www.shongwelookout.com [email protected]
52 Issue 15 NZiRA Travel Zimbabwe Experience Bvumba
www.nzira.co.zw Issue 15 53 ometimes you just need to abandon the fast city life and head o昀昀 into the hills. You need to stop racing from one busy pursuit to the next and take stock of where you are going in life. The Bvumba mountain range in the southern part of Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands o昀昀ers just that kind of destination with simple yet beautiful cottages hidden away in discreet corners. All around there are forests boasting the tallest trees harbouring birdlife sought a昀琀er by the most ardent of birdwatchers. I was, recently, invited up to the Bvumba to stay in one such exquisite cottage. Madrugada Lodge has three independent cottages situated in such a way that each maintains its own complete privacy. The owner, Roger Castelin, was once an accountant leading a hectic life in Harare. One weekend whilst taking a much-needed break from the city he came across the site that would eventually host his dream place to live. There were, of course, only trees and more trees. The lodge borrows the Portuguese word for dawn, Madrugada for it's name to help paint a picture of the wondrous view one sees most mornings looking east over Lake Chacamba in Mozambique. Those of you that have spent time in the Eastern Highlands all know that it is mandatory to spend time sitting around a 昀椀replace with piles of wood and dry twigs on hand nearby to keep the 昀椀res stoked whilst one reads late into the night. The main cottage is a double storey with a 昀椀replace in the lounge and another in the spacious main bedroom upstairs. The weather up there is constantly changing with clear blue skies one minute followed by heavy clouds hemming one in the next. Roger took me on a walk around “his” forest pointing out all the di昀昀erent species of trees and shrubs. Every few steps he would stop; hold his hand up high; and point in the direction from where another unusual bird was calling. The Livingstone Laurie is all over the place along with Narina Trogans, Blu昀昀 spotted Flu昀ails and many more. Strangler Fig Trees are common too - all coming with their own special narration from Roger walking with his two special German Shepherds. Wherever one is in the Bvuma you can bet there is a waterfall nearby giving one that peaceful feeling o昀琀 associated with cascades of water descending into clear blue pools far below. So why not book a trip away at Madrugada sometime soon. Then make sure you pop into your nearest bookshop or library to ensure you have plenty of reading material to pass some quiet alone time. It’ll surely add years to your life and your return home raring to go once more. Contact details Roger Castelin 0712-630-698 ([email protected] ) The Mist-ical Bvumba Mountains Article and Images Mike Garden S Experience Bvumba NZ RA
54 Issue 15 NZiRA Travel Zimbabwe The indomitable smile in the face of adversity Tengenene Famba Zvakanaka Imagine 54 Issue 15 NZiRA Travel Zimbabwe
www.nzira.co.zw Issue 15 55 n the past 20 years, it has become more and more evident that we as humans are heading towards extinction through excessive exploitation of our earth’s abundant resources. Unfortunately we are simultaneously sending the 昀氀ora and fauna, our fellow occupants of this world, towards extinction. I am a 昀椀rm believer that they do not deserve the consequences of our actions. As someone passionate about nature, I’ve wanted to help in every way possible but I realize there’s only so much one can do on an individual level. The best way I thought possible to make a meaningful di昀昀erence was to voice my opinion and concerns through my art; something I’ve believed to be a powerful way of speaking. Along with trying to shi昀琀 the message, I recently auctioned o昀昀 my most praised piece of artwork, with all the proceeds going to the Lowveld Rhino Trust, part of the worldwide Save the Rhino foundation. I have always admired and looked up to the various animals I paint and their way of life. The animals have always been easily forgotten in the fast-moving world and I strive to become a voice for them. This year, I’m looking forward to exploring themes in my work to try and convince people that we should acknowledge that animals are coexisting species with whom we share our planet and we should learn from them and their way of life. Unlike us, animals are more in tune with their surroundings and themselves. I feel that our disconnect from the natural world has found us dri昀琀ing from a primal, instinctive, beautiful way of life that the animals are connected to. It is a fact that we can 昀椀nd the most biodiverse areas populated by huntergatherer communities, who have impressively managed to hold on to this forgotten lifestyle. Last year, I was fortunate enough to work alongside two talented local Zimbabwean artists, which gave me a real insight into the challenges facing fringe artists. My exposure to this unappreciated talent has helped me recognize the