Nzira Issue 14

www.nzira.co.zw 1 NZ RA Travel Zimbabwe Issue 14 2019 Zimbabwe Experience the magical Beauty of

2Issue 14 - 2019

3 www.zambezivalleysafaris.co.zw www.nzira.co.zw

4Issue 14 - 2019 In the Southern Hemisphere, we are now in the summer season, and the days are becoming longer and warmer. Coming out of our dry winter, with our rainy seasons both a memory and a promise, I think that Zimbabwe is visually at her best. This time of year was the right time, for me, to be on the road. Viewing a wide variety of the Zimbabwean bush vegetation, as we passed through it on our way to our destinations, was an unexpected bonus of the trip. Dusty, khaki landscapes occasionally popped with the mauve of Jacaranda 昀氀owers. African Flame trees held their own with their scarlet blossoms. This beauty is stark yet bewitching and I wouldn’t be anywhere else in the world. This is also the optimal game viewing season - animals congregate at water holes as rivers continue to dry out. The time to book a visit to Gonarezhou - or to Hwange or Mana or wherever you choose - is now. You will not be disappointed. Zimbabwe beguiles, draws you in and dares you not to fall in love with all she has to offer. Publisher Mike Garden [email protected] +263 (0) 772 209 162 Editor Nomsa Nyoni [email protected] Tel: 024 2782720 Advertising Rudo Nhamoinesu [email protected] Tel: 024 2782720 Design and Layout Tamuka Nyoni [email protected] +263 (0) 775 363 706 Printer Sable Press Unit 21-22 Bluffhill Industrial Park Bluffhill Harare Tel: 024 331 637/8, 331654 +263 (0) 772 525 076 DISCLAIMER Whilst every effort is made to check the content of any article, the directors will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions in such articles. We accept that all articles and photographs sent to us are the sole responsibility of the authors and we do not accept liability for any misrepresentation. Events listed, the dates thereof, and prices are printed using information supplied to us that we are satis昀椀ed are correct at the time of printing. Nzira publication is the exclusive property of Ndeipi (Pvt) Ltd Media Use the QR code to visit our website for more articles. Nzira Cover Photo Experience Zambezi Valley magic with Zambezi Valley Safaris InfoNzira nziramagazine Nzira Editorial My family and I have recently returned from a road trip that took us to Victoria Falls via Bulawayo and Hwange. Massive amounts of mileage done and many hours spent in the car. However, this was most enjoyable and our road tripping was a great way to see the countryside. Although we were only passing through Bulawayo en route to our ultimate destination of Victoria Falls, it was still a delight. Zimbabwe’s second city, the city of Kings and Queens, is steeped in its own rich history. This was a whistle stop tour and we only managed to visit the Museum of Natural History and Matobo Hills National Park. Next time we need to stay longer, as there is much more to see. If we can, we will linger a little longer and stay in the Matobo National Parks Lodges. Our homegrown destinations have a lot to offer and it’s important for my children to see as much of them for themselves and understand the diversity and breadth of Zimbabwe. If you want to be a part of the pathway to the next NZiRA issue, please contact us [email protected] Nzira Travel Zimbabwe produces a bi-monthly travel magazine that is aimed at showcasing the beauty of the country and the various outstanding destinations that it has to offer. To subscribe to Nzira please send your details and payment to our Softrite of昀椀ces at 37 Victoria Drive, Newlands, Harare, or contact us on 024 2782720. Your issue will be delivered bi-monthly. NZiRA Travel Magazine subscription, delivered to your door. Julie NZ RA Travel Zimbabwe NZ RA

5 www.nzira.co.zw CONTENTS NZIRA ISSUE 14 2019 Local Talent 6 12 34 16 18 31 32 39 41 44 49 58 61 61 14 Sandalwood Lodge Outdoor Camping Photo Gallery Every Dog Counts Lower Pungwe Zambezi Elephant Fund On a high in Mutarazi Your travel rides on your Tyres My Antelope Engagement Nyamazi Festival Sable Sands Breaking Barriers in the Kitchen Suitcase Stories African tales The Perfect Gift for Christmas A Guide to Patrick Mavros Boutique Accommodation The essentials you never want to forget Translating wildlife onto paper Painted dog conservation Great hikes along the River Collection of the 昀椀nest images Crossing Bridges Birdlife Showcase Improve the life of your tyres Destination Love Adventures in the semi-bush An off-the-grid African gem Chef Pulane Road trip necessities A must read for the summer 8 Robins Camp 22 Iconic Safari Destination A Shearwater guided walk Footsteps to the wilderness 57

6Issue 14 - 2019 arare has always been the premier Zimbabwean city for businessmen to research new or cement existing investment opportunities. As the city and its surrounds have grown, so too has it become a place for tourists to add to their “Must see” list when visiting Zimbabwe. Most visitors are only in Harare for a short stay so it is very important to 昀椀nd good accommodation that is in the best location for their intended endeavours. I was fortunate enough to spend an evening at the luxurious Sandalwood Lodge situated in the centre of Mount Pleasant and very close to leading shopping centres and restaurants. The whole complex is self-contained and ideal for the businessman who wants that feeling of being in the country. Classical music playing lightly in the background welcomes you into their very private world. They have just added six new executive suites on the other side of the central swimming pool and I was given the chance to experience one for myself. The rooms all have high ceilings in a spacious living area (6x6m) plus an en-suite bathroom with the very latest design and 昀椀ttings including a shower and bath. The workstation next to the well-stocked fridge is a great space to place your laptop for catching up with email correspondence at the end of a busy day. Being a tallish guy, I am very particular about the bed, mattress and pillows. The extra-long king size unit with feather pillows and warm duvet did the job perfectly, allowing for a long snug sleep in absolute quiet. I was woken at the break of dawn to the melodious chorus of the White-browed Robin-chat (Heuglin’s Robin). There are now 15 rooms at Sandalwood but the overall design is such that one has that comforting feeling of privacy with plenty of different corners to read the latest Nzira Travel Zimbabwe magazine or to share a quiet drink with a colleague or partner. Those guests wanting to keep to their exercise regimen have the full use of the in-house gym with the opportunity of completing the session with either a swim or a sauna. Upstairs in the main building is a small conference centre where company directors could, for instance, conduct a day-long seminar with teas and lunches all served within the con昀椀nes of the lodge. With so many guests coming from all parts of the world, outgoing types who like to converse with strangers can meet all sorts of different folks from far and wide. H Sandalwood Lodge Article Mike Garden Images Sandalwood Lodge NZ RASandlewood Lodge

7 www.nzira.co.zw For enquiries / bookings [email protected] www.sandalwoodlodge.co.zw Call +263 778 666 555 +263 242 302758/ 9 A

8Issue 14 - 2019 The Perfect Gift for Christmas The Patrick Mavros Story The beginning of the Patrick Mavros story started with the creation of a delicate pair of earrings he carved as a treasured gift for his future wife, Catja. More than 40 years later, the time-honoured and loving tradition of gift giving remains the foundation of the iconic Patrick Mavros brand we know today. This is a family passionate about bringing the African wilderness to the world through extraordinary sterling silver jewellery and sculpture. All of these beautiful pieces are gift-wrapped with silver elephant paper and a perfectly tied bow. The anticipation and excitement of unwrapping a Patrick Mavros gift is priceless. As we enter into the festive season, the Mavros family has added new designs to the well-loved classics, all of which make some of the most cherished Christmas gifts. A Guide to Patrick Mavros Article Ann Beattie Images Patrick Mavros The New Nada Collection Every design by Patrick Mavros tells a story. The new Nada Collection celebrates the African legend surrounding Nada, a fabled southern African beauty who is the heroine of an ancient love story. Inspired by Patrick’s original Nada bangle, this collection includes beautiful stones that are revered for their healing properties and their striking colour. A Celebration of Christmas There is no better time than Christmas for families and friends to gather around the table and celebrate. The elegant Patrick Mavros dining collection creates a spectacular safari setting at the table. A scene of browsing giraffes under Acacia trees, exquisite napkin ring holders and charming animal place card holders will enchant children and adults alike over Christmas dinner. All Patrick Mavros pieces are handmade and come with a lifetime guarantee. Patrick Mavros

9 www.nzira.co.zw Patrick Mavros Classics Patrick, Jnr created the Pangolin Collection, which pays homage to the adorable creature and its story. This collection epitomises much of what the Mavros family is passionate about, and that’s wildlife conservation. Through this sleek collection, they are able to help protect the animal they so love; ten percent of the proceeds from the Pangolin Collection go to the Tiki Hywood Foundation. Sundowners & Cocktails The swizzle sticks and cocktail spoons offer a unique way to amuse your guests and add African 昀氀air to your favourite sundowner. These creative bar accessories make a treasured gift. Ben the Ele One day during the hot and dry season in the Zambezi Valley, a huge exhausted elephant bull staggered up the hill to Bumi Hills Safari Lodge seeking help with a gaping wound in his shoulder. The housekeeper, Ben, came to the elephant’s aid, bringing water and the rescue team. This story was so heartening and inspiring to Patrick that he carved Ben and his family, Ellen and Milie, in a beautiful collection of jewellery. Patrick is most comfortable in his role as master storyteller and can often be seen entertaining his customers with stories of catching snakes or rescuing baby elephants from the mud. He loves to tell the story about getting caught smoking a cigar as a young man at school. The discipline he received did not stop him and he still enjoys a 昀椀ne cigar while putting the 昀椀nishing touches on one of his many masterpieces. A Patrick Mavros sterling silver ashtray is an exceptional gift for the cigar a昀椀cionado in your life. Patrick Mavros

