NZ RA Travel Zimbabwe Issue 12 May/June 2019 $7 Two tone tour Matusadona
Fine dining is back in town. Restaurant Opening soon Where one smile starts another Tifiany’s Restaurant, 1st Floor, Cresta Jameson Hotel, Samora Machel Avenue, Harare. Tel +263 242 774106 www.crestahotels.com
Zimbabwe Interna琀椀onal Exhibi琀椀on Centre P.O. Famona, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Tel: +263 29 2884911 - 6 | VOIP: +263-86-77000450 For more informa琀椀on Email: zi琀昀mktg@zi琀昀.co.zw Web: www.zi琀昀.co.zw Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre P.O. Box Famona, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Tel: +263 29 2884911 - 6 | Fax: +263 29 2884921 | VOIP: +263-86-77000450 Email: [email protected] | Website: www.zitf.co.zw BULAWAYO www.zi琀昀.co.zw
4 May/June 2019 Publisher Mike Garden [email protected] +263 (0) 772 209 162 Editor Shannon Wilson [email protected] +263 (0) 782 005 277 Assistant Editor Primrose Muzah [email protected] Tel: 024 27827201 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 is correct at the time of printing. Nzira publication is the exclusive property of Ndeipi (Pvt) Ltd Media Nzira Cover Photo Andrew Currell InfoNzira nziramagazine Nzira 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. Subscription costs are RTGS$100 for 6 issues. NZiRA Travel Magazine subscription, delivered to your door. From the Editor If you want to be a part of the pathway to the next NZiRA issue, please get in touch with us on editor@ nzira.co.zw t NZiRA, we noticed that travelling is about making memories engraved by shared experiences - that’s why this winter issue encourages our readers to be outside. From our 昀椀rst page you’ll see that soaking up the sun while trying out new experiences in Zimbabwe is essential. For those of you in Harare itching to escape town, Darwendale is just down the road. For those curious about the unbeaten path, Debbie continues her story from Issue 9 and takes you with her to Tokwe Mukosi. If you’re seeking an adrenaline rush, relive the Mountains and Rivers Festival - with rapid rafting, bum sliding, kayaking adventures on the smooth wandering waters of the Pungwe River and mountain hikes reaching heights that make you feel like you’re on top of the world. We asked about your travel tales and you did not disappoint! Hwange captured our heart and we know it will have your full attention. The magazine wouldn’t be complete without the stars of any African landscape; the animals. Dive into African adventures in Tanzania or get involved in conservation with the Zambezi Elephant Fund and learn about the big 昀椀ve with the help of our eleven year old guide! Comedian Carl shared his extraordinary and alternative accommodation feat in Victoria Falls. We wanted to give you a taste (literally) of everything travel oriented that Zimbabwe showcases so ignite your senses with Chef Simba’s delightful winter dish, savour the beverages we know you love to consume at every bay, treat your eyes to our local talents and appreciate our wonderful tourist trinkets we so often like to purchase ourselves. NZiRA is on 昀椀re this issue and we plan on keeping you entertained all through winter. Finally, but certainly not least, we cannot forget the victims of Cyclone Idai. The power and kindness of this great nation is always a marvel to experience and during this tragedy it brought comfort to many. We sincerely encourage all our readers to continue sending help in any form to Chimanimani and Mozambique. It’s always a pleasure to share the abundance we are so blessed with as a nation. NZ RA Travel Zimbabwe A 69% 31% 63% 37% Kariba Kariba Honde Valley Honde Valley This is what our followers voted for Keep an eye on our social media pages to vote on your favorite places! Use the QR code to visit our website for more articles.
www.nzira.co.zw 5 CONTENTS NZIRA ISSUE 12 MAY/JUNE 2019 The Big Guys 13 16 48 34 36 39 43 51 54 58 60 64 66 19 Ewanrigg Botanical Gardens Roads Less Travelled - Tokwe Mukosi Two Tone Tour in Matusadonha Local Talent - Wildlife Art Conservation - Zambezi Elephant Fund #travellers’tales - Winter in Hwange Exploring Darwendale Tourist Treats Recipes Beverage for every Bay Suitcase Stories Winter Reads Bark of the Urban Baboon Alternative Home From Camp Feel Good to the Bumblebee Caravan, innovative off the grid accomodation in Zimbabwe with Carl Ncube The gardens are breathtaking during winter. Visit to marvel at the dam, get lost in the surrounding historical ruins that hold tales The celebrities of the African bush by Brianna, our 11 year old guide Zambezi Valley depicted by an artist Catch up with the ZEF and join the conversation on conservation Camping and game drives in two days during a winter getaway. A quick getaway out of Harare with a couple of fun stops Hike in uninhibited nature’s splendor in Kariba. Spoil yourself or a loved one with any one of these authentic Zimbabwean pieces Warm tummy 昀椀llers to try this winter Learn what quenches the thirst best in different places around the country Enjoy sunny winter with these four items. Books to give you the winter chills These car troubles will make sure winter won’t be the only thing giving you the chills 8 African Adventuring 26 Safari Game Drive in Tarangire National Park What happens in the highlands gets shared for all, here’s what you missed from the Eastern Highlands festival Mountains and Rivers 62
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www.nzira.co.zw 7 Advert Emergency contraception can be used to reduce the chance of pregnancy after unprotected sex. Sometimes the unplanned happens, and you’re unprotected. Prevent pregnancy use emergency contraception. Speak to your pharmacist, nurse or doctor about emergency contraception - brought to you by PSI Name and Business address of the holder of the certifi cate of registration. Population Services International, South Africa, Block G, 63 Regency Drive, Route 21 Corporate Park, Irene, 0152. Tel.: +27 87 809 0087. Distributed by Pulse Pharmaceuticals, 15 Borgward Road, Msasa, Harare, Zimbabwe. Email: [email protected]. Tel.: +263 242 446126. P020/2018
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www.nzira.co.zw 9 alternative home sweet home elsy, by right and plain common sense, is my manager. In 2017, we relocated to Victoria Falls and started Camp Feel Good, alternative accommodation for adventurers. We had ten tents and the eleventh one was our home. This allowed us to have 昀椀rsthand understanding of what we were offering to our guests. We used our social media pages to melt away the concerns of those who might be on the fence while bringing people’s attention to the product. When we started our camp project we knew it would not be easy; overheads would be high and sales low. This meant that marketing would be challenging. However, the best parts of Camp Feel Good make the challenge worth it. I had a place to cook, do comedy and, when I needed to, I could take my business anywhere. Camping is a 昀氀exible lifestyle that allows for me to sell any part of Zimbabwe using media locally and internationally thanks to my comedy. As for our guests, they can look forward to a customisable experience. As Camp Feel Good expands across the country, guests can enjoy activities available in the various areas such as game drives and cruises. Standard tents come with beds, mattress linens, sheets, pillows and duvets. Each Camp experience is topped with camp昀椀re meals, outdoor movie nights, and comedy (naturally). In 2012 I married my partner in innovation, Nelsy, and my career as an international comedian merged with our passion to live o昀昀 the grid while travelling the world whenever we wanted. We had a destination wedding on a private island called Coco Cay in the Bahamas. It is one of the Berry Islands that holds a fusion of vibrant colours that are typical of tropical islands. The ceremony lasted a memorable twentyseven minutes in front of a handful of strangers. After the knot was tied, we began planning our future. We knew we wanted to live on a tourist resort, o昀昀 the grid and mobile – free to explore the world. N Article and Images Carl Joshua Ncube CAMP FEEL GOOD Alternative Home Away From Home