value of behindthe-scenes workers in Zimbabwe and inspired me to paint a series of ‘workers’ that I shed light on and encourage my viewers to look for the value behind every one of these individuals who o昀琀en go unnoticed. I’m so unbelievably grateful to have grown up in such a beautiful country with incredibly happy, friendly people as well as utopian landscapes. I hope that we don’t ever take these privileges for granted and do everything in our power to protect them, so that they can persist on for future generations. Nature is not something external, it is a life support system that we depend on. “Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” – Ancient Indian Proverb Asingazivikanwi I This issue, we take a look at another young local artist (who wished to remain unnamed), and asked them to provide a short write up on their inspirations for their work and how they personally view their artwork. Asingazivikanwi, literally translated as ‘the one who is not known’, reflects their current series featured here regarding the often underappreciated talent in Zimbabwe. Local Talent Editor’s Note Imaginewww.nzira.co.zw Issue 15 55 NZ RA
www.nzira.co.zw Issue 15 57 icture yourself standing in the midst of a mountainous terrain that is bordered by a valley immersed with the most exotic trees you’ve ever seen, the cool African breeze rushing towards your body carrying with it that unique outdoors smell that causes your head to tilt back slightly and your eyes to open wide enough for you to gaze upon the breath taking view that is in front of you. Imagine watching the 昀椀erce but friendly sun rise, lighting up the vast wildlife that spreads around your campsite. These authentic experiences can be made possible with the Suzuki Jimny, your lightweight travel companion. This 4x4 vehicle has been designed to make all your wildlife imaginations a reality. Take this opportunity to unleash your spirit of adventure and explore the wildest parts of nature with a vehicle you can trust. The Suzuki Jimny is one of the most exciting o昀昀-road models in the Suzuki line-up, it has been built and designed to tackle the harshest weather and terrain for the fearless fanatic, adventurous daredevils or those who love experiencing the tranquil outdoors sites. It is characterised by a number of intricate features; the iconic round headlamp with independent indicators, the outstanding washers that provide drivers with the con昀椀dence to conquer muddy ditches, dirt pits and potholes and the LED projector light which is amazing when driving at night. Your camping experience at Mana Pools, Hwange and Gonarezhou National Park will never be the same again with the Jimny, no need to fear any animals at night just pitch your tent right over your Jimny, switch on the drip rails that are on the vehicle’s top and call it a night. Not only is Suzuki Jimny the way of life but it too is a fuel saver! Its robust 1.5L engine generates strong torque throughout a revolution per minute (rpm) range for powerful o昀昀-road performance. You need not look further than any one of the a昀昀ordable Suzuki models which will not only meet your budget but exceed your expectations. Trust the Jimny to take you to places no other vehicle can. Suzuki is a well-established brand known for making strong and reliable engines since 1909. In Zimbabwe, the Suzuki Jimny dealerships are found in Harare and Bulawayo. Harare: Chisipite Shopping Center, close to the Chisipite Total Filling station Bulawayo: AMC Suzuki Centre corner 8th and George Silundika This 4x4 vehicle has been designed to make all your wildlife imaginations a reality. Take this opportunity to unleash your spirit of adventure and explore the wildest parts of nature with a vehicle you can trust. P Suzuki Jimny is the way of life Explore Zimbabwe NZ RA
58 Issue 15 NZiRA Travel Zimbabwe A new bird for Air Zimbabwe Explore Zimbabwe
60 Issue 15 NZiRA Travel Zimbabwe new company, full of 昀氀avor, has burst, onto the Harare food scene. H-Town Gelato, (located at Café Veldemeers, Mount Pleasant) serves a fantastic selection of artisanal cream-based gelato and fresh appetizing sorbets. At the heart of the Italian ice-cream, is fresh seasonal ingredients; based on the premise that if you keep it simple with good ingredients you’ll have a great product. The idea behind the company was to create a delectable product which supported local farmers and celebrated local produce. At the core of most treats is an element of nostalgia. We remember the treats of our youth, special moments with friends and family or a summers day well spent. H-town Gelato captures this perfectly with many of their 昀氀avors. Their exceptionally popular mango sorbet is produced using small yellow mangos that are available over the festive season. Just a昀琀er the rainy season begins, these small fruit are seen in for sale in piles all around Harare and weigh down trees all over the country. Adults and children alike are reminded of ‘the rainy season’, playing outside