10Issue 14 - 2019 Shall We Have a Cuppa? These detailed and delightful coffee spoons are the perfect gift for that special friend who shares those countless cuppas with you. Choose your favourite designs to comprise a set of six that is elegantly displayed in a presentation box. For Him Surprise your man with the iconic Elephant Hair Bangle or a stylish Zim Bangle this Christmas. An exquisite pair of Patrick Mavros cuf昀氀inks is truly a must-have 昀椀nishing touch for the style connoisseur. This is one of the most impressive and extensive collections of cuf昀氀inks ever made. Put A Ring On It The classic ladies ring collection includes distinguished designs that are eye-catching and stylish. Give your loved one their favourite animal to keep close with the Animal Lover Rings, or create your own combination in a stack. Kate and Forbes have been inspired by the sea treasures from the Indian Ocean to design the beautiful Sea Urchin Rings, which are all handmade in the Mauritian Atelier. A drive out to the Patrick Mavros Studio is more of an adventure than a shopping trip. Do yourself a favour this Christmas season and visit the beautiful studio, enjoy a fresh glass of lemonade and hopefully 昀椀nd that perfect gift you’ve been looking for. CONTACT [email protected] [email protected] +263 772 570 533 +44 207 05 20001 NZ RA Patrick Mavros

11 www.nzira.co.zw www.shongwelookout.com [email protected]

12Issue 14 - 2019 For two thirds of the year the night skies are bereft of cloud so the 昀椀rst thing you tend to notice is how one sees so many more stars than you have ever seen from your garden back in Harare. The Southern Cross is the most distinguishable as is the Scorpius Zodiac. Night beckons and the whole family tucks in for a very peaceful night. Early morning is another special time when Dad blows a few puffs and throws a few more logs on the 昀椀re to make ready for the 昀椀rst cup of tea for the day. A lovely time to just sit, quietly, outside the tent taking in the scenery whilst Mom takes a well-earned lie in. Why not pick up the phone now and contact your nearest National Parks of昀椀ce to book a camping holiday for the long weekend? Outdoor Camping Z Article and Images Mike Garden imbabwe is, in my opinion, very much about family with the happiest people being those who take holiday breaks and travel to a place to spend a few days with Mom, Dad and the kids. One of the best trips you can have is a camping holiday where all of the participants have their own speci昀椀c tasks to do. It all starts with Dad going off and buying a decent tent, a few chairs plus a few accessories like foam rubber mattresses and a gas braai. Mom and the little ones raid the kitchen and bedroom closet of cooking utensils and blankets to place in a decent sized trunk. In recent years our own National Parks have started upgrading their campsites and lodges. These occur all over the country including remote destinations like Matopos, Nyanga, Mana Pools and Hwange. These are all very reasonably priced, clean and are mostly in very good locations. Once you arrive at your chosen place and rush to the loo, you take a few minutes to savour the view and dream up outrageous things to do. The tent(s) is the 昀椀rst thing to set up and, if you start doing it at an early age, the children have a lot of fun helping Dad put it all together. Then there is the 昀椀rst cup of tea. So the team collects a whole lot of wood and together they are shown how to start a camp昀椀re to boil water in that battered, old aluminum kettle. Whenever you go away on a camping trip there is just about always something that someone has forgotten to buy or pack. You learn very quickly to do what all of us in Zimbabwe are so good at – Make a plan. Normally you arrive at your destination late in the afternoon so there is only time for a quick shower before the process of cooking the 昀椀rst meal is underway. There is nothing quite like sitting around the camp昀椀re chatting about the day’s trip or events – of that funny incident that only little Johnny saw – and makes sure he uses this time to relate all about his incident. NZ RA Outdoor Camping

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14Issue 14 - 2019 Camilla Odendaal Above Solitude Acrylic on water colour paper, 59cm x 42cm Local Talent

15 www.nzira.co.zw amilla Odendaal was born and raised in Zimbabwe 1996, growing up on many farms around the country. She was exposed to the African bush and wildlife at a young age. School holidays were always ones for extended camping trips for up to four weeks at a time with family, particularly in Mana Pools during the thirsty dry season and Gonarezhou during the relief of the rains. Camilla’s love and understanding for nature stemmed from her parents, who hold the African bush close to heart. It is with this that Camilla went on to study a BSc in Biodiversity and Ecology at Stellenbosch University in South Africa from 2015- 2017. Having completed a conservation and evolutionary based degree, Camilla’s understanding deepened for the world around us. After returning home from her studies she pursued her passion for translating her love for wildlife onto paper. Through her varied techniques, each communicating something different about the subject, Camilla aims to help bring more awareness to wildlife conservation. Her long term goal is to project her work towards funding for the continuation of conservation efforts in Zimbabwe. C Q & As 1.When did you start doing art and what motivated you? I started art at Lomagundi College, completing an art portfolio at Cambridge A level. Having a keen interest for conservation from a young age, I went on to study a BSc Biodiversity and Ecology at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. After completing the degree I felt more motivated than ever to help create awareness for our wildlife in the best way I know how, on paper! 2.What inspires your works and what kind of art do you do? My work is inspired by the African bush and its wildlife. Having spent many school holidays camping in Mana Pools and Gonarezhou, I developed a deeper understanding for nature. I try to communicate movement and an essence of the subjects’ character in my work. 3.Do you plan to do more solo exhibitions? Yes absolutely, I also hope to collaborate with other artists in future to fundraise towards conservation efforts in Zimbabwe. 4.Brie昀氀y describe your 昀椀rst solo exhibition? I named the exhibition Assortment as it was a mixed collection of original artworks. I have a variety of techniques and mediums that I love to use so I felt the name was so 昀椀tting. It was held at Tanglewood Artzone, which accommodated the different art pieces extremely well in its many open rooms. Left Mana Heat Charcoal and graphite on paper, 42cm x 59cm Above Guinea Rush Acrylic on canvas, 59cm x 31cm Above Dash for Water Acrylic on stretched canvas, 76cm x 25cm camillaodendaal.art v b Camilla Odendaal Art NZ RA Local Talent

16Issue 14 - 2019 “Vusile, founding alpha mother to Socks (herself a great matriarch), was rescued and rehabilitated at the facility. After her rehabilitation and release back into the wild, 137 dogs have been traced back to Vusile’s lineage and have since largely populated the Hwange National Park.” The painted dog (Lycaon pictus) is one of Africa’s most persecuted and endangered predators and yet many of us remain oblivious to their existence. Many human variables threaten the existence of this species in Zimbabwe, which currently sits at just under 200 in Hwange National Park and 700 across the rest of Zimbabwe. Living in pack societies of numbers up to 30, painted dogs, also colloquially known as wild dogs, mate and then den to rear their o昀昀spring once a year, usually between March and June. Owing to the fact that painted dogs have a low survival rate when they are pups, due to both human and non-human factors, they are faced with possible extinction if strategic intervention is discontinued. ainted Dog Conservation in Hwange, was established in the 1990s and registered as a Private Voluntary Organisation in 2005, with a vision to create a conducive environment where painted dogs (Lycaon pictus) can thrive, and a mission to protect and increase the range and numbers of painted dogs. In 2002, the Painted Dog Rehabilitation Facility was established in Hwange. Its purpose is to house and care for injured, sick or orphaned painted dogs until they recover enough to be reintroduced to their families in the wild. Recently, the rehabilitation facility housed the Mpindo pack, which was released into Mana Pools in September, in collaboration with Wilderness Safaris. Being a worldclass facility has made Painted Dog Conservation able to shelter packs that are perceived to be threats in the community or are sick or injured. Though the facilities do not, as a rule, keep dogs that have been rescued or rehabilitated, two dogs, Lucky and Peanut, now reside at the centre as their injuries do not allow them to be released. They serve as ambassadors of their species to 1,000 Iganyana Bush Camp kids that come through per year from 20 local primary schools. Painted dogs are listed as endangered on the International Union For Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red data list yet they are not specially protected animals in Zimbabwe, hence the call to specially protect these beautiful animals that have become highly sought after by tourists on their game viewing safaris in Zimbabwe. Through further research and day-to-day assessment, it was noted that Every Dog Counts Article Chelsy Maumbe Images Tibone Matikiti & Munyaradzi Pakamisa After extensive research, Painted Dog Conservation identi昀椀ed the different direct and indirect threats to painted dogs. Pressures such as road kill, loss of quality habitat, poaching, wire snares, disease and negative perceptions within the communities rank highest. The expansion of cattle ranching in the past had led to mass killing of the dogs as they were perceived as vermin and actually were regarded as problem animals. With the aid of the National Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe National Parks and the Zimbabwe Republic Police, painted dogs were consequently removed from being classi昀椀ed as problem animals and became protected by Statutory Instrument 80 of 2004 which made it illegal to hunt or kill painted dogs without a permit. However, they are still to be expunged from the list although technically they are off it. painted dogs come under pressure from other larger predators that subsequently force them out of the park and into the communities where there is inevitably humanwildlife con昀氀ict. To address this, the sanctuary introduced community programs and initiatives such as the Children’s Bush Camp and the voluntary communal anti-poaching units to involve and educate the community about the dogs. The Conservation’s Works Above Peanut, the resident dog P Top Right Sherphard and Kelvin Every Dog Counts