10 May/June 2019 From August to October this year I am really looking forward to seeing the roads linking all the places I have performed in Southern Africa. The whole journey is exciting to me, going from Victoria Falls to Botswana then to the coast of Namibia down to Cape Town. We plan to follow the garden route, taking a detour to Lesotho then Durban and Johannesburg. From there we will go to the Kingdom eSwatini, then Mozambique up to Malawi through to Tanzania then back down to Zambia and 昀椀nally home to Victoria Falls. In the future, we hope to secure a double decker bus and convert it into a tech savvy, innovative, off the grid, electric motor home to live in. We plan to travel across our beautiful continent experiencing food, cultures and living our best life. This will be our reward while we ponder where we will ultimately build our next projects, Village of Tiny Homes and our take on Rural Homes of the Future. Sustainability is really important to us and we have every desire to leave our part of the world in a better position for our children. A personal dream of mine is to have the ultimate man cave built-in a bus for me and the boys to watch the big sports games, braai and travel. This will be my Carl Can Cook studio kitchen and will make appearances with me at events in the future. If you are interested in 昀椀nding out how to go from zero to owning your dream home please follow our page Alternative Home Sweet Home on Instagram and Facebook. BUMBLEBEE CARAVAN The expansion of Camp Feel Good meant that we needed a moving of昀椀ce and home that would allow us to go around the country with our camp, while being able to cook, work, do my comedy, and other outreach projects. In order to cut costs since Nelsy and I spent a lot of our time travelling, having an off the grid caravan was the best solution. We were lucky enough to get a Toyota Coaster shell for free and in 2019 the process of building our very own home on wheels began. This project not only brings Nelsy and I closer, but it is a testimony of our lives that our customers can see and touch. The caravan is meant to be ICONIC, INSPIRATIONAL and INNOVATIVE. The idea is to not only capture the hearts and minds of Zimbabweans but to also create a much needed narrative during these times. By sharing the process of building Bumblebee, we’re introducing ideas for sustainable living such as Ugetsi Energy or farm to table projects like Fresh in a Box. The bus is going to be our home with the usual 昀椀xtures such as a bed, shower, toilet and, the heart of any home, a kitchen. The most exciting part will be installing the water tanks, greywater, solar panels and inverters. When everything is 昀椀xed on board and we can 昀椀nally hit the road, the chance to see more of the country will make this experience in昀椀nitely more valuable. Travelling by road gives you a chance to witness the true marvels of the country. Alternative Home Away From Home
www.nzira.co.zw 11 Alternative Home Away From Home
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www.nzira.co.zw 13 “Ewanrigg has been restored and it is an absolute pleasure to visit during these dry winter months when the aloes are at their very best” ust forty minutes from Harare is one of the most extraordinary botanical gardens in the Southern Hemisphere. It was created by a former mining engineer who had previously served in the British Army in the Second Boer War, who then converted to farming and his passion for gardening. A chance placement of a clump of aloes, to hide a large rock in his garden, on the farm he named Ewanrigg, led to the development of a huge wonderland of an assortment of landscaped plants. Harold Basil Christian was his name and the aloes were Aloe cameronii. When they famously and 昀椀erily 昀氀owered the following winter virtually untended, Christian was hooked! He started in 1916, laying out rolling lawns and sweeping rockeries, interspersed with the already existing indigenous trees and exotics he obtained. The man had skill and determination and he scoured the country, and further a昀椀eld, for aloes of every description. He had the sense to group plants and to spread them by 昀氀owering dates and seasonal show. As a visitor to Ewanrigg, in the winter months of June and July, you will 昀椀nd that the bright red, orange and yellow 昀氀owering racemes of aloes have literally brought the 昀椀re of summer into the cold hard months of winter. He made friends with the botanists at Kew Gardens in the United Kingdom and with the Department of Botany in Pretoria. In no time at all his collection was such that plant lovers from all over the world would come to see “the 昀椀nest and most complete collection of aloes in existence”. Article Rob Jarvis Images Jonothan Skinner and Rob Jarvis Ewanrigg Botanical Gardens ©Jonothan Skinner Ewanrigg www.nzira.co.zw 13
14 May/June 2019 A charming thatched-roof, but little known Aloe Restaurant has been established near the water gardens in the south-west of the gardens. It is licensed, and beer, wine, spirits and mixers are available. Diners can watch endless 昀氀ights of sunbirds, butter昀氀ies and bees 昀氀itting from one 昀氀owering mass to another. If you bring your dogs, the water-loving Labradors plunge into the pools whereas the others invariably watch warily from the edges. Kids have freedom to roam the length and breadth of the gardens. It is a birding paradise with many seed-eaters joining the nectar-feeders and fruit-eaters that throng the trees and 昀氀ower beds. Lizards and agamas are frequently seen, the ponds croak with frogs and at night, there is evidence that small antelope abound. Ewanrigg’s greatest charm however is the wide open spaces just asking for family groups to come, spread their blankets and deck chairs, let the kids and dogs roam (both preferably under leash) and after exhausting themselves, whip open the picnic baskets and devour the contents in the warm winter sun. Braai facilities are strategically placed with concrete tables and chairs and there are a number of good clean restrooms throughout the gardens. Leave the cell-phones behind and tune into nature and be sure to take a sun-kissed nap before returning home. This was how G.W. Reynolds, a South African authority on the genus Aloe, described his garden and in 1936 he named a new aloe, which is commonly found in the Enterprise Valley, after Howard Christian himself, the Aloe christianii. Reynolds was famous for writing the comprehensive book on aloes “The Aloes of Tropical Africa and Madagascar”. Inevitably, Christian became interested in plants of every type and cycads, in particular, became a passion. There are now many cycads growing happily in the gardens. During the madcap years from 2000 to 2009, Ewanrigg suffered like virtually all national institutions in Zimbabwe. The estate had been left to the nation in perpetuity by Christian when he died in 1950 and successive Curators of the Garden have done their bit to increase the collection and maintain the gardens to a high standard. Steadily, in recent years, Ewanrigg has been restored and it is an absolute pleasure to visit during these dry winter months when the aloes are at their very best. It is part of the National Parks Estates in Zimbabwe and is currently run by Curator Anna Pasipanodya. Her caring hand has seen the weeds brought under control, lawns are cut, trees trimmed, paths and signs spruced up and precious plants labelled and individually tended when required. Together with keen members of the Aloe, Cactus and Succulent Society of Zimbabwe, rare cycads are pollinated and the seed is collected and sown to generate more plants. Plants are sold from an in-house nursery and also from an outlet at National Parks Headquarters just off the Borrowdale Road in Harare. National Parks and Wildlife Authority has the mandate to administer the laws governing indigenous plants in Zimbabwe. It is illegal to remove Aloes, Cycads, Adeniums (Sabi Stars) Pachypodiums and Orchids from the wild. Whenever National Parks apprehends illegal dealers, the plants are con昀椀scated and 昀椀nd a safe haven in the rocks and woodlands of Ewanrigg. It is a seedbank for the future of rare, indigenous and exotic, plants. The herb garden is thoughtfully laid out and has fascinating information about the origin and attributes of the herbs including the parts of the plant which can be useful in many ways. Ewanrigg Botanical Gardens to Shamva to Mutoko Enterprise Road HARARE Ewanrigg
www.nzira.co.zw 15 We have your payroll needs covered. Adaski is a simple, yet very eective, Payroll Software package that is used by hundreds of independent companies throughout Zimbabwe. Contact Mike Garden +263 (0) 772 209 [email protected]
