Natureways has been running for nearly 3 decades and specializes in mobile canoeing and walking safaris for small groups of between 6 and 8 guests.
Our core product is canoeing down the mighty Zambezi River. We have different canoe safari packages for different tastes and budgets.
We also offer very popular mobile tented camps in Mana Pools National Park (our camps are put up and down exclusively for your trip).
Visitors staying in Kariba Town, can stay at the delightful, intimate 12-bed thatched Hornbill Lodge, located on top of a hill with magnificent views over the lake.
Natureways also offers fixed departure seat-rate road transfers between Kariba and Mana Pools, as well as ground handling and tour operation services covering the whole of Zimbabwe.
Our services are especially suitable for foreign independent travellers who are looking for something extra special.
Also on offer for adventurers: a 10-night Horse & Hippo Safari, combining 7 nights' horseriding with Ride Zimbabwe in Hwange National Park, and 3 nights' canoeing, walking and gamedriving with Natureways in Mana Pools National Park. This is available on selected dates for small groups up to 8 guests only, who have strong intermediate to advanced riding skill. All safaris are accompanied by experienced professional guides. Comfortable, fully-catered, permanent and mobile tented accommodation provided during the safari.
Related links:-
Exclusive Use travel options for family and friends (Feature Blog, Feb 2021)
Meet our People (Feature Blog July 2020)
Tales Around the Campfire (Feature Blog June 2020)
The Wild Zambezi Culinary Collection (Feature Blog May 2020)
Kariba Transfer Schedule for sharing air-road-boat transfers - April 2018
A river adventure with Natureways Safaris - Sept 2016
Zambezi zvakanaka - Sept 2013
Tails from the river - Aug 2013
Reviews 13
Chris, Canada
11 September 2024
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, 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.
Tom & Shelly Devine, USA
4 September 2024
Our African safari with Natureways was absolutely amazing. Everything we hoped for and more! Our guides, Mark and Manu, were extremely knowledgable 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 encounters with hippos, crocodiles and elephants. The water was low and it was quite windy, which made for harder paddling and 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 antelopes, 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!
Annie & Michael Sutcliffe, UK
30 August 2024
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 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.
Marta, Italy
24 August 2024
I went on a canoe safari with a friend of mine from Chirundu to Mana Pools. 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.
Christine Woods, Zimbabwe
5 August 2024
Natureways' Explorer Canoe safaris from Kariba to Mana Pools 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 buzz and demands of the technologically charged world. And Hornbill Lodge is the perfect haven of comfort and delicious dining. There are two aspects that I truly respect and appreciated with the organisation. - Firstly, the high regard and respect not to invade the wildlife. I love how we would be getting full sightings and insights into 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 of our daily routine, our activities and especially 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.
Lucia Bel, Romania
23 July 2024
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!
Ulla, Germany
28 August 2023
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.
Clive Klugman, Australia
31 July 2023
An experience of a lifetime. One of the last, hidden, untouched treasures of the world. If you love the outdoors - this is a must.
You just need to turn up and Natureways does the rest - very professional, friendly and caring. If you are having doubt - don't, just do it.
Brett, Zimbabwe
10 January 2022
My wife and I did the 4 day, 3 night Tamarind canoe trip, starting in Chirundu, and finishing at Mana Pools main camp. We had an amazing time, which is largely a testament to our two fantastic guides, Kenneth and Mano. Because we went during the height of the rainy season (summer), the scenery was so green, and the clouds framing the Zambezi escarpment were beautiful. The season made for great birding, even if wildlife was a bit harder to see (as it always is during summer/wet season). Only exception – hippos galore! Kenneth and Mano did a fantastic job of navigating my wife and I, novice canoeists, through the hippos. Nice to see, but not too close! One of the highlights on the river was navigating through the narrower river channels.... Both guides were very keen on safety, one always leading, and one always behind our canoe. They did a great job along the way of pointing out wildlife and plants and were very knowledgeable about both the scientific aspects of the surroundings as well as cultural relevance. They were very good about stopping for breaks to rest and enjoy the scenery. For each meal, Kenneth and Mano did a fantastic job – very accommodating to our vegetarian/pescatarian diets. In fact, a rogue tiger fish jumped and landed in his canoe – he kept it, filleted it, and it became more dinner!...All in all, an amazing trip. We were really lucky to have Kenneth and Mano as guides – they made the trip go off without a hitch and it ended up being the perfect balance of hard work (canoeing), rest (afternoon siestas), learning, and appreciating the amazing scenery in the lower Zambezi valley. Highly recommended!
Mike & Luke Flax, South Africa
13 October 2021
This was my 3rd Zambezi river canoe safari and the first with Natureways. I was a bit apprehensive at first as we travelling with our sons on a dad:son trip and had experienced a dangerous encounter previously with a hippo on the river. However, Kenny, our main guide was super professional and conservative ensuring that we never came close to any harm and that everyone had a fantastic time. The trip is a "must do" in one of the last untamed outbacks of the world. The proliferation of elephants, crocs, hippos, lions as well a myriad of bird life makes this trip amazing and a joy for all. Natureways provided a great experience: beautifully positioned camp-sites on the banks of the mighty Zambezi, hearty food and ice-cold drinks at all times. I would highly recommend using them as they know the terrain well and will keep you safe.
Asher Williams , Zimbabwe
1 November 2020
Best experience EVER! There aren't really words to say how much we loved our canoe safari. Except to say I wish my every day looked like those three days. Immersed in the silence and symphonies of the bush, surrounded by indescribable beauty and wildlife. Our guides were AMAZING. I wanted to cry when we left them. They felt like friends by the end. Friends who know every flora and fauna in this piece of paradise and whose entire existence is to make you feel safe and comfortable. They were outstanding. It was worth every penny and more. I hope we can do it again.
Peter & Purdy Wight, Australia
7 December 2019
Natureways, thank you for a truly magnificent safari, it exceeded all our expectations - from the prompt and detailed email and skype replies, the flexibility with the bookings, the professional conduct of the guides and camp staff to the excellent condition of the canoes and camping equipment. We could not fault anything and without doubt would highly recommend your company. Our guides Mark and Norman, were extremely knowledgeable, considerate and had our best interests at heart, they are certainly good value. The camp staff were also amazing, totally anticipating our needs each day. The cook worked his magic with dishes that you just had to have more of. What an unbelievable feat - luxury on the banks of the Zambezi. Game viewing was second to none with close encounters of all kinds. Don't waste your time looking for other tour operators, just book your trip with these guys - they really know what they are doing and I am pretty sure you will not regret it. Ours was a trip of a lifetime! Thank you.