with friends, climbing trees for the fruit and when they taste these little mangos. The H-Town mango sorbet is made up of over 50 percent of these fruit, carefully processed into a smooth melt in the mouth moment. When you 昀椀rst taste the sorbet you are immediately transported back to all your magical memories. The Gelato is served from a retro cart, called a pozzetti counter and scoops are served in either paper bowls or handpressed sugar cones. Instead of being openly on display the gelato tubs are tucked away under dazzling silver lids to ensure they are at the perfect scooping consistency at all times. This is the traditional method of serving gelato. A Fun facts about Artisanal gelato -It is made fresh in small batches - It is served at -15 degrees Celsius so it melts faster in your mouth -It contains less fat than traditional ice cream -it o昀昀ers allergy and dairy free options such as sorbet H-Town's New Vibrant Gelato Article Nomsa Nyoni Images Bad Rabbit Studio Taste Harare 60 Issue 15 NZiRA Travel Zimbabwe
www.nzira.co.zw Issue 15 61 H-Town Gelato has a stand at Veldemeers Café, Mount Pleasant with a second counter available for rental at functions and further expansion planned in 2020. Using quality Italian machinery and quality Zimbabwean produce, H-Town Gelato makes magic happen. Consumer consciousness is on the rise concerning how food is produced and consumed, as a result of growing public attention regarding the need to tackle climate change. It was with this in mind, that H-Town Gelato was founded. The company, which produces heavenly cream based gelato and sorbets, has married the art of Italian gelato making with the abundance of local produce in Zimbabwe. In gelato production homegrown seasonal ingredients are not only prioritized but celebrated. Being denser than traditional ice cream, every bite is packed full of 昀氀avor and freshness. The company aims to create a delectable product which supports local farmers and celebrates local produce; instead of trying to create 昀氀avors not readily available in Zimbabwe. H-Town Gelato’s goal is to showcase what is available in abundance and what makes Zimbabwe unique and special. The company’s name is a reference to a nickname for Harare, ‘H-Town’. “Acknowledging our roots and supporting our community is an essential element of business, that is o昀琀en overlooked” says Lara Balzer, one of the brands founders. The H-Town Gelato display case is constantly being updated with seasonal 昀氀avors, particularly the company’s signature sorbets, such as subtle litchi & rose or tangy granadilla. All products are manufactured using fresh Zimbabwean products, from milk and cream to fruit, to ensure the 昀椀nest and freshest taste. A sustainable supply chain is measured in di昀昀erent ways and the newly launched H-Town is taking steps to address each of these head on: from 昀椀nding local growers who are sustainable suppliers, evaluating and re-evaluating the products used in production to packaging and appraising how waste can be minimized by simple practices such as composting and recycling. “It’s an ongoing process” Lara says, “as the company grows so must our knowledge of what we can improve upon, packaging is our focus going into 2020. We currently serve product in biodegradable paper bowls but will be changing our single use spoons to wooden ones to reduce environmental impact. When we launch our range of tubs at the beginning of next year we will also be using paper over plastic. It’s not only important to assess what we put in but also what we send out and how it impacts the environment.” Borrowdale Branch: Open daily including public holidays 7:30am to midnight. 1 Borrowdale Lane | Borrowdale | Harare | Zimbabwe Tel: +263 4 882 228/ 886 922-3 | +263 783 910 004 Airport Branch: Open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm Saturday & Public holidays 8:30am -12:30pm. Sunday closed. Tel: +263 4 575 630/ 575 640 | 08677107409 [email protected] | facebook.com/whitecrosspharmacyzw Taste Harare NZ RA
62 Issue 15 NZiRA Travel Zimbabwe Taste Harare 62 Issue 15 NZiRA Travel Zimbabwe
www.nzira.co.zw Issue 15 63 Peanut butter Banana Popsicles & Popsicles are a delicious summer treat for adults and children alike. Banana’s are packed full of potassium and 昀椀bre and peanut butter is full of protein and antioxidants. If you can try and 昀椀nd the freshly made home made peanut butter, it has lots of 昀氀avour and is free from emulsi昀椀ers and stabilisers. 3 Peeled bananas 1/2 Cup peanut putter 1 Cup plain yoghurt Honey to taste (optional) Cinnamon to taste (optional) 1. Blender 2. Spatula 3. Popsicle Moulds 4. Large Bowl INGREDIENTS *if you are lactose intolerant or would prefer to skip dairy you can swap in the yoghurt for the same amount of avocado with 2 table spoons of cocoa. Equipment Needed 1. Place all ingredients in a blender on a medium to high speed. 2. Blend until smooth 3. Divide into moulds using a spatula, leaving a little room for over昀氀ow when the stick is pressed in. 4. Place moulds in freezer for 2 and a half to 3 hours 5. Fill a large bowl with hot water 6. Brie昀氀y dip the mould to help release the pop 7. Pull the pop from the mould and serve Method *If you don’t have popsicle moulds you can repurpose single serve yoghurt pots. Put some cling 昀椀lm over the top, then make a small slit for a stick in the centre. Taste Harare www.nzira.co.zw Issue 15 63
