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SAFARIS:
BOTSWANA
:: Highlights
of Botswana
:: On
the Delta's Edge
:: The Botswana Mobile Adventure
NAMIBIA
:: Desert
Dream
:: Landscape
Adventure
ZAMBIA
:: Plains
and Rivers
ZIMBABWE
:: By
the Water's Edge
:: Forgotten
Land
:: Mana
Sojourn
:: Moods
of Mana
:: The Big 5 Tracking Adventure
CROSS-BORDER
:: Desert and
Rivers
:: Sands
of the Kalahari
SPECIAL
INTEREST
:: Mana
Sojourn
TENTED ADVENTURES
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The Forgotten Land - 15 days/14 nights
Private Guided Safari
4 nights Mobile Tented Camp, Mana Pools National Park
3 nights Liberty Belle Houseboat, Matusadonha National Park, Lake
Kariba
2 nights Tonga village Camping, bordering Chizarira National park
3 nights Somalisa Camp, Hwange National Park
2 nights Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe is a country that used to be considered the breadbasket
of Africa. In recent years, bad press and questioned politics have
led to the decline of the number of visitors to the country and
the economy. However this country still delivers first class, value
for money wildlife experiences because of a tradition of excellent
guiding and hosting. The national parks have been relatively well
maintained during these difficult times. There are certainly no
safety issues at all on this safari as the journey is designed
to stay away from the main cities that may be considered “unsafe” by
different mouthpieces. Travelling through Zimbabwe will go a long
way in helping conservation efforts and the safe guarding of wildlife
in the country. After a journey through the forgotten land you
will be pleasantly surprised…
Journey in Detail
Upon arrival at Victoria Falls International Airport guests are
met by their private guide and transferred to Mana Pools on a light
aircraft. The flight is characterised by landscape of varying terrain
and colours as you fly over the Chizarira mountain range and then
over the famous Lake Kariba. Magnificent views will await as you
descend into the valley that the mighty Zambezi river has meandered
through for thousands of years.
Mobile Tented Camp, Mana Pools - 4 nights
After a little over 2 hours of flight we arrive in Mana Pools National
Park, an area that has been declared a world heritage site by UNESCO
as the number of visitors and developments in the park is strictly
controlled. Along the old banks of the river are the Pools, which
give Mana its name; Ancient oxbows fill up with the seasonal rainwater
and in most years hold it throughout the year hence attracting
large animal concentrations in the dry season. We will have the
opportunity of enjoying the highly thrilling experience of tracking
wildlife on foot in an area with high concentrations of the relaxed
herds, prides and packs of wildlife. This mixed with the adventure
of canoeing past large pods of hippos on the mighty Zambezi River
surrounded by breathtaking scenery sets one up for a truly life
changing experience.
Camping in large and comfortable tents with en suite bathroom along
the banks of the river, nights are characterised by the echoes
of grunting hippos, calls of nocturnal bird life and very often
a lion roar can be heard in the distance followed by nervous alarm
calls. Dining is under the stars and this gives a genuine African
meaning to the expression “eating out”. The combination
of safari activities and wildlife encounters in this highly rewarding
area is described by many a traveller as the best adventure safari
in Africa
Liberty Belle Houseboat, Matusadonha National Park,
Lake Kariba
- 3 nights
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airstrip nearest
to your camp for your flight to Kariba where you will be met and
transferred to the houseboat for a four night floating experience.
Lake Kariba is amongst the largest man-made lakes in the world
and the second largest in Africa. The shoreline is over 2 000 kilometres
long. Kariba is home to numerous species of flora and fauna and
is an exciting and unique safari destination. The Matusadonha National
Park being our main area of concentration is located on the shores
of Lake Kariba. Accommodation is in a semi-luxurious houseboat
the Liberty Belle, from which we will be able to access main land
for walks and take short cruises and fishing trips by speedboat.
Sunsets on Lake Kariba will provide a rare photographic opportunity
characterised by numerous dead trees and clear blue skies that
cast reflections over the water.
After our time on Lake Kariba we fly or drive to Chizarira as we
prepare ourselves for a unique African experience and lesson.
Chizarira Village Camping, Chizarira National
Park – 2 nights
Being Zimbabwe’s most remote National Park, Chizarira is
isolated and undeveloped, though it is a spectacular region well
watered by seasonal rivers cutting sheer gorges through the Zambezi
escarpment, with plateaus and floodplains to the south of the park.
Lion, elephant, tsessebe, reedbuck, duiker, grysbok, impala, klipspringer,
sable and occasionally eland are all resident in the park but when
people talk about Chizarira, it’s the scenic beauty and the
strong culture surrounding this area that springs to mind. This
becomes understandable as soon as you approach the park. From a
long way off the jagged mountains of Chizarira are visible and
once in the park the valleys that they form are a breathtaking
sight. The Tonga tribe were the inhabitants of the Gwembe Valley
before the Kariba dam was built and have a very strong cultural
background. Spending time with this welcoming tribe will be an
education. We then do excursions into Chizarira National Park and
get to enjoy an evening of traditional dancing with the Tonga women
that have their front teeth taken off to enable them to legally
smoke dagga (marijuana) through pipes unique to their tribe, seemingly
all day long.
A visit to the local school, where we donate educational gifts
in the way of books, pens, pencils e.t.c. to show our appreciation
of being hosted in the area will be a truly life changing experience
as we see the little resource that the kids can live with .
Somalisa Camp, Hwange National Park - 3 nights
After our cultural experience in Chizarira we set off by road or
air to Hwange for a three-night stay at Somalisa Camp. Set in the
heart of Hwange National Park, known as the land of the giants
for its large elephant herds, Somalisa is an authentic bush camp
with stunning location, tucked away in an acacia island along the
edge of an ancient seasonal savannah flood plain.
Six elegantly furnished canvas tents with en suite bathrooms, flush
toilet and romantic alfresco bush shower and a main area overlooking
a waterhole make up this camp. The décor echoes of an old
era, from colonial to the ancient tribes of Africa, telling the
story from all corners of this magnificent continent. It’s
stunning main area and “elephant” pool lends to complete
relaxation or up close experiences with some of Africa pachyderms.
A balance of organic produce and innovative gourmet meals complemented
by a choice of South African wines will help you discover new and
seasonal flavours, which the camp chef will present you with. Highlights
of activities in Hwange include walks, game drives and spot lighting
with your private guide as well as game viewing from a platform
overlooking a permanent waterhole.
Victoria Falls Safari
Lodge, Victoria Falls - 2 nights
At the end of your stay, we drive to the famous Victoria Falls
where 3 nights and 2 full days are spent to allow for a tour of
the mighty Victoria Falls, a bit of African Art shopping and the
cultural and extreme activities that this part of the Zambezi has
to offer. Amongst the list are bungee jumping, gorge swing, white-water
rafting, skydiving, helicopter and micro light flights over the
falls and elephant back safaris. An optional traditional “Boma” dinner
is a cultural highlight with a large selection of African delicacies
and game meat on offer accompanied by a traditional performance.
Then sadly our safari ends when we transfer you for your flight
out of Victoria Falls airport or onward arrangements.
*Please note
that because of the nature of this safari and the wildlife encounters
that it entails, it is designed to travel with a specialist private
guide as this enhances the journey and experience.
Price, conditions and information of this safari is available on
request.
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