17 www.nzira.co.zw The four-day bush camp was established in 2004 as a long-term strategy to mitigate threats to painted dogs through education, and to work against the inevitable extinction of the dogs. To date, 20 local schools are taken through an array of environmental classes whose concept is in tandem with the National Education System Curriculum annually. It is targeted at grade six students, ranging between 11 and 12 years old. A positive response from the community has developed as a result of these initiatives. Daily, groups of voluntary anti-poaching members track within their communal lands, searching for snares that may entrap the dogs or their livestock. Recently, some women who were collecting wood in the forest on a Thursday, (National Forestry designated day for wood picking), upon 昀椀nding a snared bushbuck, alerted the anti-poaching unit who then rescued it and sent it on its way - unlike before, where they may have proceeded to kill it for its meat. A dedicated team of researchers creates identity 昀椀les for all the dogs and the packs they have encountered over the years for monitoring and evaluation of the survival and performance of the dogs. So far the team has deployed over 24 VHF collars on over 15 packs in Hwange National Park, the collars allow the research team to monitor the dogs daily and record critical data on the dogs and at the same time determine if they are heading towards known “unsafe” areas. The anti-poaching team has 16 members, three whom are women; one of the ladies joined after attending the bush camp program. There are also K-9 dogs in the antipoaching team with two handlers and two caretakers. The symbiotic relationship between the community and the conservation has grown over the years. Chief Nelukoba Dingani and Chief Nekatambe are highly involved. The conservation has created several platforms for alternative sources of income for the community. A craft-making project generating income was established in Dete where the artisans create a variety of merchandise that is then sold in the shop at the Painted Dogs Sanctuary. Supplies for these crafts such as wire or beads are made accessible to the artists by the organisation, who then buy the creations from them for resale to guests. Moreover, community vegetable gardens that are situated by the boreholes drilled in the communities by the Conservation Centre have helped lighten the food shortages within these communities. The Conservation Centre has also built classroom blocks and teachers’ quarters at the Mabale Primary school, and Songwa Clinic. A programme has been established by the centre, in which the local domestic dog population is vaccinated, free of charge, against rabies and distemper. This mitigates the spread of the diseases into painted dog populations but at the same time, helps with prevention, as medication would be expensive should a human be bitten by a rabid dog. Since inception, over 70,000 guests, both local and international, have visited the facility. Entrance to the facility is free but guests are welcome to leave donations. With over 60 employees and 40 community volunteers, the facility is positive that they will be able to reach a larger audience thereby creating a lasting impact that will usher in a new era of continued existence for the painted dog in no time. The guidance and authority of ZimParks in facilitating the work of Painted Dog Conservation through permits and access to the park’s estate has been commendable. Painted Dog Conservation also works with local universities that include the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT), Lupane State University (LSU) and Midlands State University (MSU) through the interns who come to PDC every year. This allows for local students to learn from the world class organisation. Painted Dog Conservation’s area of cooperation reaches into the mid-Zambezi Valley, having worked extensively in supporting the production of the BBC’s documentary “Dynasties - The Rebel” in Mana Pools, which will further increase an insight and an awareness of this amazing and fascinating species by broadcasting to a wider audience worldwide. A Mutually Bene昀椀cial Affair WEBSITE www.painteddog.org GPS -18.63179 26.9967 X-499652 Y- 7939913 painted_dog_conservation PaintedDogPDC PaintedDogsZimbabwe a v b Left Operations manager, David Kuvawoga Above A rare sighting of a pack of painted dogs beside the road NZ RA Every Dog Counts

18Issue 14 - 2019 The Magic of the T Lower Pungwe Article and Images Rob Jarvis here are several small renewable energy projects that have been built along the rivers that 昀氀ow off the southern and western edges of Mt. Nyangani. Fortunately, the owners have left some of the facilities built to accommodate project managers and contractors as an eco-friendly campsite for the use by anyone keen to go and live a luxury life in the wilderness. Luxury you ask? Well, for Zimbabweans it is probably the only place in the whole country where you can take every conceivable electrical device you have in the house and plug them in and, lo and behold, they work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Toasters, hair-dryers, microwaves, deep-freezes, electric stovesthey will all work at Lower Pungwe. All this is possible because the rivers are fed by the mountain slopes of Nyangani. Adjacent ranges and the huge grasslands and forests of Nyanga National Park basically work as a large natural sponge, soaking up the plentiful rain, steadily releasing the water and feeding the rivers year-round with crystal-clear water, clean and ready to drink, that rushes and swirls round huge boulders, into large Olympicsized pools and over rapids and falls. It can be dangerous in the wet season when the river rages, but at the end of the dry season, the river can be crossed almost anywhere along its length. Always check the weather before going to the Pungwe and before going on a hike. Be prepared for sudden changes in weather. There are great hikes either along the river itself, and along the mountain ridges that keep the Pungwe 昀椀rmly on track towards its 昀椀nal destination in the Indian Ocean just adjacent to Beira, in Mozambique. In the photo below, we see a geological feature on the southern side of the valley- called The Pinnacles. The mountains in the background form the common border between Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Ancient civilisations used to live in these parts and the high ground has many ruins long reclaimed by the relentless onslaught of tropical jungles. Exactly what these people used to do in these parts is largely a mystery, with some, believe that they were purely agriculturists, and grew crops on terraced mountain slopes and on raised bunds in the valleys and kept cattle and sheep in strange below-ground shelters. Others are adamant that the remains of these structures point to a more industrialised activity of extracting gold with the primary purpose of servicing Far-Eastern markets. Today, there is little evidence of readily found gold in these parts, so either they were very ef昀椀cient, or the pastoral cropping lifestyle is the more likely explanation. The Honde Valley, through which the Pungwe 昀氀ows, is a hive of human activity. Tea estates, coffee, bananas, avocados, papaya, mangoes, macadamia nuts and every other imaginable crop thrive in the hot humid conditions. Water is drawn down by enterprising locals using gravity through bright PVC pipes to irrigate the lower slopes. If nothing else, you can totally relax at these facilities, like these large round boulders, re昀氀ecting and listening to the hum of the hydro plants as they generate the energy to keep everything electrical fully-powered. Lower Pungwe

19 www.nzira.co.zw Pungwe B Campsite Book through: Rob Goddard +263 773 179 495 Directions: Turn left off the main Juliasdale to Mutare road at 30 km peg. Go 34 kilometres to Hauna and turn left and follow road to campsite. If coming from Mutare, turn right just after Mutasa township. There is a scenic shortcut through Bonda Mission on a good wide tar road when coming from Rusape to Juliasdale. All proceeds from booking the campsite goes to a local community school. Facilities include: Braai stands, dining hall with washbasins, communal toilets and showers, campsites either on grass or on concrete plinths.

20 Issue 14 - 2019 Air Zimbabwe Destinations Dar Es Salaam Situated in the heart of East Africa, is the beautiful country of Tanzania. Air Zimbabwe’s destination, Dar Es Salaam is a hop, skip and a boat ride away from the fabled, mystical and magical spice island of Zanzibar. White beaches and warm blue seas beckon to those wanting an African island break. We 昀氀y to Dar Es Salaam every Tuesday and Saturday. Harare The Sunshine City, Zimbabwe’s capital city. A vibrant, diverse social scene awaits you here. With cafes and restaurants galore, game parks, art galleries, woodlands, and the beautiful and historic Domboshava rocks to name but a few attractions, there is sure to be something to suit everyone here. Flights to and from Harare. Air Zimbabwe is headquartered in Harare. Take to the skies with us Images Tamuka Nyoni & Dave Dell

www.nzira.co.zw 21 Bulawayo The City of Kings and Queens, Bulawayo boasts wide, tree-lined avenues, parks and charming colonial architecture. These make it an attractive tourist destination. The city has a historical feel to it and is the gateway to the Matobo National Park, the home of the Matobo hills rock formations and home of Stone Age rock paintings and cave art. We 昀氀y to Bulawayo daily from Harare, and from Johannesburg four times a week. Johannesburg The City of Gold, home to the Soweto Towers. These iconic Orlando Towers have been converted from being an eyesore to being a site of some of the most fun and exhilarating adventure sports in South Africa. They are situated in Soweto, just outside Johannesburg, in the province of Gauteng. Soweto itself is an important cultural and historical site, and remains the largest informal settlement (or township) in the country. In addition, Gauteng is the wealthiest and most internationally connected province in South Africa. All these factors combine to make the Orlando Towers ideally situated for visitors from around the world. We 昀氀y directly to Johannesburg from Harare daily, and four times a week from Bulawayo. Victoria Falls One of Zimbabwe’s hottest - or coolest tourist destinations - Victoria Falls is a short aeroplane ride from Harare or Bulawayo, making it easily accessible for a fun-昀椀lled, exciting trip. Whether you’re seeking an adrenalin rush of a gorge swing or zip line, or looking forward to enjoying a more sedate sunset cruise, Victoria Falls has a wide array of activities for visitors to enjoy. We 昀氀y to Victoria Falls daily. ©Dave Dell *Please be advised schedules are subject to change without notice. NZ RA Air Zimbabwe