64 Issue 15 NZiRA Travel Zimbabwe Mwinilunga winilunga was built on an idea - the wilderness of the bush with the atmosphere of a family. Wanting to be a home away from home for its guests, the camp treats any visitor as one of their own, and that includes the various animals that 昀椀nd themselves wandering through camp. The camp is set up deep in Mana Pools and caters 6 tents to the many visitors that wish to come and experience the bush. Lush trichilia emetica (Natal Mahogany) provide cover for the camp but there is nothing to stop the ellies from joining you whilst you sit down for dinner. The camp opens when the rains leave us and reasonable access to the park becomes available (April – Nov), and it is a marvel of logistics to move every single thing that the camp may use and need for the next 6 months. Organising the move is its owner, director, head chef; the lovely Tess Arkwright and she runs the camp on the ground with the great help of co-owner Dave McFarland and of their camp manager; her son Andrew. Wanting to be the “Mom-and-Pop” destination in Mana Pools, the team works tirelessly throughout the year to make sure they deal with that any discomforts that wild Mana throws at them and so that they are ready to provide their valued guests with some of the comforts that are appreciated a昀琀er a long game walk in Mana. On a rainy day early in January, I found Tess and Andrew at their lovely home in Harare. Organising a camp such as Mwinilunga takes up all of one’s time which means that like their camp in Mana, their home was a “pack up and go” – allowing them to live half the year in each place. Still, the home was gorgeous; a pristine garden kept alongside a spotless open-plan kitchen. All-the-while, Tess was organising the last of the camp to be stored away whilst cooking up what looked to be a 3-course meal. This level of organisation came only from experience and her many years at Mwinilunga had obviously given her that. Even busy as she was and out of her regular schedule of entertaining guests in camp, Tess 昀椀nds a way to bring her charm and hospitality to everything she does. I was only stopping by for a quick chat about their plans for the year when suddenly I was asked to join her and her family for lunch and before I knew it, I was having to stop myself from going back for my 3rd helping . The only thing comparable to the Arkwright’s hospitality was the quality of the dishes they had put together and I found myself not wanting to leave. Luckily, I was to be invited back a couple of days later to taste the wonderful recipe Tess has submitted for our readers. I hope these delightful chocolate cups give you a taste of the warmth of Tess and Mwinilunga and I’m sure if you stop by the next time you visit Mana Pools, they will have you not wanting to leave either. Article Adam Garden Images Mwinilunga Safaris & Tamuka Nyoni Chocolate Cups M *Serves 4 people Method 1. Melt chocolate and butter over bowl of simmering water. 2. Lightly beat eggs. 3. Mix lightly beaten eggs with castor sugar and 昀氀our until combined. 4. Pour into 4 ramekins. 5. Bake on baking tray in the centre of the oven at 200 degrees C for approximately 15 minutes until edges set leaving a so昀琀 centre. 6. Serve immediately with a dollop of Crème Fraiche on top. *Various berries and chopped or grated chocolate can be used as garnish. Ingredients 200g Chopped Dark Chocolate (must be good quality at least 70% 100g chopped, unsalted Butter 3 Eggs 115g Caster Sugar 2 table spoons Plain Flour Taste Mana Pools NZ RA
www.nzira.co.zw Issue 15 65 A F R I C A ’ S W I LD H O RIZO N S Lookout Café & Malachite Cruises Adventures Looking for dfifferent Victoria Falls dining? Take in the mighty Zambezi River floating on the water on a Malachite lunch or dinner cruise or enjoy a scrumptious meal at the recently re-opened Lookout CafÈ - the best restaurant view in Victoria Falls Victoria Falls Dining CRUISES CALL: (+263) 83 2844571, 2844426 MOBILE: (+263) 73 120 8074 EMAIL: [email protected] www.wildhorizons.co.za LOOKOUT CAFE CALL: (+263) 78 274 5112 EMAIL: [email protected] www.thelookoutcafe.com ACROSS 2. I bark at a lake (6) 5. Fossils and antiques collect to be seen here (6) 10. Tom might enjoy this boat trip (6) 11. A royal singer or American bu昀昀alo together (7) 12. In duplicate a hairy Asian animal chatters (3) 13. Can information technology provide the answer (1.1) 14. Get and hold onto (3) 15. Me, myself and I (3) 17. The family has branches (4) 18. Passenger loses his green to get permission to go (4) 19. Group of nine backs into a wood joint (5) 21. Never change and lose it (5) 23. Mother, you and I sound like we’re in Hawaii (4) 24. Is there room back on the heath? (4) 28. Is in the past (3) 29. Women drop the War O昀昀ice when 昀椀nding their partners (3) 30. His Excellency, the Ambassador (1.1) 31. A youngster provides a small drink (3) 32. Otto ran to a port in Italy (7) 33. A vote against a German and Her Majesty to reveal an eel (6) 35. Sounds a if Neil is bending down (6) 36. It’s capital to those in the UK (6) DOWN 1. A small department having a weep helps to solve the clue (7) 2. Making a 昀椀st is the answer (7) 3. Prussia lost its head when it became another country (6) 4. Bachelor of Arts 昀氀ies this airline (1.1) 6. Elegance and sophistication (8) 7. Far from the western side (7) 8. My French soon becomes the rainy season (7) 9. Lose mouse in this Roman landmark (9) 16. No damn bit at a horsy event (9) 20. Final destination to meet the train (8) 21. Sinatra said it never sleeps (3.4) 22. Book your seat to save your place (7) 25. Not a cog in eight sides (7) 26. Many happy goings back (7) 27. Not gold but silver for this (6) 34. The doctor gave Bond a negative answer (2) Octagon 25. Returns 26. Second 27. No 34. ACROSS Kariba 2. Museum 5. Cruise 10. Orbison 11. Yak 12. I.T. 13. Inn 14. Ego 15. DOWN Decrypt 1. Knuckle 2. Russia 3. B.A. 4. Urbanity 6. Eastern 7. Monsoon 8. Colosseum 9. Badminton 16. Terminal 20. New York 21. Reserve 22. SOLUTION Tree 17. Pass 18. Tenon 19. Nerve 21. Maui 23. Moor 24. Was 28. Men 29. H.E. 30. Tot 31. Otranto 32. Conger 33. Kneels 35. London 36. CROSSWORD Created by Marry-Anne Crossword Puzzle
66 Issue 15 NZiRA Travel Zimbabwe ecently I was reminded just how relaxing it is to get away from the relentless pressure of the modern age. Cellphones, e-mails, daily, weekly, monthly, annual reporting structures at work, these all bear upon us unendurable pressure that we have to get away from every once and a while. My own life was turned upside down when a sudden phone absence was forced upon me in the middle of planning a camping/hiking expedition to the Mavuradonha Mountains. My cellphone decided it could no longer operate, not the phone and message facility, nor the cellphone banking upon which we have all become so heavily dependent in the past few years. The only function that worked was Whatsapp, but only when on WiFi at home. It is a long story, but it took many visits to the service provider’s premises, starting at the local shopping centre, thence many times to the Borrowdale service centre, even to the Holiest of Technology grails, the recently rebranded Head O昀昀ice along Borrowdale Road. The solution: just 昀椀ll in the same original form that I had used to purchase, register and activate my sim card 昀椀ve years ago and resubmit it. In about ten seconds I was back live and able to transact. What a relief! The process of getting my phone back however, had me just about ready to lose it almost immediately! Luckily, our trip to the Mavuradonha Mountains had arrived. Our destination lay a short drive northeast from Harare on a beautiful un-potholed wide tar road that wends its way along watersheds through farming areas. Once you bypass Mvurwi and Centenary (blink and you’ll miss it), the mountains start to loom on the horizon in front. The road reaches the foothills of the mountains a昀琀er a couple of hours and then it begins to wind and curve around deadly bends. Luckily, the tra昀昀ic is sparse and before we knew it, we pulled into the Mavuradonha Small World Eco-Wilderness resort. Less than a kilometre of dirt road later, and a treat awaited us once we had set up camp and set o昀昀 on exploratory hikes. Waterfalls, Eagles’ Crag, Bushman paintings, Banarembizi the highest peak of all, ancient elephant trails over the mountains down to perennial crystal clear streams, the mountains had it all. We were surrounded by rich green water-bessie forests and strange contorted rocks that made their way millions of years ago from deep underground (laden with heavy metals like chrome, nickel, platinum), they form the bedrock of the 600 kilometre long Great Dyke of Zimbabwe. At the time we visited, the rains had not yet arrived and our camping was done under clear skies, absolutely no contamination from man-made lights whatsoever, and to lie on your back and look up at the immensity of the Milky Way in such circumstances is beyond magical. Meteorites abound, shooting in great swathes of sparks across the sky. The vegetation is sparse where the heavy metals are at their most deadly in the soil, but elsewhere on rocky ridges and river valleys, miombo woodland is the order of the day. The dominant tree hereabouts is Brachystegia Boehmii, known commonly as mfute or Prince of Wales Feathers and it was just stunning in spring colours. Other than our own company we did not see another person, and best of all; no phone! R The Bark of the Urban Baboon Article and Images MAFUNGI Into The Wilderness NZ RA
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68 Issue 15 NZiRA Travel Zimbabwe