Safari expert Nikki Theron has been to reserves across South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, Kenya and Tanzania. That left just one country on her safari wish list, Zimbabwe.
Southern Africa Travel
Like many travellers Nikki had been to Victoria Falls several times, but while Zimbabwe is best known for this thundering waterfall, it is also classic safari country with a number of wild and game-rich reserves.
Last month Nikki got her chance to visit two of these reserves: Hwange National Park and Mana Pools.
As a safari destination, Zimbabwe is particularly popular with return travellers to Africa; seasoned safari goers who’ve done the main safari circuit, ticked off the Big 5, and are now on the hunt for wilder, more remote destinations.
Zimbabwe’s parks offer vast tracks of untamed wilderness, a wide diversity of big game, authentic tented camps, excellent guides and (if you travel to Mana Pools) an exciting choice of activities from game drives and guided walks to river safaris and tiger fishing.
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Combine these reserves with a few days at Victoria Falls, and you have an unforgettable big game safari plus all the fantastic activities that surround one of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls.
Hwange National Park First stop, Hwange National Park. Zimbabwe’s largest and best known reserve, Hwange is famous for its impressive elephant herds along with buffalo, giraffe, zebra, sable antelope and plenty of predators too.
Nikki was surprised at just how good the game viewing was; among her safari highlights she listed up-close elephant sightings, a 14-strong pride of lion and birds too numerous to mention.
Nikki stayed at two camps in Hwange, both run by Wilderness Safaris and both located within private concessions.
For years Wilderness has been maintaining pumped waterholes in these concessions, and since Hwange’s big game relies on this steady supply of water these areas have become the most wildlife-rich regions of the park.
The first camp she stayed at, Little Makalolo, has six traditional-style safari tents overlooking a busy waterhole. There is a family tent, but Nikki cautions, this is a wild and unfenced camp where it’s not uncommon to awake to the sound of animals grazing just beyond your tent flaps.
“A fantastic choice for couples or small groups,” Nikki says.
And if you are looking for a romantic safari, Little Mak also has a secluded sleep-out deck where you can spend a night snuggled down together under a sky filled with stars.
The second Hwange camp, Linkwasha Camp, opened shortly before Nikki’s safari. Linkwasha is a new and luxurious property with eight tents, split-level decks, stylish interiors and a more modern feel.
Most of Hwange is dominated by teak woodlands and rocky hills, but Linkwasha is close to the grassy Ngamo Plains. In Nikki’s words “it feels like you’re in the Ngorongoro Crater of Hwange with all the game concentrated in this one area”.
Another safari highlight was the sundowners stop overlooking a waterhole where elephant were drinking; the curious juveniles coming closer to investigate the drinks table.
Next stop was Mana Pools National Park, and another private concession this time on the bank of the Zambezi River. Here Nikki stayed at Ruckomechi Camp, which she highly recommends: “I loved this lodge, it feels like a real African bush experience with all the luxuries.”
Along with game drives in the beautiful reserve, Nikki opted for a walking safari. Her experienced guide led the group as they tracked lion, got exhilaratingly close to elephant while on foot, and learned about the little things that add new meaning to your African bush experience.