22Issue 14 - 2019 A Truly Authentic African Wildlife Destination When both local and foreign tourists book a Zimbabwean holiday destination such as Hwange, they are seeking to immerse themselves in the whole untamed, undeveloped wildlife and bush experience, whilst still having a base from which to venture forth on game drives. To guests wanting this kind of escape, Robins Camp, managed by the Machaba Group, is exactly that - remote, and seemingly set deep in the heart of nowhere. Yet, at the resort itself, every civilised comfort available is o昀昀ered as it sets new standards for a昀昀ordable Zimbabwean lodge hospitality. Gavin and Mina Woest and their team are on hand to make your stay here comfortable and memorable. Robins Camp is a spacious, peaceful, cool, calm haven and a place where you can do as much or as little as you want. When my family and I stayed there, we chose to drive ourselves around the National Park but we also opted for a guided sunrise game drive. Comprising three sections, Robins Camp o昀昀ers comfortable lodge style accommodation, in either chroma deck roo昀椀ng or thatched chalets (there is no di昀昀erence in price between these, it’s just how the camp was built), with meals included in the package for the campers there is a self-catering camping ground or you can book a dinner in the restaurant. Breakfast and lunch is also available for campers and daily walk-ins. There is also an adjacent airstrip for bush plane transfers. Available Facilities There is no cell phone network coverage here, but WiFi is available to buy should you wish or need to remain connected during your trip. In the dining room, three hearty and delicious meals a day prepared by a number of talented chefs ensure you don’t go hungry. Early morning ground coffee is a real treat to enjoy while breathing in the fresh bush aromas and observing the sunrise and nearby waterhole. A snack menu is also available from 10am till 5pm. Tea and coffee is on tap all day long. For those guests who come back from a game drive hot, dusty and thirsty, a communal pool and the Hyena Bar are available to both cool you down and slake your thirst. There are benches and chairs throughout the lawned grounds whilst indigenous trees provide cool, shady spots for bird watching should the mood take you. Don’t forget to pack binoculars, as birdlife is abundant: red winged starlings, sparrow weavers and many other bird species dart about all day long. With guests’ safety in mind, a low-lying, unobtrusive electric perimeter fence keeps the larger animals outside. A water-hole just outside the fence makes sundowner time special for guests as various animals come here to drink. Robins Camp is a birder’s and animal watcher’s paradise. Daily visitors to the camp include a business of banded mongooses whilst a scrub hare nibbles the lawn in the cool of the evenings. Resident squirrels busily scurry hither and thither during the day, keeping us amused and entertained. Robins CAMP Article Julie Havercroft Images Robins Camp & Julie Havercroft Robins Camp

23 www.nzira.co.zw Captivated, we observed them quietly for a bit and then departed, leaving them to digest their meal while vultures and jackals gorged themselves on the remains of the kill nearby. This is why we came to Hwange: for the peace and tranquility of nature but also for experiencing the adrenalin of being close to such a primeval animal encounter. On our afternoon drive, we also encountered hippo and crocodiles in one of the pools known as Croc Pools. We saw elephant- close enough for me to get eyelash envy- as well as zebra, waterbuck, kudu, impala, warthog, steenbuck, reedbuck and jackals. We did not see buffalo, but they are resident in vast numbers. The bush at this time of year, coming out of winter, is very dry, and comprises bleached grasslands interspersed with Mopane woodland. Although seemingly bone-dry, vegetation cover is still dense enough to make animal spotting something of an art. The pans have water, which makes them good for central viewpoints as animals gather there to drink. The Machaba Group operates tented camps within Zimbabwe and Botswana. One of the group’s Zimbabwean destinations, Robins Camp has only been open for 16 months, after a long period of inactivity. It was extremely run down when leased from National Parks and much loving restoration went into it. Now fully functional, it offers guests the chance to stay in a place - Hwange - that is affordable yet at the same time, a dream bush location. * National Parks entrance fees are mandatory and we paid ours at the adjoining of昀椀ce and kept our receipt of payment safe. This was presented at the manned boom gate upon leaving Parks land. Contact [email protected] or Tel: +27 82 579 5249 or +263 787 259 097 for further information and bookings. The website is www.robinscamp.com Mopane section There are 18 double or twin chalets, en-suite chalets in this section. Two sets of two inter leading rooms are perfect for families and these come with baths and showers. All chalets are serviced daily and have comfortable beds, crisp linen bedding and mosquito nets and an overhead fan to ensure a good night’s sleep. Outdoor chairs are provided for you to sit outside your chalet, to relax, read or daydream. There is plenty of hot water to wash off the dust that comes from driving around this slice of bush paradise. Cool, contemporary decor throughout Robins Camp sets the camp mood with elements such as painted antelope skulls and locally woven, colourful baskets made from recycled plastic bags. Muted khaki shades enhance the African bush setting, whilst on the outer walls of the thatched chalets, hand-painted Matabele designs add an authentically local touch. The overall effect is as much art as it is functional. Camping section The self-drive visitor making the journey to Robins Camp is catered for with 25 rustic yet fully equipped campsites, all with power points, a barbecue area and a water tap, and secured by perimeter electric fencing. The campsite is serviced by three brilliant ablution blocks– two are brand new and another one has been refurbished. Campers can also enjoy full access to all the facilities that the other section of Robins Camp has to offer - the pool, the bar and the restaurant. Acacia section This comprises 18 double or twin bed, en-suite thatched chalets and four Guide/ Pilot rooms that are very comfortable. There is a family suite available, with two inter-leading twin rooms and a double room. All chalets have showers. A Blend Of Old And New Furthermore, the place is dedicated to honouring its historical legacy. It tips its hat to the past:- the original architecture of the watchtower has been preserved and remains today. It was from this high viewpoint that Herbert George Robins scanned his land through a telescope, looking for poachers, game and bush 昀椀res, and the stars. Today, guests are able to climb the stairs to enjoy the magni昀椀cent, 360-degree aerial view of their surroundings. Robins’ lonely and simple grave lies to the right of the gates as you drive in and in years gone by, the local people would leave offerings of beer on his grave to appease his spirit and ensure good rains. On the way out when we set off on our game drive, I ask the guide to stop for a minute so I can pay my respects - and quietly ask for good game viewing. Guided game drives are offered (sunrise, sunset or all-day) and we took a sunrise game drive with one of the camp’s guides. This did not disappoint. Our guide was knowledgeable and yet both entertaining and interesting. He was an expert at 昀椀nding lion which abound in this region: we found Vusi and his pride catnapping, bellies bulging and tails 昀氀icking after their buffalo kill. (Vusi is the resident black-maned lion, collared and tracked by a lion research body). It was a magical sighting and one my family and I will not forget in a hurry. NZ RA Robins Camp

24 Issue 14 - 2019 A Brief Look At The Man Behind The Place My visit to Robins Camp included 昀椀nding out a little of the history behind the place. Zimbabwe’s local history is peppered with larger than life characters. One such person, despite his eccentricities and quirks, left behind an invaluable legacy for the country. This man was Herbert George Robins. It is because of him that we have Robins Camp, situated in the northern region of Zimbabwe’s largest National Park, Hwange. The area is named in his honour and is located on what was originally his farm land. Robins bought land, sight unseen, to farm over 100 years ago, in the early 1900’s and initially ranched cattle on it. However, this land was unsuited to agriculture with poor soils and marginal rain, but it abounded with wildlife. Over the passage of time, this was to become Robins’ gift to our country and has provided visitors from all over the world with over a century of game viewing. A bearded man, photographed unsmiling and often wearing a white nightcap, Robins lived in this remote corner of then-Rhodesia. He himself is recorded as acknowledging this very inaccessibility: “The track from here to Wankie is one of the worst I have ever seen,” and this coming from a man who had previously travelled widely over southern and central Africa. A character that polarised opinion, he was, however, a champion of the wildlife that lived on his land: at the turn of the 19th century, European settlers used the surrounding area as a personal hunting ground and decimated levels of wild animals. Wildlife seeking sanctuary and safety moved to his ranch land and initially co-habited alongside his cattle herds. Later on in 1925, Robins gave up cattle ranching, establishing a private game reserve and clearing roads. Word of this began to spread and a steady stream of visitors 昀氀ocked to his land to game view. In 1934, with his health now in decline and fearing his land would be sold on his death to become a “shooting box”, Robins set in motion steps to ensure its continued designation as a safe haven for wild animals, by offering to leave it to the government after his death. This was on the proviso that it be used as a wildlife sanctuary for all time. After his death in 1939, this, along with neighbouring Wankie (Hwange) became a National Park under the National Park Act in 1949. Robins Camp

www.nzira.co.zw 25 The Rebirth of [email protected] www.robinscamp.com Book now Robins Camp, under private new management, o昀昀 ers an exciting revival of an iconic safari destination in Hwange National Park. Suited for individual, family, groups, meetings & incentive travel.

@StanbicBankZW Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe @StanbicBankZW Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe www.stanbicbank.co.zw

www.nzira.co.zw 27 African Adventuring The Long Journey Home The story that follows is a fascinating insight into what drove an almost 60-year old, newly single woman, to head back to the land of her birth, thousands of miles away after an absence of too many years. Her story is called Going Home To Africa. When I work for a travel magazine called Nzira - the Shona word for Road - and someone has taken a road trip down the African continent, it is indeed meant to be that I speak to this individual and 昀椀nd out more about her! Dot Bekker, a business coach, living in Luxembourg, was disillusioned with the fast, 昀氀ashy pace of life in Europe, and had also reached the point in her personal life where something had to change. After spending many years of her professional life asking clients the question, “If you could do anything in your life, what would you do?” Dot decided to apply this to herself and decided that with nothing to lose, she would return to her roots, and 昀椀nd home, back in the country of her birth, Zimbabwe, she is Bulawayo born and bred. She packed up her possessions into a handful of boxes and walked away from her old life. With the adage “women need to be con昀椀dent and walk in their own power,” Dot began reclaiming her life. One year after her divorce, the journey back started with the purchase of BlueBelle, a secondhand, two-wheel drive vanette. On a shoestring budget, she out昀椀tted the inside of her 1998 Ford diesel van into a living space in her nephew’s workshop herself when she went to stay with him in Barcelona. “I think the really tough two years I had in preparation, when I learnt to do with less and expect less, laid the foundation. The travel is tough in di昀昀erent ways, they say it builds character to which my response is, do I look like I need more character!” Dot re昀氀ects, looking back. African Adventuring