16 May/June 2019 he rising sun pushes its warming rays through the morning mist, opening up vistas across the lake, whilst on the hill above the light gently illuminates the foliage on two tall palms in the charming gardens at Norma Jeane’s Lake View Resort. Another fascinating journey awaits those who awaken to this view in this historically splendid, richly spiritual and remarkably scenic part of Zimbabwe. Norma Jeane’s has been developed around the original tin-roofed homestead which belonged to the legendary explorer, trader, hunter, gallant WW1 昀椀ghter, rancher and farmer, Murray McDougall. This famed entrepreneur, whose life history is a book in itself, 昀椀rst entered Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) from South Africa in 1906, alone, on horseback, towing just one pack animal transporting his meagre belongings. In 1908 he secured 300,000 acres of land in the south east lowveld and was responsible for the pioneering construction of irrigation canals and the development of Triangle Sugar Estates. Later, in 1958, his vision led to the construction of Lake Kyle (now Mutirikwi) which feeds the lowveld sugar estates with life giving water via these canals. Today, his homestead provides a comfortable base for travellers to this unique area in the province of Masvingo. “The road less travelled,” metaphorically speaking means one is acting independently or free from the conformity of others who choose to take the road more frequently travelled. Zimbabwe certainly presents such opportunities for the independent and inquisitive traveller. A necessity for exploring most of Zimbabwe is the requirement of a sturdy 4x4 vehicle or, as in our case, nimble 2x4 mountain bikes. One condition for a tour such as this, where the routes have not been traversed before by any of the participants, was to be of an adventurous spirit and take whatever comes! With the assistance of Google Earth, Ricky had put together a 58km route for the 昀椀rst day, leading out of Norma Jeane’s, into the surrounding hills to the east through wild, sparsely populated country where the vehicle supplying our lunch awaited us at the base of Chamavara Cave. A magni昀椀cent rock art site, set in the communal lands and protected by the local community, bears a unique painting which researchers speculate could be ‘a very large human 昀椀gure’. On closer inspection, it does appear to be a conglomeration of several artists’ work but what this site really does signify is that there were different groups of humans in the area ranging from hundreds to perhaps thousands of years ago. Back on the trail, we headed home via Lake Mutirikwi dam wall. On the southern side of the wall is the smallest chapel in Zimbabwe, St Andrew’s Chapel, seating just 12 people. Tragedy surrounds this tiny edi昀椀ce but anyone who visits can only be drawn in to this story and this quaint building suddenly bears so much more meaning. In the 1960’s, at the request of his 18-year old daughter Marie, Tom van Graan, the water bailiff, began building the chapel but sadly Marie was killed in a road accident in 1970 and her dream to use it on her wedding day ended. In Marie’s memory, Tom and Claudine continued with the 4 x 2 metre structure, completing it with stained glass windows and a unique altar made from mining drill cores. The blue ceiling bears nine silver stars and a small brass plaque lies at the entrance, in memory of Marie. The Road Less Travelled T Article Debbie Swales Images Debbie Swales, BirdLife Zimbabwe Zimbabwe certainly presents such opportunities for the independent and inquisitive traveller. Image: Strutting turkeys entertaining cyclists Image: The tiny St Andrew’s Chapel, Lake Mutirikwi Tokwe Mukosi
www.nzira.co.zw 17 Day two dawned with the opportunity to view Zimbabwe’s largest inland water body, the gargantuan Tokwe-Mukosi Dam. Construction began in 1998 and due to a variety of issues was 昀椀nally completed in 2016. It lies 75km south of Masvingo with access via Ngundu and Triangle roads and is Zimbabwe’s highest and largest inland water body built mainly for irrigation and hydropower. The 73km route took us to this recently completed masterpiece. Terrain varied from technical single track through rippling streams, up granite dwalas, through sandy sections with huge mountain acacia groves, past communal lands littered with goats, turkeys and domesticated white guinea fowl and 昀椀nally riding over dusty red soils to the base of the dam wall. Mechanical bike issues along the way were easily sorted by Lee who, through years of experience, carries a small bag 昀椀lled with an assortment of nuts, bolts and all the gadgets that bikes may require when inconveniently broken! A cold shower under a hosepipe at the construction site, a chicken burger, brought by the vehicles (which would also provide us with a lift back) gave riders the extra energy to walk to the top of the dam wall where the spectacular view of shimmering water interspersed with grassy domed hills reached as far as the eye could see. Image: Lake Mutirikwi dam wall Image: Massive wall of the great enclosure at Great Zimbabwe Image: Wall structures on the hill at Great Zimbabwe Tokwe Mukosi
18 May/June 2019 The return journey to Harare took us east over the Mutirikwe dam wall, along Murray McDougall drive and back north through Gutu and Chivhu. A detour into the open grassy wetland plains of the Driefontein Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) and Ramsar Site, southeast of Chivhu, rewarded us with two spectacular sightings of threatened birds, the Wattled Crane and the Grey Crowned Crane (classi昀椀ed as Vulnerable and Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species). Exceptional viewing of these graceful birds in such close proximity to human habitation astounded us but their protection and monitoring is encouraged and supported by BirdLife Zimbabwe who work with communities in the area to come up with livelihood options that do not impact on the fragile ecosystem of the wetlands. Financial assistance from visitors, through BirdLife Zimbabwe, can only be bene昀椀cial in order to maintain this unique area which provides the precise conditions required for these rare birds to feed and breed. By taking the road less travelled, life is further enriched with unforgettable opportunities, sights, experiences and memories. Sometimes, we need to take a diversion from the conventional route and set off on an adventure and who knows what we might 昀椀nd. Tokwe-Mukosi offers immense scope as a tourism destination and discussions are currently underway to open up the area for just this. A visit to the famed ancient ruins of Great Zimbabwe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was imperative on our third day. Presumed to have been constructed between the 11th and 15th century, it spans an area 7 square kilometres. It is said that ten to 昀椀fteen thousand people lived here in mud and thatch huts in and around the massive stone walls. The elaborate structure with its labyrinthine passages leading to the top of the hill complex, left us in awe of what humans can do. How they built intricately designed, 10m high mortarless walls without modern day construction equipment is extraordinary. Photographs cannot replicate the spiritual atmosphere but photographic opportunities abound and nothing could prevent special memories being preserved both digitally and mentally. A small museum contains a host of antique treasures. The most rewarding being the famous Zimbabwe birds. Seven of the eight known highly symbolic soapstone sculptures, sit on their individual pedestals in a secured and darkened room. The birds are surprisingly small, averaging a height of about 40cm but the intangible aura surrounding these carvings is more than impressive. A cold mist engulfed the ancient city but riders relished the fact that a hot bath and good meal beckoned at Norma Jeane’s after a 27km round trip. Norma Jeane’s Lake View Resort Website: normajeaneslakeviewresort.com Tel: +263 (0)39 2264879 or +263 712 889 887 Email: [email protected] BirdLife Zimbabwe Website: birdlifezimbabwe.org to Harare to Beitbridge Mutirikwi National Park Great Zimbabwe National Monument Chamavara Cave St Andrew’s Chapel MASVINGO Lake Mutirikwi Kyle Recreational Park GPS GPS GPS 20⁰15′02.12″S 31⁰01′53.70″E 20⁰13′17.95″S 31⁰07′50.98″E 20⁰16′08.84″S 30⁰55′42.70″E The Driefontein Grasslands CLP Crane Conservation: Togarasei Fakarayi : [email protected] ©BirdLife Zimbabwe Image: View of Lake Mutirikwi through the palms from Norma Jeane’s Lake View Resort Image: Wattled Cranes Tokwe Mukosi
www.nzira.co.zw 19 BiG In the African wilderness, 昀椀ve strong, brave and mighty beasts go under the name of the big 昀椀ve. Article Brianna Style Images Kim Style LION This predator is known as king of the jungle. He lives in a group of lions called a pride. His roar is loud and echos as far as 4km. The lion’s shaggy mane frames its face as an orangey, brown colour. As this beast gets older his mane gets darker and darker. The females, however, don’t have a mane. They do all the work such as hunting their prey and teaching their cubs to do the same. When they have successfully caught a meal, they strangle the animal’s throat with their deadly jaws and wait till the prey dies. Then it’s dinner time! The females quickly eat as much as they can before the male comes. Then he chases the females away so he can have his share. When a younger lion comes to take over the pride they will either kill the old leader or send him away. Then the new leader will kill the cubs so that they don’t carry on the old leader’s genes. RHINO Rhinos are heavy, grey animals that weigh about 700kg. In Africa, there are two species of rhinos, the black and the white rhinos. Three of the ways you can tell them apart is that the black rhinos have curved lips to eat leaves and the white has a square lip to eat grass. The black rhinos walk with their heads up and the white rhinos walk with their heads down and the black rhino is more aggressive whereas the white rhino can be referred to as a gentle giant. In Zimbabwe there are around eight hundred rhino. Some of the parks that have rhino are Matopos, Hwange and Kyle. There is a plan to reintroduce rhino into Gona re Zhou National Park too. Malilangwe has about four hundred rhino in it. When I was younger I was privileged to touch and be close to rhinos as my grandmother hand reared orphaned rhinos whose mothers had been killed by poachers. ELEPHANT The popular elephant is huge and grey with large white tusks that curve halfway down their rough, hairy trunks. They have small eyes, therefore, they cannot see that well. Their ears, however, are huge and they have good hearing. Their heavy trunks contain around 100 000 different muscles. They are the biggest mammals in the world. Elephants are very intelligent and have incredible memories. They actually have the largest brain in the entire animal kingdom which are 3 to 4 times larger than humans. Although there are quite a lot of elephants around, they are becoming more and more endangered. Elephants are the only mammals that can’t jump because they are so heavy but they can run at a speed of 40 km/hr! The Big Guys
