Just under a month ago, together with eight travel agents, I left on a study tour to Zimbabwe, one of Untamed Travelling’s top destinations. The country offers a unique blend of nature, wildlife and culture, with its many national parks, impressive landscapes and insane accommodations in the middle of the wilderness. During the trip we came face to face with wildlife, drank Amarula liqueur in the bush, saw the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets and flew over the country in propeller planes. Together with the travel agents, I will long remember this amazing study tour and the many photos we took. Where the world can’t find you….
Day 1-2: Air travel & arrival Harare
On the first day we gathered at 5 p.m. at Schiphol Airport for our overnight flight to Nairobi. Everything went smoothly, the luggage was in order and the mood was good right away. It was immediately pleasant together, and after check-in and passport control some final shopping was done. We had a seven-hour layover in Kenya, but fortunately Kenya Airways had arranged the Pride Lounge for us, where food and drinks were available and even showers for those who wanted to freshen up. The time was mainly used for catching up, getting to know each other better and for some also to do some work. After arriving in Nairobi, we flew on to Harare in the afternoon, where we quickly got our visas and, after collecting our luggage, boarded the transfer bus to our hotel. We stayed at Boutique on 22, an oasis in the city with a beautiful garden, a lovely pool and very spacious rooms. In the evening we enjoyed a tapas-style dinner at The Wine Bar of the hotel and toasted together to a great start to our trip.
Day 3: Mana Pools – Ingwe Pan Camp
After a good night’s sleep in Harare, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast and left for the airport for our flight with Mack Air to Mana Pools National Park. Thanks to the lounge and help from the staff, everything went smoothly. During the hour and a half flight, we had a beautiful view of varied Zimbabwe. Upon arrival at Mana Pools Airstrip, we were met by rangers Thanusa and AB from Ingwe Pan Camp. Located at a large pond near the Chiruwe River, the camp offers spacious tents with luxury amenities and waterhole views. During the game drive to the camp we already spotted game, and a delicious lunch awaited upon arrival. The afternoon was followed by the first safari in open 4x4s, culminating in a pack of twenty painted wild dogs. In the evening we enjoyed dinner under the stars, while curious hyenas and an elephant came to take a look.
Day 4: Molori Mashuma
The alarm went off at five, but real sleep was hardly possible because of the sounds of the bush. After an early breakfast, we got into the open 4x4s for a morning safari and watched herds of elephants and other wildlife awaken. At the meeting point, rangers Mark and Liberty were ready to take us to Molori Mashuma Camp, a new camp full of luxury and comfort. After exploring the spacious tents and villas, we enjoyed a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, we went back into the bush along the Zambezi River, where we saw elephants and lions. We enjoyed sunset with drinks by the river, and the day ended with an atmospheric dinner under an ancient baobab, with braai, salads and African drum rhythms under the stars.
Day 5: Nyamatusi Camp
Getting up early was routine by now; this morning the alarm went early again. The day began with a walking safari where we came face to face with elephants picking fruit from the trees, surrounded by the sounds of the bush. Back at the camp a full breakfast with bubbles awaited us. Moments later we were picked up by rangers Talent and Tubbs from Nyamatusi Camp, where a warm welcome with song and dance followed. In the afternoon we explored the Zambezi River by canoe, among the hippos, elephants and birds. At a quiet spot we enjoyed a sundowner as the sun slowly set. The day ended with an atmospheric dinner under the stars, accompanied by African drum rhythms and delicious dishes.
Day 6-7: Matusadona NP – Fothergill Island
The first day started early with a hearty breakfast, as our flight to Matusadona National Park was scheduled. On the way to the airstrip, we spotted buffalo, lions and elephants. In about 50 minutes, Mack Air flew us to Fothergill Island, a luxury oasis in the middle of the park on Lake Kariba, where we stayed for two nights. The camp is set in a Mopani forest with a varied landscape full of plains game, predators and birds. The ten spacious tents all have private bathrooms, lounge, outdoor seating area and plunge pool, and the main building offers lounge, restaurant, bar and private pool. Activities abound: game drives, walking safaris, boat safaris, fishing and archery. After lunch, we relaxed briefly before taking an afternoon boat ride on the lake. The day ended with a candlelit dinner under the stars.
The next morning we were able to sleep in a bit. After breakfast, we went to Sanyati Gorge and spotted elephants, hippos, crocodiles and birds along the way. Back on the island, we enjoyed lunch and relaxing by the pool. In the afternoon, we went on safari by vehicle, exploring mopani forests, savannahs and flood plains, following tracks of lions and other predators.
Day 8-9: Hwange NP – Verney’s & Somalisa Camp
The first day, fortunately, we were able to get some sleep again. After breakfast, we left for the airstrip for our approximately 1 hour and 15 minute flight to Hwange National Park, where rangers David and Themba were already waiting for us. Game-driven, we arrived at Verney’s Camp, located on 10,000 acres of private land overlooking a waterhole full of elephants. After lunch, we went on an Elephant Experience and were able to admire the herd up close. The game drive ended with a beautiful sundowner and dinner under the stars by the campfire.
The next morning we left early for our meeting point. Along the way we spotted zebra, kudu, eland, mute boar and giraffe. From the lookout point we were picked up by rangers Dorphas and Mike from Somalisa Camp. After a relaxed lunch by the pool, we went on an afternoon game drive and spotted an impressive male lion, sable antelope and elephants. The day ended with a final sundowner and an atmospheric farewell dinner under the stars.
Day 10: Victoria Falls & Nairobi
We got up early one more time and started the day with a hearty breakfast, leaving plenty of time for a morning safari and a visit to Somalisa Expeditions, before heading to the Manga Airstrip. This morning did not disappoint, as we saw sable and roan antelopes, and had coffee with our rangers at the amazing viewpoint. Then it was really time to leave the bush and we were taken to Manga Airstrip for the flight to Victoria Falls. Once we arrived, we were taken to the famous Victoria Falls Hotel, where we enjoyed a delicious lunch. Some of the group paid another short visit to Victoria Falls, which despite the lesser water was still impressive to see. After lunch we left for the border post with Zambia and experienced the bureaucracy of stamping, which in the end wasn’t too bad in terms of time. We were dropped off at Livingstone Airport, from where we flew to Nairobi in the early evening. At Nairobi Airport, our local agent had arranged a fast track for us, which allowed us to get through customs fairly quickly and get to our hotel quickly. We slept at the Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport, a fine hotel a short distance from the airport.
Day 11: Return trip
Normally a delay is annoying, but this time the extra two hours of sleep actually came in very handy. A little later than planned we left for Amsterdam, with a short stopover in Paris where we were grounded for a good two hours. Despite the long return trip, we all looked back on an unforgettable trip and as we said goodbye at Schiphol the tears flowed.