28Issue 14 - 2019 Travelling Down Africa Curious about the rest of the continent, this was an opportunity for her to 昀椀nd out for herself, 昀椀rsthand, what the rest of Africa was like. Morocco was Dot’s 昀椀rst African port of call, and she spent a month there, reacclimatising to the pace of life in a different continent: “Finding my African feet again,” she calls it. Celebrating her 60th birthday in Africa was a dream she ful昀椀lled whilst in Morocco. What then began was a chronicle of her adventures both on and off the roads, through 18 countries down the west coast of Africa. Realising that people were interested in what she was doing, she decided to set up a website and blog, as well as a Facebook page. To date, the Facebook page has over 2,000 followers, most of them people she has never met, and somewhere in that 昀椀gure is the fact that her experiences have struck a chord with people online. One person commented that it appealed to the “wannabe overlander” inside. Dot became, by virtue of necessity, somewhat of an off-road driving expert. Challenging road networks throughout Africa meant BlueBelle was put through her paces and rose to the occasion. This vanette has, in its own right, become something of a legend. Whilst this was a reaf昀椀rming experience, Dot reminds me that her health and safety were always her priority. On a trip like this, she admits that no amount of preplanning prepared her for every eventuality whilst being on the road for hours on end. Adventure and drama did follow- an unpleasant mosquito-transmitted Filaria infection, leg burn from the exhaust pipe, hundreds of mosquito bites, nearly impassable roads, border crossings, and police roadblocks, to name but a few of the experiences she went through. Dot is now in Zimbabwe, at her journey’s end. It has been one of adjustment to a world that works very differently to the one she has been used to, but this is exactly what she was looking for. “This has been my choice,” she says. Musing on her adventures, Dot says, “How did I get here? I’m back home. Can I get a job doing this as I’m not sure I can stop! So, I took my thoughts back to the very naive me who took a ferry from Barcelona to Tangier Med, Morocco some seven months ago. I literally had no clue what I was letting myself in for. I had an idea and a destination and an ‘I’ll see what happens when it happens’ attitude. I did not have enough money, I had an unsuitable car (I know you 4x4 folks still can’t believe I did it), not enough preparation (one spare, no GPS - just my phone, I am not young nor 昀椀t, don’t speak French) basically dumb luck got me a long way! I had good days - meeting, smiling and chatting; I had great days - learning about Africa, making lifelong friendships and tar roads with no potholes; I had bad days - road blocks, bad roads, sweat that felt like I was under a tap... I cried about dumb things, sad things, emotional things, leaving lovely people behind, the past, the future ... but by and large I laughed. I found my joy in all of the drama and drudge on bad roads. “I had lost it for some years and thought it may never return. It’s not the joy of my youth but a different, possibly wiser joy that let’s me just appreciate small things and people so much more. I’m not certain I have yet found that part of me that I lost for so many years or that it will ever return, but what I have found is: a joy in simple things, 昀椀nding fresh fruit, looking at the stars, drinking cold water on a hot day, a wave and smile from a stranger whom I will never see again, getting a place to camp that is enjoyable and has a clean shower ... the list is long.” Hope For The Future What is inspiring about Dot is that she is ready to re-immerse herself in the country of her origin. She says she has a lot to offer Zimbabwe and cannot wait to share her skills and experiences in this next chapter in her life. “I can’t confess to having found peace, I’m not a peaceful soul, I rage inside (and often outside) against injustice and I’ve experienced and seen too much of it and I can’t let it go. But I have learnt that even small, individual actions can have a positive impact so I try to work on that.” As well as the quest being one of personal ful昀椀lment, Dot tied this into something worthwhile and an issue she passionately advocates, being the education of girls. All over Africa, gender inequality and a cultural perception of the female being of lesser value, is endemic. She believes the GDP of a country is directly linked to the education of women. To this end, Dot set up Kusasa Scholarship Fund, a non-pro昀椀t organisation, with the aim of educating girls in Zimbabwe. Kusasa is the Ndebele word for tomorrow and speaks of hope and of the future. “Economic empowerment in Africa is directly linked to the role of women in society. Awareness of this is of the highest priority to a healthy African economy,” Dot says. She is using her increased public persona to provide a platform to educate and fundraise for something privileged people elsewhere in the world have little or no knowledge of. Retrace Dot’s adventure on her Facebook page Going Home To Africa and on www.goinghometoafrica.com NZ RA African Adventuring

29 www.nzira.co.zw

30Issue 14 - 2019 Finalist - ©Matthew Parvin Winning Image - ©Simon Smith Finalist - ©Federico Acevedo Zambezi Elephant Fund

31 www.nzira.co.zw he Zambezi Elephant Fund (ZEF) recently held a photographic competition on Instagram to celebrate the immense beauty of the Zambezi Valley. The competition called for images that epitomised “Power and Glory”, ZEF’s chosen theme for its 2020 calendar. But it also re昀氀ected the effectiveness of collaboration, how reaching out and networking with talented people has resulted in a communication tool that will spread a message of conservation around the world. A tremendous number of entries (over 150) ensured a tough job for judges, Steven Chikosi and John Stevens, but they were delighted with their 昀椀nal selection of 14. Simon Smith, the overall winner, whose breathtaking image of two elephants in a dry riverbed in Chitake, Mana Pools, succeeded in capturing the theme perfectly. It reminds us of what we believe the Zambezi Valley represents to all Zimbabweans and anyone who has ever been touched by its many charms… this is a truly wild and spectacularly beautiful place that must be protected so that wildlife can continue to be free to thrive in a supportive and growing environment – for all time. Showcasing a collection of the 昀椀nest images from the Zambezi Valley Article Zambezi Elephant Fund T For more information about ZEF’s work, please visit www.zambezielephantfund.org or write to [email protected]. Follow ZEF on ZEF is grateful to all the photographers who submitted their superb images and congratulate those whose work will be featured in next year’s calendar – each a winning and wonderful portrayal of the power and glory we 昀椀nd every day in the valley. b @zambezi_elephant_fund @zambezielephantfund v Finalist - ©Laura Paterson Finalist - ©Hanna Wigart These photographs will help ZEF in its efforts to increase awareness of the Zambezi Valley to a global audience. They’ll also strengthen its support of the vital anti-poaching and conservation work that is being carried out by ZimParks and many on-the-ground implementers in an area that has been given enhanced conservation status as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Biospheres seek to halt the loss of biodiversity and promote sustainable development, which also aptly describes ZEF’s focus. The Middle Zambezi Biosphere Reserve extends from Lake Kariba and the Matusadona National Park through various National Park and Safari Areas adjacent to the Zambezi River, including Mana Pools, Sapi and Chewore, which together are already designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is ZEF’s wish that the calendar will continue working a little more of that special Zambezi Valley magic and introduce more people to the signi昀椀cance and beauty of the region’s incredible wildlife and unique habitats. Please enjoy this selection of some of the winning entries. Calendars will be available for sale in various locations, (keep an eye on ZEF’s social media platforms for details) and at the Mukuvisi March for Elephants, to be held on 16th November this year – and proceeds will go to on-the-ground projects and ranger support in the Zambezi Valley. NZ RA Zambezi Elephant Fund

32Issue 14 - 2019 xhilarated and absolutely terri昀椀ed: the two most prevalent emotions at the forefront of my mind as I gripped the cable with a dependency for life like no other - this after only taking the 昀椀rst step off of the platform to walk across the highest suspended bridge in the world over the second largest waterfall, Mutarazi Falls. Making as early a start after an activitypacked Heroes Weekend, we found ourselves on the road once again making our way deeper into the mountains of the Eastern Highlands towards Nyanga with our destination in mind, Far and Wide, the Skywalk and the Skyline. Time rolled by with blaring music, great company and the occasional tourist pit stop, and we soon found ourselves passing the Far and Wide Adventure Centre with our hearts set for an early adrenaline start. With each kilometre that took us closer to the entrance and further into the Nyanga National Park, our excitement only grew. The welcoming sign, little did we know, was quite the trek from the marvel that is the Mutarazi Falls and the awaiting adventure. The combination of my short legs and mild un昀椀tness only served to make the trudge through winding paths that much longer, but the damper was short lived as the main attraction 昀椀nally came into view. For the 昀椀rst time since the proposition of the trip did my recollection of my fear of heights come into play with waves of unease from the sight before me. My head and heart were torn between my unease and my curiosity at the beauty that lay ahead; the beauty eventually got the better of me as I stepped closer to the edge. Harnessed and ready to go, we made our way up to the platform from where we would zip down the Skyline. Watching another couple go 昀椀rst did little to ease my nerves, but our guide, Tafadzwa, had gone over how incredibly safe it all was with both a braking system and a backup and the safety procedures several times for my bene昀椀t, I believe. Ready to push off, I secured my phone to my body with a combination of multiple lanyards ready to document each second in case I closed my eyes. With a signal from the other end, a deep breath and a countdown I raised my legs, sat in my harness and I was suddenly 昀氀ying. After my initial curdling scream and the realisation that I was spinning rather uncontrollably in my harness, I was soon silenced by the view below me. The cascading waterfall disappeared into the mist of the river below and the sight of the Honde Valley was at an indescribable height to my right. The moment seemed to last so much longer than the seconds it took to zoom with such freedom through the air. These singular are forever engraved and documented in my mind. Unfortunately, this was not the case with my attempt at digital documentation. Waiting and watching from the other side, I was able to see the adrenaline and energised states as the rest of our group joined us across the Falls. We watched in awe as the last, Tafadzwa, came down in a cool and collected state perfecting his latest landing backwards in a manner we unanimously agreed was akin to Superman. With the remnants of adrenaline in our systems and nerves no longer as high as the bridges we crossed, we completed our circuit across the shorter and longer bridges ensuring we savoured each moment of the rare sight. The 昀椀nal test to our 昀椀tness for the afternoon was not our hike back to the car park, but rather our exploration of the commercial view which, as one couple we passed as we were about to give up the walk in the sweltering afternoon sun put it, was right over there. I assure you, it was not! My Google Fit may have appreciated the extra steps, but the overlooking view of the valley beyond soon silenced all complaints. A while later, with smiles on our faces and slight sensory overload, we decided it was time to go and settle in our home for the night. Retracing our path on the dusty road, we found ourselves at the Mutarazi Cottages and soon made home in Chris’ Cottage. The outer stonework seamlessly blended with the rolling view of the valley beyond whilst the rustic look of the modern interior provided a calm and relaxing atmosphere. On A High In Mutarazi E Article Rufaro Kaviya Images Tamuka Nyoni Mutarazi Falls

