Mana Pools is located in northern Zimbabwe, on the southern bank of the Zambezi River. It is a wildlife-rich, exceptionally biodiverse region, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Little Ruckomechi is situated next door in a private wildlife area, part of an important buffer zone for Mana Pools.

What can I do between game drives at Little Ruckomechi?

Have a cooling dip in the plunge pool, or simply sunbathe with a book on the pool deck. Take in the sounds of the surrounding bush, identifying the calls and plumage of resident birds. Try your hand at catch-and-release fishing on the Zambezi, famous for its feisty tigerfish.

What wildlife can I expect to see around Little Ruckomechi?

Expect to see elephants, buffalo and a host of predators on a safari at Little Ruckomechi. It is not uncommon to spot lions, wild dogs and leopards on game drives, and an array of other interesting wildlife like eland, zebra, waterbuck, warthogs, monkeys and baboons.

What to pack for a safari in Zimbabwe?

Morning and evening game drives can be cool, but the afternoons are usually warm, so it’s best to dress in layers. A hat is essential and bring closed shoes if you intend to go on walks. Travellers are urged not to pack or wear any camouflage or military-inspired clothing while travelling in Africa

When is the best time to visit Little Ruckomechi?

The best time to visit Little Ruckomechi is between April and November, when the days are sunny and the temperatures milder. Little Ruckomechi is closed from December to March.

Zimbabwe

Little Ruckomechi

A Sacred Land

An exclusive adventure awaits at intimate Wilderness Little Ruckomechi in Zimbabwe, on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River.

Home Africa Zimbabwe Mana Pools National Park Little Ruckomechi

DESTINATIONS

Wilderness Little Ruckomechi

Intimate luxury on the banks of the Zambezi River.

Enjoy access to one of Zimbabwe’s most productive wildlife-viewing regions, the riverine belt of iconic Mana Pools. Find adventure in the floodplains on a game drive, or canoeing or tigerfishing on the Zambezi River. Or on foot, taking in the pristine beauty of this wild, wonderful place.

ZIMBABWE

Wilderness Little Ruckomechi Zimbabwe Guest Room Exterior

Little Ruckomechi moments

Enjoy your own private paradise at Little Ruckomechi. From one of the four tents or the plunge pool, watch a herd of elephants amble past, heading for the waters of the Zambezi flowing past camp. Fall asleep to a chorus of wild night sounds: the territorial roar of a lion, the whistle of a pearl-spotted owlet, the eerie whoop of a lone hyena.

Wilderness Little Ruckomechi Zimbabwe Lion On Mound

Wilderness Little Ruckomechi Zimbabwe Walking Safari

Wilderness Little Ruckomechi Zimbabwe Wildlife Leopard

Little Ruckomechi moments

Enjoy your own private paradise at Little Ruckomechi. From one of the four tents or the plunge pool, watch a herd of elephants amble past, heading for the waters of the Zambezi flowing past camp. Fall asleep to a chorus of wild night sounds: the territorial roar of a lion, the whistle of a pearl-spotted owlet, the eerie whoop of a lone hyena.

Accommodation

Intimate Little Ruckomechi has just three (or four for private bookings) airy, comfortable tents that evoke the romance of a bygone era of exploration. With views over the Zambezi, the open main areas offer incredible sightings of elephants feeding on the floodplain, against a backdrop of the breath-taking Rift Valley escarpment across the river.

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Cuisine

The menu at Little Ruckomechi heroes local Zimbabwean ingredients and cuisine, designed to be enjoyed in its magnificent riverside setting. Sip a sundowner as the sky turns orange, then pink, then indigo, over the Zambezi. Enjoy brunch out in the bush, and expertly prepared, intimate dinners at the Star Bed sleep-out.

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THE DETAILS

Wilderness Little Ruckomechi

In a private reserve on the banks of the legendary Zambezi River, Little Ruckomechi is nestled under towering ana trees. Four airy, en-suite tents, a main area with private views over the river and Rift Valley beyond make up this exclusive safari camp, perfect for small groups, and families looking to make lasting memories.

Purpose

Facilities

Wildlife

Area

Activities

Wilderness Little Ruckomechi Zimbabwe Impact Purpose

Your safari makes an impact

As a private conservation area bordering Zimbabwe’s iconic Mana Pools, Ruckomechi provides a stable buffer zone for precious wildlife in this productive riverine belt. Tune in. Breathe out. Listen. Hippos bobbing in the river, elephants wading through the water. Know that your stay enables us to continue to make a meaningful impact on this wild, wonderful land.

Pool

Cool off between game drives in the plunge pool.

Wi-Fi

Stay in touch with loved ones and share your safari sightings.

Star Bed

Experience a night under the stars, safely elevated on a platform.

Wilderness Little Ruckomechi Zimbabwe Mana Pools

Area

Bordering Mana Pools to the west, Wilderness' private concession plays a crucial role in helping conserve wildlife in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Acacia-dotted plains, indigenous forests and the mighty, wide Zambezi make this biodiverse region of Zimbabwe an Eden for iconic African wildlife, and a paradise for those lucky enough to visit.

Purpose

Your safari makes an impact

As a private conservation area bordering Zimbabwe’s iconic Mana Pools, Ruckomechi provides a stable buffer zone for precious wildlife in this productive riverine belt. Tune in. Breathe out. Listen. Hippos bobbing in the river, elephants wading through the water. Know that your stay enables us to continue to make a meaningful impact on this wild, wonderful land.

