Zimbabwe

Old May 25th, 2011, 06:01 PM
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Zimbabwe

I am looking at taking a safari to Zimbabwe for August of 2012. We've been to Zambia, Botswanna and South Africa and now think we should give Zimbabwe a try. We have been to Vic Falls in Zim, but no further. Has anyone done 12-15 days in Zimbabwe lately? If so, I would appreciate your feedback and suggestions. Please let me know about camps, wildlife, safety, transportation, etc.
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Old May 25th, 2011, 07:17 PM
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I am in the process of putting together a trip to Zim next August also. We have been to Botswana, Zambia and Tanzania and after a lot of research I decided that Zimbabwe looks like a wonderful destination. We will visit Victoria Falls, Hwange, Lake Kariba/Matusadona and Mana Pools. We will be driving from Vic Falls to Hwange and then flying to the other parks. I have been assured that safety and transportion are not an issue and I am confident that we will see plenty of wildlife.
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Old May 26th, 2011, 03:54 AM
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I did 4 x Mana Pools (Ruckomechi), 4 x Hwange (Little Makalolo) and 4 x Vic Falls (Elephant Camp) last November.

Wonderful.

Camps all great. Great wildlife. Logistics all fine. Safety a none issue - didn't feel any different to any other Africa coiuntry I've visited. Full of friendly people delighted to see tourists again. I can't wait to go back.

Whatever you do, do not miss Mana Pools.
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Old May 26th, 2011, 04:49 PM
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Well it's a long time since I've posted on here, but the call of Africa is too loud. Similarly to others above, we've been to Bots & Zambia twice each but hadn't been to Zimbabwe. So we've just booked to go in October this year.

We used a Zimbabwean agent, Experience Africa Safaris ( www.xafricasafaris.com - their website isn't up yet except for the contact details, but we were recommended via someone else and also they are in Lonely Planet ).

This is our itinerary

1 night Elephant Lodge
4 nights Ruckomechi
3 nights Bumi Hills
3 nights Little Makalolo
1 night Vic Falls Hotel

We had fixed flight dates thanks to our FF booking with Qantas so had to adapt to what was available. Our first choices were Little Makalolo (Hwange), Musango (Matusadona/Kariba) and Vundu (Mana Pools). However business is obviously picking up in Zim as some of the camps were full so we had to change the camps and order. But pretty pleased with our final itinerary which included taking advantage of a 4 for 3 special with Ruckomechi.

Belinda at Experience Africa has been really helpful with juggling the itinerary and coming up with different options.

Can't wait!
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Old Jun 19th, 2011, 05:25 AM
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Hi there,

I have recently come off a safari with the renowned Leon Varley (Leon Varley Walking Safaris)and this was a 6 days Chizarira National Park and 5 days Hwange National park.
The safaris are guided by Leon Varley himself and are quite phenomenal in the fast that it is a fully backed up safari with camp staff to cater for all your needs.
The game was amazing in Hwange as we got quite close encounters by foot and photography was superb.Chizarira game was not quite mind blowing but the scenery there is out of this world and i was amazed that its still unspoiled as we did not come across any other peopel in those 6 days.
Mags Varley at Backpackers Africa is superb and did taylor make the trip combining it with other parts of Zim which the rest of the group decided to add onto.It was a truely fantastic trip and you can get hold of her at [email protected].

Have fun and hope this help.
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Old Jun 19th, 2011, 02:37 PM
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Seems a lot of people headed to Zim in 2012.

I have a question for you guys- all the regulars and even first timers who are in regular touch with Zimbabwean operators- What is your sense on safety if the elections move to 2012? Specific to areas around vic Falls to Mana and Hwange. Is that something you would keep an eye on and have a cancellation policy which allows for minimal or no monetary impact if the situation changes due to the elections?

Also a specific question for joyvicfalls : Where all in Hwange did you camp and how many people did you have in your group? Did you have a devoted vehicle to your group as well?

