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Zimbabwe's safari circuit
Zimbabwe's
prime game viewing areas include Matusadona, Mana Pools and Hwange -
Victoria Falls particularly for first time visitors is a must.
- The
ideal "circuit" safari commences from Harare (if possible,
avoiding a stopover in the capital city), a short domestic flight to
Kariba followed by a combination of Matusadona and Mana Pools from
this convenient hub in the Zambezi Valley.
- Matusadona
is well known for its small "traditional
tented" safari camps and a selection of safari lodges on
the eastern and western boundaries - we recommend a minimum of 3
nights in Matusadona. Matusadona is generally excellent all year
round.
- The
lower Zambezi River is famous for its
canoe
safaris - "full participation" canoe safaris are well
suited for the more intrepid guests and are ideal for accessing Mana
Pools. Mana itself is also ideal walking terrain. An excellent
option in this area is to take advantage of both the canoeing and
walking opportunities with a "backed up" canoe safari -
essentially a deluxe safari traversing the full Mana shoreline and
making use of a "rolling" tented camp over 4 days. Mana
Pools is best visited in the dry season from May to October. Walking
safaris are hampered by access problems in the rainy season - our
canoe safaris enjoy a longer season with parts of the river being
accessible year round. Mana Pools has two particularly good safari
lodges.
- Hwange,
unless being visited on a self-drive basis is best tackled from one
of the safari lodges assuring a fair degree of exclusivity and an
exceptional wildlife experience.
-
Victoria
Falls is usually the last stop on a Zimbabwean safari
"circuit". The town offers a wide range of accommodation
options ranging from basic campsites to luxury hotels and lodges.
Unless guests are undertaking one of the white water rafting
expeditions over several days - a two night stop over is probably
the shortest time required to explore the local attractions. [see
the discounted packages
in Victoria Falls this season]
Adventurers…
For the
"wild at heart" - cover Matusadona, Mana Pools and Victoria
Falls.
- Consider
a game-intensive backpack trail with a Professional Guide in
Matusadona - these walking safaris are a rare privilege and
generally provide the most interactive bush experience available.
- The
"full participation" canoe
safaris are exactly that - "participatory". The lower
Zambezi is the place - the river is generally divided into 3 main
sections, the full stretch takes 10 days to cover. Mana Pools is in
the middle - big game is assured!
- "Vic
Falls" consolidates Africa's best pursuits for "adrenaline
junkies" - one day white water rafting, bungee jumping,
river-boarding, micro-lighting, parachuting are some of the
attractions. We recommend the
Safari
Par Excellence
website for a full run down on all of these adventure activities
- Shearwater
Adventures:
Based
in Victoria Falls, specialists in white water rafting, bungi
jumping, Helicopter flights, Helium Balloon flights, Jumbo Junction
and African Elephant Back Safaris
Combining Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia
Zimbabwe
acts as the ideal pivot for safari combinations with Botswana and
Zambia.
- Hwange
and Victoria Falls are logistically well connected with Chobe,
Moremi and the Okavango Delta in Botswana.
- Victoria
Falls and Livingstone in Zambia are border-neighbours thus
simplifying links with Kafue National Park.
- Kariba
is a convenient gateway to the Lower Zambezi National Park and
allows a reasonably simple connection to Mfuwe and access to the
Luangwa Valley in Zambia.
Find out
more about
Zimbabwe's
gateways in Victoria Falls, Kariba and Harare plus connections with
Zambia,
Botswana,
Namibia and
South
Africa...
Specialist safaris
Zimbabwe is
ideal for "species-specific" or "endangered-species"
safaris, particularly for photographers wishing to add black rhino and
lion or specific birds to their photographic collections.
The superior
guiding and quality/location of some of the smaller camps and lodges
provide flexibility and excellent opportunities in order to satisfy the
needs of specialists. We regularly tailor make exclusive safaris for
which we provide a Professional Guide for the duration of the safari -
these excursions tend to make use of the smaller and more remote camps.
Timing is generally a critical variable with these safaris - they need
to be planned well in advance (speak
to Trish or Chris).
Animal interactions
The
traditional safari experience involves varying degrees of remote game
viewing; from a vehicle, boat, canoe, or on foot - elephant back safaris
and horse trails are available in Zimbabwe and offer a captivating
alternative.
- In the
case of the elephants, the educational experience and interaction
with these intelligent animals is emphasised - this is a never to be
forgotten experience.
- Southern
Africa has a selection of horse trails available - there is one in
the Mavuradohna wilderness of Zimbabwe that is particularly
successful.
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Safari
ideas