20 May/June 2019 LEOPARD These cats have a yellowish colour with black and orange spots. They can be very aggressive towards humans and are very territorial. They are known to be one of the most aggressive animals in Africa. They will kill animals and drag them up a tree so that no other predator can steal it. They live by themselves. Leopards can leap up to 20ft high! Mother leopards look after their young until they are 2 years old. When leopards are happy, just like cats, they will purr! Some people believe that their whiskers and bones can heal diseases and that is one of the reasons they are endangered. BUFFALO These grumpy beasts are grey with curved horns. Most of them are grumpy and you wouldn’t want to meet one on foot. The best thing to do if you come across a buffalo is to climb a tree. The hide on a bull buffalo is as thick as 2 inches in some places. They moo just like cows. These beasts are hardly scared of anything. When predators come they will thrash them with their strong horns. They live in huge groups called herds. One herd will have at least ninety buffalo. All of these beautiful, strong animals are sadly endangered (except for the bu昀昀alo) so we must all do what we can to help save these creatures and maybe one day they will no longer be poached but be happy and free! The Big Guys
www.nzira.co.zw 21 LOCATION Busters sports club, Bulawayo For bookings: 078 587 1510 Email [email protected] LOCATION Corner Livingstone & Adam Stander Drive Adjacent to the Railway crossing. For bookings: +263 213 2847326 I Cell: +263 774341911 Email [email protected] Website www.3monkeys.co.zw BULAWAYO
22 May/June 2019 FIND ESCAPE UNDER THE AFRICAN SUN When you’re looking for a short escape, African Sun is here to help you recharge and enjoy. Monomotapa Hotel and Holiday Inn, Harare If you’re in Harare and the traf昀椀c and mundane - ness of city life starts to overwhelm you, check into any of the African Sun hotels for a weekend of rest relaxation and rejuvenation. Learn to treat yourself to a luxurious break every once in a while and practice some self-care. Once you enter Holiday Inn or Monomotapa Hotel your space is completely transformed and the hustle and bustle of Harare town is but a mere memory. Chill by the pool with a cocktail in hand and enjoy the best of what African Sun has to offer. Caribbea Bay Resort, Kariba This well designed holiday resort offers guests, couples and families a wonderful holiday experience. The shoreline of the Kariba Lake gives this resort a Mediterranean feel. Not only is this a testament to luxury but Caribbea Bay also gives visitors an easy escape from the landlocked character that Zimbabwe is known for. It won’t be hard to put the electronics down and spend some quality time with your loved ones. BEST WAYS TO RECHARGE Mental breaks Move your body Eat good food Stay away from electronics Connect with your loved ones
www.nzira.co.zw 23 Organise a well deserved business trip for you and the team with a trip to Nyanga. Combine the pleasure of business with the polished “country club” ambiance found at the Troutbeck Inn. One of the best ways to recharge is through activity and this inn has some fantastic facilities to give you just that. Situated near a dam where you can trout 昀椀sh, play some golf, enjoy the swimming pool or, if you wish, hit a ball on the tennis, volleyball or squash courts. Whatever you need to bring your team together and create the team dynamic you need at work is readily available at Troutbeck Inn. The Eastern Highlands is a highly sort after location to make sure your team is recharged and ready to work ef昀椀ciently. Troutbeck Inn, Nyanga WE NEVER MISS! Blufhill Industrial Park, Unit 20, 21 & 22, Bluffhill, Harare Tel: 331637, 331638, 331654, 331658, 31659, 305474, 305481 Fax: 331658 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.sablepress.co.zw
24 May/June 2019 IT’S HALFWAY THROUGH THE YEAR, TAKE TO THE SKY AND CROSS “TRAVEL MORE” FROM YOUR LIST WITH AIR ZIMBABWE imbabwe is a beautiful country with the most hospitable people, weather and wildlife on the continent. Our aim at Air Zimbabwe is to make sure that your journey carries that hospitality every step of the way, even in the skies. As we enter the last half of the year we encourage you to continue emptying your bucket list with theses reminders of some cities you should visit all over the country. Z English: Hello Shona: Mhoro Ndebele: Salibonani Kalanga: Dumilani Chewa: Moni Here’s a selection of cities that hold some interesting historical signi昀椀cance to enjoy HARARE, MBARE This is one of the oldest high density residential area in Zimbabwe. Just 5km from the city center, on the southern side, this constantly buzzing urban jungle is the most talked about area in the city. It’s safe to assume that this settlement of thousands of inhabitants has and continues to produce noteworthy people who play important roles in the city. Mbare is a monumental surburb and it plays a great role in shaping the country. © www.tiritose.org
www.nzira.co.zw 25 NYANGA MASVINGO BULAWAYO Nyanga District, in the Manicaland Province, is found close to the border with Mozambique. The area contains many Stone Age and Iron Age archaeological remains such as pit structures, stone forts, terraces and pathways. Cecil John Rhodes was deeply impressed by the beauty of the countryside so much so that in 1897 R. Marks built the Rhodes Stables. Today the homestead has been turned into an exhibit. It is found in the Rhodes Nyanga National Park in the stunning Eastern Highlands. Located in the south-eastern part of Zimbabwe, Great Zimbabwe is the ruined city that holds the pride of the nation. The ruins were once the capital of the Kingdom in the late Iron Age. Construction began in the 11th Century and continued all the way to the 15th Century. The large structure was erected by ancestral Shona people and spans over 1 780 acres. At its prime it is estimated to have housed 18 000 people. UNESCO recognizes this proudly Zimbabwean architectural monument as a World Heritage site. Known for its charming architecture, this attractive metropolis is Zimbabwe’s second largest city. With its wide tree-lined avenues and parks, there is a clean and historical feel to this city. Dating back to the 1840s, it was founded by the Ndebele king, Lobengula Khumalo. Today the city is home to the Natural History Museum which was built in 1962. The museum holds the natural science collections in its circular building that has nine display galleries, 120 seater lecture hall and a cafeteria. It is the best museum in Southern Africa as it holds valuable research collections. Boasting as the 4th largest museum in Africa. Rhodes Nyanga Historical Exhibition Natural History Museum Great Zimbabwe Ruins