Facilities

Pool

Cool off between game drives in the plunge pool.

Wi-Fi

Stay in touch with loved ones and share your safari sightings.

Star Bed

Experience a night under the stars, safely elevated on a platform.

Wildlife

Area

Bordering Mana Pools to the west, Wilderness' private concession plays a crucial role in helping conserve wildlife in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Acacia-dotted plains, indigenous forests and the mighty, wide Zambezi make this biodiverse region of Zimbabwe an Eden for iconic African wildlife, and a paradise for those lucky enough to visit.

Activities

Experiences

Little Ruckomechi experiences

Examine tracks up close, note how a zebra went from a trot to a gallop, lion tracks in its wake. Listen for the splash of a kingfisher, diving like an arrow into the river then hovering, scanning for a meal. Cruise along the Zambezi, past sleeping crocodiles sunning themselves on the riverbank and cantankerous hippos, splashing in the still pools.

Explore all Experiences

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Birding

Birding with a knowledgeable Wilderness guide is spectacular across all our regions, with 930 different species for twitchers to tick.

Birding

Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Fishing

Cast your line into Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe’s iconic rivers, for exceptional catch-and-release fishing on safari.

Fishing

Botswana, Zambia, Rwanda, Zimbabwe

Wilderness Experiences Canoe Zimbabwe Zambezi River

Canoeing

Channel your inner explorer on a canoe safari at Mana Pools, paddling down the iconic Zambezi River.

Canoeing

Zimbabwe

Guided walking safaris

Slow down and pay attention to the smaller details of the safari experience on a walking safari with our professional guides.

Guided Walking Safaris

Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia

Private safari

Create treasured memories with family and friends on an exclusive private safari across Africa’s most iconic destinations.

Private Safari

Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia

Map

Explore camps in Mana Pools

Situated on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, Little Ruckomechi is nestled on a vast piece of private conservation land bordering Zimbabwe’s iconic Mana Pools. This land is not only exceptionally beautiful, with river views and the Rift Valley mountains across the river, but is an important buffer zone for Mana Pools’ wildlife.

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Little Ruckomechi

Standard Season

From USD 1,040 per person, per night

Premium Season

From USD 1,460 per person, per night

Travel with Us

Journey with Wilderness

Explore Zimbabwe’s iconic Mana Pools, navigate the mighty Zambezi by boat or canoe. Get up close to plains game and their predators in wildlife-rich Hwange National Park. Wherever you go with Wilderness, expect a journey beyond your wildest dreams.

See all journeys

Little Rukomechi Awards

Camp awards

The hard work of our teams on the ground at Little Ruckomechi and the communities we work alongside have been recognised through numerous awards. And we couldn’t be prouder.

World Travel Awards

TripAdvisor CoE 2017

Best Safari Tented Camp 2013

GUEST EXPERIENCES

Testimonials from fellow safari-goers

With a perfect 5 star rating from 16 reviews, guests consistently praise Little Ruckomechi's exceptional wildlife viewing, dedicated guides, and luxurious accommodations. Read what fellow safari-goers have to say about their unforgettable experiences at Wilderness Little Ruckomechi. Read more reviews on TripAdvisor.

Jewel of a camp

"There are not enough superlatives to cover how much my friends and I loved Little Ruchomechi, a small, 4-cottage camp with gorgeous views of grazing animals and playful baboons. The accommodations are beautiful and comfortable. The manager Eddie, charming and friendly, manages an excellent staff that provided us with exceptional service. And then there was our amazing guide Rubin whose knowledge and animal tracking skills provided us with wonderful game drive experiences. If you go, do not miss the pontoon boat trip down the Zambezi. What a thrill."

Concetta M | USA

★★★★★

Wonderful stay!

"We visited early October which is supposed to be a great time for animal viewing and it was. From camp we watched waterbuck, impala and a lone eland graze along the river. The eland also liked to hang around some of the rooms. Elephant roamed through camp and hippos were constantly making their hippo noises. The staff treated us like royalty and the food was delicious. The camp is expertly managed by Eddie. Our room was comfortable with all the amenities we needed. The screened fronts allow amazing views over the flood plain to the Zambezi and invites in all the amazing sounds of the African night. We had a pride of lions calling each other 50 meters from our room # 1."

Michael M | USA

★★★★★

Zimbabwe 2023

"Little Ruckomechi was our 2nd stop on a 4 camp tour in Zimbabwe. Small camp exactly what we were looking for...and did not disappoint. We had regular elephants in camp!! Our guide was AB, he was very knowledgeable and very accommodating in trying to meet eveyones desires. Food was excellent here. Accommodations were exactly what we were expecting. Staff was very attentive to all your needs. Having laudry services in camp was very helpful. Game drives were excellent...we took the opportunity to drive to Mana Pools National Park (1.25hrs drive) well worth the trip! Lots of huge elephant bulls in Mana Pools. Game drive highlights...coalition of 3 male lions, leopard...more lions, buffalo, hippos, several different gazelles, zebra and of course ellies! I've added a few photos to give you a feel of the camp and area."

Robbie Julien | Canada

★★★★★

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FAQs

General

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Journal

Little Ruckomechi featured stories

From its legendary tip-toeing elephants to pioneering packs of wild dogs, Mana Pools is home to the ultimate Zimbabwean safari. Enjoy a collection of stories from this wild, wonderful and unforgettable safari destination.

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