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
Professional, efficient, comfortable and an all round wonderful experience with this tour operator
The communication was good from the moment we arrived at Mana Pools airstrip and we were met by the two guides. They made a great effort to explain the processes, daily routine and to share their huge knowledge of the trees, birds and animals of the African bush with us.
The service over the four days was excellent - especially in terms of our comfort - setting up the tents with chemical toilets for night use, warm water for daily evening showers and warm water washes in the morning. food was delicious and all cooked over the fire - including chocolate cake for afternoon tea. Good coffee in the morning.
All drinks were included and there was always ice cold soft drinks and water available during the super hot days we experienced.
We participated in the Mana Shoreline trip - 4 nights - pleasant mix of paddling in canoes, bush walks and game drives. We had two camps with two nights in each which made for a far more relaxed tour than changing location every night.
The trip more than lived up to our expectations and we would highly recommend this operator.
US
Email Christopher Goebel | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Phenomenal wildlife experience. Absolutely the best!
My wife and I have had the pleasure and privilege of traveling to Mana Pools with Natureways on 5 different occasions spanning 20 years. While we have traveled throughout southern and east Africa, we’ve made multiple repeat visits with Natureways as they have consistently provided exceptional and unique safari experiences. Our times with Natureways have resulted in some of the most astonishing wildlife encounters. While timing and luck have a lot to do with what a tourist is able to experience – we chalk up our streak of successful safaris with Natureways to the superior guiding we’ve been lucky enough to have. Our most recent trip in October 2019, our pro guide was Mark Van Zuydam, and our exceptional soon to be pro guide Ranga. Mark’s uncanny ability to anticipate and predict unusual spottings was impressive. On a morning walk, he believed a pack of wild dogs would make there way to the river for a drink – while proceeding through the bush, Mark halted, and slowly crouched down with binos scanning the landscape. There! By the fallen tree – a leopard has just captured an impala… As we watched through our binos, we could see a large male impala struggling. The leopard was a large male and was on the cusp of seizing the impala – however, just then, a monkey called. Mark shifted and scanned to his left and calmly said – “hmmmm this will be interesting, the dogs are on the move” As we watched the dogs proceeding in the direction of the leopard, the leopard released the impala which much to our amazement stood up and darted off… the Leopard vanished as well. We carefully and methodically proceeded to the river in a parallel path to position ourselves for a better sighting of the dogs… Arriving at the river, two hippos were fighting (a serious fight) – the dogs proceeded down to the waters edge (downstream from the fighting hippos). A crocodile leaped out of the water onto the shore making a go for the dogs. The dogs jumped back – but proceeded to antagonize the crocodile until it slipped back into the river and swam away… Mark again suggested we reposition under some trees (providing shade and cover) anticipating the dogs would come up from the river’s edge and lay down for a nap… Like clockwork, the pack of dogs chose to lie down under a group of adjacent trees (~100 feet away) – where we watched and observed them for +45 mins at which point we made our quiet exit. That same day we spent our late afternoon fishing for Tiger fish. While fishing, Mark spotted two hyena in the distance and said – “I expect it will be a noisy night…” further clarifying he said there was a newly formed pride of lions who were in the process of establishing their territory in the vicinity… “The lions won’t be happy with these hyenas in the area… “ At dusk we witnessed the lions organize to ambush the hyenas – the chase was on! The lions successfully ran the hyenas off… That night (mid-night) the lions began to roar not more than 100 fee from our tent. They roared and paced throughout the night in ~10 min increments – so intense, my wife and I were nearly shaken out of our bed… We were lucky enough to record several roaring episodes… Absolutely one of the most amazing nights – albeit sleepless. These our just two examples from countless unforgettable time spent with the Natureways group.
Accommodations:
Not only does Natureways provide world class guiding, they also provide well appointed camps (mobile) that are managed by a top notch crew. The tents are remarkably large (considering they are broken down and moved each night.) The dinning table is adorned with fine locally made table cloths and napkins. Beverages and other refreshments are abundant with a wide range of top shelf spirits, South African wine and locally made beer. The staff make every effort to ensure their guests are safe, comfortable, informed, entertained and depart with lifelong memories..
Food:
The chef, Isiah, if he hasn’t already, he should be a recipient of the “best bush chef in the world” award. Everything is seared, poached, roasted and cooked over an open fire. The quality and variety of food is extraordinary and only second to Isiah’s ability bake some of the best rolls you’ll ever have – yes baked over an open fire – perfectly proofed, fluffy and golden brown – fresh everyday!
Overall – For anyone looking for a truly unique and “adventurous” experience in one of Africa’s most fascinating game parks – Natureways will exceed your expectations on all levels. Cannot recommend Natureways and the experiences they offer enough.
WE enjoyed this great adventure frm the first to the last moment.
promt answers, fully on the point. The guides, Norman and Thomas were excellent and always super nice. We can only recoomend this trip !
Natureways provide the best way to experience Mana Pools
This was my third time experiencing Mana Pools with Natureways. That speaks for itself. The service and experience they provide is highly recommended. I will continue to use them until i become too old to paddle.
Email Stephen Hazell- Smith & Karen Franklin | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A trip of a lifetime
Okay so we have done it once before but it is still the most wonderful experience with Mark (again0 as a brilliant guide and the back up team on land in the camps absolutely first class. Were else can one as a family have the camp and the canoes to oneself? Long may you continue and we hope Zimbabwe will eventually be rewarded for the efforts of its amazing people.
Amazing safari experience in Mana Pools and on the Zambezi!
The location of the camp was excellent and the accommodation very comfortable. Fabulous food, thanks to Isaiah our chef who worked tirelessly all day. The service from the camp staff was excellent and everybody was so friendly and helpful. Nothing was too much bother. The game drives/walks and canoe safari were a wonderful experience - we saw and learnt so much. Our guide Mark Van Zuydam was very knowledgeable and professional and both he and our other guide Norman helped us to feel really immersed in our surroundings, at the same time feeling safe and secure. We will definitely use Natureways again. Loved every minute. Exceeded out expectations.
Email Andrew Beckette | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent, genuine safari experience in Mana Pools, Zimbabwe
Great safari if you’re looking for unfussy, but comfortable safari experience, with game drives, game walks and canoe options.
This was not a luxury safari experience but genuine and authentic.
Food was good and staff were great.
Mark Van Zuydam was a terrific and knowledgable guide - thank you all!
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Email Ron | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
8-day canoe trip from Chirundu to Kanyemba paddling & camping for nearly 100 miles.
8 of us friends, from Alaska, spent 8 days in late October 2019, canoeing & camping on the lower Zambezi River from Chirundu, Zimbabwe, to Kanyemba, near the Mozambique border.
The guides were awesome. The wildlife incredible. The weather was hotter than expected & the winds a bit challenging. But the wildlife viewing & the knowledge & proficiency of the guides was beyond comprehension.
My only complaint was the tents were well worn, in need of replacement. Zeta, our head guide, locally known as “Crocodile Man” was also a hippo whisperer. Which saved the day a couple times!
Omega, our assistant guide, although more serious than Zeta, was extremely knowledgeable & openly shared his knowledge of the birds, plants , animals & ecology of this great Zambezi region with all of us.
Overall this was an unforgettable experience, with knowledgeable, competent guides, run by a capable, trustworthy company that has a long history in the lower Zambezi region.
SG
Email Michael Clements | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great safari
An all round good service was provided and a great safari experience was had by all.
Email James | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent experience and guides
4 day canoe trip was a brilliant experience. It was well organised and the 2 guides were fantastic. Overall very big enjoyment