved every minute of canoeing down the river and being on the educative and exciting walking safaris.
Living in a hectic, fast paced and always connected city, the moments of pure silence on the river and the encounters with wildlife were providing the long missed feeling of being connected to Mother Earth and feeling grounded again.
Simply superb! One of the best holidays in a long time ... I will miss the nightly Hippo symphony, I will miss Mama Africa!
Thank you, Natureways Safari, for providing this experience and for having such a passionate and professional team! You more than exceeded expectations ....!! Keep up the good work.
CH
Email Scott | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fantastic experience with Natureways
My friends and I just completed the Mana Shoreline trip. To say everything was fantastic is an understatement it was an absolutely amazing experience. The staff were polite and well mannered and looked after us as if we were in a 5 star hotel. The guides Andy and Takesure were extremely professional and looked after us on and off the river and ensuring that we had the full wildlife experience whilst being completely safe. Highly recommend Natureways as a tour company and operator for anyone wishing to explore Zimbabwe.
Email Andy Saunders | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unique safari experience, without the dust and noise
Very safe guides, excellent catering, wonderful sights and animals. Have been on two other Zambezi canoe safaris, they are always good and the best way of getting close to animals without disturbing them.
Pleasantly surprised to see ice-cold drinks still possible after 4 days!