Our last morning started as every other - brilliant sunrise- the only difference was we were packing and leaving after breakfast. The 3 hour landrover trip back to Ruckomechi enabled a whirlwind tour of the national park but importantly we got to see the pools that make Mana pools famous - including the biggest - long pool - lined with crocodiles and hippos. On arrival at camp we walked the last 100 metres as the jeep sustained another puncture....just grateful ...

Awake before 6 as usual - but I waited tucked up and warm in bed until I heard the water for the shower arrive and go into the shower bucket.....then I ventured to the outside shower - the hot shower helped conquer the cool of the morning air. During the night I had heard lion and hyena calling - sounds that really remind you that you are in the African bush. After my shower and with coffee in hand I photographed the sunrise which was just stunning. Breakfast to...

We woke at about 5.45 and then heard the guys putting the hot water in our outside shower ready for our morning showers - I was first- a really good start to the day. Having got our gear ready for the day we made our way to the camp fire and breakfast table - a cup of coffee to help warm me in the cool morning air - followed by porridge and toast to set us up for the days activities. We set off at 7am and canoed down the river to our first stop - landing was thwa...

Today started with a walking safari with Goderick but we returned for brunch and a short siesta before having our 2pm canoe trails briefing with Dan ( a trainee Zimbawean guide) and Ted (an intern from Suffolk doing a degree in hospitality and business management at Leeds University.) While showering and repacking I put my newly cleaned walking boots on the terrace of our room to dry.....as often happened elephants were meandering around - a mum and youngster pas...

We arrived at the Ruckomechi airstrip and were collected by our guide Goderick - 20 minutes later we were in camp and having brunch. The temperature change was noticeable - both the days and the evenings were much warmer than Hwange. After brunch and our welcome briefing we settled into our lovely spacious double tent looking over the Zambezi river - needless to say we were regularly serenaded by the snorts and grunts of the resident hippos. The camp was full alb...