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
CA
Email Chris | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime
I went on the 6 day canoe trip from Kariba to Mana Pools. It was a rich experience that allowed us to experience the animals and nature in a very intimate way. It was a bit scary at times to feel so vulnerable with the animals, however, our guides made us feel safe. They are exceptionally well trained and comfortable on the river, especially our lead guide Manu. It was truly humbling to be able to spend these days with the guides and animals in such a beautiful environment.
Email Annie & Michael Sutcliffe | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible Zambezi trip with these very experienced operators & guides
We travelled as a couple celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary. We did the Natureways Mana Shoreline Canoeing trip for 3 days. From the moment we were collected from the tiny dirt landing airstrip in a jeep by our guides it was an adventure! The organisation was incredible - with no wifi or mobile signal anywhere in Mana Pools (except the private lodges) , somehow it all just works perfectly. We were off in our canoes within 2 hours of arrival and got in a thrilling few hours before dusk - a bit wary of all the hippos and crocodiles around, but our guides, Denny & Mark were very cool and totally in control. They gave us so much confidence. Quite a fast current which helped us on our way, even with a brisk wind occasionally against us. We arrived at our first camp to a fabulous welcome from Fanta & all the camp crew. Our tents were up, beds beautifully made & hot water in the bucket overhead for our showers! Every night, a new camp with a fire lit, tents up and dinner laid. It was so tranquil & beautiful - hard to explain the peace sitting round the fire after dinner with just hippos in the river below us chatting away! The food was spot on, porridge or whatever else you might want before setting off early. Always a coffee stop mid morning and then a long picnic lunch in the shade of a leafy island in the middle of the river to avoid the fiercest heat of the day.
The best sunrises and sunsets of our whole Zimbabwe trip, lots of knowledge about the wildlife from our great guides & lots of chat and laughter. The Zambezi is a stunning river, so clean, even though the water levels were very low after a bad wet season so a drought in progress. We saw huge amounts of hippos, crocodiles, waterbuck, elephants, baboons, incredible number of rare storks and birds & eagles.
We cannot recommend Natureways highly enough. We last went with them in 2007 on the shoreline of Mana Pools. We went on this time to do other safaris in Mana Pools, staying in various lodges etc but, although all incredible in their own way, none had the peace & utter unspoilt magic that Natureways gave us in the Shoreline safari. Almost everywhere we went to on land shared the wild animal viewings with several vehicles: on the river in the canoes it was just us, the guides & guests & the animals. We cannot wait for our grandchildren to be a little older so that we can take them & share this incredible time on the Zambezi with Natureways.
US
Email Tom & Shelley Devine | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Magical adventure
Our African safari with Natureways was absolutely amazing. Everything we hoped for and more! Our guides, Mark and Manu, were extremely knowledgeable and a lot of fun to be around. They taught us so much about the animals (and great picture taking advice) hopefully we can remember it all! Fanta and the gang ran a great camp. The food was amazingly delicious considering there is no electricity or running water. Everything was done over a campfire. The tents were spread out enough where you thought you were on your own, which made the nights that much more exciting. The sounds of the animals all night were awesome. We had a great canoe trip, with close up encounters with hippos, crocodiles and elephants. The water was low and it was quite windy, which made for harder paddling, and some portage of the canoes. The next day we were supposed to continue our paddle, but were so exhausted we asked if we could do a land safari. The guides happily obliged and off we went! The biggest thing to remember is you are not in a zoo. The animals are in the wild and you have to go looking for them. That being said, Mark and Manu put us on so many different animals we were absolutely ecstatic. We had very close encounters, on foot as well as in canoes and trucks, with lions, elephants, hippos, crocodiles, all types of antelope, baboons, monkeys, water buffalo, jackals, beautiful birds, monitors, mongoose, and many more. It was absolutely magical, the trip of a lifetime! Bush safaris are the only way to go for us. Thank you so much!
IT
Email Marta | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A beautifull canoing Safari on the Zambesi
I went on a canoe safari with a friend of mine from Chirundu to Manapools. It was a wonderful experience, we saw many hippos, crocodiles and elephants. Even a herd of buffaloes joined us during a lunch. We had a great time with the guides, who were very knowledgeable and able to understand and communicate with the animals so that every situation was safe. Sleeping in tents on the islands in the middle of the Zambezi immersed in the sounds of the animals and completely disconnected from civilisation makes the experience even more adventurous.
Sublime simplicity and authentic wildness
Natureways explorer canoe safari from Kariba to Mana Pool was an experience of a lifetime. In addition, we book-ended the journey at Hornbill Lodge in Kariba.
Canoeing on the Zambezi with Natureways gave our family of 4 and friends a full immersion into the wild, and an escape from the buzzand demands of the technologically charged world.
And Hornbill Lodge is a perfect haven of comfort and delicious dining.
There are two aspects that I truly respect and appreciated with the organisation.
• Firstly is the high regard and respect to not invade the wildlife. I love how we would be getting full sightings and insights to the wildlife movements and behaviours, whilst at the same time letting them carry on as such.
In addition to this, the knowledge and experience of the guides was unsurpassed.
• Second thing is the simplicity. The simplicity of your daily routine and activity you are doing and especially so the simplicity of the catering. I sense that there is an intentional reminder to keep the main the main thing. With nutritious meals and comfortable camp arrangements, I felt totally treated, without the gloss of glamour.
Thanks Natureways
RO
Email Lucia Bel | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was absolutely amazing
We had an awesome time, we were 5 friends doing a Canoe Safari. The guides Kenny and Richard (and future guide Kuda - fingers crossed for him) were great, super patient with us, cooked amazing, know so much about wildlife and were really helpful in helping us relax when we were 'hippo dodging'. I could not recommend a better experience if you want to connect with nature, sleep under the superb African sky, have wonderful talks about life and enjoy some adrenaline:) will 100% go back for a walking safari with those guys!Thanks for everything!
Email Lieschen Fourie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful guides!!
We had the most amazing experience, we will certainly be back soon!
US
Email Spencer | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional yet friendly
I went down the Zambezi in a canoe for multiple days with Natureways and I absolutely loved it. The guides were knowledgable, the food was amazing, and the views were spectacular. The trip was very well organized and we had no issues whatsoever. I think the singularly best part of the experience were late night conversations under the stars with our guides as we sat in the dirt. Every night was filled with laughter and amazing stories. I loved my trip!!
DE
Email Sebastian Volk | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best experience ever!
We did the Tamarind Tour and it was perfekt!
Be so close to the animals and the camping direct on the Sambesi was great.
Thanks for those brilliant 4 Days.
DE
Email Ulla | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Best safari I experienced in Southern Africa
We booked 5 night safari with natureways with our family of 5 adults, age-range 22-56. Started in Chitake with 2 nights odyssey safari followed by a 3 night canoe safari starting at Mana pools. For us, this has been a perfect mix of a walking safari with spectacular game viewing covering lions, antelope, buffalo, elephant, enormous range of birds, insects and plants followed by fantastic scenery from the canoe on the Zambezi river. The guides have all been extremely knowledgeable, keen to share their knowledge and very eager to make the safari special for all their guests. Food and tents have been very luxurious (from our point of view) in the mobile camp of the odyssey safari, on the river it had been basic, which has been expected, but it has been absolutely sufficient. Camp sites along the river have been well chosen and wonderfully idyllic. Every minute has been worth its while. Thank you.