PART ONE:
August 2015 saw us with 20 young new
university graduates from Belgium coming to Zimbabwe, all but 1 of them for the
first time, and for the rest, except for 1 other, their first time on the
African continent! All newly graduated, full of energy, fun and laughter, the
next few weeks would prove to be a really fun-filled ride which saw us on some
nights and early morning quite exhausted, but still feeling exhilarated enough
to face the early mornings with game drives and activities…much laughter around
a big fire each night….barbecues and stories to accompany the flames leaping up
to join the star-filled nights above us……….
On arrival, we all set off for sundowners,
literally, at DOMBOSHAWA, a few kilometres out of Harare, where we could watch
the sunset in the west and the moon rising in the east! With a couple of cooler
boxes and a few boxes of snacks, the day met the night and the night sounds
began…crickets, night birds and insects…all with their chorus to herald the
dark……..
After two nights in Harare, we set off in 2
mini-buses, on an almost four-week long ‘adventure’, covering the highlights of
Zimbabwe – to begin with a ‘gentle’ introduction to Africa and the wildlife at
Antelope Park, where we rode horses and got UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL to some of
the plains game, such as giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and impala, we walked with
lion cubs and did some game viewing from the open vehicles. We all shared the
three family and ALERT lodges across the river from the lodge, and a huge fire
was lit at one of the lodges, for us all to sit around whilst we recounted the
days events.
Then moving on, we traveled to Matopos and
the last resting place of Cecil Rhodes, buried at Worlds View, overlooking the
mysterious and wondrous ‘balancing rocks’ which have made this area an
acclaimed World Heritage Site. Home to the largest population of Black Eagles
in the country, and also to a number of rhino, as well as some plains game and
a large number of leopard. The latter being nocturnal, are a little more
difficult to spot, but if you’re lucky after a late afternoon game drive, you
may just ‘get’ one!
Accommodation in the area depends on the traveler budget. Being newly graduated students we settled for National Parks
lodge accommodation which was clean and comfortable with all utensils and
kitchen equipment as well as ‘braai’ (barbecue) facilities. Other accommodation
in the area includes some of the best safari lodges offering full board and all
inclusive options.
Our next stop was the world famous Victoria
Falls. There was great excitement on
arrival, just as we approached the town, an enormous herd of at least 50-80
elephants crossed the road in front of our mini-buses, giving our group an
amazing welcome!! Cameras were out in a flash and literally 1000’s of photo’s
taken on the whole trip!
There is an abundance of quality
accommodation here, depending on budget. We opted to stay at the Victoria Falls
Rest Camp as our group of ‘adrenalin junkies’ were keen to spend their money on
the activities here, which include some of the best white water rafting in the
world, canoeing on the Zambezi,
up-stream from the Falls, bungee jumping, horse riding, game viewing, sunset
cruises, the craft market, traditional dinners with live Afro-jazz music, and
of course the walk along the full width of the Victoria Falls themselves, which
takes anything from one and a half hours to two full hours. Best time for the
full majestic impact of these iconic falls is from April through to October
when the river water levels upstream are high.
From Vic Falls we moved on to Hwange and
stayed at the National Parks Camp at Main Camp, where we were treated to some
spectacular wildlife – cheetah, elephant, buffalo…sadly no lions this time….but
all other species in great numbers, we spent hours at the waterholes, feasting
our senses on the vast numbers of animals and some wonderful birdlife as well.
The Hwange area also caters for a spectrum of budgets, from reasonably priced
and good value for money lodges, right through to the top luxury safari camps
for the more mature and discerning traveller who likes and appreciates the
luxury whilst being in the midst of the most fantastic wildlife!
Next on the itinerary was another highlight
– the trip on the ferry from Mlibizi to Kariba. Fantastic excitement as the
ferry had not been so busy since they resumed operations in 2009! We found
ourselves with a great melange of real tourists, from Spain, from Switzerland,
South Africa, from South America….and of course, our group from Belgium…the
trip is 23 hours, departing from either end at 9.00 a.m. and arriving around
8.00 a.m. the following day. Meals are served on board and included in the
rate, with teas and coffees and biscuits, and there is a well-stocked cash bar
as well.
Kariba boasts the most beautiful sunsets,
especially at this time of the year!
Sleeping arrangements are communal – with
folding sleeper chairs provided with pillows and blankets for the night.
Toilets and showers are on board and are clean and functional, but not
luxurious. We played card games to pass the time, and made friends with the
other groups on board, and woke early to see the sun rise over the vast Lake
Kariba and see our destination coming into view in the misty distance in the
early morning.
Our next bit of luxury was on Spurwing
Island, fully catered, with a lovely sparkling pool and a thatched bar
overlooking the Lake. We took a boat transfer from Marineland Harbour across
the Lake to the lodge. Our ‘kids’ had such a wonderful time here, between the
pool, the bar (they were, after all, ADULTS!), the fishing and the game viewing….not
forgetting the luxury of the lodges, after the simplicity of National Parks
lodges, the lodges here were such a treat – crisp white linen, fluffy towels,
little wild flower arrangements in the lodges…..and the food, served
buffet-style, is excellent, as is the service from all the staff.
There is an abundance of wildlife in the
area and the fishing is world-class, for those enthusiasts who like to rise
with the sun!
Lin Goncalves
Consultant
Sikiliza Travel
Harare
PART TWO TO FOLLOW………………