33 www.nzira.co.zw The cottage built between 10 to 15 years ago lacked nothing, featuring two bedrooms: a loft style main ensuite bedroom with a balcony and a sauna and a second ensuite bedroom furnished with two bunk beds; a fully-equipped kitchen, dining and lounge area with a 昀椀replace, and garden section with a stone braai. With little to no network, it was the perfect location for some downtime! Having had dinner, we camped around the 昀椀replace equipped with blankets and extra pillows for a night of cards and sharing stories here and there. Waking up knowing it was time to return home, we packed our bags, made some breakfast and in an attempt to hold on to the remnants of peace, set out on a morning stroll to the Honde Valley viewpoint. With a 昀椀nal glance and the car loaded up, we set off on our way back to Harare. Owned and run by the Cragg family, Far and Wide has so much to offer the local and international tourist. With the Turaco trail, bird watching, rafting and kayaking, just to name a few, still left on my list of things to do, they can be expecting my return soon. Contact Far and Wide at [email protected] NZ RA Mutarazi Falls

34 Issue 14 - 2019 Photo Gallery Birdlife Showcase Images Dave Dell & Camp Mana ©Dave Dell Goliath Heron Photo Gallery

www.nzira.co.zw 35 “A traveller without observation is a bird without wings” Moslih Eddie Saadi ©Dave Dell ©Dave Dell Spectacled Weaver Pin Tailed Whydah Photo Gallery

36 Issue 14 - 2019 Tented accommodation available to guests at Camp Mana ©Camp Mana ©Camp Mana Photo Gallery

Rush Creative Agency

www.nzira.co.zw 39 Tyres are the vital link between your car and the road. It is essential to have a reliable product to ensure that your safety is not compromised. A good set of tyres will improve road handling, steering, braking and increase safety. The modern vehicle is very technically advanced and the requirement for tyres is very speci昀椀c to each individual vehicle. Tyres are the most overlooked part of the vehicle by many drivers, primarily because tyres are taken for granted. Most drivers forget that it is the tyre that is the contact point of the vehicle and the road. A good reliable product is the di昀昀erence between arriving safely to your destination and experiencing accidents with alarming consequences. Every car owner ensures that their vehicles are serviced regularly, but how many of you motorists think of having their tyres serviced. We hereunder detail some basic requirements to ensure that your tyres are in good and safe operating condition, which will also improve the life of your tyre. Tyre size Every manufacturer recommends the tyre size for your vehicle. Replacement of tyres must be as per the recommendations. All tyres have a size code on the side wall of the tyre, ask the tyre dealer to explain the numbers and letters and select tyres that apply to your driving requirements.A basic explanation on the various numbers and letters on a tyre is detailed below: Tyre Size - 205/65R16 92H. 205 - the width of the tyre, in millimetres (mm) 65 - this is the sidewall height, as a percentage of the width, in millimetres (mm) 16 - the size of the rim that the tyre is 昀椀tted to, in inches (in) 92 - the load rating of the tyre. The heavier your vehicle, the higher the load rating. H - the speed rating of the tyre. The performance of the vehicle will determine the speed rating required. Wheel Alignment Wheel alignment is a service procedure that enhances the performance and longevity of tyres. During this procedure the proper setup of suspension and steering parts are measured and adjusted to the factory settings. Accurate wheel alignment is critical to optimising tread wear and performance from the tyres. If you observe uneven tyre wear, this could be a sign that the vehicle is out of alignment. • The suspension and steering systems are not operating at the desired angles. • These are caused by wear and tear of these parts. • Due to excessive kerbing and pothole impact. • When the vehicle is veering to the right or left when driving on a straight road. • If you are driving straight but the steering wheel is not central. • If the tyres squeal when turning at a slow speed on a regular road. • Excessive vibration on the steering wheel. Tyre Rotation This is a very crucial requirement to achieve the best mileage from your tyres. Generally, tyres should be rotated every 5,000 Kilometres. • Optimise tread wear. • Improve braking ef昀椀ciency. • Maintain road traction. Wheel Balance A common type of a tyre out of balance creates a side to side vibration which is called a dynamic. The steering wheel develops a vibration at certain speeds: • To offset imbalance counter weights are 昀椀tted to the wheel rim. • Aggressive braking and acceleration can cause tyre rim slippage effecting the balancing. •Wheel weight or counter weight falling off can cause a wheel to be out of balance. Tyre Pressures Making sure that the tyre pressure is always as per manufactures recommendation. This information is available on the inside of the driver’s door pillar or inside the fuel cap. The bene昀椀ts of correct tyre pressures are: • Provides maximum contact with the road. • Increases braking distance e昀케ciency. • Improves fuel economy. • Reduces road noise. • Incorrect pressure can reduce tyre mileage by up to 40%. Tyre Tread Tyres are manufactured in many different patterns. It is very important to understand that the patterns to application. This will ensure that the performance of the tyre is maximised by selecting the correct tyre pattern to the correct application. The tread patterns are precision engineered to provide essential grip, traction and resistance to aquaplaning Asymmetric Tread Pattern • Tyre must be 昀椀tted the correct way and can be •昀椀tted to any position. • Delivers optimal handling and braking in wet and •dry conditions. • Excellent aquaplane resistance and wear evenly. Directional Tread Pattern: • Designed for one speci昀椀c direction only. • Offers good directional stability. • Excellent wet weather performance. • Very good steering control. Directional Tread Pattern • Designed for one speci昀椀c direction only. • Offers good directional stability. • Excellent wet weather performance. • Very good steering control. Premium Vs Budget Tyres Tyres pretty much look all the same, however they vary in their quality, performance, mileage return and safety: • Premium Tyres: • Better steering and handling. • Better braking. • Higher lateral grip. • Better mileage return. • Reduced road noise. The key factors in tyre quality are • Uniformity. • Imperfection in manufacture. • Investment in research and development. • Premium recognized brands. Conclusion For optimum performance, ride quality, weight distribution, comfort, safety and tread wear you expect your tyres to deliver, it is very important to invest in a quality engineered product that is supported by the manufacturer against defective workmanship. Your Travel Rides on Your Tyres

40 Issue 14 - 2019 This story was sent in by Daniel Irwin from Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland. Daniel is no stranger to Zimbabwe as he regularly visits his grandparents, Dorothy and Alan Graham, who run Jabulani Children’s Home in Harare, and are also deeply committed to Christian rural outreach programmes to help alleviate the e昀昀ects of poverty in Zimbabwe. However, this was the 昀椀rst time Daniel had been on a relief trip and the experience a昀昀ected him so deeply that he wanted to share it with Nzira readers. ello, my name is Daniel Irwin. I come from Ireland and I am currently studying for my GCSEs at my school back home and I am studying the appropriate subjects in order to be able to take up a course in medicine at university- But why am I telling you this? Recently, I had the opportunity of a lifetime when I joined a mission trip organised by Kingdom People Church- Harare to provide medical care and provisions to a remote rural village, which I can only describe as being in the middle of nowhere. (Editor’s note: the village in question is in a rural homeland located in the northwest of Zimbabwe, close to the southern shoreline of Kariba). I know it was some 60km from Syakobvu but that is probably as much as I can tell you. My point is that we were very deep in the African bush. We began this journey at 4:30am and travelled on the main road through Chinhoyi, Lions’ Den and Karoi before embarking on 180km of pure dirt to our destination. It took 12 hours to travel there by car and by then, I can safely say I was tired and in no shape to work - but we began work immediately upon arrival! I helped to unload the medical supplies and tent that would serve as our clinic for the upcoming days. We set up camp, erected tents and unloaded supplies before catching an early night at almost 11pm. After a good night’s sleep - apart from one point when I woke up in a cold sweat thinking a lion was outside - we began our work. After a hearty boerewors (Editor’s note: spicy beef sausage, recipe originating in South Africa) roll, we opened the clinic and started to attend to the same 500 people who constituted this minuscule village. Serving in the clinic were two volunteer doctors: an American doctor, Ted Flowers, and a Zimbabwean, who I simply knew as Dr Saviso. People would come and sit on a small chair, which served as our waiting room. One at a time, patients would be seen to. It was quite a slow process. I would perform a basic check over to look for cataracts or conjunctivitis in the eyes, check for chest infections or note where people had pain. Interestingly, most people had lower back pain from bending over at work all day. I had a translator, Terence, with whom I became very good friends, over the course of the next few days. (I hope he reads this story and remembers me). We went through, patient by patient, diagnosis by diagnosis, drug by drug until we ran out. We went through a full tent of medicine in two days. We all worked 12-hour shifts, from 7am to 7pm. It was exhausting, yet rewarding. In the meantime, less than 30m away, our truck, carrying 2,000 one-litre bottles of water and 10 tonnes of maize, was being unloaded to the crowds gathered around. Two trucks, one for medicine and one for food and water, had their contents fully distributed within 24 hours. Our 21-member team had worked tirelessly over a three-day trip - it was amazing. When we left the village where hundreds of needy villagers had gathered- I had helped deliver medicine and food to over a thousand people. I can safely say it was the greatest experience of my life so far and I want to thank everyone on the team for giving me the chance to experience this. My Trip Article Daniel Irwin H By Kids We at Nzira Travel Zimbabwe encourage youngsters to write stories about their Zimbabwean travel experiences. Should you wish to share your child’s travel story, please send it in to [email protected]. NZ RA

