Recently, together with nine 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 flew over the country in propeller planes, came face to face with wildlife, drank Amarula liqueur in the bush and saw the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Where the world can’t find you….
Air travel & arrival Harare
After a smooth flight to Nairobi where we spent a few hours in Kenya Airways’ Pride Lounge, we flew on to Harare in the afternoon. 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.
Mana Pools – Ingwe Pan Camp
The next morning we flew with Mack Air to Mana Pools National Park. 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 the rangers of Ingwe Pan Camp. Located at a large pond near the Chiruwe River, the camp offers spacious tents with luxurious amenities and waterhole views. During the game drive to the camp we already spotted game and a delicious lunch awaited us 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.
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 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.
Nyamatusi Camp
The day began with a walking safari where we came face to face with elephants picking fruit from the trees. Back at the camp a full breakfast with bubbles awaited us. Moments later we were picked up by rangers from Nyamatusi Camp, where a warm welcome with song and dance followed. In the afternoon we explored the Zambezi River by canoe, among hippos, elephants and birds. At a quiet spot we enjoyed a sundowner. The day ended with an atmospheric dinner under the stars, accompanied by African drum rhythms and delicious dishes.
Matusadona NP – Fothergill Island
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, lounges, outdoor seating areas and plunge pools, and the main building offers a lounge, restaurant, bar and pool. Activities abound: game drives, walking safaris, boat safaris, fishing and archery. We took a boat trip across the lake and went to the Sanyati Gorge where we spotted elephants, hippos, crocodiles and birds along the way. In the afternoon, we went on safari by vehicle, exploring mopani forests, savannas and flood plains, following tracks of lions and other predators.
Hwange NP – Verney’s & Somalisa Camp
After two fantastic days, we left for the airstrip for our approximately 1 hour and 15 minute flight to Hwange National Park, where rangers were already waiting for us. Game-driving, we arrived at Verney’s Camp, located on a 10,000-acre private property 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 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 the rangers from Somalisa Camp. After a relaxing lunch by the pool, we went on a game drive in the afternoon and spotted an impressive male lion, sable antelope and elephants. The day ended with an atmospheric farewell dinner under the stars.
Victoria Falls & Nairobi
Time for the very last morning safari and a visit to Somalisa Expeditions before we headed to the Manga Airstrip. This morning did not disappoint as we saw sable and roan antelope 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 were dropped off at Livingstone Airport, from where we flew to Nairobi and from there on to Amsterdam. We will long remember this amazing study tour and the many photos we took.