26 May/June 2019 e were collected by our guide, Lameck, from Maramboi Lodge after a delicious breakfast on a terrace overlooking a variety of grazers, including wildebeest and zebra, by Lake Manyara. My husband, sister, nephew and I had spent a night at this lodge, in luxurious spacious tents built on raised wooden platforms, surrounded by nondangerous animals. The ten-minute drive between the lodge and Tarangire National Park entrance gives opportunities to buy traditional Tanzanian crafts along the roadsides from locals dressed in typical Tanzanian-style clothing. The entrance to Tanzania’s sixth largest national park (2850m2) was neat and clean, offering good ablution facilities. The name of the park originates from the Tarangire River, which meanders through the park and provides the only source of water for animals during dry seasons when thousands of animals migrate to the park and tourist season prevails. Our visit fell at the beginning of the rainy season. Tarangire National Park greeted us with two pairs of large ears protruding from open grassland, which would have informed the owners long before of our arrival. The bat-eared foxes looked intently at us as they lay in front of what was likely a den with pups. Further behind were termite mounds, which dot the park landscape and provide the bateared foxes with possibly their favourite food. A leopard tortoise, although in much closer proximity to us, was not at all curious nor concerned by our presence as it ambled past us. A little further on we came across a pair of tiny delicate-looking antelope, which we would not be able to 昀椀nd naturally in the Zimbabwean bush, but are common residents in Tanzania. The dik-diks gave us enough time to enjoy their presence before disappearing behind a thick bush. A herd of Thomson’s gazelle grazed near the side of the road. As if to further welcome us into Tanzania, we were greeted by another antelope, not found in Zimbabwe, adding to our privilege. As we rounded a corner, our vehicle disturbed tiny warthog piglets on the road with their mother. As they burst into activity, our delight in their size turned into despair as we watched a piglet frantically nudging its sibling lying motionlessly. Although we had not seen any other vehicles in the park, our immediate speculation was that it had just been hit by one. W African Adventuring Tanzania Article and Images Karen Gifford Tanzania
www.nzira.co.zw 27 “Tarangire National Park greeted us with two pairs of large ears protruding from open grassland, which would have informed the owners long before of our arrival.” Just as our hearts went out to this little piglet with its desperate attempts to revive its family member, there was a sudden ‘spring to life’ by the latter as it awakened from a deep sleep. Just after that ordeal we set off again, and before we had had a chance to 昀椀nish expressing our relief about the sleepy little hog, a giraffe and its calf sauntered across the road. They were in close proximity to a herd of elephant which walked past our vehicle in a protective semi-circle around their two calves. In a dry river bed there were more giraffes and elephants, the latter digging holes in the sand for water. As we ventured further through herds of wildebeest and zebra grazing together, as they commonly do, we found ourselves among elephants together with baobabs. Both of these African giants, being a distinctive features of the Gonarezhou National Park, close to our Lowveld home in Zimbabwe, gave this already familiar-looking environment more of a homely feeling for us. We then entered a thicket and encountered a dagga boy. Lameck was tickled by the name ‘dagga boy’ which was a name we commonly used in Zimbabwe. The safety of the vehicle allowed us to spend time with this large buffalo bull. Buffaloes are one of the most dangerous and unpredictable animals in Africa. The striking coats of zebra and their foals prettied the scenery as they stood close to each other and looked at us for a while before trotting off. In the distance we spotted waterbuck that were also with young. A little further on stood a lone waterbuck whose identity could not be mistaken with its one horn. There were herds of impala. We came across a nursery of impala fawn staring curiously at us as they lay in two groups close to each other. Then perfect timing for us! As we were looking at a large herd of buffalo far down below us in a valley, a large pride of lion appeared from a thicket and walked right past it in a long line. They headed towards the small section of river which they drank from and crossed before 昀氀opping down to rest. We always 昀椀nd it a special treat to see these majestic cats. Tanzania
28 May/June 2019 The lion stared intently at them from behind a bush. The only sign of it being noticed by its potential prey was a zebra which momentarily returned its stare before continuing on its way. We thought we had seen all species we would for the day so were pleasantly surprised when we rounded a corner and saw an ostrich with just under a dozen chicks. Later, we saw another 昀氀ock with adults only. The shaggy bold black and white feathers of the roosters and the light brown ones of the hen bouncing in the breeze as they scurried up a grassy hill on their long legs made a spectacular sight. We had more in store for us! This time our sighting was ‘cheated’ but exciting as it enabled us to see four of the big 昀椀ve that day. Lameck’s vehicle radio informed him that a leopard had been seen, and he was given a location. We would not have found this beautiful cat lounging over a tree branch by ourselves. When we were there, it lifted its head once, looked in our direction for a few seconds, and went back to sleep. The noise of the small gathering of vehicles had disturbed it, but with dusk still being a few hours away, it was not time for it to get up. It was not time for sundowners either but after about seven action-昀椀lled hours, 昀椀lled with such an abundance of wildlife, we returned to Maramboi Lodge. The closed ‘tourist’ vehicle we had not been accustomed to doing game drives in made us realize the advantages of not getting soaked or sunburnt! There was time for us to take a short afternoon walk among the lodge’s wild residents which included a couple of mischievous-looking jackal which darted around to the edge of the lake which hosted a large 昀氀ock of 昀氀amingos. As we enjoyed sundowners and snacks on the pool terrace overlooking game, we re昀氀ected on one of the best game drives we have ever had in this absolute gem of a game park. The heavy rain which started to pelt down just before midday did not interrupt our game viewing. We closed the vehicle roof and continued on our way as we enjoyed our packed lunches. The contents of each box we individually selected from a large choice of food laid out for us at the lodge after breakfast. This late November shower did not last long, but there was enough water to create large puddles which displayed the animal and bird re昀氀ections as they drank from them. We took some time to admire the pretty zebra stripes rippling in the water. Bird life, including a noticeable amount of different birds of prey, surrounded us on the river bed, in the sky, and the trees. With the presence of migratory birds in the rainy season, this is a haven for bird enthusiasts! A large group of mongooses hurried alongside a stretch of water. The abundance of termite mounds possibly provides homes to many. Not far away from them, reedbuck drank. We saw eland, although not entirely, as they partially stood behind trees in a woodland. Warthogs wallowed in the recently created puddles. Our luck was doubled when another pride of lions, on the side of road, came into view. Its members were mostly napping and did not appear to be perturbed by our close presence. A cub was the 昀椀rst to have had enough of resting – it strolled across to an adult, huddled close to it and indulged in a pampering of licks, with dramatic facial expressions revealing that its little mind was 昀椀lled with contentment and love. Our entertainment with these cats did not stop there as our attention was diverted to a young restless lion with desires to hunt setting in. It got up and crept toward some wildebeest and zebra individually strolling past. Tanzania
ZIPIT Banking Services Bill Payment Internal Transfers Balance Enquiries Buy Airtime Just Save this number Imajeni on WhatsApp and you good to go! 0777 222 333 all this and more on WhatsApp Doing Banking and Sosho same WhatsApp group
30 May/June 2019 Photo Gallery Wild and full of Life Images Irina Stotskaya Image Gallery ©Irina Stotskaya ©Irina Stotskaya African celebrities spotted by paparazzi
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32 May/June 2019 Photo Gallery Submissions Help us to share Zimbabwe’s story in pictures and send us your submissions to [email protected] and you may be included in our next issue or on our website www.nzira.co.zw Image Gallery ©Irina Stotskaya ©Irina Stotskaya Charge like a rhino Nature never goes out of style
www.nzira.co.zw 33 Image Gallery Share your memories with us. A picture is worth a thousand words so send us your pixel story to [email protected] and you might be featured in the upcoming issue! Image: Left David Syme from Australia will always remember his trip to Zimbabwe after catching this beautiful tiger fish on the lower Zambezi. ©Irina Stotskaya ©Matthew Cotter Putting heads together