www.nzira.co.zw 41 hat started for me as a lazy Sunday morning in Harare, drained from the previous day’s work, took a roundabout turn when I found myself, with my boyfriend, in the City of Progress, Gweru, a few hours later. A mere 昀椀ve kilometres out of the heart of Gweru, we turned off the highway into a winding gravel road. The scenery immediately changed, and a feeling of excitement crept in, as I knew that we were close to our destination, Antelope Park. We arrived 10 minutes later under a dusk sky, travel weary from our long drive. Upon arrival, we were directed to the reception area, where we met a cheerful and jovial staff complement that was headed by our host, Irene, who is Comanager of the reserve with Dax. Checking in was easy, and in ten minutes we were done and settled in our accommodation, which was a majestic riverside tent. The picturesque view from our tent immediately replaced all thoughts of urban lifestyle and ushered in an African savannah feel. #travellers’tales Without wasting much time, I headed to the dining area, which is a huge open plan gazebo, that let in the cool evening breeze as it had rained the previous day. A hearty farm-style dinner menu brought back fond memories of country living as I helped myself to mash potato and grilled pork chop with a freshly baked bun, all lovingly prepared over an open pit 昀椀re in the kitchen. The ambiance alone was soothing to my soul, whilst the hearty meal ministered to my taste buds and the beating sound of the African drum set the tone for the evening as I took it all in. A glass of sweet rosé wine from the bar was a perfect nightcap. For me, and I’m sure for many others too, the number one African experience you can ever have the privilege of experiencing is being close to a roaring lion - better yet, more than one, roaring in unison. A pounding heart and an adrenalin rush woke me up and got me to my feet, thinking lions were about to enter the tent. Article Evelyn Mukozho Images Munashe Jerahuni My Antelope Engagement Our Destination Love W Antelope Park

42 Issue 14 - 2019 Unbeknownst to me, our accommodation was adjacent to the lion enclosure, separated only by a seasonal river. A shower in the en-suite bathroom, 昀椀tted with teak-panelled showers, with a Gwaai tile base accent, calmed my lingering jitters. During breakfast, I had time to chat to Dax, who gave us some background about Antelope Park, their vision and their work with lions. This is an inspiring initiative headed by Dr Norman Monks with the goal of safeguarding and increasing the dwindling numbers of the African lion through releasing cubs bred by lions in captivity, into the wild. They have designated places including Chizarira National Park on the Kariba shoreline, where development has been done and they await a go-ahead from relevant authorities to release the lions that are ready for the wild. Yemi, who was to be our personal guide during our stay, brought the day’s itinerary to us. One can choose from a list of diverse activities on offer, including safari horse riding, hunting with the lions (whereby one will have 昀椀rst-hand experience as lions get to hunt in full view), or walking and feeding elephants, to mention but a few. We opted for the sunset carriage ride. This allows guests to get up close and personal with all the diverse animal species within the safari park in a horsedrawn carriage as compared to a modern 4x4 vehicle. After breakfast, I took a stroll and ended up stumbling upon the campsite where there was a group of over 50 campers. They had chosen to forgo the modern amenities of the park, and pitch tents in the demarcated campsite under sprawling Msasa trees. I became acquainted with a Belgian woman who expressed her joy in being able to get the full, untamed African experience at Antelope Park through cooking their meals over open pit 昀椀res and bush walks where they got to see all the 昀氀ora and fauna in its natural state. Modern amenities such as a swimming pool to cool down from the summer heat are available and there are laundry facilities for those who stay for longer periods. For corporates wanting team building and strategy meetings, there are well-appointed boardrooms, conference rooms, and riverside lodges that can accommodate large teams at one time. For families planning a weekend getaway or reunion, there are large self-catering lodges, with amenities such as outdoor 昀椀re pits for the perfect spit braai. Catering for the sweet-toothed and the coffee lovers, a café is open from 9am till late into the evening. As if that’s not enough, there is a curio shop to buy memorabilia and artefacts. For those who would want to add to their collection of African inspired couture, this is also a one stop shop. As the day headed towards sunset we embarked on our carriage ride. It was like a fairy-tale come true as I 昀椀nally had my Cinderella moment in a horse-drawn carriage with my Prince Charming beside me. Vusi, our driver and guide, was there to answer all our questions about the animals we encountered along the way as well as the indigenous 昀氀ora. About 5kms into the reserve, we came across a self-catering lodge in the heart of the Safari Park, surrounded by lion enclosures. This is ideal for those wanting a 昀椀rst-hand encounter with the species of wildlife that wander through the area including waterbuck, wildebeest and kudu whilst lion can be seen roaming freely in their enclosures. As we continued, we came upon a mega structure erected to mimic a horseshoe that is used as a viewing place for polo played in the ground below and doubles up as a wedding ballroom. I had no idea then that this place would forever hold an iconic place in my memory! We disembarked and took a walk through the polo 昀椀eld to get closer to the structure. As I led the way, Prince Charming lagged behind me but I was not bothered, as I knew he would catch up. Little did I know that magic was about to take place. As I turned around to see where he was, I saw him down on bended knee, with an open navy blue velvet box in hand. Inside was a shiny ring sporting some carats. Out of breath and shaking, I could not believe this was the moment. All I could utter was YES! Back at the campsite, Irene and Dax were eagerly waiting to congratulate me as they had played their part in helping my Prince organise this special moment, whilst managing to keep poker faces all the time. At Antelope Park, in addition to the setting, it is the staff who make the place special, from chefs Chad and Perfect, to guides Vusi, Yemi, and the others who make sure you experience the most out of your stay, to the heart of the team, Dax and Irene, who ensure everything runs smoothly. We experienced another amazing dinner, with some of the staff members playing drums, singing, and dancing in the gazebo dining area. This brought a different feeling altogether. It was as if they were celebrating our engagement. The following morning, it was not easy to pack up to leave. Bidding farewell to the hosting team was the saddest moment for us. Antelope Park is not just a reserve but also a haven, where love exists and is felt. NZ RA

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44 Issue 14 - 2019 our days and three nights with the base of a tent for a bed and a sleeping bag for warmth in the cool winter temperatures of Juliasdale - would I do it all over again? I’ll see you there! With a slight idea of just what we were about to get ourselves into, and hopes of a great long weekend ahead, Rufaro managed to convince her soon to be three other happy campers (our two friends and me) about the new event on the block: the Nyamazi Festival, the place to be over the Heroes Weekend. Activities, outdoor adventuring, music and a promise of food was enough for our group of four to start our preparations for a long-awaited road trip. An early start and an initial stop at the local supermarket for our essentials had us on the road in good time. The beginning of our road trip was 昀椀lled with loud spontaneous moments and a blend of our varying tastes in music, each genre bringing with it its own mood in the car and hyping us up along the way. With windows rolled down and the cooling breeze 昀椀ltering through, the car seemed to dance along with us on the smooth Mutare Road. We were the 昀椀rst campers on site for the day and arrived with plenty of time to explore our surroundings for the next four days. Locating our tent with the help of the on-duty staff, we made several trips back and forth to the car carrying all our weekend supplies through the maze of the campsite. What once appeared to be our spacious pitch 6 (the campground “6”), suddenly turned into an explosion of bags, bedding and cooler boxes. We settled in and added some muchneeded order to our tent, and then took some time to rest within our four walls. Recuperated and ready for dinner, our DJ for the weekend, Mudhara Hwenje, beckoned us to the common area with a call on the sound system and the 昀椀rst of the evening’s tunes. Easy Caterers, the temporary occupants of the shack, presented us with a stocked buffet that was mouth-watering, hot and just what we needed after the distance travelled in the heat of the day. Adventures in the semi-bush Article Rufaro Kaviya & Juliet Mashiri Images Juliet Mashiri, Tamuka Nyoni & Nyamazi Greens F Nyamazi Festival The campsite as a whole was designed with a modern edge in its design to cater for city dwellers such as ourselves who would still want to experience a taste of camping.

