NORTHERN ZIMBABWEAN ADVENTURES

15 December 2016

NORTHERN ZIMBABWEAN ADVENTURES

We recently explored the incredible and undervalued travel destination of Zimbabwe.

Nicknamed God’s own Country in 1970's despite the ongoing Bush War at the time, remains one of the most beautiful, unfettered countries on earth. Their economic and tourist slump doesn’t seem to have put luxury bush camp investors off and the recent injection is testimony to that.

We can’t of course tell you about the new camps, as some have yet to be built, but we can give you a roundup on the regions and some of the properties we have experienced first-hand.

The country’s Nothern attractions are numerous from Victoria Falls to Lake Kariba, and Hwange to Mana Pools and we take you through them all.

Located in the belly of the Zambezi Valley, Lake Kariba is one of the most scenic areas on the African continent. A vast man-made lake stretching for over 5000 square kilometres, created in the 1950’s to provide hydroelectricity to Zimbabwe and Zambia. Today, as with most areas with such a great quantity of water, it lures wildlife to its waters and in turn attracts people.

If cruising along Lake Kariba quietly on a luxury motor cruiser talks to you, then Matusadona is your answer. For a land based alternative we suggest staying at Changa - a luxury tented safari camp located in the Matusadona National Park, on the shores of the lake. Both options are authentic, well run and good value and we’d suggest a five night land and water combination of the two for maximum benefit.

Hwange, Zimbabwe's oldest National Park is vast and it’s expanse is made up of up of Kalahari Sand blown in from other areas. Interestingly it’s strewn with boreholes and water pumps installed at the turn of the century, which means the animals choose to stay there because water is and has been in steady supply. It’s an area where the wildlife is varied and abundant and where everything is amplified - even the sun stays up longer.

Here we’d recommend you stay at The Hide or Somalisa - both of which are located in private concessions. The Hide is set in the middle of the park with concealed hides near the popular watering hole. And, not far down the track lies Somalisa - a romantic, elegant camp beside a floodplain. The Hide is a traditional camp which is well run and offers good value, while Somalisa which is part of The African Bush Camps portfolio is suited to individuals or those travelling with children.

Mana Pools is a World Heritage Site on the banks of the Zambezi River on the Northern border of Zimbabwe, synonymous with sausage trees and favoured for its floodplains by grazing buffalo, elephants, hippos and hyenas. Staying safe here is your responsibility, but on the other side of the coin it will provide you with all the excitement you could hope for.

Our favoured Camp in this region is Ruckomechi – it’s beautiful and remote with spectacular views of the broad flowing Zambezi river, adjoining well-defined tree canopy and the mountains of the Rift Valley escarpment in Zambia.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe’s top attraction and adventure-sport capital of Africa, offers no shortage of exhilarating experiences including white-water rafting, bungee jumping, flying over the falls in a light aircraft, sunset cruises on the Zambezi River and gorge leaping.

A firm favourite choice of accommodation is undoubtedly the Victoria Falls River Lodge - well priced and close enough to see the spray in the distance while enjoying a sunset cruise, yet secluded by the Zambezi National Park. For a really luxurious experience we'd advise you stay at the Matesti River Lodge. Both of these offer the ability for water and land based activities.

We highly recommend combining all these regions which are easily accessible with daily scheduled charter flights. If you would like more info don’t hesitate to contact us.