34 May/June 2019 oday, I re昀氀ect on the privilege I have had in my life, being able to spend so much time in these special places. For me, painting has created the connection to the wild I always yearned. I don’t believe we ever really see nature until we try and recreate it; the subtle changes in the light, or the many changes in colour that somehow never register until we really look. But there is more to it as well. This is my passion – a powerful urge from the core of my being to recreate the ambiance of the wild but, also, to generate awareness to the plight of Africa’s wildlife as a whole. Another recent trip to the ’Valley’ - the spiritual ambience, as always, descends upon you like some cloak warming the soul, inspiring deep thought and, above all, a journey into the present! Memories play like some continuous 昀椀lm roll through our minds as individual smells and sights trigger certain senses, and the silence of reality plays its music deeply within us - a time for contemplation, a time of re昀氀ection. How do you describe such beauty in the right way? Perhaps we don’t. No words can ever really make an adequate description of something so special, even a picture doesn’t do this justice. The beauty of this place we call the ‘Valley’ is re昀氀ected within us. It’s a warm feeling of knowing without a doubt that we are in the right place at the right time, a feeling of being ‘kumusha’. Local Talent Wildlife Art Article and Artworks Will Maberly Local Art
www.nzira.co.zw 35 I started writing this in the dark, early morning overlooking the river - the birds are starting up and in the distance the hyenas are calling excitedly, signifying the harsh realities of nature. The cool morning air reminds me of those many 昀椀res that I have sat around with companions. Many times it was just in silence, others in frantic discussion about subjects that were of the day but they never really mattered in the end. Somewhere in the distance, the lions are calling and the feeling of just ‘being’ is so intense, so real, that I wonder where all the time has gone. The silence of the morning is friendly, the orchestra of doves starting up in unison as day slowly breaks to my east, and the 昀椀rst light shows on the horizon. Today will be a good one, another great memory for the future, another brush stroke on the oil painting that is life. The intoxicating blends of Mopane, water and elephant 昀椀ll the fresh morning air, an undeniably African ambience reminds us of the present, and I have an enormous urge to try and capture the feeling of being here on canvas, the colours, the sounds and that overall feeling of reality that grabs me. It would be wise to listen carefully and you might hear the drums are beating. Local Art
36 May/June 2019 How Collaboration Is Helping To Propel a Local Conservation Success Story. Zimbabwe is home to the world’s second largest population of African elephant, which places a massive responsibility on all of us to work together and make sure that population numbers remain healthy across the Zambezi Valley. Article Zambezi Elephant Fund Images Zambezi Elephant Fund and Steven Chikosi Zambezi Elephant Fund
www.nzira.co.zw 37 n Africa, collaboration is still an unusual conservation model, but working well together only ampli昀椀es the impact of conservation efforts. This is becoming more and more apparent in Zimbabwe’s Zambezi Valley. Zambezi Elephant Fund has its roots in the support of anti-poaching activities in the Zambezi Valley, but it is growing today into one that supports, connects and grows relationships between public and private sector conservation/law-enforcement authorities and organisations. As a powerful voice for wildlife under threat in the region, Zambezi Elephant Fund works together with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, conservation support partners and active implementers in the valley, sharing expertise and information, creating awareness, fundraising and co-ordinating efforts on the ground. The last few years in the Zambezi Valley have seen some extremely positive outcomes from these collaborations and, together with ZimParks’ efforts, these include a signi昀椀cant reduction in elephant poaching and a step-change upwards in wildlife crime prosecutions and successful convictions. Alongside The Zambezi Society, Flying for Wildlife, Kariba Animal Welfare Fund Trust, Tashinga Initiative, Bushlife Support Unit and other implementing partners, Zambezi Elephant Fund has been working with ZimParks on the 5-year National Elephant Management Plan, which was signed by the Minister of Environment in January 2016. Aside from the signi昀椀cant drop in poaching, the Valley has seen an improvement in resources for wildlife protection, resulting in greater ef昀椀ciency in anti-poaching efforts. Zambezi Elephant Fund’s focus this year is to increase ranger welfare. There has been a meaningful morale boost through the creation of a ranger base station at Nyakasikana. This has improved training, equipment and logistical support, as well as the establishing of a recreation centre for rangers and their families. Building on initial informer-led antipoaching investigations work started by the Matusadona Anti-Poaching Project (MAPP) in 2015, a network of collaborating organisations led by The Zambezi Society has formed the Illegal Wildlife Crime Initiative, which works with ZimParks Investigations, the ZRP, CID and the Minerals, Fauna & Flora Unit. This tracks and records all illegal wildlife crime through the court system, improves and strengthens procedures for arresting and conviction of poachers, and follows up on court proceedings to ensure successful conclusions. This work has been a game-changer for anti-poaching operations in the Zambezi Valley and Zimbabwe. There is expected growth with a new collaborative partnership with the International Anti-Poaching Foundation. What of the future? The Zambezi Elephant Fund continues to seek partnerships in unexpected places – and it is often these that have the most signi昀椀cant outcomes. At a recent Zambezi Elephant Fund gathering of young Zimbabweans from all walks of life, the traditional and perceived “elitist” conservation mould was well and truly disrupted. This group came to the table with their “anything is possible” approach. The creative solutions, networking and ideas that come out of collaborations such as ‘together with the experience and wisdom of the older conservationists’ are inspiring and positive. Achievements to date •Two anti-poaching Land Cruisers with drivers on the ground •in the Zambezi Valley, each covering over 3,000km a month – •dedicated to the deployment and uplift of ranger patrols •A Zambezi River border patrol boat with coxswain, based at •Mana Pools with a capacity to deploy eight rangers •A covert vehicle to support state authorities with informer- •based operations •A Savannah light-sport aircraft for anti-poaching surveillance •and monitoring of wildlife population trends •Construction of a well-equipped, strategically-located anti- •poaching ranger rapid response base •Strategically placed wet season 昀氀y camps with transport •Patrol food supplies (rations) •Road opening within Mana Pools to improve access and •coverage •The commencement of digital radio capability for ranger patrols •An equipped recreation centre (in progress) for the rangers and •their families at Mana Pools •Painting of a school in the Chundu community (on the outskirts •of the Mana Pools National Park) •Support for a community-based reward system in the 昀椀ght •against illegal wildlife crime •Support for a disadvantaged children’s programme run by Chief •Chundu’s wife, Portia Kakamba •Specialised weapons training courses for rangers I Zambezi Elephant Fund
38 May/June 2019 Contact Information Crowe Zimbabwe 1964 Katsande Way New Marlborough Harare ZIMBABWE Tel: +263 242 300135/8 Cel: +263 772 294 913 +263 776 066 825 Audit Audits, Reviews and Compilations Agreed-upon Procedures Forecasts and Projections Securities Exchange Reporting Benefit Plan Audit Services Tax Transfer Pricing Value-Added Tax Wealth Management Corporate Tax Compliance International Tax Restructuring Advisory Transaction Support Deal Structuring Foreign GAAP Conversions Tax Consulting Merger Integration Services Acquisition Strategy Due Diligence Risk Enterprise Risk Regulatory Risk Technology Risk Fraud Risk Operational Risk Financial Risk
www.nzira.co.zw 39 rior to booking this holiday, I considered a lot of different places around Zimbabwe that would allow for a two night adventure for two. Considering neither of us had been to Hwange, we decided this was the perfect time to scratch it off the bucket list. I had always seen the most breathtaking pictures of a camp by the name of “Somalisa” in Hwange. We can all admit that when we are looking for holiday locations it’s the referrals or stunning photos on social media that in昀氀uence the 昀椀nal decision. Even though I was looking into other camps in the area, Somalisa seemed to tick all the boxes. However, there was one major detail that sealed the deal. I had emailed one camp in Hwange that refused to take local currency, therefore, 昀椀ngers were crossed that Somalisa would accept a bank transfer. This, for most Zimbabweans, is a major factor in choosing any local camp or hotel. After liaising with a lovely representative from African Bush Camps the decision was made because we could pay local currency for the full stay at Somalisa. What a relief! We arrived at Manga Airstrip in the late afternoon of Friday where our guide picked us up for a twenty-minute drive to Somalisa Camp. With luck on our side, we managed to see three beautiful cheetahs just before approaching the camp. What a phenomenal welcome! #travellers’tales P Hwange Article and Images Hannah Rudland Hwange