www.nzira.co.zw 45 When we saw signs of life around the camp and heard chattering, we took the opportunity to get acquainted with our fellow campers who had 昀椀nally arrived. With quite the mixed bag of festival goers ranging from bankers, travel writers, families, to a group of women whose main objective was a girl’s long weekend away from the city, the night set the tone for what would surely be a memorable experience. It is at this point that you should note this trip was undertaken by a group of tech savvy millennials with limited knowledge of camping - a 昀椀rst for some, especially in the Eastern Highlands. The evidence of this was clear on our 昀椀rst morning, when our tent felt as if it had been transported to the Arctic Circle overnight, as the biting cold weather transformed it into a mini-refrigerator and our sleeping bags were damp from the morning mist, an occurrence we soon began to brace ourselves for every morning until the end of the trip. The campsite as a whole was designed with a modern edge to cater for city dwellers such as ourselves, who would still want to experience a taste of camping. The Charangwas took pains to ensure we would have minimum discomfort as we spent the weekend exploring the camp and its surrounding areas. This was evident in the 昀氀ush system toilets, aesthetically appealing and solar powered showers, as well as conveniently placed pavilions for rest. We were even assured of network throughout the site to stay in comms if need be. Our days consisted of downtime at the pavilion enjoying the unique atmosphere while the music from the deck carried through the air, hiking up the adjacent mountain range and searching for the much-talked-about, however elusive, Falls close to the camp. This became a running joke around the camp, each of us searching for the Falls and wondering which group would be able to 昀椀nd the water source 昀椀rst to fend off the heat of the days as they passed. The campers largely kept to their groups and explored what the farm had to offer. The activities offered included horse riding, shooting, hiking through the trails or the surrounding mountains and an organised day-trip to the Mutarazi Falls, Skywalk and Skyline. Aspiring riders had a choice of three, young energetic horses. These rides were supervised by quali昀椀ed grooms who are natives to the area. The grooms walk alongside the horses and assist with commands and explain various techniques and horse care. This was comforting for an inexperienced rider such as myself. As time passed, the groom slowly released the reigns and handed over control to me, keeping careful watch, but allowing me to enjoy the newfound sensation atop the horse, which is an exhilarating experience that I will never forget. Nights became a time to regroup and a chance to bond with our fellow campers. The 昀椀re pits and braai stands were lit up each night and we all huddled close in search of warmth from the decreasing temperatures. Dinner could be bought from The Shack, nonetheless many chose to braai the night away, exchanging recipes. The inviting bon昀椀re became a watering hole of sorts where we swapped stories, danced and allowed the music to guide us through the evening, playing well into the morning. Our differences in age, profession and purpose that brought us to Nyamazi evaporated as drinks were shared on the logs encircling the pit and cards were taken out and happily played on the stony ground. Time seemed to have come to a standstill during our time at Nyamazi Green, as many of us forgot the different reasons why we had left the city and just immersed ourselves into the experience and became a family of sorts. Alas, reality soon set in and our time at the camp came to a close. Individuals and groups bid farewell to what we had called home for a few days and in the end, it was only our group of four that remained. Early on a Tuesday morning we set off for what would be our next adventure in the Eastern Highlands, but our time at Nyamazi would forever be in our hearts. NZ RA Nyamazi

46 Issue 14 - 2019 Air Zimbabwe is offering Special Cargo Rates *Terms and Conditions apply. [email protected] www.airzimbabwe.aero FlyAirZimbabwe FlyAirZimbabwe Transportation of all classes of cargo on the HRE/JNB route. +263 712 875 369 a b

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www.nzira.co.zw 49 Sable Sands ranquility is sitting on a sunbed outside Sable Sands Lodge, coffee mug in hand, gazing at the parade of elephants plodding along the ancient riverbed of the famous Dete Vlei, towards the solar pumped “wildlife waterhole” in the warmth of the early African morning sun. This is the wild and raw majestic beauty of nature and the epitome of living. Brought back into existence in 2012, this “off-the-grid”, eco-friendly safari lodge, is family owned and managed by Marleen Post and Brian Sabeta, who are both passionate about food and wildlife. They have steadily established a great reputation for their personalised and custom-made experience complete with an adoring team, homely food and unparalleled elephant encounters. Sable Sands is located within a private Forestry concession 8km from the unfenced and world-famous Hwange National Park, conveniently situated 7km from the Painted Dog Conservation and 200km from Victoria Falls. The main area holds the restaurant, lounge, library and a bar with full views of the vlei and the “sable sands”. An o昀昀-the-grid African gem T A quaint little tree house allowed us to cool off in the shade during the heat of the day. The lodge has adopted the use of sustainable energy resources such as sun, 昀椀re, gas and a soundproofed generator, harvesting dead wood for cooking and heating up the traditional wood boilers. Each deluxe room has solar lamps for later in the night once the generator is switched off to allow guests to enjoy the sounds of the African night. We are truly disconnected from the hustle of city life and immersed fully into the sounds and sights of the bush instead. Delicious and freshly prepared, the food at Sable Sands is, where possible, supplied from a local garden of fresh herbs and produce, and is certainly a contributing factor to their consistently high reviews- Marleen and Brian are both from a food and beverage background. In the evenings, we enjoyed three-course dinners inside the main dining area, and had cosy chats under the blanket of a starry African night sky with Chenai and MC while the 昀氀ames of the nightly camp昀椀re 昀氀ickered in the breeze. Article Chelsy Maumbe Images Sable Sands, Tibone Matikiti & Munya Pakamisa Contact [email protected] +263 778 715 588 www.sablesands.co.zw Sable Sands

50Issue 14 - 2019 There is nothing quite like sleeping in the midst of the wild to bring one closer to nature’s wonders. Our vlei room, one of their 昀椀ve tasteful lodge rooms, overlooks the waterhole in the Dete Vlei. It is designed following a traditional Zimbabwean round rural home structure called ‘rondoval’, built from brick with big thatch roofs and has an en-suite bathroom. We have an adaptable sleeping set-up with mattress converters that can easily transform from single, twins or doubles at the drop of a hat. It is a welcomed relief, to live in this mix of nature, comfort and wildlife with millions of stars blanketing us. The night sounds are a soothing lullaby. Nestled in the teak forest, near the tree house and swimming pool, the ‘classical’ rooms built in 1989, housed Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Phillip, in 1991. A soft knock on the door tells us that it is 6am and our morning drive will begin within the hour. We are privileged to be doing the two-star safari, which means we will experience two safaris, early morning and late afternoon in both the Sable Sands private concession, the neighbouring estate and into Hwange National Park. Covering over 14,000square kms (half the size of Belgium) the Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s largest National Park and home to over 350 birds and more than 100 mammal species. The Dete Vlei is frequented by herds of sable antelope, elephant, buffalo and other plains game species with lucky sightings including lions, cheetah, painted dog, jackal and on the rare occasion, leopard. Add to this the incredible selection of an estimated 350 bird species and you have one the most beautiful wildlife havens on earth. At the end of our drive, we spot very fresh lion tracks and spend the better part of an hour trying to trek the majestic animal but are unlucky; we will have to see the lion another day. After lunch, we settle down on the plush cushions in the lounge area, and interact with the staff, who have plenty of striking stories to tell about their encounters with various guests and wildlife over the years. Million Moyo, the barman and waiter at the restaurant, started working in the ’90s when the lodge was still under the management of Touch the Wild. Having developed his passion fully for wildlife and tourism over the years, his fondest encounters are from moments shared with many OAT groups (Overseas Adventure Travel) who have stayed at the lodge. He has encountered the cheetah before at the lodge and appreciates the glow of a cheetah’s tear. We are joined by Chenai Dodzo, (the marketing manager), on our sun downers safari, where we encounter a large population of very special “Presidential Elephants” and learn about their family structures and behaviours. The adrenaline rush, sitting in an open safari truck as tens of elephants 昀椀le closely past us in the most de昀椀ned line is inimitable. The National Park is not fenced, therefore, all animals wander freely through. Our other sightings include zebras, warthogs, a vast number of bird species and, of course, the beautiful sable antelope. We stop at Acacia Grove, a charming piece of land that is scattered with old dead acacias and teak, and watch mischievous baboons playing with and teasing each other in this their very special jungle gym. We are right at home here, sipping on a chilled glass of white wine, with an array of 昀椀nger foods and dips, as we watch the sun set over the edge of the concession. The Sable Sands family is a conservation friendly group, and truly have the earth and wildlife at heart in all their works. Currently, they wholeheartedly support The Soft Foot Alliance, The Painted Dog Conservation Centre and the Cheetah Conservation of Zimbabwe. The Soft Foot Alliance is based in the communal area located on the edge of the Hwange National Park and uses simple solutions to regenerate the landscape for the people and wildlife so people can co-exist with other soft feet on the landscape. The Painted Dog Conservation aims to protect and increase the range and numbers of painted dogs in Zimbabwe through action and education. The Cheetah Conservation Project Zimbabwe (CCPZ) helps to conserve cheetahs through (applied) research, education, collaboration and capacity building. The Sandra Jones Centre is a home for orphans and abandoned babies and children in crisis, which has been operating for over 10 years and has had over 900 children pass through their care. Driving out, we 昀椀nd ourselves face to face with more than 200 buffalo, roaming past in a cloud of dust, as they make their way to the watering hole. It is an exhilarating experience that leaves a large footprint on my soul. We make a promise to return, as we bundu bash through the forest back to our busy lives. Our safari planning is entirely at the expert discretion of our gifted safari guide, Munyaradzi Pakamisa. Inspired by his father and Beks Ndlovu, he joined Zimparks in 2009 as a game ranger and resigned in 2015, when he then moved to being a guide. With expertise garnered from being both a ranger and a guide, Munyaradzi decides the best route to take depending on the game movement. The only other guests are boarding a train to Victoria Falls that morning, so we have the safari to ourselves -Yay! Our warm green ponchos on and glass console bottles in hand (there is an emphasis on avoiding single use plastic bottles) we excitedly board the safari vehicle and begin our chilly morning tour. Driving down the dirt roads as we meander through the ever-changing landscape, from dense forests to jaw-dropping open vleis and acacia woodlands, we identify a number of waterholes where boreholes have been drilled to supplement water for the animals. At the Nyamandlovu Platform, a breathtaking picnic spot and viewing point, we stop to watch the animals coming to the watering hole to quench their thirst and as we have our lovely brunch, that has been packed for us by the kitchen team. It is a pure, wild and exceptionally beautiful experience to eat and drink in the unspoilt nature together with the wildlife and to go back to the basics of just listening, seeing and feeling. NZ RA