Thanks a lot- appreciate all inputs
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Old Jun 20th, 2011, 08:01 AM
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I went to Zimbabwe last year for for a week after a Botswana safari, traveling alone. I did road transfers only... Vic Falls to Hwange, then down to the Bulawayo area. I stayed at Somalisa Camp in Hwange... great place! They have a "private concession" within Hwange, as do the Wilderness Safaris camps. The game viewing there was really good; even WS were encroaching into it with their vehicles and guests. We even saw a female rhino and calf and tracked it on foot. One of the special treats at Somalisa is that the elephants love to drink from their pool. You can sit on one side of the pool and watch a herd of eles 3 meters away on the other side, noisily slurping water. On the ride from the main gate to Somalisa, however, I didn't see much game. I also stayed one night at Ivory Lodge outside the park (Somalisa was full that night.) They have a waterhole in front of the lodge and do game drives in a nearby area. I didn't like how they piled the vehicle full of people, 3 across. There was fairly good game-viewing on the drive, though.

I then went down to Amalinda Camp, about an hour outside of Bulawayo, near Matobo Hills NP. It's a beautiful and unique camp, built within the rocks. I think it's a great place to either start or end a safari... very relaxing. I did a couple of game drives in Matobo Hills. On one, we saw both a black and a white rhino. The second drive didn't turn up much, though. I think the main draw for this area is the spectacular rocky landscapes and the San rock art. We hiked up to a cave that had large numbers of paintings that were fantastic!

I had an opportunity to speak with the locals during my week's stay. They spoke about the rough times from 2000 - 2008, but said that things were marginally better now. They are all optimistic about the future, but the country is just trying to "wait out" Mugabe and his cronies. On the road transfers, we passed several police checkpoints. A few rands to them and we were on our way. There was one instance on the drive from Amalinda to Bulawayo, however, where a plainclothed policeman had us (the driver/guide and I) get out of the vehicle for a search. The guide was incensed at his rudeness, but we didn't have any problems. I never felt fearful or in any danger.

I traveled to Zimbabwe in 2000, shortly after their elections and the resulting violence. I was in Vic Falls, Hwange and Mana Pools. I flew between all those locations and didn't experience any problems. The Mana Pools area is really special and if you're going to Zim, I'd definitely recommend it. I just didn't have the time on last year's trip to include it.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2011, 03:48 AM
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Hey Tanya,

We camped on the northen central part of Sinamatella at Vikani Camp. This area is not as accessible as the eastern part hence this a more satisfying wilderness experience.

These camps are known as Eco Camps where there are no permanent structures and everything must be taken in and then removed after every safari. During the safari they are exclusive and reserved to a single party.
Accommodation is in very comfortable 2 man walk in tents with complete bedding and two single beds.
Because its a walking safari they are quite strict with numbers so maximum number of people per trip is 6 and yes we did have the exclusive use of the vehicle during the safari. Our group had 5 in it.
Hope this helps.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2011, 04:42 PM
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Thanks joyvicfalls it does as Sinamatella is in the shortlist. Will look up Vikani Camp. Did you also camp at any of the picnic sites in Ngweshla or Kennedy Vlei? I am wondering with just 4 days and a first Hwange visit if one should just focus on Ngweshla/Kennedy or include Sinamatella/Masuma as well.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2011, 05:17 PM
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Ngweshla Pan is in the Somalisa concession, although it did have a campsite there. That's where we saw so much game, including the rhinos.
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Old Jun 23rd, 2011, 02:51 AM
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Another option is to venture into the Eastern part of Zimbabwe after the Vic Falls. 15 Days is quite good as you will start from the Falls and also get a chance to enjoy the untamed wild of Hwange in the comfort of Sikumi Tree Lodge or The Hide (Camping Safari). These places are a must go.
Bulawayo then will be a good place to pass through and enjoy the historic scenes.
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Old Jun 24th, 2011, 07:05 AM
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No the recent trip was only at Vikani but i did a similar trip with them last year around January..not the best of time because it was the onset of the rainy season.
We stayed at Shumba Campsite..they have hot water in the shower there which was good.

Hope this helps.
cheers.
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Old Jun 26th, 2011, 07:46 PM
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Thanks ShayTay and JVF.
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