40 May/June 2019 # Every holiday in Zimbabwe is “too short”. It’s not always easy to 昀椀nd a place where you can go for two nights and still feel satis昀椀ed with the amount of time spent there. We truly are lucky enough to have such beautiful places. We were checked in after a short tour of the communal area. Stunning rooms coupled with the very accommodating staff made us feel like we were off to a great start. The sun was lowering over the waterhole directly in front of the camp, with a G&T in hand and an abundance of elephants it was the perfect 昀椀rst sunset in Hwange. If you want a relaxing sleep in, this is most certainly not a holiday I would recommend. Alarm clock buzzing, we were up at 5am ready for our 昀椀rst game drive. We were only in Hwange for a short period of time so we desperately needed to make the most out of it. The bird life was incredible on our drive. The landscape of golden coloured 昀椀elds of grass was nothing like I had ever experienced before. While we sipped on our morning coffee, we managed to see some kudu, giraffe, zebra, more beautiful elephants, and one lonely jackal. After the morning snacks and seeing wonderful game, we decided to make our way back to the camp. On the way back our very knowledgeable, young guide spotted some fresh leopard tracks and decided we would follow them. After driving slowly for a few minutes that seemed like forever, we spotted a leopard walking casually on the main dust road. Follow them on instagram @addicted2adventuring It was a breathtaking sight! We were in absolute awe. As we drew closer to the leopard, it veered off into the thick bush. Not being more than three metres away, it was shocking how camou昀氀aged the leopard was, almost impossible to notice. By then, it really was time to head back to camp. After having a shower and relaxing for a short while by the main area, we had lunch on the deck with the other guests. Time for the sunset drive was approaching. We were joined by another Zimbabwean couple from Bulawayo and a foreign couple for a short game drive to the sunset location. Unfortunately, we did not see any new game but nothing beats an open truck with the dry dust on your skin and the wind in your hair. It was the last magical sunset in Hwange. Overlooking the 昀椀elds of grass with the sunset re昀氀ecting on the waterhole, this was my idea of a perfect ending to our short adventure. Dinner came and shortly after that we shared stories around a camp昀椀re and getting to know the other guests. An early yet satisfying evening concluded the day. We 昀椀nally had our 昀椀rst sleep in of the trip followed by a swift check out. Soon we were bound for the air strip. With elephants surrounding the right side of the runway and African Bush Camp staff waving us goodbye to the left, it was a fantastic and heartwarming end to our trip. Send us your tumultuous tales, recovered road trips and unbelievable adventures to [email protected] and you may be featured in our next issue of NZiRA Hwange
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42 May/June 2019
www.nzira.co.zw 43 Exploring Darwendale Article and Images Rwendo Life ne of our goals, as a couple, is to explore the African continent while taking plenty of weekends away around Zimbabwe as often as we can. We have discovered that there are many unpopular but amazing places that are yet to be explored and we are excited to experience them for ourselves. We live in the capital city of Harare so we decided to escape the hustle and bustle of the city with a quick trip to Darwendale Recreational Park. The park is located about 76km west of Harare and it occupies an area of about 11200ha. Just under three quarters of this area is covered by the Lake Manyame. After digging around the Zimpark’s website, we immediately fell in love with the place since we both love nature and water. We had planned to leave Harare early so we would have as much time to explore the recreational park as possible since we were booked for only one night. We were going to have a self-catering cottage, therefore, we made sure to purchase the necessary supplies. We left Harare at exactly 8am and set off on our adventure. The advantage of leaving early is that you can have a chance to check out some amazing scenery and other places along the way. 23km into our journey, we made a spur of the moment decision to pass through the Lion and Cheetah Park for a glimpse of the king of the jungle since we had plenty time on our hands. The spontaneous decision was golden as one of the staff, Steven, gave us a 5 star tour. We managed to see the lions and other game species which include the crocodile, eland and duiker. We also spent some time with the co-star of Lion and Cheetah Park Tommy, a Galapagos tortoise, who is over 250 years old and weighs around half a tonne! After our two hour detour, we continued with our journey. Our excitement levels were higher than before. About 60km from Harare we decided to make another stop, this time at Manyame River Bridge just for a closer look. We went under the bridge as there is a small footpath that leads to the water. The sound of the water 昀氀owing, smell of the fresh air and thick dense bushes made us feel grateful. The tension of city life fell away. We sat there absorbing the environment, playing with the water and documenting it for thirty minutes. With just 15km left, we were back in the car. This time we didn’t stop until we got to the Zimparks signage where we turned right into a dust road that held the last 5km of our journey. The dirt road is challenging to maneuver on some parts with our small Toyota Vitz Clavia. If it had been raining, we would have been stuck so we recommend you use a four wheel drive during the rainy season as the road becomes muddy and slippery. O Darwendale
44 May/June 2019 We arrived to the Zimparks entrance and were given a warm welcome by the friendly staff who con昀椀rmed our booking and handed us the keys to our cottage. As we drove to the accommodation we passed through the dense and peaceful bush 昀椀lled with spoils of different indigenous trees which made the whole experience breathtaking and memorable. The cottage was 昀椀nally in sight but our 昀椀rst port of call was exploring our surroundings before going inside. The cottage was quite cozy with a fully equipped kitchen including all the utensils necessary for self-catering, a lounge, dining room, two bedrooms, a shower and a braai area. We also managed to enjoy the amazing view of the dam right from the accommodation and that’s where we sat as we watched the sun set. We decided to retire into our cottage and prepared a 昀椀lling dinner comprising of roast chicken, roasted potatoes, cucumber salad and wine. We woke up the next morning ready and energised to explore our home away from home. We started off by going to tour the Darwendale Dam where we met one of the staff who manages the dam wall. This is where we received our dam history lesson. The dam was constructed in 1976 and is a home to vast aquatic species like the Mozambique bream, tiger 昀椀sh and the Hunyani salmon. In the distance, we could see 昀椀sherman in their canoes and boats doing a bit of 昀椀shing right in the middle of Lake Manyame and we immediately put 昀椀shing on our list as something that we would de昀椀nitely try out on our next trip. Having taken in the outdoor scene we ventured indoors. The cottage was cozy. After viewing the dam, we then went to explore the campsite or camping area, which is another exciting accommodation alternative that we are de昀椀nitely going to try out on our next trip as it is something we have never done before. This campsite has a communal ablution block, and water points plus braai points dotted around the camp. We decide to spend the entire day at the picnic site which overlooks Lake Manyame. With our basket 昀椀lled with fruits and snacks we enjoyed the breeze coming from the lake with monkeys jumping up and down the vast Musasa trees which surrounded us. The park sustains a variety of trees which gives the place a unique nature 昀椀lled atmosphere. The head ranger, Mr Makore, told us that approximately 3100ha of the park is reserved for smaller and less dangerous animals, mainly herbivores such as sable, kudu, water buck, bushpig, reed buck, common duiker, warthog, baboon, vervet monkey, oribi and porcupine. Unfortunately, most of the animals didn’t come out to meet us that day. Returning home we felt relaxed and ready to take on our busy jobs that required our full creative abilities. If you are looking for a place to clear your mind and bond with nature then this recreational park is the right place to visit. A day trip would still be worth it as well. Darwendale
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46 May/June 2019 imbabwe is best enjoyed through road trip adventures that take you places hidden in the dense bush known to nestle wildlife and locals who are blessed enough to call the buzzing thicket home. Experience an episode in your life from the comfort of a trusted vehicle that is built with impeccable excellence. There’s enough space for your whole family, extended family members and everyone’s luggage plus the kitchen sink for the road trip you will never forget. The third row of seats in the back folds 昀氀at creating plenty of space. Focus on the landscape and not each other’s elbows as the leather seats have ample room for your legs and head. Speaking of comfort, air conditioning is standard but rear passengers can control their own air 昀氀ow as well. Smooth sailing is guaranteed because it sits at about 140km/hr very comfortably. When you’re on four wheel drive you can hit 100km/hr easily. The Mu-X has 12.7 km a litre fuel economy, six speed automatic transmission and Bi-LED headlamps with day time running lights. At the turn of a knob you can toggle between 2H and 4H which switches between two and four wheel drive. When dealing with tricky terrain you can activate both low range and diff-lock to navigate through obstacles regardless of severity. Equipped with touch screen radio with satellite navigation and reversing camera, this is the best way get around. Ingenuity meets action-packed escapades to bring you the most comfortable addition to your family. Experience comfort, room and luxury the Isuzu way – it won’t just be the destination that’ll be worth talking about but the journey too! Z Have you met the Isuzu Mu-X? It’s not the destination…
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48 May/June 2019 The encouragement and comradery built over these walks is second to none, no team building courses could ever teach you the value of working together and respecting one another like a walk in nature. Named after the classic two tone stone coloured shirts that were once popular in the yester years, the Two Tone Tour in Matusadona has to be on your to-do list this winter. fter many months of preparation, meetings and training, it was 昀椀nally time to begin. The Two Tone Tour was off, across the vast eastern basin towards the Ume River with the golden rising sun at our backs. The calm waters of the Gubu some 10km up the Ume River gave way to an oasis of green networks of rivers and tributaries like capillaries. The river came alive; swaths of birds added specks of colour as Carmines 昀氀itted in and out of their nesting holes, hippos and crocodiles ladened the banks, ours heads swaying back and forth trying to take in all the splendour . A hippo path was our exit point from the boat. This would be the 昀椀rst steps of many to come. Spirits were high and backpacks were heavily loaded. Not a minute into the walk and a male bushbuck, with his white dotted 昀氀anks, slunk across our path. Then a small family of kudu rushed out from under a fruiting Tamarind. A herd of impala moved off after a quick drink from the trickling river. Mother Nature was spoiling us from the start. Before teatime, we had negotiated our way past a magni昀椀cent elephant bull who boasted some superb tusks and a lonely Dagga boy who stood in disbelief at our presence, possibly never having seen a human before in his life. The Dagga boy watched us quizzically as we boiled water for our tea and biscuits. We moved off slowly after tea and an already exciting morning got better. As we rounded an ox bow, a leopardess melted off a rock and blended into the brush after a few precious seconds. We couldn’t believe our luck. There was a hum in the group and smiles all round, but before we could 昀椀nish discussing this rare incident a large brown bird 昀氀ew out from an entanglement of green overgrown trees, a Pel’ s Fishing Owl. A once in a life time spot for some! It 昀氀ew into a bare Sterculia and posed for us until the harassment of Drongos and Bulbuls became too much. All this happened before lunch. From this point we started to climb. The river became narrow and rocky. We were now seeing more animal spoor than the actual animals themselves. The sheer beauty of the rock formations and waterfalls took over. Succulents, creepers, climbers and euphorbia clung to the rocks and their roots stretched far in search of water. The sun was now setting at our backs over the Ume River which was now just a glimmer in the distance. A sign the day was drawing to a close. Our feet hurting slightly at this point and ruck sacks digging into shoulders, the evening chorus rang out through the cooling air. White-browed Sparrow-weavers busied about their scruffy westward facing nests above our tents. The Shelley’s Francolin, which is not found on the valley 昀氀oor, called its almost mocking tune of “lets drink some beer, lets drink some beer” as we all had water dug and 昀椀ltered from the river bed. Two tone tour A Matusadona 2018 Article and Images Mitch Riley Matusadona
www.nzira.co.zw 49 Our descent started midmorning. A swift drop into the Jeckecha River (昀椀rst cross roads river) is where we found trickling water that seeped through the rocks and 昀椀ltered through the tonnes of sand to quench our thirst. Our last day’s camp was perfect, nestled under a grove of giant green Mahogany trees with a crystal pool of water. The camp昀椀re’s smoke rose straight up the still air. A Red-faced Cisticola called in the tall grass, a cubby of Crested Francolin shuf昀氀ed through the leaf litter, and Drongos darted back and forth through the smoke catching insects. Another unforgettable day had come to a close. Our walk out on the last day was again a slow and careful trek. We rock hopped like Klipspringers down the boulder river, dropping further down to lake level. As we rounded the 昀椀nal bend, the welcoming sight of the boat with cold drinks and snacks brought life back into everyone. Legs and backs were no longer so sore and the silence said it all. A great sense of accomplishment was evident in all the smiles – a tour that not many have done. Magical Matusadona is a truly wild, untamed experience. No paths or signs, except those offered to us by nature. And should you accept Mother Nature’s offers you will 昀椀nd your way. The night settled in. Sitting around the crackling 昀椀re with the cool river sand between our toes, we were mesmerised. These camp昀椀res were often referred to as bush television for their almost trance like effects. The 昀椀rst night was a treat of steaks and potatoes as we could only afford the extra weight on the 昀椀rst day before our legs and backs became weary. The rest of the trip would be well thought out noodles, tuna, and soups – easily prepared on-the-go meals with regular tea and coffee breaks that allowed us to stop and take in the surroundings. During one of our tea breaks, we were joined by yet another lonely buffalo bull who watched us from less than 5m away before trotting off into the 6ft Hyparrhenia grass that skirted the river’s edge. Our goal for Day Two was the base of trig, the highest point in the area. After a gruelling day of mountain climbing, elephant path 昀椀nding, and (some might say) getting lost, we found ourselves in the shadow of trig point! The sandy patch around made for a great campsite, with a small seep from which we collected our water for the evening. We, however, were not alone that night and shared the vlei with a chorus of calls: Nightjars 昀氀itted overhead, Weavers and Quelea chirped in their hundreds as they gathered in their roosting spots and a hyena’s woops and drawn out howls echoed eerily down the valley with the cool still air amplifying his voice. Obviously curious, the hyena circled the camp while keeping his distance trying to work out who was joining him for the evening. Thanks to an early start with the goal in our sights, Day Three was triumphant! The summit of trig is one view that cannot be described and pictures do it no justice. We had a 360° view of Matusadona National Park, from Ume to Sanayti River and all the folds and valleys in-between. We spent time taking it all in. It feels like you are sitting on clouds with the entire world below you. Amazingly, we had not been the 昀椀rst ones at the top that day as the trampled grass and fresh bugridden dung of elephant was all around us. These giants may actually enjoy the splendid views atop trig point too! Contact [email protected] +263771331953 Matusadona
50 May/June 2019 BE THE FIRST TO KNOW! Visit our website, www.airzimbabwe.aero and click on the travel update widget to get updated travel info on your flight. Try It Now! b FlyAirZimbabwe a FlyAirZimbabwe